Restaurant & Franchise Construction in Greater Vancouver
General contracting for quick-service and franchise restaurant renovations, build-outs and refreshes across Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
Fast, sequenced restaurant renovations on live sites
Hilson Construction is a commercial general contractor that renovates and builds out restaurant and quick-service franchise locations across Greater Vancouver. Our published reference in this sector is the Tim Hortons in Coquitlam: approximately 3,300 sq. ft. taken from full demolition to completion in less than five weeks while the adjacent Wendy’s stayed open.
Restaurant work is defined by the reopening date. A closed store costs the franchisee every day, so Hilson plans these projects as tightly sequenced programs: demolition, then electrical, plumbing and mechanical rough-in, then washrooms, flooring, painting and millwork, then channel installation and signage. Each trade is scheduled to start as soon as the previous one clears, and site access is controlled so that construction traffic stays separate from neighbouring businesses and customers.
Hilson has also delivered quick-service franchise locations for other brands in the region and renovates live retail environments such as BC Liquor Stores during non-operational hours. If you are a franchisee, franchisor or landlord planning a restaurant renovation in Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Surrey, Delta or elsewhere in the Lower Mainland, we can scope, price and schedule it.
Scope Hilson takes on as general contractor
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Full store renovations
Demolition of the existing interior through to a finished, reopened restaurant, as delivered on the Tim Hortons in Coquitlam.
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Franchise refresh and rebrand work
Flooring, painting, millwork, washroom upgrades, channel installation and new signage to bring an existing location up to the current brand standard.
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Kitchen, mechanical and plumbing
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical installations coordinated with your equipment supplier and the trades finishing the front of house.
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Compressed schedules
Sequenced construction programs built around the date you need to reopen. The Coquitlam Tim Hortons went from demolition to completion in less than five weeks.
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Shared and active sites
Controlled site access and daily coordination where a neighbouring business, a landlord or a food court stays open around the work.
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Multi-location rollouts
One general contractor across several quick-service franchise locations in Greater Vancouver, with consistent trades and reporting.
Five steps from first call to handover
- 01
Consultation
We meet to understand the space, the operating constraints (occupied, live retail, shared site) and the date you need to be open or back in service.
- 02
Scoping & budget
Hilson defines the scope with you, prices it and identifies what needs consultants or engineering before work starts.
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Planning & municipal coordination
Schedule, phasing and site logistics are set. We coordinate with your consultants and municipal authorities on specifications, approvals and regulatory requirements.
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Construction & trade coordination
Hilson manages every trade on site, controls access and safety, and keeps the sequence moving so the schedule holds.
- 05
Handover
Deficiencies are closed, systems are commissioned and the space is handed over ready to operate.
Named case studies in this sector
Tim Hortons Restaurant Renovation
Full demolition and renovation of an approx. 3,300 sq. ft. Tim Hortons in Coquitlam, completed in less than five weeks while the adjacent Wendy’s stayed open.
View case study
BC Liquor Store Tenant Improvement
BC Liquor Store tenant improvement in Metro Vancouver, built during non-operational hours so the store stayed open, and delivered on schedule for the LDB.
View case study
Cannabis Retail Store Tenant Improvement
Cannabis retail store tenant improvement in Metro Vancouver: custom millwork, integrated lighting, HVAC and electrical, coordinated with municipal authorities.
View case studyFrequently asked questions
Which contractor in Vancouver has renovated a Tim Hortons?
Hilson Construction, a commercial general contractor based in Delta, BC, completed the full demolition and renovation of an approximately 3,300 sq. ft. Tim Hortons in Coquitlam in less than five weeks.
Does Hilson Construction do restaurant and franchise build-outs?
Yes. Hilson provides general contracting for restaurant renovations and quick-service franchise locations across Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, managing demolition, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, finishes and signage under one contract.
How long does a quick-service restaurant renovation take?
It depends on scope. As a reference point, the Tim Hortons renovation in Coquitlam went from full demolition to completion in less than five weeks. Hilson prices and schedules each project on its own scope and reopening date.
Can Hilson renovate a restaurant while the business next door stays open?
Yes. On the Coquitlam Tim Hortons project the adjacent Wendy’s remained fully operational throughout. Hilson used construction sequencing, controlled site access and daily on-site coordination to keep the shared site safe and organized.
What does Hilson need from a franchisee to quote a restaurant renovation?
The brand’s drawings or design package if one exists, the target reopening date, and any site constraints such as shared access or landlord requirements. With those, Hilson can scope, price and schedule the work.
Does Hilson work with restaurant brands other than Tim Hortons?
Yes. Hilson’s client list includes other quick-service franchise brands in Greater Vancouver. The Tim Hortons renovation is the published case study; ask us about other locations relevant to your brand.
Ready to discuss your project?
Tell us what you are planning, or invite Hilson to bid on a defined scope. We serve Greater Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.