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The Global Insight

How much does it really cost to open a restaurant?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 02, 2026

On average, the cost to open a restaurant is between $100 and $800 per square foot, with costs varying based on location, concept, size, materials, new or existing location, and equipment. That’s a median cost of $450 per square foot.

Is opening a restaurant a good investment?

Investing in Restaurants Can Work, but It’s Not as Easy as Pie. RELAXING in a restaurant, satisfied after a good meal and maybe a glass of wine, it’s easy to dream about what it would be like to own the place. But plenty of people find ways to run restaurants profitably and make a good deal of money from the enterprise …

How much profit does a restaurant make?

The range for restaurant profit margins typically spans anywhere from 0 – 15 percent, but the average restaurant profit margin usually falls between 3 – 5 percent.

Is a small restaurant profitable?

Small restaurants remain profitable by controlling overhead costs — the non-food costs such as rent, labor, marketing, linens, cutlery, dishes, phones and insurance. Create a detailed list of your overhead expenses and examine which ones you can cut or reduce.

Who is the richest restaurant owner?

Tilman Fertitta
1. Tilman Fertitta. Tilman Fertitta is a restaurateur that has a net worth of about $4.6 billion. He is not a chef but has earned the title of the “World’s Richest Restaurateur” and is one of America’s wealthiest citizens.

What is the best city to open a restaurant?

The 10 Best Cities for Opening a Restaurant

  • #1 – Cedar Park, Texas. Cedar Park is one of the major suburbs of Austin.
  • #2 – Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • #3 – Louisville, Kentucky.
  • #4 – Riverside, California.
  • #5 – Kansas City, Missouri.
  • #6 – Boston, Massachusetts.
  • #7 – Arlington, Virginia.
  • #8 – Ann Arbor, Michigan.

What’s the total cost of opening a restaurant?

The total cost of opening a restaurant differs between restaurateurs due to factors like size, location, and concept. The upcoming section details these costs across two categories: restaurant startup costs and operating costs. When reading this section keep the following in mind: Certain costs may not apply to you.

How much does it cost to rent a restaurant in NYC?

Restaurant real estate costs in New York City are the highest in the United States. Average cost of rent in Manhattan and some Brooklyn neighborhoods is $120 per square foot. Average cost of rent in Chicago is $40 per square foot.

What should your food cost ratio be for a restaurant?

A healthy food cost ratio is between 25%–40% of your projected revenue. For example, if your restaurant makes $20,000 per week in revenue and your food cost ratio is 35%, you’ll be paying approximately $7,000 for food that week. Your concept determines your food cost ratio because the quality of your ingredients drives cost.

How much does it cost to remodel a restaurant?

Building improvements – this applies more to building owners, but remodeling costs are often necessary to get your space set up for your particular needs. Including your kitchen, costs to remodel a restaurant can climb to $250,000 to $350,000.