Burgess Rawson

15/10/2026

From a single charcoal chicken shop in Sydney's west to a business targeting 200 locations nationwide, El Jannah has emerged as one of Australia's fastest-growing quick service restaurant brands.

Its expansion reflects broader shifts across the drive-thru sector, where convenience, accessibility and strong population growth are creating new opportunities for operators to expand beyond their traditional markets. As consumer preferences continue to evolve, drive-thru formats are increasingly becoming a key component of long-term growth strategies for leading food and beverage brands.

That story is now playing out in Melbourne's north. In Wollert, a purpose-built El Jannah drive-thru sits alongside McDonald's, KFC and BP within one of Victoria's fastest-growing residential corridors. More than 94,000 vehicles pass the site each week, while over 17,900 homes are approved or under construction nearby, helping explain why growth corridor locations are increasingly sought after by both operators and investors.

Furthermore, the opportunity is underpinned by powerful growth fundamentals, with the City of Whittlesea's population forecast to increase by almost 40% by 2041, cementing its position as one of Melbourne's fastest-growing municipalities.

Our latest article explores El Jannah's growth journey, the evolution of Australia's drive-thru sector and the market fundamentals underpinning demand for well-positioned quick service restaurant assets.

https://burgessrawson.pulse.ly/ej1fkbwtej

13/10/2026

What does a successful business park look like?

At Compass Business Park in Seaford, Victoria, one of Australia’s most successful Planet Fitness locations is helping demonstrate the power of a well-positioned mixed-use precinct.

Home to more than 5,500 members, Planet Fitness in Seaford has become a major drawcard within the estate, benefitting from strong exposure, accessibility and a growing surrounding catchment. Its success highlights why leading national brands are increasingly seeking locations that place them alongside complementary retail, food and service operators.

The innovative 6.65-hectare precinct is a mix of commercial and industrial uses, with quick service retail, a gym, self-storage and warehousing. The Salvation Army, Wendy’s, Starbucks and Guzman y Gomez now trade alongside the club, as do local businesses in the park’s office-warehouse units.

For investors it’s a reminder that the right precinct, and the developer behind it, can be just as important as the operator itself.

To read more sign up here: https://burgessrawson.pulse.ly/3hg2yqnpll

09/10/2026

$2m property. How much cash do I actually need?

Usually more than just the deposit. A commercial purchase also requires you to think about transfer duty, legal costs, finance costs, due diligence, settlement adjustments and sometimes GST.

A buyer might look at a $2 million property and focus only on the price, but the real question is what the total acquisition cost will be. That is the number that determines whether the property truly fits your budget. In commercial property, your buying power is shaped by the full cost of entry, not just the headline price.

Commercial property does not need to feel too hard. Follow this series and let's demystify it together.

READ MORE: https://burgessrawson.pulse.ly/zhamek6mub

02/10/2026

Big-name tenant = safe tenant?

Not automatically. The logo on the building is not always the entity on the lease. A property might be branded by a well-known name but leased to a franchisee, a subsidiary or a private operating company.

That is why it is so important to check who is actually paying the rent and what security sits behind the lease. Is there a bank guarantee? A parent-company guarantee? Director guarantees? The answer can materially change the risk profile of the property.

Commercial property does not need to feel too hard. Follow this series and let's demystify it together.

READ MORE: https://burgessrawson.pulse.ly/jjx6luktaz

01/10/2026

CBRE's Portfolio 188 has launched, bringing together a diverse line-up of investment opportunities from some of the country's most recognisable occupiers. Highlights include assets leased to Planet Fitness, The Salvation Army, Hungry Jack's, El Jannah, Guzman y Gomez and Australia Post, alongside a range of industrial, retail, healthcare, childcare and mixed-use properties from across Australia.

The campaign showcases the breadth of investment opportunities currently on offer, with tenant-backed assets across multiple sectors set to go under the hammer as part of one of the nation's largest coordinated commercial property auction campaigns.

