10 Restaurant Renovation Ideas for a Successful Transformation

The restaurant industry is fast-paced and ever-evolving. It should come as no surprise then that restaurants need to find creative ways to keep up with the times and continuously attract new business. A restaurant remodel is one of them.

Let’s see what you need to consider before embarking on such a project, how much it would cost, as well as how to apply ingenious restaurant renovation ideas to turn your project into a success.

Quick Restaurant Renovation Checklist to Follow

Any restaurant renovation project plan should start with a checklist that covers the before and after and that can help you cross things off the list as you go along. This will help you stay on track and encourage you along the way. Here’s what a restaurant renovation before and after should cover:

Before the renovation:

• Establish the maximum available budget;
• Inquire about the possibility of restaurant financing;
• Set remodeling goals;
• Hire the renovation crew (designer, architect, contractors, etc.);
• Obtain the necessary permits for renovation;
• Determine a rough timeline for the remodeling;
• Communicate your plans to staff and customers.

During the renovation:

• Determine the areas you want to renovate;
• Ensure your restaurant is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant;
• Choose a cohesive design in tune with your brand;
• Buy any necessary equipment and furniture.

After the renovation:

• Ensure all equipment is functional;
• Train staff to use new equipment;
• Update your branding and marketing to reflect the changes;
• Clean and sanitize the space before you reopen;
• Ask for customer feedback on the renovation.

How Much Does It Cost to Renovate a Restaurant?

This is a complex question since renovation costs will depend on a lot of factors, such as:

• The need for purchasing new equipment and/or furniture;
• The number of contractors you need to hire;
• The quantity and quality of the materials you use;
• Whether you are making structural changes or a simple redecoration;
• Any utility work you may need (plumbing, electrical, HVAC);
• The permits you need to acquire for the renovation;
• Your geographical location.

According to Premise Construction, the average restaurant renovation costs in the US start at $85 and can go up to $125 per square foot if the space used to be a restaurant before.

If you’re renovating a space that wasn’t a restaurant before, the cost can skyrocket to $250 per square foot, or even $500 for high-end finishes.

Because there’s so much variation in potential renovation costs, make sure you work with contractors that are clear about what they’ll charge, and what their payment terms are. That is why construction pros who use electrician invoicing software are better equipped to serve restaurant owners looking for value-focused renovation work.

How Long Does It Take to Renovate a Restaurant?

Your restaurant renovation timeline will depend on the amount of work needed. According to Smart Remodeling LLC, a restaurant renovation can take between 4 and 12 weeks to complete.

For a brief revamp, expect about 4 weeks of work, while for a complete remodel, the timeframe increases to 12 weeks or more.

This timeline covers strictly the building part, not including the time it takes to prepare, design the space, and acquire permits.

10 Restaurant Renovation Ideas That Won’t Break the Budget

If you’re wondering, “How can I make my restaurant look better without it costing an arm and a leg?”, you’re in the right place. Here are some tips on how to breathe new life into your restaurant.

1. Take care of critical issues first

Before you spend the rest of your budget on more creative restaurant renovation ideas, take the time to address issues that impede the smooth functioning of your restaurant.

It might be tempting to address the aesthetics first, but without fixing issues like leaking pipes, poor ventilation, or roof damage, you can’t move on to the fun parts of restaurant remodeling.

2. Analyze popular trends but keep your branding and audience top-of-mind

When remodeling a restaurant, there’s nothing wrong with peeking at popular design trends such as Instagram-worthy décor, natural elements, or hanging plants.

There’s a reason why customers love them, and if you can find a way to work them into your renovation, they’re bound to attract more customers to your restaurant.

However, don’t make design changes before you make sure they are in tune with your branding and relevant to your target audience.

If you own a funky bistro in Brooklyn with a colorful brand identity, customers might be taken aback if you suddenly switch to high-end décor and muted colors.

Unless you’re aiming for an entire rebranding, stick to what you know but put a fresh twist on your décor and dining atmosphere.

