The Ives Architecture Studio provided architectural services for Konala’s first restaurant on the East Coast, located in Belleville, New Jersey.
Originally established in the Pacific Northwest, Konala is a health-focused fast-food franchise seeking to redefine the traditional drive-thru and fast-casual dining experience. The concept centers on clean, efficient food preparation and high-quality, protein-focused meals.
From an architectural standpoint, Konala’s streamlined kitchen operation presented a unique opportunity. Because the restaurant does not rely on deep fryers or traditional greasy cooking equipment, the project did not require the extensive kitchen exhaust systems typically associated with conventional fast-food restaurants. Instead, the design supports an efficient preparation model that emphasizes speed, cleanliness, and simplicity.
The Belleville location marks Konala’s expansion to the East Coast and represents The Ives Architecture Studio’s contribution to bringing this emerging restaurant concept to a new market.