Freestanding Restaurant Downtown DeKalb, IL - On Lincoln Hwy Near NIU!
"Bring Your Concept Here - No Restrictions - Can Also Add A Drive-Thru"
An exceptional opportunity to lease one of DeKalb's few freestanding, single-tenant restaurant buildings just blocks from Northern Illinois University on the city's primary commercial corridor with convenient access to/from all areas of the city.
This fully built-out restaurant offers operators the rare chance to open quickly while avoiding the significant time, expense and uncertainty of constructing a restaurant from the ground up. This space allows an incoming tenant to bypass much of the costly infrastructure already completed, including much of the kitchen layout, plumbing, electrical, hood configuration, dining area, lighting and restaurant improvements.
Unlike a restaurant space located within strip centers or shopping plazas, this standalone building provides complete operational independence, dedicated parking, outstanding visibility, unrestricted branding opportunities and the flexibility today's restaurant operators demand.
The property can accommodate a wide variety of food service concepts. Its existing infrastructure makes it adaptable for nearly any restaurant concept with minimal modifications.
Whether you're an independent restaurateur, local brand, regional operator, national franchise or specialty food concept, this versatile (fast-food or fast-casual) property provides everything needed to establish a strong presence in one of northern Illinois' most active college markets.
Property Highlights
- Freestanding single-tenant restaurant building
- Built in 1989
- 2,119 sqft
- Existing restaurant build-out
- Commercial kitchen layout already in place
- Some restaurant equipment included
- Dedicated on-site parking
- Monument signage
- Excellent visibility along busy W Lincoln Hwy (IL Route 38)
- Ideal for dine-in, carryout, pickup & 3rd-party delivery
- Can also add a drive-thru
- Vacant & available immediately
Bring your concept here!
Location: Prime retail space along W Lincoln Highway (Route38), DeKalb's primary E-W commercial corridor with ~10,000 VPD connecting Northern Illinois University, Downtown DeKalb, Sycamore and Interstate 88.
Enjoys outstanding visibility, convenient access and is surrounded by a strong mix of restaurants, retail, hotels, residential neighborhoods, major employers and more.
Nearby Traffic Generators
- Northern Illinois University (~16,000 students, faculty & staff)
- NIU Convocation Center (10,000+ seats)
- Huskie Stadium (24,000+ seats)
- DeKalb Public Library
- Egyptian Theatre
- DeKalb Municipal Buildings
- Downtown DeKalb
- Prairie Park
- Nearby professional offices, healthcare facilities, personal services, national retailers & major hotels
- Major employers including Meta (Facebook) Data Center, Ferrara Candy Company, 3M & Nestle
- Dense residential base (~15,000 within 1 mile, ~44,000 within 3 miles & ~60,000 within 5 miles)
Year Established: 1989 (Built).
Property Information: 2,119 sqft single-tenant one-story freestanding building with 24 parking spaces. Built in 1989. On 0.143 acres.
Lease Information: Space for lease for $4,400/mth gross. Flexible landlord offering a new 5-year lease with options.
Square Feet: 2,119.
Seating: 60.
# Of Employees: (Space For Lease).
Training: (Space For Lease).
Gross Sales: (Space For Lease).
Net Operating Income: (Space For Lease).
Value of FF&E: Not Included In Asking Price (Landlord Owns).
Value of Inventory: Not Included In Asking Price.
Seller Financing Available: No.
Reasons for Selling: Space available.
Competition/Market:
- Competitive Advantages
- Rare freestanding restaurant opportunity
- Existing restaurant infrastructure
- Flexible restaurant layout
- Set up for high volumes
- Some equipment included
- Excellent signage
- Dedicated parking
- Easy access
- Outstanding location
- High-visibility corridor
- Heart of DeKalb’s commercial district
- Strong student population
- New developments close by
- Year-round customer base
- Strong Demographics
- Growing area
- Immediate occupancy
- Lower startup costs
- Faster opening timeline
- Huge carry-out /delivery opportunity to campus, businesses, offices and manufacturers
Growth & Expansion: Restaurant buildings of this size, quality and location rarely become available in the DeKalb market.
Especially ones close to NIU, the city's largest economic engine - attracting thousands of students, faculty, employees, alumni, athletic visitors, conference attendees and families throughout the year.
With a fully built-out interior, existing restaurant infrastructure, excellent visibility along Lincoln Hwy, dedicated parking and close proximity to Northern Illinois University, this property offers a tremendous opportunity for both independent operators and expanding franchise brands to establish a presence in one of northern Illinois' strongest restaurant trade areas.
Plus, DeKalb serves as the commercial and employment hub for western Kane County and DeKalb County. Along with a major public university, it also boasts a growing manufacturing base, expanding technology investment and a stable residential population into one of northern Illinois' strongest secondary markets.
Feel free to stop by the location first. If interested, please email Ted Aretos at Ted@eatz-associates.com or call 815-761-8334 for more information. Showings by appointment only.
Listed By Ted Aretos at EatZ & Associates / EatZ Real Estate Group LLC
Ted Aretos
Eatz & Associates