3. Spruce up your façade

Your restaurant’s exterior is your first chance to make a good impression on customers, so much so that they decide to pay you a visit.

Make your entrance stand out with bold colors, neon signs, murals painted by local artists, or large windows that give customers a sneak peek of what’s inside.

Don’t be afraid to draw them in with your delicious dishes and unique promotions by writing them down on a blackboard and posting it in front of the restaurant.

All of these simple restaurant renovation ideas can work wonders in attracting new customers to your restaurant.

4. Invest in a bar area

A bar can bring many benefits to your restaurant, from providing extra seating to being an excellent place for customers to wait for a table while enjoying a drink. It can increase your beverage sales and give you the opportunity to offer happy hour promotions.

When renovating the bar area, brainstorm a special drinks menu and consider reopening with big discounts on your beverages to let people know they can now enjoy drinks made by a professional bartender.

5. Consider adding a patio

If you have the space for a patio, know that it can work wonders for your year-round profitability. It adds extra seating, gives customers a place to hang out outside, and can be transformed into a cozy winter scene using patio covers, igloos, and heaters.

Complete your restaurant refurbishment just in time for patio season to take advantage of the warm weather and welcome a new wave of customers.

6. Play around with the dining area layout and seating

When learning how to renovate a restaurant, you need to pay close attention to layout and seating. One of the goals of your remodel should be to make use of every inch of space you can, while providing customers with a comfortable dining experience.

Design the layout so that every table is easy to access, and has a clear line to the bar and bathrooms, as well as to the kitchen and server stations.

Improve accessibility by ensuring people with disabilities can easily dine with you without issues, whether that means leaving extra room at the table for wheelchairs or installing easy access ramps.

Experiment with a variety of seating options, from open table seating that you can move around according to party needs to booths and counter seating at the bar.

7. Revamp the space using lighting and greenery

While some restaurant renovation ideas take up a lot of time and resources, others are as simple as updating the lighting or adding new plants.

Lighting is a crucial aspect of the dining experience. You can use it to create the ambiance you want, whether your goal is to get people to spend more time at your restaurant by using dim lighting or you want to turn tables faster using bright lights.

Plants can also make all the difference when redecorating. Lush vegetation brings a natural look to any business, and it will help people feel more at home at your restaurant, as opposed to an empty space that shows off none of your personality.

8. Hang local artwork on the walls

What better way to show people you support the local community than by displaying their art on your walls? You don’t have to spend a fortune on art when you can definitely find hidden artistic gems right in your neighborhood.

Most local artists will be more than willing to strike up a partnership with you, especially if your goals and beliefs align. Turn your restaurant into a welcoming community space where people love to hang out and find out all about the hottest new artists.

Or, if you are artistic, you can get framed canvas prints with your own designs on them.

9. Replace your physical menu with a digital one

How do you modernize an old restaurant? Not just by looking at the layout and the décor but by finding ways to incorporate technology and new tools into your operations.

The first thing you need to look at is your restaurant menu. Say goodbye to paper menus that you have to keep reprinting whenever you make a small change. Replace them with a QR code menu that you can display on every table and update whenever you want in seconds.

Customers can scan the code to place an order and even pay for it without having to wait for a server to bring the menu, thus leaving your staff more time to complete other tasks. It’s a win-win situation!

The good news is that this costs you nothing. You can get a QR code menu for free by following the steps in this video tutorial:

10. Throw a reopening party

How else are people going to find out about your restaurant renovation if you don’t turn it into a celebration?

Let customers know you’ve revamped your space on social media and welcome them to an exclusive party where they get to admire your brand-new décor, updated menu, and limited-time promotions.

If you’ve redone your restaurant from scratch, it might be worth it to organize a soft opening first so you can test the waters with friends and family. That way, you can correct any mistakes and implement their feedback before you open your doors to the public.

To Sum up

According to restaurant industry experts, you should remodel your restaurant every five to ten years. This gives you a chance to refresh your décor, services, technology, and branding, to improve the customer experience.

Implement these restaurant renovation ideas into your strategy to give your restaurant a brand-new look.