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 New York, NY

Arlington, VA

$106,000 - $417,000

COL Index: 148.2

New York, NY

$129,000 - $518,000

COL Index: 187.2

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense	Arlington, VA	New York, NY	Difference
Business Registration & Licenses	$3,700 - $9,900	$5,300 - $17,100	-39%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)	$17,600 - $88,000	$31,300 - $156,500	-44%
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	$29,000 - $116,000	-5%
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	$28,100 - $93,600	-21%
Total Estimated Cost	$106,000 - $417,000	$129,000 - $518,000	-19%

Local Market Factors

Factor	Arlington	New York
Cost of Living Index	148.2	187.2
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)	$30 - $60	$40 - $120
Labor Rate Index	1.38	1.45
Sales Tax	6%	8.875%
Minimum Wage	$12.41/hr	$16.00/hr
LLC Filing Fee	$100	$200

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