Portfolio 188 auctions will be held in Sydney on 27 October, Melbourne on 28 October and Brisbane on 29 October.

To view the full campaign, visit https://burgessrawson.pulse.ly/iexvhovsez

27/09/2026

Australia's household wealth continues to climb, and with it, investor appetite is shifting from residential property toward commercial real estate.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Australian household wealth increased by $201.1 billion during the June 2026 quarter, continuing the steady accumulation of private wealth across the economy. Growth was driven largely by a 5.2% increase in superannuation assets, supported by stronger domestic and global equity markets.

Residential property, meanwhile, told a more mixed story. The value of land and dwellings slipped 0.2% over the quarter, with average dwelling prices down 0.7% — though annual growth remained stable. Household borrowing rose 2.2% over the same period, pointing to steady demand for credit even as broader conditions turned more cautious.

Together, these figures point to a private wealth base that remains resilient, with strong gains in financial assets more than making up for the softer patch in residential property values.

With this depth of capital now available, we are witnessing investors increasingly look beyond residential property for returns, with commercial real estate emerging as a key beneficiary which is reflected in a notable rise in entry-level and first-time commercial buyers over this period.

https://abs.pulse.ly/1583vjekyz

24/09/2026

10 + 10 + 10 = a 30-year lease?

Not exactly. If a lease is written as 10 years plus two further 10-year options, the tenant is generally only committed to the first 10 years. The extra terms are usually options in the tenant’s favour, not guaranteed years for the landlord.

That distinction matters because buyers often talk about the total possible lease length when the more important number is the committed term. The committed term tells you how long the tenant is legally locked in today. The option periods may well be exercised, but that decision normally sits with the tenant.

Commercial property does not need to feel too hard. Follow this series and let's demystify it together.

READ MORE: https://burgessrawson.pulse.ly/mzpnfx3fgs

20/09/2026

The continued expansion of brands like El Jannah highlights the value of strong customer loyalty and a differentiated food offering. The charcoal chicken chain has confirmed its first South Australian store at Glenelg, marking another milestone in its national growth journey.

From a single family-run restaurant in Western Sydney, the business has evolved into one of Australia's most recognisable quick service retail operators and has outlined plans to grow its footprint to almost 200 restaurants nationwide in the coming years.

A Lebanese charcoal chicken chain that’s developed a cult following in NSW and Victoria has confirmed it’s coming to SA, sending fans into a frenzy.

18/09/2026

CBRE's Portfolio Auction Series 187 has delivered strong results, with $42.1 million in sales generated and investor demand pushing yields as sharp as 4.11%.

Interest was strongest for childcare, fast food, convenience retail and large format retail assets, which attracted competitive bidding from entry-level and private investors alike. A KFC in Springvale sold for $4.5 million at a 4.77% return, while Goodstart Early Learning centres in Point Cook and New Lambton achieved yields of 5.09% and 4.11% respectively.

The results also highlighted the depth of private capital in the market, particularly among entry-level investors seeking solid income streams backed by established operators and long lease profiles. With a success rate of 76.47% and an average yield of 5.35%, the campaign reinforced the ongoing appeal of defensive real estate investments across Australia.

18/09/2026

According to REA Commercial Insights research, more than 630,000 residential investors are considering purchasing a commercial property.

The opportunity is clearly there. The confidence often is not.

REA’s research found that the biggest barrier for residential investors considering commercial property is a lack of knowledge or confidence, cited by 44%.

And that makes sense.

Commercial property works differently to residential property. The lease matters more. The tenant matters more. The rent matters more. The outgoings work differently. The way value is assessed is different too.

But different does not mean difficult.

Start with the fundamentals.

Who is the tenant?
What rent are they paying?
How long is left on the lease?
What are the rent reviews?
Who pays the outgoings?
What happens if the tenant leaves?
What have similar properties recently sold for?

Commercial property does not need to feel too hard. Follow this series and let's demystify it together.

READ MORE: https://burgessrawson.pulse.ly/fxx1vcvcsm