A boutique Phoenix brokerage that works one side of the table. We represent no landlords, which means no conflicts, no divided loyalty, and no fee out of your pocket.
See Who We Represent →Almost every retail broker in this market also represents landlords. Every time one of them sits down with a tenant, there is a conflict of interest in the room. We have never taken a landlord client, so there has never been one in ours.
A landlord signs leases for a living. Most tenants sign one every few years, then live inside that decision for the next ten.
We close the gap. Same market data, same rent comps, same leverage, pointed the other way.
A lease is a ten year decision made in a few months. These are the steps we take with you, in roughly this order, whether it is a national rollout or a first store.
The mix flexes to the job. A franchisor entering a new state uses all nine. An operator renewing in place might use three. Either way it costs you nothing: the landlord pays a commission to their broker and requires them to share it with the broker representing the tenant, which is us.
Before a single site, the framework. How many units, over what horizon, in what order, and what has to be true for each one to work. If the plan is wrong the real estate cannot save it.
A complete read of the trade area. Demographics, daytime population, traffic counts, co-tenancy, the competition already there and the competition on the way. Numbers, not hunches.
Where the concept actually belongs. A brand that thrives next to a grocery anchor can die in a lifestyle center two miles away. We establish the ideal position before we start touring.
The market drawn out: trade areas, drive times, gaps, and the corners worth wanting. This is the document that makes the next twelve months obvious to everyone in the room.
Boots on the pavement. Because we represent no landlords, we can show you every site that fits, not the handful in somebody's portfolio. Franchisee discovery days run the same way.
The call itself, made on objective and subjective criteria both. Rent matters. So does the left turn in, the pylon, the neighbor two doors down, and what the center looks like in five years.
Where the deal is really won. We know what this market is actually trading at, so the letter of intent goes out at a number that reflects it rather than a number the landlord suggested.
Every economic term, worked. Base rent, escalations, tenant improvement allowance, free rent, exclusivity, co-tenancy, options. Commercial leases are complex enough to need an expert, and this is the part where having one pays for itself several times over.
We stay in it through construction and architectural coordination, and we are still here for the relocation and the renewal. Most of our clients open their next store with us too.
Mike Leonard co-founded Catalyst Commercial Group in late 2005 and serves as Principal and Designated Broker. He came up as Vice President of Retail Leasing at MAS, Inc., led the complete Arizona rollout for Five Guys, and helped Cold Stone Creamery grow from 11 stores to more than 1,400, personally locating over 350 of those locations. University of Massachusetts, 1993.
Today the firm runs five brokers deep out of one office on High Street in Phoenix, working with franchisors and franchisees from national rollouts down to an owner opening a first store. The client list runs from Taco Bell and Panda Express to Barrio Queen and Massage Envy.
Between them, decades of retail rollouts across Arizona and the rest of the country.
Started at MAS, Inc. in early 2001 and has negotiated more than 1,000 tenant retail lease and purchase deals valued at over $500 million. Works with Dave's Hot Chicken, McAlister's Deli, Five Guys, Plato's Closet, Play It Again Sports, Massage Envy, and Wingstop.
Twenty years in real estate, sixteen of them in tenant representation for franchise brands. Came from Fun Brands, where he was Director of Real Estate and Development. An Arizona resident since 1994 and an Arizona State University graduate.
A Grand Canyon University psychology graduate and a former collegiate tennis player, WAC Player of the Year. Works with Cold Stone Creamery, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Wingstop, and Pizza Patrón.
Twenty five years in financial services and wealth management before real estate, plus development work with local builders. A lifetime board member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale. Works with Primp and Blow, Modern Acupuncture, Crewcuts, Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
"Chris and Mike at Catalyst Commercial Group are the gold standard."
5450 E. High St Suite #250
Phoenix, AZ 85054
Mon–Fri
9am – 5pm
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