Foodesign Associates

A commotion-free, space-efficient and seamlessly operated food facility enhances the overall dining experience and ensures success in the ever-evolving food service industry. Businesses aiming to build or renovate their food facilities need the right design agency with deep-rooted experience and diverse expertise to meet the design needs.

Foodesign Associates is a nationally recognized foodservice design agency focused on improving dining experiences through expert design in kitchen layouts, service efficiency, equipment selection, compliance and sustainability. Its evolution from traditional hand-drawn plans to advanced technologies over four decades testifies its expertise in design and commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

“Our focus is on clients' success and achieving their goals while also bringing our expertise to the table to create flexible, efficient and customized solutions,” says Ashley Gaines, Vice President.

Foodesign offers a full range of services with the capabilities of a large agency but with the personalized touch of a smaller team, ensuring clients will work directly with an experienced design lead from start to finish on every project. The company prioritizes functionality, optimizes workflows to eliminate ineffective stages and ensures that front-of-house and back-of-house operations collaborate effectively to deliver the best design within the given space.

“Our goal is to find the intersection where form and function coexist, as this is where the best design plans for our clients emerge. In addition, we specify equipment to meet LEED standards to the fullest extent possible and use environmentally friendly materials where available,” says Sunny Barja.

Foodesign Associates' craftsmanship in creating the finest plans stems from its broad heritage and experience across various sectors, including educational institutions, military facilities, corporate environments, hospitality venues, correctional facilities, medical centers and senior living communities from coast to coast.

The company’s designs transform traditional troop feeding by creating modern, commercial and retail-oriented food courts that enhance the meal service experience for servicemen and women in military projects. In the education sector, it implements board-level designs for institutions, from K-12 to higher education.
Foodesign Associates also makes significant advancements in the reforming of senior living facilities. The company enhances the quality of life for seniors by taking food environments from institutional to a more sophisticated country club-like atmosphere. This varied portfolio allows it to withstand economic shifts while always staying true to high-quality design principles.

A prominent instance of Foodesign Associates’ proficiency is redesigning the main kitchen at Cape Fear Country Club. Irregular, congested and misplaced critical functional areas in kitchen design resulted in extra steps and continuous cross-traffic during peak times. The food preparation space was limited, and the cooking equipment needed reconfiguration. Foodesign Associates carefully evaluated and crafted a better plan that improved efficiency and enhanced the overall work experience of kitchen and wait staff.

Helping many such clients streamline their efficiency, Foodesign Associates remains dedicated to continuous improvement and staying ahead of industry trends to make a significant impact in today’s food service industry.

“One of the biggest challenges faced in the foodservice industry after the COVID-19 pandemic is staffing. To address this, we leveraged the latest technology like speed ovens, touch screens and self-operating equipment. Our designs focus on minimizing the steps taken by staff and preventing cross-traffic, ensuring a more efficient and streamlined workflow,” says Gaines.

Incorporating new technology and innovative concepts has enabled staff to complete tasks more efficiently, reduce overhead costs and consistently deliver uniform, high-quality products. This is just one example of how the company has adapted promptly during the crisis to answer evolving demands in food service design.

Foodesign Associates’ transition to a woman-owned small business marks an exciting new chapter in its four-decade run.

“We hope this will attract new projects and clients, allowing us to build lasting relationships for the future,” says Gaines.

Embarking on this fresh start, the company intends to expand its influence and advance the foodservice design sector while maintaining the foundational wisdom. Excited to be the new face of the company, these new female owners—Barja, Gaines and Suehaydee Toala—aim to keep up the legacy of precise designs, innovations and excellence and take Foodesign Associates to new heights of success. They continue to help clients attain an efficient, sustainable and aesthetic structure for the food facilities.