Commercial Kitchen Build Out Cost Guide for Georgia (2026)

Restaurant owners ask us the same question early in every project. What does a commercial kitchen build out actually cost in Georgia? Below are the real numbers we see on restaurant projects in Canton, Cherokee County, and across North Metro Atlanta in 2026.

Quick reference: 2026 commercial kitchen build out costs

These ranges assume a vanilla shell or second generation restaurant space in Georgia, with standard finishes and a Type I hood.

Light prep, coffee shop, or grab and go: $150 to $250 per sq ft of kitchen area
Quick service restaurant with fryers and griddles: $250 to $400 per sq ft
Full service restaurant with line cooking and bar: $350 to $550 per sq ft
Ghost kitchen or multi concept: $300 to $500 per sq ft
High end chef driven concept: $500 to $750 per sq ft and up

Total project cost for a typical 1,500 to 3,000 sq ft restaurant in North Metro Atlanta usually lands between $450,000 and $1.6 million for the kitchen portion, before front of house finishes.

What actually drives the cost

Hood systems and make up air

The Type I exhaust hood is usually the single largest mechanical line item. A commercial hood with fire suppression, ductwork to roof, exhaust fan, and matching make up air unit typically runs $25,000 to $80,000 installed, depending on length and CFM. Larger cooklines with multiple hoods can push past $120,000.

Georgia mechanical code requires balanced make up air, so you cannot price the hood without pricing the MUA unit at the same time.

Plumbing, grease traps, and floor sinks

Restaurant plumbing is a different scope from office plumbing. Expect:

Grease interceptor: $4,000 to $25,000 depending on size and whether interior or exterior
Floor sinks and floor drains: $600 to $1,200 each, and most kitchens need 6 to 12 of them
Hot water capacity upgrade: $5,000 to $20,000 for tankless or larger commercial water heaters
Three compartment sink, hand sinks, mop sink rough in: $8,000 to $20,000 in fixtures and labor

Cherokee County and most North Metro Atlanta jurisdictions require an exterior grease interceptor sized to fixture units, which often forces site work if the lease space has no existing tap.

Electrical capacity

A full service kitchen needs 400 to 800 amps of three phase power at minimum. If the existing service is single phase or undersized, expect a $15,000 to $60,000 utility and panel upgrade before you ever set equipment. Always confirm available service with the landlord and utility before signing the lease.

ADA compliance

Restaurants are public accommodations, so ADA is not optional. Common cost items:

Accessible restrooms with code clearances: $15,000 to $40,000 per restroom if reworking existing
Accessible route from parking to entry, including ramps or regrading: $3,000 to $25,000
Accessible counter heights, lowered service points, and clear floor space at fixtures

Health department and building permits

In Georgia, you submit plans to both the local building department and the county environmental health office. Plan review and permit fees for a restaurant typically run $3,500 to $12,000 total. Health department plan review alone is usually 4 to 8 weeks in Cherokee, Forsyth, Fulton, and Cobb counties, so build it into your schedule.

Second generation space vs vanilla shell

A second generation restaurant space, meaning a space that was previously a restaurant, can save 25 to 45 percent on the kitchen build out if the hood, grease trap, and electrical service are in usable condition. Always have a contractor walk the space before you sign the lease. We have seen owners save $200,000 by picking the right second generation space, and we have seen others spend $150,000 ripping out a previous tenant's mistakes.

Realistic schedule

For a 2,000 sq ft full service restaurant in North Metro Atlanta, expect:

Design and permitting: 8 to 14 weeks
Construction: 12 to 20 weeks
Health inspection and final certificate of occupancy: 2 to 4 weeks

That puts most restaurant projects at 6 to 10 months from signed lease to opening day. Push hard on design and permitting because that is where most schedules slip.

How to lower your cost without cutting corners

Pick a second generation space with a usable hood and grease trap
Keep the cookline tight to reduce hood length and exhaust CFM
Standardize equipment to manufacturers your service company already stocks
Get your contractor and equipment supplier in the same room before you finalize the layout
Lock the menu before you finalize the equipment plan, because menu changes drive every other cost

Why owners hire Nobo for restaurant build outs

Nobo Construction Group is a family owned commercial general contractor in Canton, Georgia. We work with restaurant owners, investors, and franchisees on quick service, full service, and chef driven concepts across Cherokee County and North Metro Atlanta. Licensed and insured, real budgets, real schedules.

If you are evaluating a restaurant space or pricing a kitchen build out, talk to us early. We respond within 24 hours.