The Best Fast-Food Restaurant Contractors in the US

Last updated on November 13th, 2024 at 08:08 am

Fast-food restaurants are a routine part of people’s diets. Quick service at an affordable price makes modern lifestyles possible Fast-food restaurants with nationwide and global reach—McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, and Starbucks—contribute greatly to the American economy. McDonald’s, the largest fast-food restaurant in the world, has over 14,000 locations in the U.S. alone. International chains and region-specific chains are also popular in the fast-food market.

Investing in this massive industry calls for experts able to fast-track the proper results. Given that fast-food chains require speedy construction tables, construction professionals specializing in the fast-food industry need to be both precise and swift. These fast-food restaurant contractors commonly have working permits in multiple states, making simultaneous construction possible.

This list covers the best fast-food restaurant contractors in the United States. Our team gathered hundreds of construction professionals in each state. We refined it down to these candidates after considering awards, company work history, the firms’ familiarization with the fast-food industry, and the overall work quality the firms produced.

If you are thinking about building a fast-food restaurant, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.

Accelerated Contractors

6903 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32211

Praised by the Filipino fast-food giant Jollibee, Accelerated Contractors is one of the Sunshine State’s most formidable names in the Florida fast-food contracting business. Accelerated has been in business in Jacksonville and Northern Florida for over three decades. The firm knows the market very well, and 80% of its projects are repeat clients. Accelerated is led by Brad Hollett, a consistent name in the top ten commercial remodelers and one of the top 20 commercial contractors in North Florida for the past 30 years.

Accelerated Contractors was the general contractor of choice for Jollibee in Jacksonville, the first branch in Florida. The firm’s Managing Member, Brad Hollett, traveled to California to get a good sense of how these kinds of restaurants were made. As a result, the Filipino fast-food company was provided with a highly-efficient branch that accommodated $350 thousand in its first week.

Amicon Construction

7430 NE 4th Court, Miami, FL 33138

Amicon Construction is a general contracting and owner representation expert based in Miami. The firm operates in Florida, Oregon, and Washington. Founded in 1996 by John Wood, Ross Adickman, and Adam Mopsick, the company is now one of South Florida’s largest commercial contractors. This trio of industry veterans is joined by Adam Mueller, who joined the company as a Project Superintendent and rose through the ranks as the Chief Operations Officer.

Amicon has built a strong, high-profile portfolio of industry professionals that includes American Express, Starbucks, and Prada. In terms of fast-food establishments, Amicon has worked with Blaze Pizza, Red Mango, and Starbucks, among others. The California pizza chain Blaze Pizza is a pizzeria with a made-to-order approach. Together with Warren Johnson Architects, Amicon built the easy-going and comfortable atmosphere of the restaurant.

Andersen Construction

5601 6th Ave. South, Suite #550, Seattle, WA 98108

As the Pacific Northwest’s largest family-owned general contractor, Andersen Construction has established a firm grip in multiple markets ranging from healthcare facilities to commercial establishments. Since 1950, Andersen Construction has been operated by the Andersen family through its offices in Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. The firm has consistently ranked on Building Design + Construction’s Top 100 Builders in the United States. Now led by Joel Andersen, grandson of the founder, Andersen is taking new steps into the future of construction operations. Joel leads a team of more than 700 employees completing a number of large-scale industrial projects.

Andersen Construction has built multiple fast-food restaurant projects including five versions of the popular Seattle coffee chain Starbucks. The Starbucks iterations range from 1,400 to 3,200 Square Feet and feature its signature blend of local artwork and high-end finishing.

Arita Poulson General Contractors

PO BOX 1035, Puunene, HI 96784

Daryl Arita and Robert Poulson founded their namesake firm in 1986 after working together as carpenters. Daryl Arita is a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors Board and an industry veteran of over 30 years, while Robert Poulson is an equally experienced builder. He led the team to build over 1,200 projects in various industries throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The pair has a long history of solid business relationships and excellent work.

