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commercial kitchen cooktops in study to convert from gas to electric
COST STUDIES: COMMERCIAL KITCHENS
Protecting our resources for future generations.

Case Studies: Transitioning 10 Commercial Kitchens to All Electric

In 2025, the Sustainability Department conducted a study to assess the costs of transitioning from methane gas cooking equipment to electric cooking equipment in commercial and institutional kitchens. The study assessed 10 representative food service kitchens in San Mateo County of varying cuisines, building sizes, building types, and kitchen equipment types, looking at the capital and operational costs associated with this transition. The key cost drivers for food service kitchens are the cost of new equipment and associated installation fees, energy use cost for ongoing operations, and infrastructure upgrades such as electric and plumbing.

The report demonstrates that the total cost of transitioning food service kitchens to all-electric is likely too high for many small businesses to bear alone. The transition will require cross-sector action and support, particularly to mitigate the cost of electricity at peak times and the costs of infrastructure upgrades.

Cost Studies

Review the cost studies to better understand strategies and costs to transition different types of commercial kitchens to efficient and electric equipment.

Restaurants

Photo of a casual restaurant interior with the words "Vietnamese Restaurant" laid over the photo.

Vietnamese Restaurant

city San Bruno
restaurant size 3,500 sq ft
food service type Casual dining
building type Attached commercial
seating capacity 100

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Photo of a white building with blue skies, and the words "American Restaurant 1" laid over the photo.

American Restaurant 1

city Burlingame
restaurant size 4,270 sq ft
food service type Casual dining
building type Free-standing with abutted building
seating capacity 80

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Photo of a dimly lit restaurant with the words "Asian Restaurant" laid over the photo.

Asian Restaurant

city Burlingame
restaurant size 5,000 sq ft
food service type Fine dining
building type Multi-unit commercial suite
seating capacity 120

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Photo of a casual restaurant interior with green and brick walls, and the words "Latin American Restaurant" laid over the photo.

Latin American Restaurant

city Redwood City
restaurant size 2,750 sq ft
food service type Fast casual, take-away, retail production
building type Multi-unit commercial suite
seating capacity 28

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Photo of a building with a white exterior and wooden details, with the words "American Restaurant 2" laid over the photo.

American Restaurant 2

city Colma
restaurant size 4,545 sq ft
food service type Casual dining
building type Free-standing building
seating capacity 90

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Photo of a restaurant in a strip mall and the word "Taqueria" laid over the photo.

Taqueria

city San Mateo
restaurant size 1,000 sq ft
food service type Fast casual
building type Multi-unit commercial/retail suite
seating capacity 30

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Institutional Kitchens

Photo of a room with a poster on the wall labelled "Nutrition", and the words "School Kitchen 1" laid over the photo.

School Kitchen 1

city Menlo Park
restaurant size 900 sq ft
food service type School cafeteria
building type Free-standing
seating capacity ~858

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Photo of an industrial kitchen with the words "Teaching Kitchen" laid over the photo.

Teaching Kitchen

city Menlo Park
restaurant size 1,500 sq ft
food service type Culinary arts teaching kitchen
building type Multi-unit business park
seating capacity 10-15 students per training session

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Photo of industrial kitchen appliances and the words "School Kitchen 2" laid over the photo.

School Kitchen 2

city Atherton
restaurant size 5,000 sq ft
food service type School cafeteria
building type Free-standing building
seating capacity ~2,152

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Photo of a beige building shaded by trees, with the words "Community Center Kitchen" laid over the photo.

Community Center Kitchen

city Belmont
restaurant size 900 sq ft
food service type Community/event center
building type Community center
seating capacity 280

View Cost Study (forthcoming)

Webinar

The Sustainability Department hosted a webinar in 2025 to review the results of the study and share lessons learned.

Download the presentation slides (PDF)

Additional Resources and Considerations

Read the Full Report

Link coming soon

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