Restaurant Construction, Kitchen Fit-Out, and Hospitality Build-Outs Across Ontario
These projects demand a balance between an inviting dining room ambiance and a highly efficient, commercial-grade kitchen. Construction focuses on seamless FOH/BOH flow, custom millwork, and sophisticated lighting design to enhance the guest experience.
We build these establishments with an emphasis on rapid service, high-volume order processing, and efficient counter layouts. The construction prioritizes durable, easy-to-clean finishes and optimized kitchen equipment placement for speed and consistency.
Construction for cafes and coffee shops centres on creating a welcoming atmosphere, often with comfortable seating, display cases, and specialized plumbing/electrical for espresso machines and brewing equipment. Design focuses on customer flow from order to pickup and comfortable dwell times.
These projects are purely focused on back-of-house operational efficiency, featuring multiple cooking stations, robust ventilation, and extensive storage without any customer-facing areas. The build prioritizes strict health code compliance and maximizing production capacity within the footprint.
Building a bar or lounge involves specialized bar design and installation, including draft systems, liquor storage, and custom countertops, alongside sophisticated lighting and soundproofing. The focus is on creating a distinct atmosphere, often with varied seating arrangements and entertainment integration.
Food hall construction requires complex utility distribution to support multiple independent vendor stalls, shared common dining areas, and diverse kitchen setups. We manage the intricate coordination of various culinary concepts within a single, cohesive hospitality environment.
Franchise restaurant builds demand strict adherence to corporate brand standards, specific material sourcing, and consistent layout execution across multiple locations. Our expertise ensures brand integrity is maintained while optimizing for rapid and cost-effective rollout.
These bespoke projects emphasize exquisite craftsmanship, premium materials, custom fixtures, and state-of-the-art kitchen facilities to support elevated culinary experiences. Construction focuses on creating an intimate, luxurious ambiance with meticulous attention to every design detail.
This includes the full build-out of commercial kitchens with specialized flooring, wall finishes, high-capacity ventilation systems, walk-in coolers/freezers, grease trap installation, and all necessary plumbing and electrical for cooking equipment.
We construct inviting dining areas, reception zones, and bar spaces, incorporating custom millwork, diverse seating arrangements, decorative lighting, durable flooring, and point-of-sale system integration to enhance the customer experience.
Specialized MEP systems are crucial, including robust HVAC for kitchen exhaust and climate control, high-amperage electrical for commercial ovens and fryers, and intricate plumbing for multiple sinks, dishwashers, and water filtration systems.
Our services cover navigating all necessary permits, including building permits, health department approvals, fire safety inspections, and accessibility compliance specific to Ontario's restaurant operations.
From custom countertops and bar tops to unique wall coverings, ceiling treatments, and exterior facade enhancements, we manage all aesthetic elements to create a distinctive brand identity and patron experience.
We ensure full compliance with AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) requirements, including accessible washrooms and ramps, alongside the installation of fire suppression systems, emergency lighting, and proper egress routes.
| Project Subtype | Size Range | Low (per sq ft) | Mid (per sq ft) | Premium (per sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Service Restaurant | 2,500 - 5,000 sq ft | $180 - $250 | $250 - $350 | $350 - $450+ |
| Quick Service / Fast Casual | 1,000 - 2,500 sq ft | $150 - $200 | $200 - $280 | $280 - $350 |
| Cafe and Coffee Shop | 800 - 2,000 sq ft | $160 - $220 | $220 - $300 | $300 - $380 |
| Ghost Kitchen | 1,500 - 5,000 sq ft | $200 - $280 | $280 - $380 | $380 - $450+ |
| Bar and Lounge | 2,000 - 6,000 sq ft | $220 - $300 | $300 - $400 | $400 - $450+ |
| Food Hall (per stall/common area) | 5,000 - 15,000+ sq ft | $190 - $260 | $260 - $360 | $360 - $450+ |
| Franchise Restaurant | 1,000 - 4,000 sq ft | $170 - $240 | $240 - $330 | $330 - $420 |
| Fine Dining | 2,000 - 8,000 sq ft | $300 - $380 | $380 - $450 | $450+ |
The cost of restaurant construction in Ontario is primarily driven by the complexity and quality of the commercial kitchen and specialized mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. High-capacity exhaust hoods, intricate gas lines, extensive grease traps, and commercial-grade electrical panels for ovens and refrigeration units significantly contribute to the overall budget. Additionally, the chosen calibre of finishes for the dining area, such as custom millwork, high-end flooring, sophisticated lighting, and bespoke bar installations, can dramatically impact the per-square-foot cost.
Further key cost drivers include site-specific challenges, such as existing building conditions requiring extensive demolition or structural modifications, and the need for significant upgrades to meet current Ontario Building Code (OBC) and health department regulations. Accelerated project timelines, specialized equipment procurement, and the labour costs associated with skilled trades in the province also play a substantial role in determining the final investment for a restaurant build.
This initial phase involves finalizing architectural and engineering designs, securing all necessary municipal building permits, and obtaining critical health department approvals for the restaurant's operational plan and kitchen layout.
Once permits are in place, the site is prepared. This includes any necessary demolition of existing structures or interior components, site clearing, and establishing temporary utilities required for the restaurant build.
This is where the restaurant's bones take shape. Structural framing, complete mechanical (HVAC, kitchen exhaust), electrical, and plumbing rough-ins are installed, including gas lines, water feeds, and drain lines for all kitchen and bar equipment.
Interior finishes such as drywall, painting, flooring, custom millwork, and lighting fixtures are installed. This phase also includes the delivery and installation of all commercial kitchen equipment, bar systems, and front-of-house furniture.
Final inspections are conducted by the building department, health authorities, and fire marshal. Equipment is tested, staff training may commence, and all systems are commissioned to ensure the restaurant is fully operational and ready for opening.
Restaurant fit-outs are the most complex and expensive commercial build type due to commercial kitchen requirements: Type 1 hood exhaust systems, makeup air, gas lines, grease interceptors, walk-in coolers, NSF-certified finishes, TSSA gas inspections, and high-capacity electrical for commercial equipment.
Restaurant MEP includes: commercial kitchen hood and exhaust (Type 1 for grease-laden vapours), makeup air unit, gas service and CSST distribution, grease trap/interceptor, floor drains throughout kitchen, 3-compartment sinks, hand sinks, walk-in cooler refrigeration, and high-amp electrical for commercial appliances.
Restaurant construction requires: building permit, plumbing permit, TSSA gas inspection, ESA electrical inspection, commercial kitchen hood inspection, public health inspection from the local health unit, and a food premises licence. Your contractor manages the construction permits; the health unit inspection is arranged separately.