Facility Layout & Design

Traditionally, restaurants have created clear boundaries between the front- and back-of-house operations by separating the kitchen from dining area. Consider bringing your closed-system kitchen out to the forefront and on display in your restaurant.

Sound matters in a dining experience, and having noise clutter in the dining area can be offputting for guests. With baby boomers seeking an experience of cuisine, service, and ambiance, it pays to make the changes to reduce noise in your restaurant.

“Well, If I have a walk-in cooler, do I really need to have a reach-in and work top refrigerators?”
This question comes up often when I discuss the layout and design of a client’s kitchen.  The answer is that it depends.

The kitchen size will make a difference; If the available space is somewhat small and can’t support both reach-ins and a walk-in, then even a small walk-in would yield better cu ft of storage.

For instance, a 6ftX7ft walk-in would be equivalent to having two two-section and one single-section refrigerators.  A walk-in will have one compressor; the reach-ins would require three. However, if space allows for reach-ins and worktop refrigeration, then we don’t want to busy up the kitchen with staffers all heading to the one refrigerated walk-in available, or running up and down to the cellar when they need refrigerated ingredients.

Choosing the right tables can improve aesthetics while serving a pragmatic purpose. Let’s break down some of the details to see what might work best for your restaurant!

If you’re finding that your dining room is drafty or stuffy, then it might be time to take a look at your exhaust system. 

 In the world of restaurant marketing, any difference that sets you apart from your competitors; Design is no different! In any business, it pays to have a distinctive design. And we will help you to make it the best!

Decorative heat lamps are many times overlooked in the grand scheme of restaurant setups, and employees either rely off of standard heat lamps or warming platters to merely get the job done. 

The equipment you choose to outfit your kitchen is a huge investment, but many restaurant owners overlook one of the most important pieces of the design: commercial ventilation systems. Whether you’re designing a new kitchen or improving on your old one, investing appropriate time and effort in your ventilation system should take priority. 

Like decorating a house, table settings enhance the aesthetics of the location while serving a pragmatic purpose.

Your restaurant is designed for pragmatism and comfort, especially when it comes to front-of-house operations. This is the area where customers must feel comfortable and at ease and where employees can operate efficiently and quickly - all without influencing the perception of relaxation. Seating and table arrangements are a key component to this efficient setup, and understanding seating capacities can help ensure that you purchase the right types and amounts of seats for your table setups.

Restaurant furnishings are what helps put your customers at ease during their dining experience, and the chairs you choose can have a large impact on the comfort of your guests. Consider some of these tips before ordering the seating accommodations for your establishment. 

The layout and design of a restaurant can help drive traffic, attract customers, and improve efficiency. For well-established restaurants, a full re-design is like re-imagining your brand. Redesigns have the ability to turn heads and bring in new customers, even if the menu hasn’t drastically changed.

Have you ever noticed how many restaurants who open and have great food sometimes can’t take the heat? Investing in the ambiance is not only recommended - it’s what can make or break your success in the industry.

The design of your commercial kitchen should be organized with purpose and intent in mind. Your work tables are an integral part of the grand scheme, and their layout can help streamline your prep area and increase efficiency of your kitchen staff. While a professional designer and consultant will help plan this aspect for you, let’s take a look at what goes into planning the layout of your work tables.

While contracting a specialist will alleviate the need for you to worry about any layout issues, here are a few things your professional designer will look for when planning your kitchen layout.

Your commercial kitchen is the hub for menu inspirations and chef creations, and many opt to do this ‘behind closed doors’ - or, at least, partially hidden from customer view. Over the past few years, there’s been a trend towards open kitchen designs that leave everything on the table for customers to see at any time, and some studies are showing that this may be leading to an improvement in meal quality.

Based on your space and needs, there are four standard configurations that designers will typically use for your kitchen setup.

If you’ve ever stepped foot in a hip cafe or trendy coffee shop, then you’ve probably seen the amazing chalkboard art that typically accompanies their menus. Consider Starbucks, for example, who always uses chalkboards in different areas of their menu to highlight specials, emphasize new flavors, and give baristas a chance to connect with the customers.

So much goes into making a restaurant a success, and it's not an easy business to break into. In addition to serving amazing food, you'll also need to make a statement in your restaurant design to get diners in the door. Today's savvy foodies aren't just looking for a meal: They want a full dining experience, and that includes creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

What's hot right now in restaurant design? 

The design is one of the first things that will draw new customers into your establishment. And it’s your food that will keep them coming back for more!

What can you do to improve your restaurant’s interior design?

Money saved is money earned, and your bottom line will feel the benefits of having a well-planned strategy for saving dollars. Let’s take a look at one new technology in particular known as the heat recovery system!

Air curtains - also known as air doors - are a necessary addition to maintaining the integrity of the temperature of your kitchen. Let’s take a look at the mechanics of an air curtain and what it can do for your restaurant.