Lockehouse Retail Group Announces West Coast Expansion, Taps Industry Vet Russell Friend to Head New "Lockehouse Restaurant Group"
The move uniquely positioning the company to meet the comprehensive real estate needs of young emerging restaurant brands as well as other food service concepts as a whole.
SAN MATEO, Calif., Oct. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Lockehouse Retail Group (LRG), one of Bay Area's fastest growing brokerage firms, announced the launch of the Lockehouse Restaurant Group, uniquely positioning the company to meet the comprehensive real estate needs of young emerging restaurant brands as well as other food service concepts as a whole.
Russell Friend, one of the most reputable names in the industry, has joined the Lockhouse team to lead the new Restaurant Group headquartered at the company's new southern California office, based in Irvine.
Friend recently served as Chief Development Officer for wildly-successful restaurant chain, The Habit Burger Grill. He spent 9 years with the company, where he headed up real estate, design, development, construction and property management during the company's initial expansion phase — leading the fast casual concept from 18 to over 150 company-owned locations.
"Not only is Friend one of the most well-respected leaders in this industry, he is also eager to invest his restaurant development expertise into Lockehouse projects at all levels — significantly bolstering Lockehouse's unique offerings and value to current as well as future property owners and restaurant clients," said Steve Cutter, Founder of LRG.
Lockehouse is able to chart the course for many growing and established retailers, as they bring the knowledge and expertise necessary to plan, identify, and meet the real estate requirements of its clients — from top level consulting to identifying the people and infrastructure to successfully execute the current and long term goals for its clients.
"Today marks the beginning of a whole new level for our firm. We can't wait to continue to 'show up well' in all Lockehouse business and community endeavors throughout the state."
Cutter noted that Lockehouse has always grown organically, not wanting to force fit any move or potential opportunity. The entire LRG team is confident that after finding the right partner in Russell Friend, the timing could not be more right for integrating a highly specialized corporate restaurant expertise into its existing retail services.
"Lockehouse has a sterling reputation for identifying exceptional retail opportunities as well as first class emerging growth retail and restaurant concepts, and delivering on all levels on the execution side. That, combined with their highly disciplined independent and entrepreneurial spirit, makes me honored to become part of this great group of professionals," Friend said.
"I'm looking forward to sharing my 30 years of corporate real estate experience with Lockehouse. I truly believe the new Restaurant Group will add tremendous value to LRG's existing and future client base. Our vision is to build a first class team of seasoned brokers, both internally and outside of Lockehouse, who specialize in restaurant real estate on the local, regional, and national level," Friend concluded.
"From retail and restaurant brokerage, to ground up development, consulting services, and more Lockehouse is a one-stop-shop for all major needs in the CRE space," said Josh Amoroso, Partner at LRG.
Amoroso concluded: "As we continue to grow, LRG will continue to keep our identity rooted in our entrepreneurial spirit, strong work ethic, and delivery for clients — we couldn't be more excited for the future."
Since its inception in 2005, Lockehouse has focused on earning trust and building a stellar reputation in the Bay Area, which has now allowed them to build upon a broader vision.
"Over the last several years, every one of us on our team have kept our focus, working hard and delivering real results. We're thrilled to be able to come up for air at this point as we make this exciting move — not only with the expansion into Southern California, but far more so with the quality we have found in Russell Friend to help us make this vision become a reality," Cutter concluded.
Lockehouse currently serves a variety of major tenants throughout California, and lists several million square feet of premium retail real estate. Exclusive restaurant clients and tenants include Paul Martin's American Grill, Tacolicious, Lemonade, Pieology, Charcoal, Poke House, Super Duper Burgers, Dos Coyotes Border Café, Veggie Grill, and Umami Burger.
Should you have or know of any new or additional opportunities, please reach out to Lockehouse at (650) 692-3400 or www.lockehouse.com
SOURCE Lockehouse Retail Group
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