Imagine a franchise brand opening its 20th location using the same prototype that worked for the first 19. The layout is familiar, the equipment is specified, and the engineering standards are already in place. Yet, during plan review, the project comes back with a list of changes.
Why? The same franchise design may not meet every jurisdiction's requirements. The new site may have different building codes, climate conditions, utility capacity, accessibility requirements, or existing MEP infrastructure.
For franchise owners expanding across multiple locations, these differences can quickly turn a repeatable design into a redesign exercise. Understanding applicable 2026 building code requirements early lets teams adapt the prototype without losing the consistency that makes it valuable.
In this guide, we’ll look at the key building code considerations franchise owners should understand when planning new locations in 2026.
Building codes set minimum requirements for how commercial buildings are designed, constructed, and occupied. They cover areas such as structural safety, accessibility, fire protection, mechanical systems, electrical systems, plumbing, and energy efficiency.
For a franchise brand, the challenge is maintaining consistency while meeting the requirements of each location. A standard prototype provides a useful starting point, but it may need to be adapted before it can be used at a new site.
A design that works at one location may need changes at another because of:
The objective is to adapt the prototype to the site without changing the core design and engineering standards established by the brand.
Building codes are not necessarily applied in the same way across every city or state. Jurisdictions may adopt different editions of model codes and introduce their own amendments or requirements.
Before detailed design begins, the project team should identify the codes and requirements enforced by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
There is no single set of requirements that applies to every commercial project across the country. The requirements for a franchise location depend on its jurisdiction, building type, occupancy, and scope of work.
The first step is to determine which codes and updates apply to the specific project.
Commercial building projects can be affected by requirements covering:
Reviewing these requirements during the early design stage allows the team to address them before permit submission.
Energy requirements can influence HVAC equipment, lighting, controls, building envelope performance, and other energy-consuming systems.
The requirements can vary between locations based on climate, building characteristics, and the energy codes adopted by the jurisdiction.
Energy-efficiency analysis and energy modeling can help evaluate system options and their expected performance.
Updates to individual building systems can also affect franchise designs.
Mechanical requirements can influence HVAC capacity, ventilation, indoor air quality, equipment selection, controls, and energy performance.
Electrical requirements can affect utility service, voltage and phase, distribution, panels, circuits, equipment connections, lighting, and emergency systems.
Plumbing requirements can cover water supply, hot water, drainage, grease management, fixtures, and backflow protection.
Fire protection requirements can include sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, emergency systems, and other life-safety provisions.
Different building systems need to work together. A change to one part of the design can affect several other disciplines.
| Area | Key Considerations |
|---|---|
| Architectural | Occupancy, egress, accessibility, clearances, space planning |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Climate, ventilation, indoor air quality, equipment loads, energy requirements |
| Electrical | Utility capacity, distribution, equipment connections, emergency systems |
| Plumbing | Water supply, drainage, grease management, existing infrastructure |
| Fire & Life Safety | Sprinklers, fire alarms, egress, occupancy requirements |
| Energy | Equipment efficiency, controls, energy analysis, energy modeling |
Architectural design needs to account for occupancy, accessible routes, entrances, exits, clearances, restrooms, and other applicable requirements.
Existing building conditions can also affect the design. Structural limitations, floor layouts, entrances, and available space may require changes to the standard franchise prototype.
HVAC design should consider climate and location, occupancy, equipment loads, building envelope, ventilation, and operating hours.
Equipment selection, zoning, controls, system setpoints, kitchen equipment, and applicable mechanical and energy codes should also be evaluated.
For example, a QSR prototype designed for a hot climate may require a different HVAC approach in a colder location. Heating and cooling loads, equipment selection, ventilation, and operating conditions can all change.
Electrical design starts with the available utility service and existing electrical infrastructure.
The engineering team may need to evaluate service capacity, voltage, phase, distribution, panels, circuits, equipment connections, lighting, controls, emergency requirements, and future capacity.
Kitchen equipment, HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and other building systems should be coordinated with the electrical design.
Plumbing systems need to account for water demand, hot water requirements, sanitary drainage, grease management, floor drains, backflow protection, fixtures, and equipment connections.
Water and sewer capacity, connection points, drainage elevations, and existing infrastructure can also affect how the standard design needs to be adapted.
Fire protection requirements depend on factors such as building type, occupancy, size, and local regulations.
Depending on the project, the design may need to address sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, means of egress, emergency systems, and other life-safety requirements.
