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

Rochester, NY vs Chicago, IL

Rochester, NY

$74,000 - $288,000

COL Index: 87.9

Chicago, IL

$97,000 - $380,000

COL Index: 107.8

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense	Rochester, NY	Chicago, IL	Difference
Business Registration & Licenses	$2,400 - $8,100	$5,600 - $10,900	-36%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)	$5,700 - $28,400	$17,600 - $88,000	-68%
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	$18,000 - $72,000	$23,000 - $92,000	-22%
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)	$13,200 - $44,000	$16,200 - $53,900	-18%
Total Estimated Cost	$74,000 - $288,000	$97,000 - $380,000	-24%

Local Market Factors

Factor	Rochester	Chicago
Cost of Living Index	87.9	107.8
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)	$9 - $20	$25 - $65
Labor Rate Index	0.9	1.15
Sales Tax	8%	10.25%
Minimum Wage	$15.00/hr	$15.80/hr
LLC Filing Fee	$200	$150

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