MIAMI Commercial is hosting a marketplace session, called “Tabletops to Contracts: Real Estate Essentials for Restaurants,” which will focus on the commercial dynamics of leasing and selling restaurant properties, emphasizing key terms and negotiation strategies.

The demand for dining experiences has been increasing rapidly as out-of-state families and individuals, including top restaurateurs, continue to relocate to South Florida. However, this migration has led to a scarcity of restaurant spaces in our area. Additionally, the high costs of food and labor as well as the budgetary constraints that some consumers are facing translate into challenging times for many restaurant owners. With dozens, if not more, restaurants opening and closing on a monthly basis, this marketplace session will address various techniques and strategies to navigate the ever-changing real estate landscape.

The session will feature Michelle Gonzalez of Floridian First Realty and Arden Karson of Karson & Co.

With more than 25 years of experience in the real estate industry, Michelle Gonzalez is the president and commercial managing broker for Floridian First Realty, a family-owned boutique commercial, luxury and residential real estate firm located in Coral Gables, Florida. Born and raised in Miami, Gonzalez specializes in the retail restaurant sector, representing clients seeking new locations for their expanding brands. Some of the most recent brands she has worked with include Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza, La Boulangerie Boul’ Mich, Gelato & Co., Nothing Bundt Cakes, and OMG Brigadeiros, among many others. This specialization has expanded into the industrial and office markets, where she secures warehouse and land requirements for redevelopments. Gonzalez is a member of the Board of Governors of MIAMI Commercial.

Arden Karson is managing principal of Karson & Co. Her background includes development, acquisitions, asset management, leasing, sales, marketing, and financing of real estate properties across all asset types. Throughout her career, Karson served in executive and leadership roles at CBRE, Related Group, Advenir, Lennar/LNR, Bank of America, and PWC. Many industry organizations recognize Karson as a real estate power leader and a top businesswoman. She serves on the Board of Advisors of the University of Miami Masters in Real Estate + Urbanism program (Executive Committee), the Urban Land Institute SE Florida/Caribbean District Council (Treasurer), and the Commercial Division of the Miami Association of Realtors. Gonzalez is a member of the Board of Governors of MIAMI Commercial.