A franchise prototype provides a consistent starting point. Local requirements determine what needs to change for a particular location.
| Standardized Across the Brand | May Change by Location |
|---|---|
| Prototype layout | Local building codes |
| Brand design standards | Climate conditions |
| Typical equipment | Existing MEP infrastructure |
| Engineering standards | Utility availability |
| Recurring design elements | Accessibility requirements |
| Kitchen requirements | Local AHJ requirements |
Prototype adaptation involves adjusting the design to accommodate site-specific conditions while maintaining the core engineering standards established by the brand.
Changes may involve equipment, system capacities, layouts, utility connections, or other engineering elements.
The aim is to avoid starting from scratch while still producing a design that works for the specific building and jurisdiction.
Many franchise locations are built within existing commercial spaces. The existing infrastructure therefore needs to be understood before the new design is finalized.
The team may need to assess existing HVAC equipment, electrical service, plumbing connections, fire protection systems, and other infrastructure to determine what can be reused, modified, or replaced.
A structured process can help identify requirements before they become design or permitting issues.
Standard Franchise Prototype
↓
Review Local Building Codes
↓
Site and Existing Infrastructure Assessment
↓
Prototype Adaptation
↓
Architectural and MEP Coordination
↓
Code Review and Construction Documents
↓
Permit Submission
↓
Construction
The earlier these requirements are addressed, the easier it is to make changes without affecting later stages of the project.
A building code review identifies the requirements that apply to a project before construction documents are finalized.
Depending on the scope, this can include architectural, accessibility, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and energy requirements.
Code issues found late in the project can lead to redesign, additional coordination, permit comments, or construction changes.
Reviewing requirements during design gives the team more time to resolve issues before they affect construction.
Code requirements often overlap between disciplines.
For example, an accessibility requirement can affect architectural space planning, while an HVAC requirement can affect ceiling space and equipment locations.
BIM workflows, clash detection, and multidisciplinary coordination can help identify these issues before construction.
Start by identifying which parts of the prototype should remain consistent across locations.
This may include layouts, equipment schedules, HVAC criteria, plumbing fixtures, electrical requirements, kitchen ventilation, controls, and other recurring design elements.
Determine which local building codes, amendments, and jurisdiction requirements apply before detailed design begins.
This gives the design team a clear framework for adapting the prototype.
Review the existing MEP infrastructure, utilities, structural conditions, and other site constraints.
This helps determine what can be retained and where the prototype needs to be modified.
Architectural and engineering teams should coordinate their work early in the design process.
BIM can provide a coordinated environment for developing, reviewing, and adapting designs across multiple locations while supporting clash detection and multidisciplinary coordination.
Permit requirements and review processes can vary between jurisdictions.
Preparing the required documentation early can help the project team address code comments without creating unnecessary delays.
Building code requirements can affect equipment selections, system capacities, accessibility provisions, energy performance, construction details, and permit documentation.
For a franchise expanding across multiple locations, a small design change can become significant when repeated across a larger portfolio.
Addressing these requirements during prototype development and early site design can make future adaptations more predictable and reduce repeated redesign.
Nearby Engineers provides MEP engineering services, with HVAC as a core discipline, primarily for franchise and multi-location projects across the U.S.
Its broader capabilities include electrical, plumbing, fire protection, BIM, energy modeling, and architectural drafting services.
For franchise projects, Nearby Engineers can develop and adapt repeatable engineering frameworks for different locations. Designs can be adjusted for local codes, climate conditions, existing MEP infrastructure, utility availability, and site conditions while maintaining consistency across locations.
The firm has experience supporting 2,700+ QSR projects and 236+ QSR franchise brands, including Dunkin', McDonald's, Taco Bell, Papa John's, Wingstop, Buffalo Wild Wings, Burger King, Jersey Mike's, Paris Baguette, Heart Mac & Cheese, Dave's Hot Chicken, Popeyes, Wayback Burgers, Wendy's, and Jeremiah's Italian Ice.
Nearby Engineers can also support projects beyond the initial design stage, helping teams address coordination requirements, design changes, RFIs, and construction-related questions as projects progress.
Building code compliance is an important part of planning any new commercial or franchise location. Requirements can vary based on the jurisdiction, building, occupancy, climate, existing infrastructure, and project scope.
For franchise brands, the challenge is maintaining a consistent prototype while adapting it to the requirements of each location.
A process that combines code review, site assessment, prototype adaptation, and multidisciplinary coordination can help identify issues earlier and reduce avoidable design and permitting problems.
Nearby Engineers provides MEP engineering, with HVAC as a core discipline, along with BIM, energy modeling, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and architectural drafting services for commercial and multi-location projects across the U.S.
Whether you are developing one location or planning a nationwide rollout, the right engineering approach can help create a more consistent and coordinated design process.
Planning a new franchise location? Connect with Nearby Engineers to discuss your project requirements.