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<SGC Restaurant Development & Opening Consulting>
Delicious Grilling =
Heat Performance × Smoke Extraction Performance × Fresh Air Supply Performance × Exhaust Performance × Duct Routing Design |
- Poor grilling performance and uneven cooking are often caused by an imbalance between exhaust and fresh air supply, resulting in unstable heat.
- SGC’s dedicated team of highly experienced engineering designers provides optimized ventilation system designs from the earliest stages of project planning.
- SGC’s dedicated safety compliance specialists professionally manage fire and building code requirements, helping your project navigate inspections and obtain approvals with greater confidence.
- During yakiniku grill installation, SGC conducts thorough final system balancing using professional air pressure and airflow measurement instruments to ensure optimal grilling performance.
- This is why Michelin-starred restaurant concept COTE has relied on SGC not only for its grilling equipment, but also for the design of its ventilation system.(Right photo: An SGC team member providing on-site training to restaurant staff on the functions and proper use of the grill components.)
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＜COTE Flatiron, NY, USA＞
June 2017 Opening | 24 Yakiniku Grills | 156 Seats |
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| As COTE’s first yakiniku restaurant venture, We played a key role in shaping the business concept, brand identity, and operational standards. We also collaborated on the development of comprehensive operating manuals designed to preserve excellence in guest service and grill maintenance. Transforming operational know-how into standardized and measurable procedures enables restaurants to maintain opening-day quality standards over the long term—a critical foundation for becoming a highly successful restaurant. |
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＜COTE Singapore＞
January 2024 Opening | 29 Yakiniku Grills | 164 Seats |
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As COTE’s first expansion into Asia, the COMO Metropolitan Singapore project presented unique regulatory challenges, as the selected yakiniku grill system had not yet received local safety approval. SGC developed and led a certification strategy that involved obtaining Japanese JIA certification and leveraging it to secure approval from the local authorities. Throughout the process, SGC coordinated weekly meetings with COMO headquarters in Singapore and COTE headquarters in New York, bridging technical, regulatory, and operational requirements across three regions. Despite the complexity of coordinating stakeholders across multiple time zones, these collaborative efforts continued for nearly a year and played a key role in the successful opening of the restaurant in January 2024.
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＜COTE Las Vegas, USA＞
October 2025 Opening | 49 Yakiniku Grills | 268 Seats |
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| Located on the first floor of the Venetian Resort Hotel, one of Las Vegas's most iconic destinations, this project features an impressive amphitheater-style dining layout that rises toward the rear of the restaurant, fully utilizing the venue's 7.5-meter-high ceiling. The project presented complex engineering challenges, including the design of an extensive duct routing system within the stepped floor structure. Equally demanding was the development of a ventilation and air-conditioning system capable of delivering consistent comfort and performance throughout the expansive dining area. |
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＜COTE Madison ５５０、NY, USA＞
April 2026 Opening | 26 Yakiniku Grills | 174 Seats |
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.For the restaurant project located on the lower level of 550 Madison Avenue—an iconic New York landmark formerly known as the Sony Tower and AT&T Building—the key challenge was integrating an effective duct system into a low-ceiling environment without compromising the sense of openness and luxury.
The design needed to provide exceptional smoke extraction performance while preserving the sophisticated aesthetic expected within one of the city's most prestigious commercial properties. Achieving this goal required extensive coordination and negotiations with the building management team, fire authorities, and other stakeholders, a process that continued for nearly three years
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| ＜Restaurant Opening Support Consultant＞ |
| 1: |
How about considering some free-thinking ideas to avoid the next store from becoming a self-centered shop?
SGC has information about opening innovative barbecue restaurants in major cities.
We not only offer Japanese language services but also provide services in English, Chinese and Spanish.
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| 2: |
Even if you have the ideal design in hand, without the expected materials, fixtures, and equipment, it will end up as an empty promise.
By relying on knowledgeable experts in procurement routes, you can efficiently gather what you need.
Even if something is unavailable, the owner can be satisfied with suitable alternatives.
The issue lies in wasting unnecessary time due to improper exploration, ultimately leading to delays in opening the shop. It's essential to communicate with the owner promptly and accurately, ensuring that business progresses swiftly and efficiently, much like a bullet train.
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| 3: |
When negotiating with local governments for building permits and fire certifications, the most challenging aspect is the unpredictability of the negotiation's end time.
Even determining when the inspector will be available can often be difficult.
