How Long Does It Take to Build a Restaurant in Utah?
/Every operator wants to open sooner. The fastest projects aren't the ones that rush construction; they're the ones that make decisions early, in the right order. The short answer: plan on about nine months for a simple remodel, and a year or more for most projects, even small ones. A full build takes longer. Scope sets the range; planning decides where in that range you land. Every phase below can stretch or compress depending on the space and how early the key decisions get made.
The sequence
Site selection and lease. Before you sign, check the building: the hood and ductwork, the grease interceptor, and utilities like electrical service, gas, water and sewer. If you plan to serve alcohol, also check how close the space is to schools, churches and parks, which affects liquor licensing. The space decides a large share of your budget.
Concept and menu. The menu drives the kitchen, so it comes first.
Design. Layout, kitchen and bar planning, equipment specification, finishes and custom pieces.
Construction documents and engineering. Architect, mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings, coordinated with the kitchen plan.
Permits. Building permits from your city, health department plan review from your county, and your liquor license running in parallel. Health review alone commonly takes a couple of weeks per round, and corrections restart the clock.
Bidding and ordering. Contractor pricing and equipment orders. Some equipment ships off the shelf, much of it takes a few weeks, and hoods, walk-ins and custom pieces can take months. Order long-lead items early.
Construction. Demolition through finishes, with inspections along the way.
Inspections and opening. Final building, fire, health and DABS inspections, then training and soft opening.
Where projects lose time
Signing a lease too early. Once you sign, rent is usually due whether or not you can use the space. Paying for a restaurant you can't open while you wait on engineers and permits is one of the most expensive delays there is. Have someone who understands design, permitting and licensing walk the space with you before you commit.
Skipping the utility check. An undersized electrical service or gas line can mean new service from the utility, and that carries its own lead time.
Changing equipment mid-design or mid-build. One equipment swap can ripple into new drawings, new connections and even a larger electrical panel, changes that can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Late equipment orders. Long-lead items ordered after construction starts become the critical path.
Plans sent back in review. A complete, code-aware first submission is the cheapest time saver there is.
Leaving the bar for last. DABS inspects the bar as it will operate, so it can't be the final thing installed.
Bring the designer in first
The earlier the kitchen and bar are planned, the fewer surprises later. Many of the decisions that save months happen before the lease is signed.
Planning an opening? Let's map out your timeline.