Riscala Agnese Design Group

On average, it takes about 2-3 months to fully design a restaurant and have plans ready for Department of Buildings submittal. But the length of the process depends on several factors; renovation vs new construction, what type of occupancy if it falls under, ie: “Place of Assembly”, what if anything has been developed as far as concept, etc.

Depending on whether it’s a renovation or new construction, the process can vary between 4-6 months of construction, once the plans have been fully approved by local municipalities.

This depends greatly on the area. In a metro area, it can be 30% more for a build-out, than if you are in a suburb. In NYC, it can be $300 per square foot, or more, depending on what the concept calls for. Certain concepts, such as fast-casual, could allow for a lower cost per sf.

We like to be involved as early on in the process as possible. A designer who specializes in restaurant design can help the client shape the restaurant concept or redirect it if need be, taking all factors into consideration. It also allows for a most cohesive end result. .

Commercially-rated chair costs can vary drastically, depending on the end use/concept. For example, a fast-casual concept would typically call for a lower-end café chair, which can be around $100. The intended customer time dictates the comfort level, ie: if you want to turn tables quickly, you don’t want someone to be so comfortable that they stay for an hour or more. However, when you are looking for more comfort at a mid-range restaurant, the cost would be around $250, while a high-end restaurant chair would start around $350.

Trends are tricky, because they come and go. Once they go, the restaurant is at risk of no longer being current, and can therefore have a short lifespan. Every restaurant should be authentic; true to the cuisine and to the character of the owner/chef. Being current and in touch with how the industry is evolving based on the needs and behavior of customers is more important than following trends.

Kitchens on average are 30% of the total space.

A good healthy size for a restaurant where efficiency is maximized is 150-160 seats. This would require a space of approximately 3,500 SF.

We have loved the residences we have designed. We were lucky in that those projects came from restaurant clients of ours, who happened to like our style. It’s important for us, when it comes to residential design, that the clients are in tune with our tendencies. It makes for an enjoyable process, and usually results in pleasant surprises for our clients, and their friends.