A General Contractor Checklist for Successful Restaurant Construction or Renovation

Successful restaurant builds don’t happen by accident. They demand precise planning, strict compliance, and smart execution. Use this General Contractor checklist to stay on track and avoid costly missteps.

Key takeaways:

• General Contractors must follow set rules and regulations to ensure successful restaurant construction or renovation.
• Site accessibility must be top priority from the design phase onward.
• Decor can be dictated by construction codes.
• Respecting customer expectations can provide valuable insight toward a more popular and profitable site.
• Inspections and approvals from local authorities and governing bodies are essential.

General Contractors carry great responsibility when planning, designing, constructing, or renovating a restaurant. Several rules and regulations must be adhered to for a successful project, some of which are universal and others are sector-specific.

General Contractors must account for every factor before approving a restaurant construction or renovation plan, from exterior access and exits for delivery trucks, garbage removal, and emergency services to interior elements such as kitchen layouts, seating arrangements, and design touches.

Given the highly regulated nature of the food service industry, General Contractors must have an in-depth knowledge of relevant rules and regulations to ensure compliance.

To help you navigate this complex world, we’ve compiled a General Contractor’s checklist to stay on track for success.

Important Considerations When Planning Restaurant Builds or Renovations

Generally speaking, restaurant construction must provide:

• Entry and exit ramps.
• Handrails.
• ADA-compliant bathrooms.
• Web content, apps, and other forms of communication that are inclusive of disabled people.
• Compliant signage.

Other construction features may be necessary. You can contact the ADA directly with any questions and concerns.

Exterior operations must be supported by adequate access and egress for delivery trucks, garbage removal, and emergency service, with ample parking space provided for professionals and patrons.

As always, the success of any restaurant construction or renovation project lies in the details. Be sure to account for all necessary considerations before signing off on a plan, including the following.

1. Access and Egress for All

Construction teams and their restaurant clients must adhere to and fully comprehend ADA standards for accessible design as they currently stand.

For instance, in March 2025, 11 federal guidance documents were withdrawn, several of which affected standards for outdoor restaurants, accessibility for people with disabilities, and other areas.

Disability advocates criticized the move, warning it could make it harder for physically challenged staff and customers to access restaurant spaces safely and fairly.

As a result, construction companies and restaurant owners must be especially vigilant in ensuring their projects remain both compliant and inclusive, helping them avoid legal issues, fines, and reputational harm.

2. Interior Design

Interior restaurant design must mesh with the cuisine and ambiance the client intends to deliver. 

Aesthetics and functionality can and should be considered together from the earliest stages of a project to create the desired color, furnishings, spacing, and lighting more successfully.

Today’s restaurants are increasingly designed with technology in mind. The modern customer expects a certain level of comfort and convenience when ordering, paying, or simply relaxing while eating. General Contractors and their clients must consider such features as standard.

Back of house, a restaurant’s kitchen is central to optimal efficiency and functionality. Making its design and execution central to construction will create a space for staff that not only looks good, but also ticks all the right compliance boxes.

3. Health and Safety

A well-designed commercial kitchen takes into account the National Fire Protection Association’s restaurant fire protection basics, which include fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and smoke detectors; these requirements are expected to be updated later in 2025.

OSHA-centric concerns must also be satisfied, including:

• Sanitation.
• Adequate lighting.
• Proper ventilation.
• Electrical safety.
• Clearly defined areas for food prep and storage.

Placing compliance, health, and safety at the heart of restaurant construction helps General Contractors create more successful restaurant construction or renovation projects.

A Checklist to Help Keep Your Project on Track

A complete restaurant construction checklist helps ensure important details aren’t overlooked. You can prioritize critical tasks, track progress, and complete the project on time and within budget.

Some key components in your General Contractor’s Checklist are:

1. Research Building Codes and Regulations

Restaurant construction has stricter fire safety, ventilation, and sanitation requirements. Restaurants must follow and comply with all local building codes and regulations, as well as applicable state and national standards.

As a General Contractor, you must research all relevant building codes and regulations before beginning the project to avoid project delays and unnecessary expenses.

2. Site Inspection

A pre-construction site inspection is essential to identify potential problems or issues that may impact the project timeline or cost, such as:

• Structural integrity.
• Soil compaction.
• Slopes.
• Drainage issues.

It’s also important to check local utility hook-ups (water, electricity, and sewage lines) to ensure safe and adequate levels of delivery and removal.

