The land owner signs the lease—even when you run the business on the lot
Operators matter. But our agreement runs with the ground, which is why we hyper-target land owners and their authorized leasing agents.
We hear from sharp operators: "I own the Sonic (or the brand on the sign)—why can't I sign?" Often, the restaurant or fuel brand you operate sits on leased land. Our program is structured as a long-term land lease (on the order of ten years) for the charging footprint. The party that controls the land—the land owner—is the counterparty we need at signing.
Why the land owner is the signing entity
High-power charging equipment, easements, utility paths, and insurance align with whoever holds the ground rights. A franchisee or tenant can champion the project, but if their lease can be terminated or the pad can be reconfigured by the landlord, the economics and risk need the owner at the table.
What franchisees and GMs should do
- Introduce us (or your land owner) to the opportunity with traffic counts and site photos
- Loop in the landlord's leasing contact or asset manager early
- Confirm whether your lease allows signage, equipment, and utility stub-ups in the proposed area
If you truly own the fee-simple land
If you both operate the business and hold title to the parcel, you may be the land owner for our purposes. Say that clearly on your application and in the qualify checklist—that is the profile we want.
What we are trying to avoid
Weeks of excitement with an operator, followed by a landlord who will not extend term or allow DC equipment on the pad. Front-loading land-owner alignment keeps your time and ours focused on sites that can actually close.