The Real Deal New York

From the January issue: When the stock market started its stunning series of swoons last fall, budget eateries Chipotle and Just Salad on Maiden Lane were among the few Wall Street-area businesses still drawing lunchtime lines, while demand slowed at high-end restaurants.As 2009 starts, restaurant industry brokers expect inexpensive eateries, along with cut-rate coffee conglomerate Dunkin’ Donuts, to continue adding locations to capitalize on demand for lower-priced fare in the economic crisis. Newmark Knight Frank Retail, for example, had seven or eight deals for Chipotle and Pret A Manger in the works at press time. Any restaurant company looking for space will have many choices and greater negotiating power, after a wave of closures last year that is only expected to intensify in 2009.