Arita Poulson constructed the $1.4 million Panda Express in Moanalua, as well as multiple locations of Wendy’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Sbarro. Arita Poulson is no stranger to multi-million fast-food restaurant projects; hiring the firm means hiring an experienced team of builders with a strong sense of the Hawaiian food industry.

Brodson Construction

120 NE 27th St., Suite #100, Miami, FL 33137

Commercial construction specialists Brodson Construction has over three decades of construction experience and well-published works on the pages of Miami Herald, Florida Home, Vanity Fair, and Florida Design. Founded in 1989 in South Florida, Brodson has established a reach that ranges from its headquarters in Miami to the coasts of Los Angeles. Brodson achieved this vast reach by offering a wide range of construction services from pre-construction to construction management.

Taking a dive into the firm’s portfolio, it isn’t hard to figure out why Brodson became one of South Florida’s leading names in commercial construction. The Shake Shack locations at Boca Raton and Winter Park were constructed by Brodson Construction. The New York burger chain entrusted Brodson to make a restaurant that follows the spirit of its infamous Madison Park aesthetic, ambiance, and appeal.

Buildrite Construction

600 Chastain Rd. NW, Suite #326, Kennesaw, GA 30144

Standing firmly on four decades of industry experience, Buildrite Construction is a construction powerhouse licensed in 48 states. From humble beginnings in founder Bryan Alexander’s pickup truck in 1982, the firm has now grown to over 30 members. Buildrite’s seamless operations have brought the company an astonishing 95% repeat client rate. The firm credits its success to its strong client relations which they carefully nurtured over the years. Buildrite has also achieved a high CBRE required Contractor Score of 2500. The company was named Top 25 Small Business of the Year by Cobb Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2013, and they were also named a Top 25 Interior Commercial Contractors for 2015 to 2018 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Buildrite’s reach across the nation has resulted in a loaded portfolio. The firm has built fast-food restaurants all over the US, serving chains such as Burger King, Arby’s, and Taco Bell. The Tex-Mex chain Taco Bell is one of the highest-earning restaurants in the country and has a high volume of restaurants in every state; getting commissioned by the chain was a massive opportunity that Buildrite took full advantage of.

Construction Solutions Company

2880 E 14th N Idaho Falls, ID 83401

With a portfolio packing 61 Pizza Hut iterations, 15 versions of McDonald’s, and multiple branches of other fast-food chains, Construction Solutions Company is a builder with proven expertise in the fast-food business. The company was established by partners Jared Turner, Jim Turner, and Eric Wall. Jared serves as the CEO, overseeing over $50 million in commercial construction projects throughout Idaho and Wyoming. He is one of the very few Certified Construction Managers by The Construction Management Association of America in Eastern Idaho. Jim Turner has overseen the construction of over a hundred homes in his previous work as a construction manager and Eric Wall handles the company’s finances.

Construction Solutions Company has a portfolio of fast-food chains including dozens of Pizza Hut restaurants throughout Idaho, Oregon, Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. It all amounts to 58 kitchen remodels and three new restaurant construction projects.

Donnelly Construction

557 Route 23 S Wayne, NJ 07470

Since 1977, Donnelly Construction has been pairing quality construction with high-level engineering services from its offices in New Jersey and Florida. Donnelly takes pride in the quality of work its team provides, distinguished by excellent craftsmanship and cost-effective management. Rod Donnelly founded the company, banking on over 40 years of experience as a general contractor. Rod currently serves as the CEO, while Chris Powers acts as the President of Donnelly Construction.

Donnelly has pursued construction in a variety of capacities, from country clubs to restaurants. Chains like Starbucks, Johnny Rockets, and PDQ have tapped the firm for some of their New Jersey and New York branches. PDQ, People Dedicated to Quality, tagged Donnelly to construct their branch in Farmingdale, New Jersey. The 3,00 square-foot chicken franchise was completed one a fast-track schedule of 150 days, displaying the impressive capacity of fast-paced building and quality control Donnelly offers.

