CA Lic # 01469032

Michael Spilky is the President and Principal of Location Matters Inc., a premier Southern California real estate firm specializing in restaurant-entitled properties. Since founding the company in 2008, Michael has become a leading authority in the sales and leasing of restaurant-focused real estate, completing over $350 million in transactions for national, regional, and local restaurant brands. His expertise is highly sought by landlords, tenants, investors, real estate appraisers, lenders, and city planners throughout the region.

Michael’s comprehensive approach to restaurant real estate is grounded in firsthand operational experience, having started his career working for industry brands like BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse and Woodstock’s Pizza. In 2004, he served as an assistant manager at the 6,500-square-foot Hooters in San Diego’s Gaslamp District, which achieved annual sales of over $4.5 million. His dual insight into both operational and real estate aspects of the restaurant industry allows him to bring unique value to his clients and partners.

In addition to tenant representation, Michael has also successfully represented landlords across a variety of property types, including shopping centers, mixed-use developments, and street retail projects, focusing primarily on food and beverage uses. His commitment to this niche has helped him build a reputation for transforming retail spaces into thriving dining destinations.

Beyond Location Matters, Michael has furthered his investment footprint through ventures such as Sweet 100, a private equity company he founded in 2009 before selling to his partner. He retained investments in a range of emerging restaurant brands, including Cucina Enoteca, Burger Lounge, The Broken Yolk Café, and Carnitas’ Snack Shack. Michael also co-founded Sedaka Investment Partners, a retail property investment fund, and owns a personal portfolio of street retail properties across San Diego.

A graduate of San Diego State University, Michael was the founding president of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi’s chapter and continues to serve as president of the fraternity’s nonprofit housing corporation. He resides in Carmel Valley with his wife, Limor, and their three children, Kayla, David, and Benjamin. Outside of work, Michael enjoys discovering new restaurants and spending time outdoors, where he finds respite from the real estate world.