How much does it cost to open a small restaurant?

A small restaurant (under 2,000 sq ft) typically costs $75,000 to $150,000 to open, including lease deposits, equipment, permits, and initial inventory. Costs vary significantly by location.

What is the most expensive part of opening a restaurant?

Kitchen equipment and interior build-out are usually the largest expenses, often accounting for 40-60% of total startup costs.

Can I open a restaurant with $50,000?

It's possible with a very small space, used equipment, and a location with low commercial rents. Food trucks ($50K-$100K) are a more realistic option at this budget.

Restaurant Startup Cost Comparison

Arlington, VA vs Miami, FL

Arlington, VA

$106,000 - $417,000

COL Index: 148.2

Miami, FL

$96,000 - $383,000

COL Index: 128.3

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense	Arlington, VA	Miami, FL	Difference
Business Registration & Licenses	$3,700 - $9,900	$2,600 - $9,500	+12%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)	$17,600 - $88,000	$17,600 - $88,000	Same
Kitchen Equipment & Fixtures	$25,000 - $100,000	$25,000 - $100,000	Same
Initial Food & Beverage Inventory	$5,000 - $15,000	$5,000 - $15,000	Same
Interior Build-Out & Renovation	$27,600 - $110,400	$21,600 - $86,400	+28%
Business Insurance (Annual)	$3,000 - $10,000	$3,000 - $10,000	Same
Marketing & Grand Opening	$2,000 - $10,000	$2,000 - $10,000	Same
Working Capital (3 Months)	$22,200 - $74,100	$19,200 - $64,200	+15%
Total Estimated Cost	$106,000 - $417,000	$96,000 - $383,000	+9%

Local Market Factors

Factor	Arlington	Miami
Cost of Living Index	148.2	128.3
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)	$30 - $60	$25 - $65
Labor Rate Index	1.38	1.08
Sales Tax	6%	7%
Minimum Wage	$12.41/hr	$13.00/hr
LLC Filing Fee	$100	$125

View Full Details

Ready to Start Your Restaurant?

Start your Restaurant LLC in — free registered agent for 1 year.

Form Your LLC for $0 + State Fee →

Trusted by 500,000+ businesses · Excellent rating on Trustpilot