Gotham Bay Construction

5950 Doyle St., Studio One, Emeryville, CA 94608

Commercial construction experts Gotham Bay Construction built its name through full-service restaurants and specialty food retailers. The company has built several fast-food joints and multiple independent restaurants all over California. Gotham Bay’s portfolio of restaurants strengthens the firm’s stellar reputation. The company has built over 300 Starbucks restaurants, 25 Chipotle chains, and dozens more of casual dining establishments and fast-food restaurants. Restaurant owners and managers such as Chipotle’s Stan Chin praised Gotham Bay’s high-quality service and proper communications. Chin also mentioned how the company carried out the construction with the client in mind.

Gray Construction

10 Quality St., Lexington, KY 40507

Gray Construction is a design-build and architecture firm known for its massive operations, which stretch across the US, and includes Canada and Japan as well. Despite its worldwide reach, Gray remains a family-owned company. The youngest brother of the family, Stephan Gray, has been the President and CEO since 1990. Gray’s portfolio primarily consists of large-scale projects such as manufacturing plants, food and beverage plants, distribution centers, and other commercial facilities. The firm garnered major industry awards including the Design-Build Institute Of America (DBIA) Design-Build Award and the AGC Construction National Safety Excellence Award.

Gray has been featured in major publications such as ENR, Reuters, and Birmingham Business Journal. In terms of fast-food restaurant chains, Gray Construction has worked with companies like Mendocino Farms, Starbucks, Panda Express, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and the international Ramen chain Ippudo. For the two Starbucks branches that Gray constructed, the firm has personalized details including hand-painted murals and custom furniture.

H&M Development

20200 W Dixie Hwy., Suite #1206 Aventura, FL 33180

H&M is a full-service construction and development firm serving Florida. Led by a team of Civil Engineers, H&M Development understands the construction specifics and engineering technicalities more than most in the industry. The firm puts a strong emphasis on the quality of its workmanship. H&M has a rich history that dates back to the founding of Colombian construction company Dorco by the family patriarch Herbert Dornbusch in the 1950s. Dornbusch went on to over 40 million square feet worth of projects. His sons Harry and Joey continued the family legacy by establishing H&M Development. Harry serves as the company president, leveraging over 25 years of experience and over ten million square feet of projects.

Pollo Tropical, a Miami-based fast-food restaurant chain, hired H&M for a $770 thousand-project in Greater Miami. The chain serves Caribbean cuisine and has a strong customer base in the Miami area.

Hilbers

770 N Walton Ave., Suite #100 Yuba City, CA 95993

Hilbers is a national general contractor with a lot of experience in the fast-food restaurant market. The firm has built projects for major fast-food chains such as Panera Bread, Panda Express, Chipotle, Jack in the Box, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-Fil-A, and Cracker Barrel. The firm has also produced countless projects for churches and shopping centers. In line with commercial construction services, the firm also offers a 24-hour commercial facility maintenance program that provides routine service and preventative maintenance. Aside from commercial construction, Hilbers offers facility management services with a cost-effective strategy and minimal response time.

Kurt Hilbers, a former associate of the National Advisory Councils for Building God’s Way and Butler Manufacturing Company, has taken the lead in company leadership, continuing the Hilbers family tradition.

ITEK Construction + Consulting

627 Carlisle Dr., Herndon, VA 20170

Virginia-based ITEK Construction is a full-service construction firm with a strong track record in fast-food restaurant construction. With a selection of clients that includes IHOP, Cafe Rio, Popeye’s, Chipotle, and Bon Chon, ITEK is one of the most experienced fast-food contractors on the list. The firm offers preconstruction, construction management, and construction services with operations closely affiliated with the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington and the International Council of Shopping Centers. The firm is headed by Osman Yazgan, an alumnus of Hacettepe University in Ankara in Turkey.

From the 4,785 square-foot IHOP in Baltimore completed in 12 weeks to the nine-week base building construction for Starbucks in Stephens City, Virginia, ITEK delivers timely results.

