Restaurant Build-Outs in Central Florida
Quick-service and full-service restaurant build-outs across Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Lake counties. Licensed Florida GC CBC1266039.
What does a restaurant build-out cost in Central Florida?
Restaurant TI in Central Florida typically runs $200–$325 per square foot; cold-shell restaurant builds $275–$400 per sqft. Kitchen hood + Type I exhaust, grease interceptor, walk-in cooler tie-in, and specialty equipment rough-in drive most of the spread. Permits run 8–14 weeks through the applicable city plus FDBPR DHR review; construction 12–20 weeks on-site.
What a restaurant build-out actually involves
Restaurants carry the highest MEP intensity of any commercial TI scope. Beyond the standard interior finishes, demising walls, and flooring, a restaurant build-out covers: Type I kitchen hood and exhaust system (engineered for the specific cook equipment and makeup-air-balanced), grease interceptor install or upgrade (typically a separate plumbing permit), walk-in cooler and freezer tie-in (electrical, condensate drain, refrigerant line sets), Ansul or equivalent kitchen fire-suppression system, dedicated gas piping and meter upgrades where applicable, POS and data cabling, FOH + BOH lighting, restroom compliance with Florida Accessibility Code, and storefront with appropriate entry for FOH service. Every one of those has its own specialty subcontractor and its own inspection.
Cost ranges by restaurant concept — 2026
| Concept | Per sqft | Typical drivers |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee shop / cold-kitchen QSR | $175–$250 | Limited hood coverage, espresso equipment, minimal grease generation |
| Quick-service restaurant (QSR) | $200–$300 | Single cook line, moderate hood coverage, FOH counter service |
| Full-service restaurant | $250–$325 | Multiple cook stations, bar build-out, larger dining, elevated FOH finishes |
| Cold-shell restaurant build | $275–$400 | Raw shell to operational; includes full MEP infrastructure, exterior work, rooftop equipment |
The permit path for restaurants
Restaurants carry the longest permit path of any commercial TI type. Plan on four overlapping review tracks:
- Building permit through the applicable city or county — 6–10 weeks typically.
- FDBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants plan review — state-level review of FOH + BOH layout, fixture heights, and compliance with Florida Food Code. Typically 3–6 weeks from submittal.
- Local Fire Marshal review — kitchen hood suppression, egress paths, fire separation. 2–4 weeks typical.
- Plumbing permit for grease interceptor — separate permit in most jurisdictions. 2–4 weeks.
We run all four tracks in parallel. Serial submittal adds months to schedule; parallel coordination compresses the permit window to the slowest of the four reviews.
Second-generation space vs. new shell
Second-generation restaurant spaces — a space previously operated as a restaurant — can be meaningful savings if the existing infrastructure fits your concept. The major savings come from existing grease interceptor (often a $25K–$60K line item on new construction), existing rooftop hood penetrations and makeup-air units, and existing walk-in cooler space. The trap is when the previous concept's equipment layout locks you into a kitchen footprint that doesn't match yours. We walk second-gen spaces before lease signing and tell you honestly whether the space is a bargain or a trap for your specific concept.
Coordinating with your kitchen-equipment vendor
Most restaurant clients bring their own kitchen-equipment vendor — either their franchise supplier, a specialty kitchen designer, or a restaurant-equipment broker. We work with that vendor from the schematic phase so hood CFM, gas sizing, electrical loads, and plumbing rough-in match the final equipment list. We don't sell kitchen equipment; we just install it cleanly.
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What's Included
QSR (quick-service) build-outs
Full-service restaurant build-outs
Coffee shops + cold-kitchen concepts
Type I hood + exhaust coordination
Grease interceptor install + plumbing
Walk-in cooler / freezer tie-in
FDBPR DHR + Fire Marshal coordination
Storefront + dining layout
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about restaurant build-outs in central florida from Central Florida homeowners and businesses.
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