It's Shawarma with Swagger, and it's coming to America.

From humble beginnings in London, Ontario, to a thriving restaurant chain with over 64 locations, Tahini’s is now poised for U.S. expansion—fueled by innovative flavors, a massive social media following, and a franchise model centered around local ownership and community engagement. This week, Chris Ressa talks with Tahini's Founder and CEO Omar Hamam and Business Development Officer Shawn Saraga, on the big plans the company has in the U.S.

Takeaways:

From One Store to a Franchise Empire

Omar Hamam grew Tahini’s from a single restaurant into 64+ locations—and he’s just getting started.

U.S. Expansion Is Underway

First U.S. locations are launching in Illinois, New Jersey, Baltimore, and Miami—with 100 planned in 2–3 years.

Fusion-Forward Menu

Tahini’s blends Mediterranean staples with bold global flavors—think butter chicken shawarma and smoked brisket.

Massive Social Following

With 5M+ followers and 12M weekly views, Tahini’s built U.S. demand before opening a single U.S. store.

Owner-Operator Franchise Model

They reject master franchises—every franchisee must be hands-on, local, and deeply involved in the community.

Built for Delivery and Late Night

Most locations are fast-casual with strong off-premise sales—and 70% stay open until 2 a.m.

Real Estate Sweet Spot

Ideal sites: grocery-anchored centers, 1,200–2,000 SF, with smart infill and non-traditional site flexibility.

Healthier, Guilt-Free Eats

Fresh, grilled, and made-to-order—Tahini’s hits the crave factor without the fast-food regret.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tahini's and Founders' Backgrounds

07:53 Expansion Journey and Franchise Model

10:51 Store Concept and Market Positioning

13:31 Innovative Menu and Unique Offerings

16:10 Social Media Influence and Brand Awareness

18:45 Franchisee Selection and Community Engagement

22:12 Owner-Operator Approach to Expansion

24:06 Future Growth and Market Strategy

28:54 Health-Conscious Menu and Customer Appeal

In this Retail Retold Replay, Chris Ressa dives into the winding path of a complex lease deal at a DLC shopping center in Cheektowaga, NY — where Five Below ultimately took the space, but not before a rollercoaster of negotiations, tenant terminations, and lessons in legal vs. physical possession.

The story starts with Office Depot downsizing, a prospective tenant backing out, and ends with a successful Five Below opening. Along the way, you'll hear why contingencies in commercial real estate deals are everything — and how timing, relationships, and flexibility can turn a near-miss into a win.

A must-listen for anyone in leasing, development, or deal-making.

Takeaways:

• Buy now, pay later options are on the rise and appealing to younger consumers, and retailers are investing heavily in buy now, pay later platforms.
• Supply chain challenges can vary based on ordering behaviors. Retailers who continued ordering during the pandemic are better positioned.
• Five Below's entry into Cheektowaga, NY involved complex negotiations.
• Possession in commercial real estate can be legally defined but physically contested.
• The importance of having tenants who are committed to their locations.
• Understanding the contingencies in real estate agreements is crucial.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Retail Retold

02:47 The Buy Now, Pay Later Craze

05:40 Supply Chain Insights

08:20 The Five Below Story

Through the lens of a single neighborhood shopping center in Lawrenceville, GA, Chris Ressa lays out a compelling story of what’s happening across retail real estate today—and why the industry isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving.

Despite headlines about disruption and store closures, America is undersupplied when it comes to retail space, and demand is surging. In Lawrenceville, post-COVID success triggered a leasing domino effect that brought in over 40,000 SF of new tenants and added nearly $800K in NOI.

Takeaways:

• The power of low supply and high demand and how it’s reshaping site competition
• A behind-the-scenes look at a grocery-anchored center’s three-year transformation
• The diverse, modern tenant mix redefining “normal” retail—think healthcare, beauty, food, and auto alongside legacy brands
• How smart reinvestment and strong market forces create a flywheel of growth
• Why traditional metrics like “retail per capita” miss the mark in today's environment

Chapters

00:00 Retail Real Estate Fundamentals Post-COVID

05:23 The Lawrenceville Case Study: A Retail Success Story

09:28 The Evolution of Retail Tenant Mix

Summary

In this episode of What's in Store, Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono hold their feet to the fire—revisiting bold predictions made at ICSC to see what held up, what flopped, and what’s next. From the unshakable rise of value retail to the surge in food and beverage concepts, they dissect the real trends shaping retail today. They dig into the tug-of-war between experiential and convenience, the true state of omnichannel, and why sustainability is more than a buzzword. It's a candid, no-fluff look at where retail is heading—and how close they came to calling it right.

Takeaways

• The retail industry is experiencing a tight supply and high demand for space.
• Experiential retail is evolving, but convenience remains a priority for consumers.
• Omnichannel retailing has become a standard expectation for most retailers.
• Sustainability initiatives are not currently driving business decisions in real estate.
• Redevelopment and repurposing of properties are slower than anticipated due to various challenges.
• Food and beverage concepts are thriving, with a notable increase in coffee sales.
• Value retailing continues to be a strong focus for consumers amid economic pressures
• The conversation around tariffs and AI was less prominent than expected at ICSC.
• Mixed-use developments are still a hot topic, but execution remains challenging.
• Predictions for the future should consider longer timelines for significant changes.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Retail and Real Estate Predictions
• 04:58 Reflections on ICSC Predictions
• 09:52 Supply and Demand Dynamics in Retail
• 15:08 Experiential vs. Convenience Retail
• 19:54 The State of Omnichannel Retailing
• 25:00 Sustainability and ESG Initiatives
• 29:56 Repurposing and Mixed-Use Developments
• 33:47 Food and Beverage Trends

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It's an exciting time at DLC. In a perfect case study of how our vertically integrated team executes in unlocking the value of real estate, Chris Ressa interviews Jack Rosencrans, Vice President of Development at DLC, about DLC's foray into self-storage development in Columbus, OH.