ITEK was founded in 1994 to provide top-notch service and exceptional client service. Over the years, the firm has accomplished these ideals and has built a strong reputation for itself in the construction market.

JSR Construction

83 54th St., SW Grand Rapids, MI 49548

JSR Construction is a full-service general contractor and construction management company specializing in restaurant projects. Founded in 1997, JSR focused its operations in the Midwest market. In Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio, JSR has built, renovated, and managed various fast-food restaurant projects. The firm’s portfolio touches base with American fast-food giant Burger King and Mexican fast-casual chain Qdoba, among others. This long list of clients was gained through JSR’s unique set of skills. The company handles aspects of construction other firms normally don’t. JSR offers site selection, project management, and pre-lease site evaluation to name a few.

KBE Building

76 Batterson Park Rd., Farmington, CT 06032

Mike Kolakowski, Eric Brown, and Simon Etzel acquired KBE Building in 2007 from its original owners who established the firm in 1959. The three former senior managers pushed the envelope of the company, transforming KBE into a well-run construction company that offers construction management, design-build services, and general contracting services. The trio also brought KBE four OSHA Strategic Partnerships Merit recognitions, 25 Consecutive Years as ENR Top 400 Contractors, and 14 Excellence in Construction Awards by ABC.

The KBE team consists of over 120 experienced building professionals. Together they have amassed over $300 million in annual construction volume, with more than four billion dollars in billings over the last two decades alone. Operating with a ‘get it done fast, get it done right’ approach, KBE is ideal for franchises and multi-branch chains that need simultaneous construction. Franchises like Buffalo Wild Wings, Houlihan’s, and Morton’s are frequent clients. The diversity of this client list testifies to KBE’s versatility.

Knoebel Construction

18333 Wings Corporate Dr., Chesterfield, MO 63005

Knoebel Construction is one of the Midwest’s most accomplished commercial contractors. The firm has over three decades of experience in commercial construction, which includes the retail, healthcare, and restaurant markets. Knoebel is currently headed by Matthew Mabie, a former employee who purchased the company in 2012.

Knoebel has established its portfolio through a strong focus on fast-food restaurants and retail projects. In 2019, Knoebel built eight Burger King locations in St. Louis, adding to their massive portfolio of fast-food restaurants. Mellow Mushroom, an Atlanta-based Pizzaria known for its handcrafted crusts, hired Knoebel to construct a 5,400 square-foot restaurant in Cottleville, Missouri. The design theme of the restaurant follows 80s design aesthetic, right down to neon colors paired with graffiti art. Knoebel also built the previous Mellow Mushroom location in St. Louis, located in Sunset Hills.

Level Construction

4701 N Ronald St., Harwood Heights, IL 60706

With over two million square feet worth of completed work in over a thousand projects, Level Construction is on another level. The firm’s operations are centered in its offices in Chicago and Houston. Level has acquired a number of awards including Crain’s Fast Fifty 2014 and 2015, Houston’s Fast 100 in 2014 and 2015, and Inc. 5000 in 2015. Level’s signature design-build approach is characterized by a streamlined process that minimizes risks and assures successful project execution.

University of Houston alumnus TJ Patel takes the lead in the Level Construction company structure. Patel and his team of industry leaders emphasize the importance of building relationships. The Filipino restaurant chain Max’s Restaurant chose Level as their Chicago contractor. The interiors of the restaurant closely resemble its counterparts in the Philippines, providing a continuous aesthetic.

Osman Construction

70 W Seegers, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Established as Hope Construction in 1945, Osman Construction is anchored in Metropolitan Chicago. Osman provides quality construction services paired with competitive pricing and excellent customer service. Osman also has green building certification, and most of its project managers are LEED AP professionals. The construction powerhouse is now managed by Tim Silvetti.

Throughout Illinois, Osman has constructed various fast-food projects including Portillo’s, Bill Knapps, Whole Foods, and Dave and Buster’s. Dallas-based Dave and Buster’s hired Osman multiple locations. The interiors of the famous sports bar and arcade are central to the concept; Dave and Buster’s is an ideal place for large groups to hang out and have fun and Osman made that possible.

