Kansas City-based Bread & Butter Concepts retained Generator Studio to assist in developing a new fast casual restaurant concept. The concept is gourmet tacos, beers and margaritas in a hip, relaxed, almost under-the-radar approach.
Working closely with the client to convert the brand thinking into architecture, we settled on key branded architectural elements that could translate to potential future franchise locations; including a themed outdoor patio, an open kitchen, and a bar and seating area.
The project in KCK was a conversion of an old gas station. A core goal for both the menu and the building was authenticity. Because of that goal, we kept and updated as many components of the original gas station as possible.
Key scope elements included a vibrant, playful exterior palette, an exterior “tiki hut” bar, a large exterior renovated and landscaped patio, a new exterior restroom, a new interior bar, and reused diner booths from the 1960’s. Subtle and quirky branding overlays are found throughout the project, via interior murals and individual bulb “Taco” signs on the exterior. These elements combined to make Taco Republic a unique, comfortable hang out that quickly became a local favorite for authentic “street-style” tacos and margaritas.