Every successful brick and mortar business needs a location. The cost of occupying space is one of the most expensive lines on your business's financial statement. Learn the true cost associated with real estate for your business and how to prepare yourself to negotiate the best lease rate terms.
Thursday, February 26, 2026
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Jason Bitar, a Business Consultant at the UGA SBDC in Gwinnett, has 30+ years of experience as an entrepreneur and small business owner in the food service, business consulting and real estate industries. With his experience consulting and mentoring small business owners, Jason has developed deep knowledge and commitment to helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to market. He understands their concerns, relates to their frustrations and admires their determination. His areas of expertise include, concept development, brand design, product innovation and development, planning and marketing strategies, location selection, store design and construction, franchising and executive mentoring. Jason is fluent in English, Arabic and French.
Chris Sperry is not just a lawyer. He brings decades of experience in the racing, automotive, and sports categories.
Chris brings extensive experience in many areas of business and law. He has previously worked in a general counsel role for a motorsports property as the owner of his own sports marketing company, and in sales and marketing roles in the sports industry. His current specialty has been in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
His focus areas include corporate legal matters, startups, business organizations, contract negotiations, buy/sell, strategic planning, event management, intellectual property, licensing, corporate finance matters, external relations, communications, sales and marketing, and business management.
This program is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and is supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations.
All programs are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
The UGA SBDC is funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
All SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal residents and citizens in the United States. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
The UGA SBDC is an accredited member of America’s SBDC.
The University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center
382 East Broad Street
Athens, GA 30602-5412
P: (706) 542-2762
