commercial architecture

What commercial architecture does

Commercial Architecture, operating under the legal entity Wellnitz Architectural Corporation and doing business as CommercialArch, is a Modesto, California-based commercial and residential architecture practice founded in 1994. The firm delivers a unified suite of eight integrated service modules — Planning & Entitlements, Ground Up Development, Franchise Development, Tenant Improvements, As-Built Measurement, Code Review & Compliance, Permit Expediting, and Design-Build — covering projects from feasibility studies and zoning navigation through construction documentation and delivery. Underlying production work is performed with industry-standard CAD/Revit documentation, 3D rendering and visualization tools, and project coordination software rather than proprietary technology platforms.

The firm's commercial model is professional services: revenue is generated through project-based fees tied to scope, size, and complexity, with proposals issued upfront and engagement durations ranging from weeks to months. Sales is consultative and field-led, starting with a free consultation and progressing to tailored proposals; distribution is anchored in direct client engagement and franchise partner relationships, most notably a multi-year program permitting and building over 100 Crumbl Cookies stores across California. The firm is privately held, founder-controlled by Principal Architect Stacey Wellnitz, bootstrapped, and carries architectural licensure in 16 U.S. states, which functions as the primary mechanism enabling national franchise rollout work for brands such as The NOW, Bowie Barker, Memo’s Cocina, Concannon Vineyard, Sideboard Restaurant, and Inklings Cafe.

Name

commercial architecture

Legal name

Wellnitz Architectural Corporation

Website

https://commercialarch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

CommercialArch is a Modesto, California-based architecture practice delivering commercial and residential design, planning, permitting, and design-build services, with franchise rollout as a core specialty, serving entrepreneurs through national franchise brands across 16 U.S. states under founder Stacey Wellnitz.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (541310), Architectural Services (54131), Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (23622), Nonresidential Building Construction (2362)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Retail & Mixed-Use Commercial Construction (IMAFACAB)

Keywords

• Commercial architecture services
• Franchise design rollout
• Permit expediting services
• Tenant improvement design
• Ground-up construction design

Headquarters

HQ city

Modesto

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Professional architecture services including planning, design, permitting, and project coordination. Revenue is generated through project-based fees for services spanning feasibility studies through construction documentation and support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Commercial Architecture (CommercialArch) is a commercial and residential architecture firm providing planning, design, permitting, and construction coordination services. The firm delivers eight integrated service modules covering the full project lifecycle from feasibility and entitlements through design, permitting, and construction oversight, with specialized expertise in franchise prototype design and multi-site rollouts.

Product overview

CommercialArch is a commercial architecture firm providing a unified suite of architectural services that guide projects from concept through completion. The core offering consists of eight integrated service modules: Planning & Entitlements (zoning and permit navigation), Ground Up Development (new construction from site to delivery), Franchise Development (scalable multi-site rollouts), Tenant Improvements (space renovation and upgrades), As-Built Measurement (field verification and documentation), Code Review & Compliance (code analysis and jurisdiction requirements), Permit Expediting (approval acceleration), and Design-Build (integrated design-construction delivery). These services work together as a single practice, allowing clients to engage individual modules or full-service project delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Planning & Entitlements

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 stores permitted and built for Crumbl Cookies in California
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The NOWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerModern wellness brand offering boutique massage experiences. CommercialArch provides architectural services supporting their franchise expansion, focusing on translating and maintaining strict brand standards across multiple locations while meeting local building and permitting requirements.
• Crumbl CookiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRapidly growing dessert brand celebrated for its rotating menu of gourmet cookies. CommercialArch has permitted and built over 100 stores throughout California, supporting their fast-paced franchise expansion with efficient, high-quality spaces.
• Bowie BarkercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerModern dog grooming brand combining style, convenience, and care in boutique settings. CommercialArch provides architectural services for franchise development and rollout, designing and permitting locations that reflect the brand's clean, playful aesthetic.
• Memo's CocinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal restaurant brand built around authentic Mexican flavors and a lively, modern dining atmosphere. CommercialArch served as architects for their Modesto location, providing design and permitting services.
• Inklings CafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent coffee and tea house in Pleasanton, California combining specialty beverages with a community-focused atmosphere. CommercialArch provided design and permitting services.
• Concannon VineyardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of California's historic wineries. CommercialArch provided architectural services for barrel storage building and tasting room, combining wine production requirements with hospitality design.
• Sideboard RestaurantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarm-to-table dining experience with locations in Danville and Lafayette, California. CommercialArch provided architectural services carrying the brand's signature aesthetic into new settings.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• FRCH Design Global: FRCH Design Global is an architecture and design firm specializing in retail, restaurant, and franchise prototype design and rollout across the U.S. It directly competes with CommercialArch in franchise architecture services for multi-site brands.
• GreenbergFarrow: GreenbergFarrow is a national architecture firm focused on retail, restaurant, hospitality, and franchise development, with multi-office U.S. coverage and prototype design capabilities directly comparable to CommercialArch.
• Ware Malcomb: Ware Malcomb is a commercial architecture firm offering planning, architecture, interior design, and branding services for retail, office, and industrial clients — overlapping directly with CommercialArch’s commercial tenant improvement and ground-up work.
• Chipman Design Architecture: Chipman Design Architecture specializes in franchise and retail prototype development, providing architecture, interior design, and engineering for multi-site rollouts — a comparable franchise-focused niche to CommercialArch’s Crumbl and The NOW work.
• NELSON Worldwide: NELSON Worldwide is an architecture, design, and engineering firm with deep retail and franchise practice areas serving national brands, providing comparable multi-site rollout services to CommercialArch’s franchise clients.
• AO (Architecture Organization): AO is a full-service architecture and design firm focused on retail, restaurant, hospitality, and commercial projects with a comparable boutique-plus-corporate service positioning to CommercialArch.

Broad incumbents

• Gensler: Gensler is the largest global AEC firm with broad retail, hospitality, and commercial practices that include franchise and multi-location work, representing a scaled incumbent capable of competing with CommercialArch for enterprise franchise accounts.
• Stantec: Stantec is a global design and engineering firm with a strong commercial architecture practice serving retail, hospitality, and institutional clients — providing broader geographic reach and resources than CommercialArch.
• HOK: HOK is a global design, architecture, and engineering firm with commercial, retail, and hospitality practices that overlap with CommercialArch’s commercial and franchise development work at much larger scale.
• DLR Group: DLR Group is an integrated design firm providing architecture, engineering, and planning for commercial, hospitality, and institutional clients with multi-office U.S. coverage — competing in the broader commercial architecture market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/commercial-architecture-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about commercial architecture