FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FaQs)

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our restaurant design process, equipment solutions,
and how we can help bring your vision to life.

FAQ: What is a Food Facility Plan, and do I need one?

A Food Facility Plan, also known as a restaurant plan, is required for retail food facilities. If you plan to open a new facility or remodel an existing facility, you will probably need to submit a plan. Businesses that prepare or serve food and drinks must have plans in place. Examples include restaurants, delis, bakeries, taquerias, food trucks, coffee carts, etc.

FAQ: Can I draw up and submit my own plan?

Yes. As long as you meet your county health agency’s requirements, you can do so. Restaurant plans need knowledge of construction, plumbing, and ventilation. You also need to understand county codes. If you lack this background, it’s tough to prepare a plan and get it approved. You’ll likely face a lot of time and frustration.

FAQ: Can I have an architect or general contractor prepare my plan?

Some professionals might have the right background, but health department rules are specialized. Most architects and contractors lack the needed knowledge and experience. You will probably need to work with a specialist like Northbay Restaurant Design.

FAQ: What’s different about Northbay Restaurant Design? Why should I work with you?

Our focus and expertise is on foodservice facility design. Unlike some of our competitors, we don’t sell restaurant equipment. We simply prepare a plan that helps you get your restaurant open as quickly as possible. Not selling equipment lets the business owner get what they need from anywhere. They can use their own gear or buy used equipment too. They also go to full-service equipment vendors to get quotes. Many vendors provide competitive pricing. We share the plans with anyone you choose.

FAQ: What’s the problem with getting a food facility plan from an equipment supplier?

It’s like the fox guarding the hen house. If they mainly make money from selling equipment, they will suggest plans to help reach that goal. They might encourage you to enter big contracts for new equipment. They may also guide you away from cheaper used options. We don’t do that. We can help you cut initial costs for equipment. You can buy in phases or choose affordable used equipment that fits your needs.

FAQ: What is your firm’s expertise?

Our owners bring 40+ years of experience in restaurant design, operations, and construction. See the About Northbay Design page to learn more.

FAQ: Which local health departments recommend Northbay Restaurant Design?

It is against county health department policy to recommend private businesses. However, we are on the resource list for some local health departments.

FAQ: What building departments have we worked with?

We only work with the county’s local health department where the project is.

This list includes:

  • Sonoma County

  • Marin County

  • Alameda County

  • Contra Costa County

  • Solano County

  • Sacramento County

We only focus on Health Plans. So, we do not help with building permits or city approvals. Keep in mind that your contractor can often get a permit for minor work. This includes things like a change of ownership or a health code upgrade. For example, a Plumbing contractor can get a water heater replacement permit for you.

FAQ: Can you provide professional references?

We have designed over 800 foodservice facilities in the last 20 years. Many owners are happy to share their recommendations. Some of which may be close to you. Feel free to give us a call and we will look for a similar past client for you to talk too

FAQ: How long does it take to prepare a plan?

Plans usually take about 5 to 10 working days to complete after we get the agreement and deposit. The timeframe depends on the number of versions in the “preliminary design” phase of a project.

Q: How long does it take for plan approval?

Health plan approvals usually take 1 to 3 weeks. This process is managed by the local health department. It largely depends on the health department offices and their workload. Northbay Restaurant Design keeps an eye on the approval process. This way, everything stays on track. If the plan reviewer has questions, they get answered quickly.

Q: Can we work with the building department?

Northbay Restaurant Design is a specialty design company. We focus on meeting local health department requirements for food service. Our plans can also help with county or city building department needs. This lets us focus all our energy on creating the best design for the customer. We also ensure we meet health code standards.

FAQ: Do we need a general contractor or engineer?

Many projects do require contractors and engineers, but not all projects. Your project will be unique to your location, design and existing conditions. Our unique partnership gives us the experience to advise clients on their needs. We can make design and location choices based on each project’s specifics.

FAQ: Who recommends us?

We receive recommendations from:

  • Architects

  • Contractors

  • Engineers

  • Equipment dealers without design teams

  • Many happy past clients

(See our list of past projects.)

FAQ: Can we recommend contractors/engineers to help with your project?

Northbay Restaurant Design is not a construction or engineering company. We have many skilled professionals who have worked on our projects. We can provide names and contact details to the client.

FAQ: Do we oversee the job or just make the plans?

Our service is to develop the plans for your project and help you get them approved. The client and/or business owner usually handles on-site project management and oversight. Hire a skilled general contractor to handle all the work needed for the project. They will set up utilities for the equipment, as shown in the approved food service plans.

FAQ: Can you provide any follow-up help once the plan is completed?

We are available by phone or email during normal business hours. We help customers, contractors, engineers, and architects during and after the foodservice project. This includes help with specifications, digital copies of approved plans, and equipment substitutions. It also provides CAD files and other resources.

At Northbay Restaurant Design, we understand that customers often have frequently asked questions about our services, restaurant design process, and commercial kitchen solutions. Some of the most frequently asked questions include inquiries about how to start a restaurant design project, what types of kitchen layouts we specialize in, and how long the design process typically takes. Another one of our frequently asked questions is whether we assist with obtaining permits and meeting health code regulations, and the answer is yes—we ensure that all designs comply with industry standards. Many clients also ask us about the types of restaurant equipment we recommend, making this another one of our frequently asked questions.

One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is whether we provide customized restaurant design solutions. At Northbay Restaurant Design, we tailor every project to the client’s specific needs, ensuring the space is functional and efficient. Another frequently asked question is if we only work with new restaurants or if we can help with remodels and renovations—our services cover everything from brand-new restaurant concepts to redesigning existing spaces. Clients often ask how much a restaurant design project costs, which is another popular frequently asked question. The cost varies depending on the size and complexity of the project, but we offer solutions that fit a range of budgets.

For more details on our services and answers to even more frequently asked questions, visit northbayrestaurant.com. Our expert team is ready to help with all aspects of restaurant design, from initial planning to final implementation. If you have any additional frequently asked questions, feel free to contact us—we are happy to assist!