PKC Construction

7802 Barton St., Lenexa, KS 66214

PKC Construction is a multifaceted construction company that specializes in restaurant and franchise construction. PKC offers multi-site rollout services that allow simultaneous construction across different regions. PKC also offers rebranding services that assist brand campaign promotions and restructuring services. The firm has a presence in 40 states and counting and has over eight million square feet of completed construction projects, PKC has demonstrated strong expertise in the field of fast-food construction. With a promising track record that consists of brands like Smashburger, Wingstop, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Modern Market, PKC is one of the most prolific franchise builders on this list.

James Mitchell leads a team with over a century of experience that includes industry professionals, superintendents, and project managers. The approach is solution-driven, and the team’s repeatedly demonstrated diligence has brought PKC a 90% repeat business rate.

Prodigy Construction

11106 Decimal Dr., Louisville, KY 40299

Business First Top General Contractors awardee (for five straight years) Prodigy Construction is an all-around construction professional that offers design-build and general construction services throughout the Southeast. Steve Bosco, a veteran with 25 years of experience, established the company in 2005. Steve’s leadership aided the economic growth of commercial establishments in the Ohio Valley. Prodigy is known for its quality workmanship and an affordable price range. Previous clients include Jimmy John’s, Burger King, Wingstop, and Fazoli’s. These clients repeatedly mention the dependability of the firm made possible by substantial staffing, prompt permit processing, and strict adherence to deadlines and budget caps.

Aviation-themed chicken wings restaurant Wingstop hired Prodigy Construction in building its branch in Louisville. Wingstop is known for its 1930s and 1940s-inspired interiors, all carefully executed by the Prodigy team.

Ritchey Enterprises

824 S Milledge Ave., Suite #102 Athens, GA 30605

Commercial construction experts Ritchey Enterprises is a Georgia-based firm serving the Southeast and Midwest region with a focused approach when it comes to project completion. Ritchey ensures that proper monitoring and supervision are observed in every aspect of the construction and no hidden charges will be incurred. Jeffrey Ritchey founded the firm in 2003, banking on more than 20 years of industry experience. Jeffrey underwent formal training in Building Construction and Contracting from Georgia Southern University.

Ritchey specializes in restaurant brands, retailers, hospitality chains, and financial establishments. The firm has conducted business with Captain D’s, Dunkin Donut, Domino’s, and Starbucks. The firm has built, remodeled, and updated fast-food restaurants all over Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. A great number of fast-food franchise projects are more than happy to speak to their satisfaction with Ritchey’s construction performance.

RTC General Contractors

10425 Cogdill Rd., Suite #100, Knoxville TN 37932

With an emphasis on speed, value, and quality, RTC General Contractors sets itself apart from the competition in the commercial construction industry. RTC serves Tennessee and North Carolina through its offices in Knoxville and Charlotte. Jeffrey Denton spent 33 of his 39-years in the construction industry with the firm. Jeffrey took over the company leadership from company founder Richardson Turner. Richardson had already landed RTC on the Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies list in 1988.

RTC’s strongest point is its portfolio of fast-food restaurants. Both region-specific and national fast-food companies such as Bojangle’s, Chick-Fil-A, and Hardee’s have hired the firm. The famous Southern chicken-and-biscuit food spot Bojangle’s entrusted RTC to construct multiple branch locations in a number of states stretching from Kentucky to South Carolina. Bojangle’s hired RTC in 2013 and the firm made did an outstanding job juggling various designs and site-specific specifications.

S&M Sakamoto

1928 Hau St., Honolulu, HI 96819

S&M Sakamoto is the go-to contractor for Hawaii’s fast-food restaurants. The firm was established in 1940 by the Sakamoto family, which continues to direct company operations through Gerard Sakamoto. The family-owned nature of the company gives its operations an edge. S&M Sakamoto has worked all over Hawaii in a variety of industries, from government projects to retail establishments to restaurants.