Required inspections go beyond pre-construction checkups. There are a considerable number of different inspection types that occur during and after construction, focusing on health and safety, quality control, equipment checks, and other related areas.

3. Create a Comprehensive Plan

Proper planning is critical for a successful General Contractor project. Take the time to develop a detailed plan for the project that covers all aspects, from design and layout to material selection and budgeting, accounting for all possible scenarios.

With a comprehensive plan, you can prioritize tasks, allocate resources, and manage different project phases effectively.

4. Develop a Project Budget and Timeline

Restaurant construction or renovation is a huge undertaking. General Contractors must be mindful of their budget and timeline while executing the project.

This timeline must always be realistic; it’s achieved by establishing a standard project timeline that’s flexible enough to absorb factors that can impact any construction project, such as cost overruns, delays, and additional expenses.

Develop a budget that covers all materials, labor, and equipment costs. Create a timeline with realistic milestones and checkpoints to help you stay on track. 

5. Consider a Contemporary Design and Layout

Be mindful of the aesthetic elements from the exterior facade to the interior layout. Select furniture, appliances, and materials that are both visually appealing and functional

Tailoring all those to the client’s taste comes first, but it’s also a good idea to provide clients with input and options centered around emerging trends in restaurant design and construction. 

This may help give the project a modernized edge more in step with contemporary tastes.

6. Hire the Right Team

The success of a General Contractor project depends greatly on the skill and experience of the team. 

Carefully vet potential contractors and select a team of specialized experts. Look for:

• Teams knowledgeable in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical installation.
• Positive references.
• Verifiable licenses and certifications.

Clear, courteous, and regular communication is another essential quality. General Contractors must keep everyone informed and schedule regular meetings among all parties. Early onboarding ensures that everyone is briefed on the project’s scope, budget, expectations, and timeline.

7. Source Materials and Supplies

Restaurants require high-quality materials and supplies that can withstand daily use and wear and tear. Source materials from reliable suppliers and vendors and check for warranties and guarantees. 

Energy efficiency, sustainability, health standards, and durability must all be considered when selecting restaurant construction materials. 

General Contractors must stay current with emerging construction materials like green concrete and bamboo, which are being increasingly used in restaurants and other buildings for more cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient results.

Use a mix of local suppliers and online stores to get the best deals on materials and supplies. Don’t forget to factor in delivery times and sequence of operations to ensure there are no material-related delays on the project.

8. Execute the Project

Once you’ve planned and organized the project, it’s time to get to work. Execute the renovation or construction process according to plan. Monitor progress to ensure alignment with the timeline and budget, making adjustments as needed.

Maintain constant contact with contractors and inspect their work periodically to ensure quality. Use cloud-based apps, remote collaboration tools, and virtual reality software to effortlessly manage the project.

9. Inspections and Approvals

Obtain necessary inspections and approvals from local authorities and governing bodies. The project must meet all applicable building codes, safety standards, health regulations, and zoning laws before receiving the certificates of occupancy and other necessary permits.

Be proactive at all times. Follow up with code enforcement officers to ensure all inspections are complete and sign-offs are obtained.

10. Final Cleanup and Handover

The post-construction restaurant handoff process may be last on the list, but it’s just as critical to a restaurant’s operational readiness and ongoing success.

It’s the General Contractor’s responsibility to ensure restaurant clients are familiar with everything they need to know about their new construction, while also taking great care as a construction team to step away from the site safely and responsibly.

We’ve assembled every key step in the post-construction restaurant handoff process, which includes:

• A thorough cleaning of the space.
• Properly disposing of waste materials, leftover supplies, and debris.
• A final check for defects, flaws, and safety hazards.
• Presenting the client with final drawings and plans for ongoing maintenance purposes.
• Providing operations manuals covering emergency procedures, safety and sanitation, and more.
• A walkthrough and demonstration of the completed restaurant’s features and structural operations.

If all structural and design conditions have been met, you can officially hand the restaurant over to the client.

Following this General Contractor checklist will help ensure your project’s successful and timely completion. With proper planning, expert management, and effective execution, you can guarantee the best possible outcome for your clients.  

Let RPC’s Experts Help You Succeed

RPC General Contractors is a highly experienced, full-service construction company here to help you with every aspect of restaurant construction or renovation.

We handle everything from conceptualization and project planning to design assistance, project management, and execution.

Get in touch with us today for a free estimate!