From the construction manager submitting technically compliant documents to the inspector, it is essential to understand safety regulations such as UL related to barbecue grills.
SGC's representation of manufacturers with safety certifications allows us to provide accurate answers to the inspector's technical questions.
Building standards and safety regulations vary by region and state.
Unless we tailor our responses to their respective characteristics, permits and approvals will not be granted.
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| 4: |
SGC has Japanese employees residing in Japan.
We have experience in procuring goods from Japan, such as traditional Japanese plates and durable 'Made in Japan' equipment, and have successfully exported them. These products are imported directly from specialized Japanese tableware stores and additional orders can also be conveniently placed.
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| 5: |
Collaborating with Japanese designers is feasible, but in this case, SGC will act as the point of contact.
This is because conveying the thoughts and design approach of the designer is a very meticulous task, thus requiring proper email communication.
Design is a long-term endeavor, and cultural differences should not become a barrier to communication.
If there is accurate and deep mutual understanding between the owner and the designer, the owner will be satisfied and say,
These Japanese designers truly live up to their reputation. They have created excellent Japanese designs, and we have achieved a genuinely Japanese-style building.'"
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| 6: |
SGC also possesses extensive experience in opening stores overseas. A successful owner from New York opened his first overseas restaurant in a renowned hotel in Singapore. We conducted multiple online meetings for feedback and adjustments. The opening preparation team became a mixed team comprising members from three countries (regions). We also assisted this owner in opening a restaurant in Florida, so we are familiar with the specific circumstances of this restaurant. Singapore has recently strengthened its fire certification requirements, and safety standards are gradually expanding across various Asian countries. Fortunately, these standards are similar to those in the United States, so SGC's experience can be fully utilized.
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| <Opening Preparations Steps＞ |
Risk |
| １． |
Searching for a storefront |
Did you also gather safety information about the area around the store, besides working with a real estate company? |
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| ２． |
Lease Agreement |
Confirming if the property's structure is suitable for a barbecue restaurant. |
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| ３． |
Design
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Define the scope of the designer's responsibilities. Create floor plans after determining the exhaust duct route. Changing from over-floor to under-floor type may incur an additional cost burden of $200,000. |
| ４． |
Barbecue Grill Equipment Purchase Agreement
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Pay a 50% advance payment upon signing the purchase agreement. Pay the remaining balance upon factory shipment. |
| ５． |
Exhaust Duct Layout Plan |
Reflect the exhaust duct route on the floor plan. If the store designer lacks experience in planning the layout for smokeless barbecue grills, SGC can provide paid services to assist with it. |
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| ６． |
Interior Construction |
Prioritize the installation of the exhaust ducts and ventilation equipment. If the sequence is incorrect, interior construction may need to be redone. |
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| ７． |
Building Permit and Fire Certification |
Without professional coordination with inspectors, there may be continuous inquiries, and approval may take more than 3 months for some cases. |
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| ８． |
Exhaust Duct Project |
After local pipe construction and grill installation are completed, SGC is responsible for on-site adjustments to the barbecue grill's heat and exhaust system. |
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| ９． |
Project Completion |
Delays of 3 to 9 months beyond the planned schedule are not uncommon. Resutaurant sales revenue is postponed, and expenses such as rent increase. |
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| 10． |
Opening |
If the store opening is delayed by 6 months, rent: $1.2 million (= $200,000/month x 6 months) Additional construction: $200,000)。 |
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| <Negotiation Example with Local Inspector＞ |
| １．City of Redding |
Due to insufficient equipment drawings, negotiations were significantly delayed. SGC obtained the permit after producing the exhaust duct layout plan.
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| ２．Flushing City |
Negotiations had to be restarted due to a change in inspectors midway through, which ultimately took 4 months.
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| ３．New York City |
The inspector initially reviewed the grill under the 'Solid Fuel Cooking Appliances' safety standards, resulting in a failure. SGC obtained approval after explaining to the inspector that the grill was a 'Gas-Burning Grill.'
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| 4．Houston City |
There was a disagreement regarding the interpretation of the power supply access method. The issue was resolved after SGC sent an email explaining the matter. The problem was discussed among safety specification experts, leading to a short-term resolution.
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5．Niagara Falls City
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Detailed explanation of the structure and technical characteristics of the gas smokeless grill resulted in approval.)
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| 6．Hawaii State |
The installation location of the fire hydrant nozzle became an issue. Approval was eventually obtained by explaining the on-site situation to the inspector and adopting a sprinkler fire suppression system approach.
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