Legendary Hawaii joint Zippy’s is a frequent partner, and they’ve been tapping S&M to build facilities since 1998. The restaurant features cuisine that reflects Hawaii: an eclectic mix of Japanese, Chinese, Okinawan, American, and Hawaiian fusion cuisine. This decades-long relationship is a strong indication of S&M Sakamoto’s consistency and effectiveness.

Steed Construction

1250 E Iron Eagle Dr., Suite #200, Eagle, ID 83616

Randy Steed, former President of the AGC Idaho, founded Steed Construction in 1988. Prior to the establishment of Steed, Randy worked as a General Contractor and Business Executive in Silicon Valley for eleven years. Steed Construction started in North California and now operates through offices in Idaho and Utah. What separates Steed apart from other contractors is its understanding of the need for up-to-date technology, asserting that better tools lead to better ideas.

Steed has an impressive portfolio of commercial establishments that includes business parks, fuel stations, self-storage facilities, and restaurants. Restaurant chains and fast-food establishments are no stranger to the Steed team. Clients such as Longhorn Steakhouse, Taco Bell, and Buffalo Wild Wings have hired Steed repeatedly, testifying to Steed’s reliability and fine craftsmanship.

Stovall Construction

7409 US 287 Hwy., Arlington, TX 76001

Even before Jay Stovall could drive, he took part in the activities of Stovall Construction, the firm established by his father Jack Stovall in 1970. Jack postured the team in great heights, often doing business with Fortune 500 companies and emerging startups. Jay manages the daily operations, oversees a team of 25 employees, and builds relationships with clients and business partners.

Rob Metzger, his brother-in-law, serves as Vice President, taking project management and business development under his stewardship. Stovall has a knack for quick-service restaurants and casual dining, all backed by relevant expertise in the industrial markets.

Venture Construction Company

PO Box 4175, Norcross, GA 30091-4175

With thousands of fast-food restaurants to its name, Venture Construction Company is a premier choice when it comes to the construction of fast-food dining establishments. Venture has a nationwide reach, with offices in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Kansas, Tennessee, and Virginia. The firm was founded by Ray Morris in 1969. Morris served as the estimator, project manager, job superintendent, and business development manager in the early days of Venture. The company approaches the construction business with a focus on client relations. Burger King and McDonald’s have been clients for over 40 years. Since the 1970s the two fast-food giants have trusted Venture Construction to complete projects in a number of states. Venture has stuck to its guns in the restaurant industry since the beginning of company operations, producing work across a spectrum of fast-food, fast-casual, casual dining, and upscale dining.

Woodbine Construction

425 Woodbine St., Louisville, KY 40208

Since 1980, Woodbine Construction has provided Louisville with dependable, time-tested commercial construction. Woodbine has partnered with the local police and fire departments, Jefferson County Public Schools, McDonald’s, and the Southern restaurant chain Zaxby’s. Principal Mike Grider is an industry veteran with over 37 years of experience. Mike structured the company to allow data-centered reporting and communications that clients adore. David Gatti, an owner and operator of McDonald’s, praised Woodine’s consistency and quality. Gatti also mentioned that Woodbine kept the business operations from being interrupted, which allowed business operations to continue.

Woodbine’s array of projects includes the Simpsonville McDonald’s that was completed on a 79-day schedule. In this project, Woodbine conquered the difficulties of constructing under a tight time table and over poor soil conditions.

About Our Rankings

This list takes a range of ranking criteria into consideration, including but not limited to: work history, customer satisfaction, awards and recognition, geographic area of work, cost, building permits, and clientele. We spent over 40 hours researching local contractors before calculating the final ranking for this post. If there is additional information about your business that could affect these rankings, please fill out this form and we will take it into consideration.

Get Bids For Your Build

If you are thinking about building a fast-food restaurant, we recommend checking each builder’s license with the local licensing board, speaking to past clients, and using our bidding system to get competitive quotes from at least 3 contractors. Getting multiple bids is the best way to ensure you get a fair price and that bids include the complete scope of work.