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

Denver, CO vs Chicago, IL

Denver, CO

$94,000 - $373,000

COL Index: 118.5

Chicago, IL

$97,000 - $380,000

COL Index: 107.8

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense	Denver, CO	Chicago, IL	Difference
Business Registration & Licenses	$2,100 - $9,200	$5,600 - $10,900	-32%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)	$15,100 - $75,300	$17,600 - $88,000	-14%
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	$23,600 - $94,400	$23,000 - $92,000	+3%
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)	$17,800 - $59,300	$16,200 - $53,900	+10%
Total Estimated Cost	$94,000 - $373,000	$97,000 - $380,000	-2%

Local Market Factors

Factor	Denver	Chicago
Cost of Living Index	118.5	107.8
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)	$22 - $55	$25 - $65
Labor Rate Index	1.18	1.15
Sales Tax	8.81%	10.25%
Minimum Wage	$18.29/hr	$15.80/hr
LLC Filing Fee	$50	$150

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