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CREW Members Representing Three Canadian Chapters Launch New McDonald’s in Under a Year

Victoria Gereluk, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited | CREW Vancouver
Exterior of Woodbend, Alberta McDonald's

When a major multinational tenant is looking to complete significant, fast-paced growth across a market, it takes a well finessed team on all sides of the deal to make it happen. This is where the power of CREW can shine the brightest. 

Victoria Gereluk, Area Real Estate Manager with McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited and member of the CREW Vancouver chapter, works closely on the McDonald’s team with Lucia Jackman, Transactions Manager, and member of Toronto CREW. McDonald’s uses the services of their broker partner in the Edmonton market, Omada Commercial, with a team that includes May Cuan, Partner and member of Edmonton CREW. Through past industry and CREW networking events, these women connected with Alison Hansen-Carlson, Associate Director at Avison Young and a member of Edmonton CREW. 

While working on a market development plan for new restaurants in Alberta, the growing west area of Leduc, just south of Edmonton, was identified as a potential location for a new McDonald’s restaurant. As Victoria explored market growth opportunities, she discovered a site that piqued her interest, so her and the Omada team, including May, began working on putting a deal together to submit to Alison, who was representing the Landlord. 

In early 2023, plans were set for the restaurant to open later that year—but the deal had just begun! Real estate transactions of this nature often span months or even years, which wasn't available for this site. To meet the targeted construction start date, the LOI and Lease had to be fully negotiated and executed, with all conditions satisfied by summer. As summer approached and the target construction start date neared, it was necessary to have a well aligned team, swift decision making, and razor-sharp focus. 

Interior of Woodbend, Alberta McDonald's

One of the integral factors that helped make this deal successful was the strong relationships among everyone involved. The rapport that Victoria and May had with Alison made communicating easy and quick. While Victoria and Lucia were at the beginning of their working relationship, they shared a collaborative approach to negotiations, and stayed closely aligned on the paperwork internally. These key relationships, strong communication, and internal alignment were especially important as several business challenges came up throughout the process. Ultimately, the deal was completed in time to meet the target construction date, and on December 8, 2023, the McDonald’s restaurant in Woodbend, Leduc successfully opened. 

This transaction serves as a poignant reminder of the power of building strong relationships with key stakeholders. Establishing trust and fostering open communication early on were crucial to success. Additionally, remaining adaptable and resilient in the face of unexpected challenges enabled the dealmakers to pivot effectively and capitalize on emerging opportunities throughout the process. 

“Collaborating with fellow CREW members on a deal brings a unique sense of camaraderie and purpose. With a shared commitment to advancing women in the industry, it feels like we're united in achieving success together, rather than competing to come out on top,” said Alison Hansen-Carlson, Associate Director, Avison Young. “This mutual support accelerates the deal process, helping us navigate challenges with ease. The ability to rely on each other for quick answers or a moment of levity not only streamlines the deal but also makes the entire experience much more enjoyable."  

In the world of commercial real estate, success goes beyond closing deals—it's about cultivating connections, harnessing collective expertise, and moving towards mutual success. The collaboration of these four women was a pivotal factor in opening a new McDonald’s restaurant in under a year. 

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