Fast Food Franchise Startup Cost Comparison
Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Chicago, IL
$180,000 - $3,186,000
COL Index: 107.8
VS
San Francisco, CA
$262,000 - $4,874,000
COL Index: 179.8
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Expense | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Franchise Fee
|
$10,000 - $50,000 | $10,000 - $50,000 | Same |
|
Restaurant Build-Out
|
$97,800 - $2,347,800 | $163,000 - $3,913,000 | -40% |
|
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
|
$5,800 - $46,000 | $7,600 - $60,800 | -24% |
|
Grand Opening Campaign
|
$5,000 - $25,000 | $5,000 - $25,000 | Same |
|
Working Capital (3 Months)
|
$21,600 - $161,700 | $36,000 - $269,700 | -40% |
| Total Estimated Cost | $180,000 - $3,186,000 | $262,000 - $4,874,000 | -34% |
Local Market Factors
| Factor | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 107.8 | 179.8 |
| Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr) | $25 - $65 | $40 - $110 |
| Labor Rate Index | 1.15 | 1.52 |
| Sales Tax | 10.25% | 8.625% |
| Minimum Wage | $15.80/hr | $18.67/hr |
| LLC Filing Fee | $150 | $70 |
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