Is Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. a Buy?

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc. (EPRT) is a real estate enterprise focused on the acquisition, ownership, and management of freestanding, single-tenant commercial properties throughout the United States. The company leases these assets under long-term agreements to a diverse range of mid-sized businesses. Its tenant base spans various sectors, including dining establishments, automotive care facilities (like car washes and repair shops), medical and dental practices, convenience stores, equipment rental providers, entertainment venues, early childhood education centers, grocery outlets, and health and fitness clubs. As of December 31, 2021, EPRT's property portfolio included 1,451 locations. For federal income tax purposes, the company operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT), which generally exempts it from corporate income taxes, provided it distributes at least 90% of its taxable profits to its shareholders. The company was founded in 2016 and maintains its corporate headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey.