Fast Food Franchise Startup Cost Comparison
Charleston, SC vs Houston, TX
Charleston, SC
$146,000 - $2,352,000
COL Index: 110.8
VS
Houston, TX
$147,000 - $2,455,000
COL Index: 96.5
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Charleston, SC | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Franchise Fee
|
$10,000 - $50,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | Same |
|
Restaurant Build-Out
|
$63,000 - $1,513,000 | $68,500 - $1,643,500 | -8% |
|
Kitchen Equipment & Technology
|
$30,000 - $500,000 | $30,000 - $500,000 | Same |
|
Insurance Package
|
$5,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Opening Inventory & Supplies
|
$5,000 - $30,000 | $5,000 - $30,000 | Same |
|
Hiring & Training
|
$5,300 - $42,400 | $4,600 - $36,800 | +15% |
|
Grand Opening Campaign
|
$5,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$22,200 - $166,200 | $19,300 - $144,800 | +15% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $146,000 - $2,352,000 | $147,000 - $2,455,000 | -4% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Charleston | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 110.8 | 96.5 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $18 - $40 | $18 - $45 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.06 | 0.92 |
| Sales Tax | 9% | 8.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr | $7.25/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $110 | $300 |
View Full Details
Ready to Start Your Fast Food Franchise?
Start your Fast Food Franchise LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.
Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot