Renovating your restaurant may be a business decision, but it’s also a reflection of your personality and ambition. The design and style of your space can attract customers, set your place apart, and amplify your efforts.
Many customers want a space that’s unique and has personality — and if you feel that your space is tired, dated, or not as efficient as it should be, it’s probably time to renovate.
Here’s your guide to getting started:
How to Research for Your Restaurant Renovation
For a residential renovation, you would gather inspiration that speaks to you — and while you can start there for your restaurant renovation, you need to take additional steps to research.
Conduct a competitive analysis in your local market. This can help you understand what restaurants or cafes are competing for your business — and you can see what their design or style has to offer. Don’t be a copycat, but make note of great features and add your own twist.
Does a competitor offer a separate takeout pickup area? If you do a lot of Doordash or Ubereats business, consider how this will make your entry less crowded and attract more dine-in guests.
Or maybe you notice an uptick in bar-top seating so groups can easily mingle during happy hours — add a statement bar and a flexible space for the after-work hours.
Next, learn about popular trends. You don’t have to incorporate every single one, but customers will be drawn to spaces with personality. If you want to cultivate a modern environment, consider fresh and clean design with a biophilic lean. For something more traditional, lean into warm wood and rich colors. Making your restaurant trendy yet timeless is a great way to gain the best ROI.
Finally, consider your restaurant’s operations. Does your back-of-house feel crowded and lead to inefficiencies during food prep? Are baristas running back and forth to prep drinks while runners carefully avoid a crash while holding hot dishes? Take time to map out traffic patterns and understand how a back-of-house upgrade can lead to better service.
How Long Does It Take to Renovate a Restaurant?
The timeline for a commercial restaurant renovation is highly variable, but it is often much longer than clients initially anticipate. Unlike residential projects, restaurant renovations in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area involve complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, strict health code compliance, and often extended permitting processes. There are many approaches to planning for a restaurant renovation.
At Oztan Studio, we break the timeline down into three critical phases:
The Design & Planning Phase: This is where you set the foundation for efficiency and success. It includes the initial consultation, site analysis, conceptual design, and detailed design development. This phase also involves critical coordination with engineers to integrate essential systems (like HVAC and specialized kitchen ventilation) and finalize all material selections. Investing time here minimizes costly changes during construction.
The Permitting & Approvals Phase: This phase is often the greatest source of delay, especially in municipalities like Washington D.C. or Montgomery County, Maryland (including Bethesda). Complex commercial projects require approvals from multiple agencies (building, fire, health, zoning). Simple cosmetic changes might be approved in weeks, but major structural or change-of-use renovations require extensive review periods. It is critical to work with an architect who is deeply familiar with local DMV regulations to prepare a complete, compliant package the first time.
The Construction & Build-Out Phase: Once permits are secured, the physical construction begins, including demolition, MEP rough-ins, specialized back-of-house installation, and front-of-house finishes. The length of this phase is determined by the size of the restaurant and the complexity of the design — a fast-casual concept may be completed quickly, while a full-service fine dining establishment with custom millwork and elaborate fixtures will require more time. Building in a 10-20% time contingency for unforeseen site conditions is always a smart business practice.
From start to finish, this process can take up to a year and a half. We understand that time is money for restaurants, and we strive to make your project as smooth as possible with quality design and careful construction management.
How Much Does a Restaurant Renovation Cost in DC, Maryland or Virginia?
The cost of a commercial restaurant renovation in high-cost-of-living areas like the DMV is significantly higher than the national average due to increased labor rates, material transportation costs, and high demands for compliance and specialized equipment.
While a minor cosmetic refresh might be completed for under $100,000, most comprehensive restaurant renovations require a substantial investment.
A realistic budget for a full-scope restaurant renovation in DC, Maryland, or Virginia typically ranges from $200 to $400+ per square foot.
For a 2,500 square-foot establishment, this range suggests a total project investment between $500,000 and $1,000,000 or more, depending on the following major factors:
Scope of Work: A conversion of a retail space into a restaurant, also known as a “shell build-out,” is the most expensive, often exceeding $350 per square foot because it requires installation of all new utility systems, plumbing, and specialized commercial ventilation. A simple “refresh” of an existing space will fall on the lower end of the range.
Kitchen Infrastructure: The commercial kitchen is the most complex and costly part of the project, often consuming 25-35% of the total budget. Costs are driven by specialized kitchen equipment and the mechanical systems like gas lines, exhaust hoods, and fire suppression, required to support them.
Front-of-House Finishes: The front-of-house areas, like the dining room, bar, and restrooms, typically account for 40-50% of the budget. High-end concepts that specify custom millwork, designer lighting, specialized flooring, or luxury bathroom fixtures will rapidly increase the cost per square foot. Quick-service or fast-casual concepts using simpler, durable materials can keep this cost lower.
Permitting and Soft Costs: In the DMV, compliance costs are high. You must budget for architectural and engineering fees, permit application fees, and a 10–20% contingency fund for unexpected costs that may arise when dealing with older buildings or complex kitchen infrastructure.
What to Consider in a Restaurant Renovation Partner
When you renovate your restaurant, you need a partner you can trust to create a realistic design and pay attention to every detail on-site.
Oztan has managed commercial restaurant renovations for clients in the DMV area, like Curry Pizza House, a fast-casual fusion restaurant with clean lines and bright accents, or Kitchen Near You, with an adaptable space that can accommodate live music and dancing. Here’s what we find is most important
Flexibility in Design Approach
A restaurant requires a symbiotic relationship between aesthetics and functionality, and the partner you select must understand that balance. A restaurant with a beautiful dining room but too much noise from an open kitchen won’t stay on people’s radar after the first visit.
A great design partner will help you maximize flow, make sure your restaurant operations are efficient, and create a comfortable and stylish environment for guests.
Expertise for Commercial Kitchen Renovations
Commercial kitchen renovations are a beast of their own — make sure your partner understands the details that a less experienced designer might overlook. Will the back-of-house function like a well-oiled machine, or is the prep counter in the way of the dishwasher? Is the entry and hostess stand easy to access, or will guests be in the way of hot plates?
An experienced designer will know what to consider and take your personal experiences and preferences into account.
Design and Construction Administration Capabilities
Restaurant renovations can be lengthy and complex — it helps when you can work with a single partner to see you through multiple steps. Oztan Studio offers architectural design, permitting, and construction administration services to set you up for smooth sailing when you break ground.
Learn More about Oztan Studio
Our goal is to elevate your restaurant through exceptional design and create a lasting partnership to support your business.
Our expert team considers every detail when designing your space. Every project begins with an initial consultation to learn how your design aspirations, ideas, and goals. Get in touch to learn more!
