Site Selection for Expanding Businesses

Atlas Real Estate Advisors  /   March 24, 2025

When a business plans to expand into a new market—whether it’s a bustling urban area, a suburban interchange, or a growing college town—it doesn’t just pick a spot and break ground. Instead, it turns to a specialist: the site selection broker. These professionals operate at the intersection of data, real estate, and strategy—quietly assisting to help the business owner form their expansion plan.

At the heart of a site selection broker’s work is the ability to identify the best location for a new business, balancing visibility, accessibility, zoning, demand generators, and long-term return on investment. They don’t just look for available land—they look for the right land.

The process begins with deep market analysis. The broker studies performance metrics, reviews tourism and business travel trends, and overlays those insights with competitive supply data. Then they factor in local drivers: is there a new medical campus opening? A convention center upgrade? A shortage of similar options?

Once the ideal trade area is defined, the broker hits the ground—or the map. They evaluate parcels based on size, access to utilities, zoning compatibility, and proximity to highways, airports, entertainment, or business hubs. They also analyze traffic counts, visibility, ingress/egress, and even slope and soil composition if development is expected.

But their role doesn’t stop at identifying a site. The site selection broker negotiates with landowners, conducts preliminary due diligence, and often coordinates with civil engineers, architects, franchisors, and brand representatives. They may assist in entitlement strategies—navigating zoning approvals, variances, or incentives with local jurisdictions. In some cases, they introduce developers, partners, or investors to bring the project to life.

For businesses with strict brand standards and demographic targets, the broker becomes a trusted advisor—making sure every site reflects the chain’s goals and is set up for long-term success.

Whether it’s securing land for a flagship hotel near an airport, identifying an infill opportunity for a boutique coffee concept downtown, or finding a roadside pad for a new midscale restaurant, the site selection broker is an indispensable part of the business expansion playbook.

Atlas members have assisted numerous companies with their business expansion efforts including Zaxbys, Woodspring Suites, Jittery Joes and others.