Venture Brokerage secures 4,700 s/f for expanding restaurant chains; vanegas reps sonic / alfieri reps firehouse subs

Venture Brokerage Group, a newly launched commercial real estate firm with offices in Rochester and Syracuse, secured leases totaling 4,700 s/f for two expanding restaurant chains. SONIC, America's Drive-In, is the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants with more than 3,500 locations. Venture Brokerage Group secured a long-term lease for the first Rochester location, which recently opened at the newly redeveloped Tops Depot Plaza in the town of Irondequoit. Janell Vanegas, principal and managing broker of Venture Brokerage Group, represents SONIC on its site selection and real estate in this region. In addition to the drive-thru and iconic drive-in stalls with roller skating service, the 2,500 s/f restaurant features an indoor dining room to better suit the colder climate in this area. The SONIC franchise group is led by Fran DeSimone, who brings valuable experience within the industry from leadership roles with Panera Bread, Burger King and Taco Bell. DeSimone has an agreement to develop 15 locations throughout Rochester, Syracuse and surrounding markets. "We currently have three locations in our pipeline that are scheduled to open. We are very focused on expansion and are looking to find sites with the best exposure and access for our customers," said DeSimone. Firehouse Subs, a fast casual chain with over 850 locations, has plans to open its first Central New York restaurant in the Town of Camillus this fall. Valerie Alfieri of Venture Brokerage Group represented Firehouse Subs and secured the 2,200 s/f space in the former Radio Shack on West Genesee St. The chain is experiencing significant growth and is planning additional locations in the Upstate market over the next three years. "We are in the process of evaluating sites in several markets. We hope to be able to announce our next location soon," said Alfieri. Venture Brokerage Group is a full service real estate firm specializing in tenant representation, landlord representation, development and investment sales.