Design Development Company adds full restaurant procurement to its design services

The Agoura Hills firm is expanding from concept and kitchen design into a broader "Pen to Plate" service that covers equipment, furniture, millwork and opening-day supplies. The move gives restaurant and hospitality operators one team to handle more of a project from first sketch through launch.

Why it matters: - Design Development Company is trying to remove a common gap in restaurant projects: the handoff between design and purchasing. - The expanded service can help operators compare pricing, manage costs and move faster from planning to opening. - The offering is aimed at restaurant, hospitality and foodservice operators facing tighter budgets from higher wages and food costs.

What happened: - Design Development Company expanded its services into a complete “Pen to Plate” package for restaurant, hospitality and foodservice operators. - The Agoura Hills firm was founded by Ron Lieberman and has been in business for more than 30 years. - The company now positions itself to support projects from creative concept through opening day with one team.

The details: - The expanded package adds purchasing and procurement services to the firm’s design work. - Services now include creative concept development, architectural and design services. - The firm also provides complete working drawings and permit coordination. - Kitchen and bar design now includes full specifications and complete equipment packages with installation. - FF&E services include sourcing, costing and procurement for booth seating, chairs, tables, decor lighting and floor coverings. - Millwork services cover bars, counters, stone tops, hostess stations and wine displays. - The package includes opening-day and replacement smallwares, small appliances and cookware. - Design Development Company also coordinates construction bidding and introductions to FF&E and equipment financing. - The firm will quote any single part of a project, whether a new build or a refresh. - The company will also bid on existing specifications prepared by other firms. - That gives operators a second number to compare with their current provider. - The client list includes Hard Rock Cafe locations in the United States and abroad, The Walt Disney Company, Starbucks, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, Roy’s, Kimpton hotel restaurants and Gladstone’s 4 Fish. - The firm says its work also extends to family entertainment centers, hotels, healthcare and senior living projects. - Those projects include Long Beach Memorial Hospital, Sutter Hospital in Sacramento, Henry Mayo Hospital, and Grand Care and Country Villa skilled nursing facilities. - Ron Lieberman said the company is “more committed than ever” to helping clients bring their vision to life with bold creativity and comprehensive support. - Lieberman said higher wages and food costs are pushing operators to look for savings in areas beyond the menu. - Lieberman said smaller footprints, enclosed patios and value-engineered construction, equipment and furniture packages are among the responses operators are considering.

Between the lines: - The move broadens Design Development Company from a design consultant into a more end-to-end project partner. - That can make the firm more competitive on bids because operators can compare both design and procurement costs in one place. - The emphasis on value engineering signals that the company is pitching solutions to operators under margin pressure, not just aesthetic upgrades.

What's next: - Operators planning a new location, remodel or refresh can send plans and existing specifications to the firm for a quote. - Project photos and the full client list are available at the company’s website. - Ron Lieberman said he and David Lieberman would welcome discussions about new builds or remodels. - The company will continue offering restaurant, foodservice and interior design services alongside its expanded purchasing and installation work.

The bottom line: - Design Development Company is betting that restaurant operators want fewer vendors, tighter cost control and a single point of responsibility from concept to opening day.