As we step into 2025, multi-unit operators in the retail and restaurant industries find themselves at a critical juncture. Shifting consumer behaviors, rapid technological advancements, and evolving lease dynamics are redefining the landscape. To stay competitive, operators and property managers must anticipate these changes and adjust their strategies accordingly.
From sustainability to flexible leasing options, let’s dive into the top 10 trends shaping commercial leasing in 2025—and how understanding lease management can make or break your success.
1. Omnichannel Mastery
Consumers in 2025 expect seamless transitions between online and offline experiences. Retailers are doubling down on options like buy-online-pick-up-in-store (BOPIS), while restaurants prioritize streamlined delivery apps and loyalty programs.
Lease Management Implication:
For multi-unit operators, ensuring spaces are adaptable to hybrid operations is critical. Additionally, operators need lease terms that account for evolving omnichannel needs. At Property Works, we provide tools to help tenants track and adjust lease obligations as operations scale across channels.
2. Rise of Experiential Spaces
Unique, immersive experiences are driving foot traffic in retail and dining. From themed restaurants to interactive retail pop-ups, customers now prioritize connection over convenience.
Lease Management Insight:
The rise of experiential spaces often introduces unique lease complexities, such as clauses for tenant-led renovations, co-branding agreements, or even event hosting permissions. Navigating these terms while maintaining compliance can be challenging, especially as landlords increasingly push for shared costs or revenue participation. Property Works ensures that multi-unit operators fully understand these nuanced clauses, helps monitor compliance, and audits occupancy costs related to renovations or shared expenses. By managing these details, Property Works empowers operators to focus on creating memorable customer experiences without being bogged down by lease intricacies.
3. Sustainability Takes Center Stage
co-conscious consumers are increasingly prioritizing greener practices, pushing businesses to adopt measures such as energy-efficient operations, waste reduction, and locally sourced materials. In response, many landlords are integrating sustainability requirements into leases, such as mandatory recycling programs, renewable energy usage, or certifications like LEED compliance.
However, under the Trump administration, federal sustainability initiatives may see a decline, potentially shifting the burden of eco-friendly measures entirely onto individual businesses and landlords. While this could reduce regulatory pressure for some operators, it may also lead to inconsistencies across regions and landlords regarding sustainability expectations.
Lease Management Implication:
Green clauses in leases are becoming more prevalent but can often result in unexpected expenses or unclear obligations for tenants. Property Works helps operators decipher and manage these clauses, ensuring compliance while avoiding unnecessary costs. By maintaining clarity and organization in your lease portfolio, Property Works supports businesses in balancing sustainability goals with operational efficiency, regardless of shifting regulatory landscapes.
4. Flexible Lease Structures
Uncertainty in the economy has driven demand for flexibility in leasing. Operators are seeking short-term leases, percentage-based rent models, and options for expansion or downsizing.
Lease Management Impact:
Property Works simplifies lease analysis, allowing operators to evaluate flexible leasing options quickly. our lease admin software, SiteHub, ensures that multi-unit operators can adjust to market changes while maintaining compliance with lease terms.
5. Accounts Payable Automation in Lease Management
As lease portfolios grow, managing accounts payable for rent, CAM (common area maintenance), and other charges has become increasingly complex. Automation is no longer optional—it is essential.
How Property Works Helps:
With Sitehub’s AP module, operators can automate rent payment workflows, ensuring accurate and timely payments. This reduces administrative burdens and avoids costly errors or late fees.
6. ASC-842 Compliance Is Non-Negotiable
With financial reporting standards like ASC-842 continuing to influence how leases are accounted for, multi-unit operators must ensure compliance. Proper tracking of lease terms and obligations is critical for meeting regulatory requirements.
How Property Works Helps:
Our software simplifies ASC-842 compliance by centralizing lease data, automating calculations, and producing accurate financial reports. This ensures operators can confidently meet regulatory demands.
7. CAM Audits on the Rise
As landlords face increased operational costs, tenant overcharges for CAM fees have become more common. Operators are now prioritizing CAM audits to ensure they are not paying more than their fair share.
How Property Works Helps:
For 25 years, Property Works has been the industry leader in conducting CAM audits. Our team of experts meticulously reviews CAM reconciliations, identifies errors, and ensures that charges align with lease terms. This process not only prevents overpayments but also enables clients to recover thousands of dollars in past discrepancies.
Beyond auditing, we provide tools within our lease management system that help track and manage CAM charges efficiently, giving operators visibility into their expenses. With Property Works, tenants have the confidence that every dollar spent is accurate, justified, and aligned with their lease agreements—safeguarding profitability and ensuring peace of mind.
8. The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity will become a paramount concern for property managers and lease administrators in 2025. The increasing reliance on digital platforms for managing leases and property data makes these systems attractive targets for cyberattacks.
Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures will be essential to protecting sensitive information and maintaining tenant trust. Staying vigilant against cyber threats will help safeguard operations and build a reputation for reliability and security.
Lease Management Impact:
The lease administration industry as a whole must prioritize robust cybersecurity measures to mitigate risks. From safeguarding tenant data to protecting financial records, strong security protocols are essential to maintaining trust and ensuring uninterrupted operations. By investing in advanced cybersecurity solutions, lease administrators can reduce vulnerabilities, protect sensitive information, and reinforce confidence in digital lease management systems.
9. Data-Driven Lease Decisions
Data is becoming a critical driver in optimizing lease portfolios. Multi-unit operators are leveraging analytics to identify trends such as underperforming locations, optimal lease terms, and opportunities for renegotiation. Insights from lease data also help businesses plan expansion strategies and better allocate resources.
Lease Management Insight:
With tools like SiteHub, businesses can access detailed reporting and analytics on their lease portfolios. This includes tracking critical dates, rent escalations, and occupancy costs, helping operators make informed, data-driven decisions to optimize profitability and reduce risks.
10. Technology Integration
Technology continues to transform operations across industries, with restaurants leveraging AI for inventory management and menu optimization, while retailers adopt augmented reality (AR) tools and AI-driven personalization to enhance customer experiences. On the property side, tenants are demanding smart building technologies, digital directories, and other tech-forward amenities as standard features.
Lease Management Insight:
Technology is also reshaping the way leases are managed, offering tools to centralize data, automate processes, and provide actionable insights. From automated AP file generation to CAM audits powered by analytics, digital systems are improving efficiency and reducing manual work. However, even with these advancements, lease administration still requires human expertise. Complex lease clauses, nuanced negotiations, and the ability to audit CAM charges effectively are tasks that rely on experienced professionals who can navigate beyond what technology alone can handle. The future of lease administration lies in the balance—using technology to streamline workflows while leveraging people to tackle the details that require judgment, precision, and expertise.
Conclusion
Multi-unit operators in the retail and restaurant industries are navigating an era of rapid change in 2025. By aligning with emerging trends—from sustainability to technology integration—property managers can provide the support and flexibility needed to help tenants thrive. A proactive, partnership-oriented approach will be key to building successful and resilient properties that cater to modern consumer expectations. Contact us today to learn more.
