Case Study: Firestone Grill Extensive Commercial Kitchen Renovation
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The Challenge
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Key challenges included:
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"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. "
Bill Fuller, Owner ~ Mai-Kai
Our Role In The Project
FCA Kitchens was brought on as a core design-build and planning partner, not just an equipment supplier. Our involvement included:
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- Collaborating with architects and engineers to address structural and MEP challenges
- Reimagining the kitchen layout to support modern volumes, workflows, and code requirements
- Coordinating major utility upgrades (gas, electrical, plumbing, ventilation) while respecting the site’s historic aspects
- Developing plans that could accommodate phased work under supply chain volatility
- Ensuring that every component of the kitchen — from equipment placement to rough-in coordination — aligned with inspection readiness and performance goals
Unlike standard renovation projects, this effort required system-level thinking across equipment, utilities, code, and timeline constraints.
Execution Under Pressure
The rebuild took place in a market still facing supply chain disruptions, labor challenges, and the added complexity of integrating new systems within the old shell of the building. FCA Kitchens worked collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, ensuring that procurement, sequencing, and installations stayed on track. Coordination spanned:
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- Utility verification and upgrade sequencing
- Ventilation and fire suppression planning tied to code compliance
- Detailed equipment specification and site readiness reviews
- Inspection readiness support through construction and pre-opening phases
Working through these complexities without sacrificing quality or timeline was critical to reopening the kitchen portion of the Mai-Kai experience.
The Final Outcome
After four years of closure and meticulous reconstruction, the Mai-Kai reopened in late 2024 following a $20M+ renovation. The kitchen now supports a modern, high-capacity culinary operation while maintaining the heritage and charm that make the Mai-Kai a Florida landmark.
This reconstruction stands as one of the most technically demanding commercial kitchen projects FCA Kitchens has undertaken, proving the depth of our coordination, design-build capability, and ability to solve complex problems under historic and regulatory constraints.
Why This Matters
The Mai-Kai case demonstrates:
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- FCA’s ability to deliver turnkey solutions at scale
- Expertise in integrating modern code and performance requirements into historic buildings
- End-to-end coordination across equipment, utilities, and inspections
- The value of early planning and integrated design to avoid costly rework
Need help with a complex commercial kitchen project?
If you’re planning a large renovation, historic adaptation, or need full planning coordination, talk with our team about how FCA Kitchens can help you deliver reliable, compliant, and high-performance foodservice spaces.
