Designing A Restaurant

Designing a restaurant is one of the technically-difficult interiors to design. This African Fusion restaurant brings in the colors and flavors of Africa to Utah.

Opening a restaurant is a courageous, exciting, and perhaps a little frightening endeavor! Restaurants, bars, and cafes are known to be amongst the most technically-difficult interiors to design as well as one of the riskiest categories of business start-up. Most restaurant owners dream of owning and operating a business that not only tastes delicious but that has their style and brand carried throughout the space.

Whether considering a brand-new space or remodeling an existing, it's important to find a balance for the passion of food, while telling the brand's story through design.  

Layout

Before looking at color and style, the layout and function are some of the first items to consider. When delving into the layout, there's a couple of questions to consider first. How will the space be used? Is your restaurant a sit-down experience that lasts hours? Or will your guests leave quickly? Will there be game or lounge areas? 

We like to create zones for different types of experiences through the use of booths, single bar seating, and large intimate areas for parties and large family gatherings. We think through how the kitchen and the relationship between the restrooms and the waiting area will be incorporated. We study and work with the owner to understand the flow and direction of the restaurant and how the back of the house will be most efficient. 

Timeline and Cost

The shortest time for a minor project is 16 weeks from starting design work to commencing installation. But this timeline depends on the availability of contractors and is best avoided since working so fast can add hidden costs. A typical schedule of 6 months can be followed comfortably for the interior design and building of most projects. Larger projects over $750,000 usually take 9 months to a year or more to design and build. One of the slowest parts of the process is obtaining a building permit depending on the city.

We are able to maximize our client's investments by knowing who to talk to and where to go. We have a team of trusted vendors and we know what quality to expect in the work performed. We are also able to use our buying power and give our clients discounts on furniture usually up to 20-30% off of retail.

A rendering of an upcoming project! |There’s so much to do to build a restaurant, designers can show you who to talk to and where to go for all your restaurant needs.

Branding + Color Psychology 

Do you want a romantic ambiance with mood lighting or is it bright and energetic? The brand will help define the feeling that will be carried throughout. Our strength is in strategically branding the space for profitability. We use color psychology to increase appetite and boost sales and to set the tone the moment you walk in. We also look at the exterior and determine how to incorporate signage and branding.

Restaurant design is one of our specialties and passions! Click here for a closer look at our restaurant designs. An African Fusion Restaurant Zulu Grille design in Lehi, Utah and And upcoming Ice Cream and Cereal Bar- Spilled Milk