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Restaurant Design Contractor Jobs in Chicago, IL

NORR

Senior Technical Architect, Restaurants

Chicago, IL · On-site

$105K - $140K/yr

Design excellence continues to guide everything we do. Whether a single restaurant location ... Coordinates with contractor, sub-consultants, or relevant building authorities to address and ...

Actalent

Architectural Designer

Downers Grove, IL

$25 - $32/hr

... design criteria to existing buildings and structures, particularly within retail, restaurant, and ... Coordinate work with consultants, contractors, fabricators, specification writers, and regulatory ...

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All JobsRestaurant Design Contractor JobsRestaurant Design Contractor Jobs in Chicago, IL

Restaurant Design Contractor information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$55.1K

$119.5K

$154K

How much do restaurant design contractor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for restaurant design contractor in Chicago, IL is $119,513.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $120,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Restaurant Design Contractor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Restaurant Design Contractor, you need expertise in architecture or interior design, project management, and familiarity with building codes, often supported by a relevant degree or certification. Proficiency with design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and project management tools is typically required. Strong communication, creativity, and problem-solving skills help you collaborate effectively with clients, vendors, and construction teams. These skills ensure functional, compliant, and visually appealing restaurant spaces that meet client expectations and regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges faced by Restaurant Design Contractors when working with clients and how can they be addressed?

Restaurant Design Contractors often encounter challenges such as balancing the client's vision with budget constraints, adhering to strict building codes, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders like architects, engineers, and restaurant owners. Clear communication and early alignment on project goals, budget, and timelines are essential to address these issues. Additionally, having a strong understanding of local regulations and a collaborative approach with other professionals can help ensure smoother project delivery and client satisfaction.

What is the difference between Restaurant Design Contractor vs Restaurant Interior Designer?

AspectRestaurant Design ContractorRestaurant Interior Designer
CredentialsTypically licensed general contractors or specialized contractors with relevant certificationsCertified interior designers with interior design credentials and licenses
Work EnvironmentFocuses on construction, renovation, and implementation of design plansFocuses on space planning, aesthetics, and interior concepts
Employer & Industry UsageHired by restaurant owners or developers for project executionHired by restaurant owners or design firms for conceptual and aesthetic design
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding project execution and construction rolesUnderstanding design aesthetics and space planning

While both roles are involved in restaurant projects, a Restaurant Design Contractor primarily handles the construction and implementation of design plans, ensuring the project meets technical and safety standards. In contrast, a Restaurant Interior Designer focuses on creating the visual and functional interior space, emphasizing aesthetics and user experience. Both collaborate closely but serve different phases of the restaurant development process.

What are restaurant design contractors?

Restaurant design contractors are professionals who specialize in the planning, design, and construction of restaurant spaces. They work closely with restaurant owners, architects, and interior designers to ensure that the layout, aesthetics, and functionality of a restaurant meet specific requirements and regulations. Their responsibilities include coordinating building permits, managing construction crews, sourcing materials, and overseeing the project from start to finish. A restaurant design contractor ensures that the finished space is both visually appealing and operationally efficient, aligning with the brand and concept of the restaurant.
What are popular job titles related to Restaurant Design Contractor jobs in Chicago, IL? For Restaurant Design Contractor jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Restaurant Design Contractor jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Restaurant Design Contractor jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Restaurant Design Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Restaurant Design Contractor job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 75% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $119,513 per year, or $57.5 per hour.

Technical Designer - Advanced, Restaurants

NORR

Chicago, IL • On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

This role reports into the above mentioned office, however NORR offers all of its employees the opportunity to work either from home, from a NORR office or even from a remote location. The choice is yours.
NORR is a global team of 800 architects, engineers, planners, and interior designers creating design strategies and solutions that express the unique vision of every project. Driven by a common purpose with our clients and partners, we share ideas to create and innovate, bringing people, design, and technologies together to think bigger and act bolder.
Our story began in 1938 and has evolved into an employee-owned, fully integrated firm committed to sustainable development goals across 13 market sectors in Canada, the US, and UK. Design excellence continues to guide everything we do.
Whether a single restaurant location, prototype development, or program implementation, NORR knows restaurant design. We consider location and local relevance on balance with food and beverage concept, format and brand to achieve both a successful restaurant operation and guest experience. The field of choice for guests is growing resulting in new restaurant formats, as well as an expanded breadth of the existing formats.
As a Designer, you will apply and integrate technical detailing and material technologies to develop design solutions into a concise set of construction documents. Using your ability to analyze and understand design intent you will produce efficient and effective technical design solutions. You will work with members of the design team to develop design solutions appropriate to the context, budget, and aesthetic requirements of architectural projects. You will use your knowledge of detailing, building materials, building codes, and construction technologies to collaborate with other professional disciplines and have opportunities to coordinate the design through all phases of the project.
How You Will Make an Impact
  • Develops technical designs and edits architectural drawings to ensure an exemplary solution is delivered that meets quality parameters, project timelines, and budgetary requirements.
  • Performs design activities such as programming, code research, material and building systems research, laying out program components, and calculation of program and building areas
  • Evaluates site conditions and performs site surveys
  • Reviews project products, services, and shop drawings
  • Processes permit response letters and coordinates revisions with engineers and consultants to obtain necessary documentation and permits
  • Coordinates with contractor, sub-consultants, or relevant building authorities to address and document issues with constructability or owner concerns

What You Will Bring to the Team
  • Experience in all phases of the project cycle is required
  • Architectural design software skills including Revit, AutoCAD and other architectural design software
  • Familiarity with MEP and Structural building systems and building codes is required
  • Have successfully completed related post-secondary education
  • Registered with a relevant professional architectural association is an asset
  • 7-11 years of project work experience
  • Experience in Restaurant projects is an asset
  • Salary Range: $70,000.00 - $95,000.00 /annually

Learn more about our Restaurants Portfolio.
Our teams have no physical borders as we collaborate across sectors and geographies, taking best practices and innovation from every region and applying them to what's next. We are human-and we have the ability to be pivotal change makers in the built environment.
We are helping shift the built environment from a source of carbon emissions to a driver of climate resilience. Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond the projects we design-it's embedded in how we work. Our flexible, connected workplaces reflect that same mindset, empowering our teams to design with purpose and shape a net zero future. Be part of the solution with us.
Estimated pay ranges provided on various social media sites are not representative of NORR's range for this position. Compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, and experience.
NORR is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic: Race/Color/Gender/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran.

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