Most people who open a new commercial space only learn one thing the hard way: permitting delays can drain time, money, and momentum. Permit Place was built to remove that frustration. Led by founder Mike Robinson, the company has grown into a national permitting firm trusted by brands across restaurants, retail, hospitality, banking, EV charging and more. Their team blends local code knowledge, due diligence research, document consolidation, plan submittals, correction management, and ready-to-issue support to keep projects on schedule.
Mike’s own story adds depth to the mission. A proud father of three, a husband of 23 years, a guitarist, singer, traveler, outdoor enthusiast and supporter of the arts, he’s spent decades building systems that eliminate permitting bottlenecks. He’s now focused on using technology and standardized processes to speed up approvals nationwide.
This interview looks at where Permit Place came from, how it works behind the scenes, and what Mike sees as the future of permitting in the United States.
What inspired you to create Permit Place and focus on permit expediting at a national level?
Mike: Permit Place came from watching good projects stall for avoidable reasons. I saw business owners doing everything right and still losing months because of missing documents, unclear requirements, or inconsistent city processes. I wanted to build a company that removed that stress entirely. Over the years we refined our approach into a national system that gives clients clarity before they start and momentum all the way to approval.
Permit Place has its own database of codes and review times. How does that change the outcome for clients?
Mike: Local knowledge is everything in permitting, and every jurisdiction plays by its own rulebook. We invest heavily in maintaining our own code and timing database so we know what each city needs, what slows them down, and what speeds them up. That lets us package submittals correctly the first time and keep projects moving. It’s one of the main reasons we consistently reduce delays for clients.
What does your team do behind the scenes that most people never see?
Mike: A lot. We run full due diligence, collect and review documentation, prepare submittal packets, handle plan check meetings, monitor comments and corrections, negotiate revisions, manage resubmittals, and coordinate ready-to-issue paperwork. Clients just see progress, but there’s a lot of coordination happening between jurisdictions, architects, engineers, and contractors. Our goal is to shield them from the chaos and give them a predictable path.
Permit Place manages single-location openings, national rollouts and everything in between. What makes those projects successful?
Mike: Consistency. When you’re opening multiple stores or retrofitting dozens of sites, you need a repeatable, reliable process. We’ve helped hundreds of brands do exactly that. Whether it’s a restaurant chain adding outdoor dining, a retailer upgrading equipment, or a hotel group expanding across new markets, we centralize the permitting work so clients can scale without getting tangled in local requirements.
You’ve spoken a lot about using new technology to speed up approvals. What role does tech play for Permit Place today?
Mike: Technology helps us share institutional knowledge across the team, standardize workflows, track review times, automate communication, and flag issues before they become delays. Permitting is still a human field, but smart tech lets us act faster and keep all parties aligned. My goal is to blend the experience of our expediters with tools that eliminate bottlenecks.
What industries are turning to Permit Place the most right now?
Mike: Restaurants, retail, banks, EV charging, convenience stores, industrial facilities, hotels and solar. These industries deal with tight timelines and frequent updates to equipment or layouts, so permitting becomes an ongoing operational need. They choose us because we move quickly, stay transparent, and work across multiple jurisdictions without losing accuracy.
What personal values shape the way you lead Permit Place?
Mike: I’m a husband, a dad of three, a musician, and someone who loves the outdoors. Those parts of my life remind me to stay grounded. I believe in communication, patience, creativity and problem-solving. Whether I’m hiking or playing guitar, I’m always thinking about how to approach challenges differently. That mindset carries into how I guide the team and how we support clients.
What do you hope Permit Place achieves over the next decade?
Mike: I want Permit Place to continue setting the standard for clarity and speed in permitting. That means expanding our national presence, strengthening our local expertise, and deploying technology that simplifies the approval process for everyone. The long-term goal is simple: reduce friction for builders, brands and communities so projects open on time and with far less stress.
Conclusion
Permit Place’s work sits at the crossroads of construction, regulation and progress. Mike Robinson has built more than a permit expediting firm; he has built a national system that brings structure, speed and predictability to one of the most overlooked parts of commercial development. For the companies that depend on timely openings, that difference is significant. As technology reshapes the industry and demand for nationwide permitting support grows, Permit Place continues to position itself as a partner that keeps projects moving and businesses growing.
You can learn more about Permit Place at permitplace.com
