Restaurant Build-Out Cost Benchmarks – Boca Raton and Boynton Beach
Restaurant build-outs are the most expensive commercial tenant improvements per square foot. In Boca Raton and Boynton Beach, a full-service restaurant with a commercial kitchen typically costs $175 to $300+ per square foot in hard construction costs alone – and that does not include kitchen equipment, furniture, or signage. Understanding where the money goes helps restaurant owners negotiate TI allowances, avoid underfunded projects, and make smarter decisions about space selection.
Why Restaurants Cost More Than Every Other Commercial Build-Out
A restaurant is not just a nice interior – it is a commercial kitchen that happens to have a dining room attached. The kitchen drives cost because it requires:
- Commercial-grade mechanical ventilation (Type I and Type II hood systems)
- A grease trap or grease interceptor connected to the plumbing system
- FRP (fiberglass reinforced panel) wall coverings in food prep areas per health code
- High-capacity gas lines and electrical service for commercial cooking equipment
- Three-compartment sinks, hand-washing stations, and mop sinks at specified locations
- Walk-in cooler and freezer rough-in (even if the boxes themselves are equipment)
- Health Department plan review and approval before opening
- Grease-resistant flooring and coved base throughout the kitchen
Each of these items costs real money, and several require licensed specialty subcontractors (kitchen exhaust, fire suppression, plumbing) working in a coordinated sequence. A restaurant build-out is one of the most complex construction projects per square foot in commercial real estate.
Detailed Cost Line Items for a South Florida Restaurant Build-Out
| Scope Item | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type I Hood System (commercial kitchen) | $25,000 – $65,000+ | Includes makeup air, exhaust fan, curb. Size and configuration drive cost. |
| Fire Suppression (Ansul/wet chemical) | $5,000 – $15,000 | Required for all Type I hoods. Separate inspection by fire marshal. |
| Grease Trap / Interceptor | $6,000 – $20,000 | Indoor hydromechanical or outdoor in-ground. Size per local utility requirements. |
| FRP Wall Panels (kitchen and prep areas) | $8 – $18/SF installed | Required by Florida health code in food preparation and dishwashing areas. |
| Commercial Plumbing (new rough-in) | $40,000 – $120,000 | Highly variable – depends on existing conditions and number of fixtures. |
| Electrical (kitchen service upgrade) | $30,000 – $80,000 | Most commercial kitchens require 400-800A service; existing panels rarely sufficient. |
| HVAC (kitchen make-up air + dining) | $35,000 – $90,000 | Kitchen and dining zones must be designed together to prevent negative pressure. |
| Walk-In Cooler/Freezer Rough-In | $5,000 – $15,000 | Structural blocking, dedicated electrical circuit, floor drain. Box is FF&E. |
| Health-Code Flooring (kitchen) | $15 – $35/SF installed | Quarry tile, epoxy, or sealed concrete with non-slip aggregate and coved base. |
| Dining Room Finishes | $60 – $150/SF | Custom millwork, lighting, flooring, bar area if applicable. |
| Restrooms (per ADA-compliant restroom) | $18,000 – $40,000 | New plumbing rough-in; higher for full build-out from shell. |
Cost ranges reflect 2026 South Florida market conditions. Actual costs depend on existing building conditions, space size, and subcontractor pricing at time of bid.
First-Generation vs. Second-Generation Restaurant Space
Where your restaurant space is a first-generation (first time built out as restaurant) or second-generation (previously a restaurant) has a massive impact on your budget.
Second-generation space already has grease traps installed, Type I hood penetrations through the roof, gas lines roughed in, and potentially usable plumbing in the kitchen area. If the previous tenant’s layout aligns reasonably with yours, you can save $80,000-$150,000 or more compared to building from scratch. In competitive markets like Boca Raton and Delray Beach, second-generation restaurant spaces command premium rents for exactly this reason.
First-generation restaurant space (typically a former retail or office unit) requires all of the above to be built from scratch. Budget for the higher end of the ranges in the table above, and add 15-20% contingency for unknown existing conditions in the ceiling, slab, and walls.
Health Department Plan Review in Palm Beach County
Every new restaurant in Palm Beach County requires Florida Department of Health plan review before a building permit is issued. The health department reviews your kitchen layout, equipment placement, handwashing station locations, and material specifications against the Florida Food Safety Act. This review runs concurrently with the building department review in some cities but may add 3-6 weeks sequentially in others.
Submit your health department plans at the same time as your building permit application. Do not wait for building approval to start the health review. A GC with restaurant experience will coordinate both submissions on your behalf.
Tenant Improvement Allowances for Restaurant Spaces
Restaurant TI allowances in South Florida vary widely. A landlord offering a raw vanilla shell in a new Boca Raton mixed-use development may offer $60-$100/SF to attract a restaurant anchor tenant. A second-generation space in an existing strip center may have little or no TI allowance. When you review a lease, compare the offered TI against your actual build-out cost estimate – the gap is your out-of-pocket cost.
For more on how TI allowances are negotiated and structured, see our guide on commercial tenant improvement projects.
Getting a Realistic Budget Before You Sign the Lease
Restaurant owners who sign leases before getting a construction budget estimate are taking a serious financial risk. The cost to build a commercial kitchen in South Florida is not intuitive, and TI allowances almost never cover the full cost. A preliminary budget walkthrough with a GC who has restaurant experience in Palm Beach County – before you sign – can save you from a financially unworkable situation.
Cooper Construction and Development has completed restaurant and food service build-outs in Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and surrounding communities. View our recent projects or learn more about our services.
Ready to Build Your Restaurant in South Florida?
Call Cooper Construction and Development at (561) 571-3324 or contact us online. We are a veteran-owned commercial GC based in Wellington, and we specialize in complex commercial build-outs across Palm Beach and Broward counties.