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Wondering how to go about designing restaurant plans? As easy as it might seem to design a restaurant and its floor plan, there are several things that need to be included in the overall design of the space. You’ll want to include specific items in the layout and design the flow that makes the restaurant run more efficiently.
We’re breaking it all down today so that you know what the best practices are for your new restaurant plans.
What’s Required for Restaurant Plans?
Before we get too far in and you get started dreaming up or designing your restaurant floor plan, it’s essential that you know what’s required to be in the floor plan. Considering a restaurant is both a place of public business and public accommodation, there are specific guidelines and laws set in place by states before you’ll be able to start work on your restaurant.
If you’re unsure of what licenses or permits are needed and don’t know where to start looking, check out this quick guide! It’s filled with lots of helpful information on how you can find the right licenses and ensure that you’re in compliance with local ordinances.
You’ll also want to submit a business plan to the state before you get too far into the process. Business plans will be robust and will take time to build. Here’s a restaurant business plan template that you can either fill out or use as a guide for creating your own.
What’s Included in a Restaurant Floor Plan?
A restaurant plans will need to include a number of items. All in all a restaurant floor plan is a map of the entire physical space that makes up your restaurant. Most restaurants or only one level so that makes designing a floor plan a little bit easier because you won’t have to worry about stairwells or anything like that. Here’s what you’ll want to include:
- The kitchen
- Kitchen elements such as large appliances like stoves, refrigerators, and other similar items
- Tables and chairs (include all)
- The entrance
- The waiting area
- The bar area (and seating)
- The restrooms
- Staff areas and backroom
- Your POS system and payment system locations
- Windows in the building
- Doors
- Emergency exits
- Total square footage of building
How to Design the Layout
There is plenty of cheap and even free tools on the market today that you can use to design floor plans and other spaces. In fact, even some of the best softwares are free. Here’s a list of the best free floor plan softwares on the market.
If you don’t feel up to designing it yourself or feel that you’re going to need help at different points in the process then we recommend you work with a design professional. It’s never a requirement to work with a professional design company but there are benefits.
Things to Consider While Designing a Restaurant
Before you move quickly through the process and open your restaurant you’ll want to be envisioning what the restaurant will offer to the guests that come to dine with you. Try to answer a few of the following questions from the perspective of someone who is coming to your restaurant for the very first time.
- What does it feel like to walk through the front doors of the restaurant?
- What kind of atmosphere is around me when I sit down?
- What is the menu and ordering experience like?
- What experience does this restaurant deliver that other restaurants don’t?
By answering these questions you’ll be able to work towards creating the best possible experience for the patrons that make your restaurant one of their favorites.
Benefits of Working with a Professional Design Company
As we mentioned in an early section, there are benefits of working with a professional design company. Some of these benefits can be seen throughout the design process.
Ideas that You Might Not Have Thought Of
A design company will likely have quite a few ideas that you haven’t already thought of. They’ll be able to implement these.
More Experience and Time Invested
Overall you’ll have a lot to do going into the start of your business. When you’re working with a design company you’ll have someone who is totally dedicated to your success and the success of your restaurant. Additionally, the company will have more experience designing restaurants or other commercial properties and thus will give you the best and most well-rounded product.
Restaurant Layouts and COVID-19
When it comes to COVID-19, flexibility is key to the success of any business. You’ll need to be able to rearrange the room and offer proper social distancing if you’re going to stay open and adhere to the regulations. The CDC and government have put a few things together that you’ll need to adhere to. Here are a few of the guidelines that have been in place during the pandemic:
- Maintain at least 6 feet of space between tables.
- Are encouraged to offer take-out options, drive-through, delivery, and curbside pickup.
- Use technology like texting, apps, and more to minimize crowding in restaurant waiting areas.
- Construct physical barriers between dining groups when possible.
- Provide ample space with distancing for restaurant staff to take breaks, eat, and drink.
Contact APX Construction Group Today!
APX Construction Group would love to partner with you on your restaurant plans. We have the capabilities to help you design and build your space. We’ll also guide you through the permit and business application process.
Contact APX today to get started on your restaurant design plans.
