Looking for expert advice on designing kitchens in tight spaces?
You're in the right place.
Get guidance on efficient floor plans, layouts, costs, timelines, and more for your small kitchen project. We've got the experts on staff ready to help, just let us know what you're looking for.
✔ Small Restaurants & Bars
✔ Compact Cafeteria Kitchens
✔ Hotels & Resort Kitchens
✔ Healthcare Kitchen Solutions
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DESIGN
Whether you need to remodel an existing space or are starting from scratch, make your foodservice dream a reality with our comprehensive design process.
BUILD
Communication is key – our experienced project management team will coordinate with architects, contractors, and more to ensure your build goes smoothly.
SUPPLY
We have the knowledge to provide expert recommendations, as well as the vendor relationships to get you the best fit within budget and on time!
Smart Design for Small Restaurant Kitchens
We specialize in small kitchen design that maximizes every square foot. From compact restaurants to cafés, we create efficient layouts that streamline workflow and support your menu, staff, and budget. Not sure how to design a small kitchen? We’re here to help.
Restaurant Small Kitchens
Create a high-functioning space that delivers big results, even with a tight footprint.
Hotels & Resorts
Design compact, back-of-house kitchens that serve efficiently without sacrificing quality.
Cafeterias in Tight Spaces
Adapt cafeteria kitchens to smaller footprints with smart storage, equipment choices, and prep flow.
Healthcare Foodservice
Small hospital kitchen? No problem. We help you serve efficiently while meeting health and safety standards.
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Our Locations and Contract Service Area
We can best service customers within 4-6 hours of our office locations, and also regularly service multi-unit customers nationwide.
St Paul, MN
2475 Doswell Ave, St Paul, MN 55108
Marion, IA - Headquarters
St Louis, MO
13789 Rider Trail N, Earth City, MO 63045
Cedar Rapids / Marion Headquarters
6201 S Gateway Drive, Marion, IA 52302
St. Louis Branch
13789 Rider Trail N Unit 105, Earth City, MO 63045
Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Branch
2475 Doswell Ave Suite B, St Paul, MN 55108
Project Management That Fits Your Space
From layout planning to final inspections, Rapids Contract & Design takes the lead on your small restaurant kitchen project. Our on-site project managers ensure your compact kitchen buildout stays on track, coordinating contractors, timelines, and compliance to avoid costly delays.
"Rapids went above and beyond by walking me through design, equipment selection, and permitting. My Rapids representative worked diligently to save money and even informed me when I could go with a less expensive piece of equipment. Having a very small space to create a kitchen, Rapids design was impressive in their use of space. Any cook would love this kitchen!"
"As a contractor working in many kitchens over the years, I am always relieved to see when Rapids is handling the project. I always know that when they give me a date or time when something is going to be done, it will be. Bob, Luke, and Kip have always been great to work with, and I appreciate their attention to detail. They are the only kitchen / foodservice contractors I will recommend to anyone."
How do I know Rapids is the right fit for my business?
Great small kitchen design goes beyond just creating a functional space—it requires a complete understanding of your specific needs and challenges. At Rapids, we begin the design process with a FIT meeting, where our CFSP-certified foodservice consultants will walk you through the details of your small restaurant kitchen project. This meeting allows us to assess whether we're the right partner for your vision. We know that every kitchen is unique, so we focus on optimizing functionality and efficiency while ensuring the design fits your budget and aligns with your business goals. Whether you're planning a compact café or a fast-casual restaurant, we’re here to bring your vision to life.
What is your service area?
How much does this cost?
We offer a FREE initial consultation to discuss the scope and requirements of your small kitchen project. This gives us the chance to understand your vision and goals before we start the design process. Our typical starting fee for basic small kitchen design is around $2500, which grants you access to a team with decades of industry experience and expertise. Depending on the complexity and size of your project, this fee may vary. We’re happy to work with you to expand our offerings and tailor our services to where you are in the design process, whether you're just getting started or refining your existing plans.
See Our Previous Work
See how we bring smart small kitchen designs to life. At CityWalk Eatery in Cedar Rapids, we transformed a tight space into a functional kitchen for American cuisine. For Hot Indian in the Minneapolis Skyway, we supported their fast-casual concept from early planning to a compact buildout. At Silhouette Bakery & Bistro in St. Paul, we created an efficient layout for globally inspired baked goods and fusion dishes. Explore more examples on our Projects page to see how we bring smart, space-conscious kitchen plans to life.
Why Work With Rapids?
On-Time Project Delivery
Great projects come in all different forms and require unique and exciting ideas to set them apart. Our strong and time-tested process for excellence results in an outstanding final product. Our team at Rapids has developed an unrivaled project delivery process that allows us to provide custom solutions for clients.
Talent – Experience and Training Matters
Our team is everything. We value all members of our staff and the skilled team behind the communications and processes we deliver to our clients. Rapids has won the Foodservice Equipment Reports’ Management Excellence award that recognized the entire organization’s dedication to taking care of our clients and our people.
LET'S FIND YOUR SOLUTION
Rapids Contract & Design serves the United States with locations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri. Our experts are ready to assist with your foodservice needs—contact us for support, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM CST.
or call (800) 899-6604