What is a typical W/Sqft for future restaurant shells?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Cartoon1

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Occupation
Electrical Engineer
I have a shell they want electrical service for. This shell will be turned into a restaurant at some point. I suspect it will probably be a fast food type resturant because it does have drive thru. What is a typical W per sqft that would be fair for something like this? The NEC doesn't really cover something like this (other than lights).
 

Mrdave714

Member
Location
California
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Hard to calculate on watts per square footage. I've done small restaurants on 200 amp 1phase panel. Little to no electric cooking equipment, no HVAC and only a small walk in cooler.
Working on a even smaller one now that has 2 AC units, 3 phase Electric ovens, 3 walk in coolers. Its going to be a 400 amp 3ph.
Large restaurant with multiple electric cooking equipment you could be @ 600 amps or even greater.
I have always calculated demand based on actual equipment being used, not for hypothetical though. Good luck.
 

Cartoon1

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Occupation
Electrical Engineer
Hard to calculate on watts per square footage. I've done small restaurants on 200 amp 1phase panel. Little to no electric cooking equipment, no HVAC and only a small walk in cooler.
Working on a even smaller one now that has 2 AC units, 3 phase Electric ovens, 3 walk in coolers. Its going to be a 400 amp 3ph.
Large restaurant with multiple electric cooking equipment you could be @ 600 amps or even greater.
I have always calculated demand based on actual equipment being used, not for hypothetical though. Good luck.

Thank you for the great example.
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
Load could be all over the place depending on type or restaurant as well. Something like Subway or Jimmy John's doesn't have griddles or fryers, but do have an oven for making their bread and toaster or microwave that is used short time on individual orders. Most will have refrigeration units and of course HVAC loads.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top