The conversation covers the rise of self-storage as a viable asset class, the strategic decision to enter the Columbus market, the development process, including zoning approvals, underwriting, and construction challenges, as well as the early performance of the facility post-opening. Jack shares insights on the market dynamics, the importance of data in decision-making, and the potential for future self-storage projects at DLC.

Takeaways

• Self-storage has become a lucrative asset class post-COVID.
• Columbus was chosen for its under-supply of self-storage.
• DLC utilized in-house capabilities for construction and development.
• Zoning approvals were a significant part of the development process.
• The project faced scrutiny and required thorough feasibility studies.
• Underwriting involved collaboration with established operators like CubeSmart.Value engineering was crucial to manage construction costs.
• The facility opened ahead of schedule and is performing well.
• Local market knowledge was key in securing financing.
• DLC sees potential for more self-storage developments in the future.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Self-Storage Development
• 01:59 The Rise of Self-Storage as an Asset Class
• 04:59 Market Analysis: Why Columbus?
• 09:10 Navigating the Development Process
• 12:04 Underwriting and Financial Considerations
• 14:51 Construction Challenges and Solutions
• 21:13 Opening and Early Performance
• 23:54 Future of Self-Storage at DLC

In this episode of Retail Retold, host Chris Ressa speaks with Peyton Thomas, Vice President of Construction at Renovo Construction. They discuss Peyton’s unique journey from a career in acting to construction, the innovative approaches Renovo takes in the general contracting industry, and the challenges faced during the construction of a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Ithaca, NY. The conversation highlights the importance of partnerships in the industry and how Renovo aims to build strong relationships with clients and tenants.

What you'll hear:

• Renovo focuses on providing a professional approach to contracting.
• The company aims to align with landlords’ and tenants’ goals.
• Creative problem-solving is essential in construction projects.
• Weather conditions can significantly impact construction schedules.
• Design changes can complicate project timelines.
• Team communication is crucial during construction challenges.
• Building relationships with clients is a priority for Renovo.
• Trust is fundamental in contractor-client relationships.
• Renovo’s experience enhances its partnership with DLC.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Peyton Thomas and Renovo

02:58 Peyton’s journey from acting to construction

05:57 Understanding Renovo’s unique position in the market

09:07 Building two projects at once – Dick’s Sporting Goods in Ithaca, NY

12:05 Navigating the challenges of changing designs and personnel

15:01 Future growth is built by building partnerships

In this episode of Retail Retold, Chris Ressa discusses the current state of the retail market, highlighting growth in retail sales and the implications of recent bankruptcies. He shares a detailed case study of a redevelopment project in Lockport, New York, where a vacant Walmart was transformed into a multi-tenant property. Ressa emphasizes the importance of creativity and adaptability in commercial real estate, offering valuable lessons learned from the project.

What you'll hear:

• Retail sales showed growth at the end of 2024, exceeding expectations.
• Bankruptcies like Party City provide insights into market dynamics.
• There is a persistent shortage of retail space in America.
• Creative solutions can lead to successful retail developments.
• Adapting to market changes is crucial for success in real estate.
• Getting ahead early in a project increases the chances of success.
• Collaboration between parties can yield innovative outcomes.
• The transformation of a single property can enhance community options
• Understanding consumer behavior is key to retail success.
• Flexibility in strategy is essential in a changing market.

Chapters

00:00 Retail Market Overview and Trends

04:54 Case Study: Lockport, New York Redevelopment

10:06 Lessons Learned from Retail Development

Summary

In this episode of What's in Store, Chris Ressa and Karly Iacono are building up the buzz leading into ICSC Las Vegas—the "Super Bowl" of retail real estate. It's not just about big deals; it's about the mindsets of the retailers, landlords, and other industry stakeholders.

The trio of hot topics? Tariffs, AI, and supply-demand warfare. While tariffs continue to ripple uncertainty, AI's footprint in site selection and real estate decisions is exploding, despite concerns over its imperfections. On the ground, the supply crunch is forcing retailers to get creative—even snapping up bankrupt spaces just to get in the game. Ressa and Iacono see Vegas as a litmus test for who's truly playing offense in this market squeeze.

Takeaways

• The Real Estate Gala showcased a diverse group of non-institutional investors.
• Tariffs are a significant concern, with varying opinions on their impact.
• Retailers are generally optimistic and sticking to expansion plans despite challenges.
• Artificial intelligence is becoming ubiquitous in business operations.
• There is a need for consolidation in AI tools to avoid inefficiencies
• Supply and demand dynamics are still favoring landlords in retail real estate.
• Retailers are being creative in accessing real estate despite constraints.
• The conversation around tariffs and AI will dominate discussions at ICSC.
• Investors are anxious about the impact of tariffs on retailer earnings.
• New concepts in retail are emerging, but traditional methods still hold value.

Chapters

00:00 Insights from the Real Estate Gala

04:07 Leading into the retail real estate Super Bowl, ICSC Las Vegas

06:00 The Impact of Tariffs on Retail

13:45 Artificial Intelligence in Retail

26:12 Supply and Demand Dynamics in Retail