What's the difference between a new build and a renovation?
Short answer
A new build is a restaurant opening in a space that has no prior food service history, while a renovation is a new operator taking over a space where a restaurant already existed.
A new build is a restaurant opening in a space with no prior food service history: raw retail, a converted office, a converted warehouse, or ground-up construction. A renovation is a new operator moving into a space where a restaurant, bar, or cafe already existed.
The distinction matters for vendor targeting. New builds typically need architects, permit expediters, insurance, complete kitchen packages, POS from scratch, and a full opening equipment order. Renovations more often need targeted upgrades, hood cleaning, refrigeration swaps, and a beverage program pitch.
Buildout Feed classifies every venue as new_build, renovation, or unclear based on DOB job description keywords, prior DOH inspection history at the address, and whether an SLA license was previously active there.
The rule of thumb: if the last DOH inspection at that address happened within twelve months and the new SLA license type matches food service, it's usually a renovation. If DOH has never inspected the address, it's usually a new build.