The entry period our seventh annual rd+d Awards is now closed. The judges have selected the winners, which will be made public in the January/February issue.
Restaurant design projects entries were made at no charge in any of the seven categories below. If you'd like to be added to the early notification list for next year's award submissions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Project Categories:
- Best New Prototype — Existing Chain Concept
Awarded to the best prototype and branding package rolled out by an established brand. - Best New Concept Launch
Awarded to the best new concept from the ground up, from development through execution, of a scalable design, meant to launch a concept for growth. - Best Limited-Service Restaurant Design
Open to all restaurants in the limited-service category; awarded to the best overall design concept and execution; open to both new builds and renovations. - Best Full-Service Restaurant Design — Check Average under $50
Open to all full-service restaurants with a check average less than $50 per person; awarded to the best overall design concept and execution; open to both new builds and renovations. - Best Full-Service Restaurant Design — Check Average over $50
Open to all full-service restaurants with a check average more than $50; awarded to the best overall design that delivers a unique experience and fulfills the vision set by the design team; open to new builds and renovations. - Best Bar Design
Open to all new and newly renovated stand-alone bars or designated bar areas within a restaurant or hotel. Awarded to the best overall design concept and execution. - Form and Function Innovation Award
Rewards the most innovative and successful approaches to specific areas of the front or back of the house; from bathrooms to entryways to technological integration — even bars and lounges within restaurants — that capitalize on the integration of form and function in design.
Notes/Rules:
- This competition is open only to restaurants.
- A restaurant may only win in only ONE category. Please select the category that best aligns with your project. Multiple submissions of a single project in multiple categories are discouraged.
- Include final, approved floorplan, not just concept drawings.
- Renovations should include before and after pictures.
- Our judges compare the criteria outlined on the submissions pages to the actual submissions. Directly address the questions to improve your odds of placing.
- Judges are free to reject any entry that does not meet basic criteria outlined on the submissions page. Judges may also choose to move an entry from one category to another if they feel it’s a better fit.
- Judging will occur in early November and the award winners will be notified via email.
- Award winners will be featured in the January/February 2023 issue of rd+d.