25 Professionally Trained Staff Members
48 State Licenses
40 Years of Experience
National Restaurant Designers (NRD), is one of the nation’s largest-restaurant specific Architectural and Engineering firms. The dedicated staff has perfected specialization in the restaurant design world, acknowledging that the design and engineering of a restaurant takes a more advanced skill set and working knowledge of how kitchens operate to produce quality and cost savings to the client. We are capable of full concept development and concept branding which is then translated to technical detailed construction documents which bring the vision of the client to life. NRD has worked with national recognizable brands as well as local premier concepts.
N. Ray Thornton, PE, LEED AP Principal/CEO
Graduate of NC State University, with professional graduate degree from University of Alabama, licensed Engineer in 45 States and Army Corps Veteran. Addition of Ray to the LMHT Partnership elevated the company from an Architectural firm to a full design Architect and Engineering firm with expanded capabilities and technical resources.
Glen “Oscar” Lehmann, AIA NCARB Principal
LMHT’s Principal Architect and Founding member. Known to his friends and colleagues as Oscar, he is the leading force behind the production output of the firm. Oscar is a mentor to the architectural staff with his life time of experience in the field. He keeps our staff marching forward to finish our projects on time and to code. Oscar is an Iowa State Alumni, licensed Architect in 47 states, and proficient in code analysis and interpretations across the country with decades of experience and relationships with cities and towns from California to Maine.
Paige H Wood, Associate Director of Client Relations and Marketing
Paige has been a valuable asset to the firm since he joined our staff in 2001. His background of Restaurant design and construction management brought NRD to life as a leading design firm for our restaurant brands. Paige’s dedication to the company’s image and attention to our client’s needs has been invaluable to the growth of the company.
Licensed Personnel
- N. Ray Thornton, PE, LEED APCEO / President
- Glen "Oscar" Lehmann, AIA NCARBPrincipal
- Joseph Morgan, PEChief Mechanical Engineer
- Ross Stocks, PE, LEED APChief Electrical Engineer
- Shawn Slyter, PEDirector of Engineering
- David Mayer, AIA, NCARB, LEED Green AssociationArchitect Director
- Tammy Davis, NCARB, AIA, LEED APArchitect Director
NRD is professionally registered in the following states:

Our Services
Design Services
We are experts in the design of seating layout and kitchen equipment which will utilize your space best and provide your staff and customers with the best experience possible. All our seating and kitchen plans are designed to meet all code requirements, including handicap accessibility. Services also include evaluation of existing kitchen designs to improve productivity.
Value Engineering in building design is always at the forefront of our designer’s minds when putting together your space. We combine our design experience with years of construction experience to determine the most practice way to construct your building while considering your budget.
Service consists of documentation and evaluation of your tenant space for upfit or remodel, including all mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural systems, as required for the successful design of your new project.
Selections of interior colors, finishes, materials, seating, and artwork- to name a few elements- which brings the space to life giving character and a personal touch to your space. Our in-house licensed professionals will assist in selecting the interior design elements which will compliment the building features and create the overall atmosphere of the space. Each wall color, seating style and lighting fixture is carefully selected to match your vision for your new building.
Engineering design in Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical
Budget is always a high priority when we design your space and we will do what is practically possible to design your space most economically while still maintaining quality finishes and meeting all code requirements. We can also review previous project drawings to offer savings during the construction process on your next project. We design to maximize efficiency for new and existing HVAC systems specific to your geographical location. Electrical Energy Savings options are made available for initial construction and life time operations.
Multiple LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified Designers are on staff, in all disciplines. We are capable of creating a building which can utilize select energy saving design elements as part of full LEED Compliance and Certification projects.
Project Management
Preliminary site investigation reports and feasibility studies to determine if a specific site is favorable in regards to local city and zoning regulations for your specific concept and design parameters. This service will outline a timeline of what to expect while obtaining civil and building permits.
Extensive experience working with local City Departments to obtain all approvals necessary to begin your project. With our vast experience across the country over the many years in the industry, we have come across almost all scenarios possible and have personal connections with city officials from our home town of Raleigh/Durham to California.
Company Branding
A created unique design will identify your brand to your customers, across the city or across the country. We will translate your conceptual ideas to an interior and exterior design package which express and convey your mission to your customers with visual elements.
Interior design capabilities are another one of our strengths with registered NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) staff and our large in house materials library. Designs provided range in color, furniture, products and materials as developed in conjunction with our large working relationship with vendors across fields to provide you with the best options.
State of the art software technology can be utilized to allow you to tour your space visually prior to any construction to best visualize and ensure that our design is what your anticipate for your new space. A created video file can walk you from the exterior views of your building, through the front door, and into all corners of your space.
Presentation story boards, physical samples of all proposed materials in a space with identifying color and textures selected can be generated as needed for client review and as required for some municipalities.