The Lease Can Make or Break You: Navigating Commercial Legal advice for Restauranteurs

Before the menu, before the build-out, before the doors open—there's the lease. In this episode of Dine & Dish, host Michele DiMeo sits down with Paul Stanton, commercial real estate and legal expert, to unpack the legal realities every restaurant owner needs to understand before signing on the dotted line. From hidden lease clauses and CAM charges to personal guarantees, build-out responsibility, and exit strategies, this conversation delivers practical guidance and hard truths that can save operators time, money, and stress. Whether you're opening your first restaurant or renegotiating an existing lease, this episode gives you the tools to protect your business—and yourself. Knowledge is leverage. Don't sign blind.