Episode 17 – Retail ReCap: Building a Restaurant Legacy with Blue Goose Cantina & Shucks
Family, Growth & the Future of DFW Dining
In this episode of Retail ReCap, Rob Franks, Will Narduzzi, and Secure Net Lease’s Bob Moorhead sit down with Nick Peterson, CEO of The Peterson Group, for a conversation about the story behind Blue Goose Cantina, Aw Shucks and Big Shucks.
Nick shares how his family’s restaurant business grew from its early days on Greenville Avenue into 13 locations across DFW, along with what it takes to carry established local brands into their next chapter.
The group also dives into restaurant expansion, changing consumer habits, today’s operating environment, and the latest trends across retail and net lease real estate.
Key Topics Covered:
Building a DFW Restaurant Legacy
Nick shares the story behind Blue Goose and Shucks, including how the concepts got their start and how his family has continued growing the business while preserving what made the restaurants successful in the first place.
The conversation also highlights the people and relationships that have helped turn both concepts into longtime DFW favorites.
What’s Next for Blue Goose & Shucks?
With 13 locations across the Metroplex, The Peterson Group is looking toward its next phase of growth.
The team discusses:
- What makes a market attractive for a new restaurant
- How the company approaches site selection
- Opportunities created by second-generation restaurant space
- Why DFW remains a major focus for future growth
- The importance of staying patient when evaluating new locations
Nick also gives listeners a look at how the company balances expansion with maintaining the character and experience customers have come to expect from its brands.
Navigating a Changing Restaurant Industry
The restaurant business continues to evolve, and operators are balancing rising costs with shifts in how customers dine, spend, and socialize.
Nick discusses some of the trends The Peterson Group is watching and how the company is adapting while remaining focused on quality, value, and the customer experience.
Retail & Net Lease Market Update
The conversation turns to the broader retail and net lease landscape, with the team sharing the latest activity surrounding several major tenants and discussing what they are seeing in today’s investment market.
They also touch on retailer expansion, interest rates, transaction activity, and an evolving real estate story involving former Salad and Go locations.
And Finally… Margaritas
The episode wraps up on a lighter note with a ranking of some of Fort Worth’s favorite margaritas.
With Blue Goose in the conversation, Nick also shares a little about the brand’s margaritas and the creativity that continues to be part of the cantina experience.
From building a multigenerational restaurant business to navigating growth in one of the country’s most active retail markets, this episode offers a look behind the scenes at Blue Goose, Shucks, and the opportunities ahead.
Listen to the full episode for Nick’s story, the team’s latest market insights, and much more from this month’s Retail ReCap.
