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

St. Paul, MN vs Chicago, IL

St. Paul, MN

$82,000 - $322,000

COL Index: 104.5

Chicago, IL

$97,000 - $380,000

COL Index: 107.8

Detailed Cost Comparison

Expense	St. Paul, MN	Chicago, IL	Difference
Business Registration & Licenses	$1,400 - $6,100	$5,600 - $10,900	-55%
Commercial Lease (First + Last + Security)	$9,400 - $47,000	$17,600 - $88,000	-47%
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	$20,400 - $81,600	$23,000 - $92,000	-11%
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)	$15,700 - $52,300	$16,200 - $53,900	-3%
Total Estimated Cost	$82,000 - $322,000	$97,000 - $380,000	-15%

Local Market Factors

Factor	St. Paul	Chicago
Cost of Living Index	104.5	107.8
Commercial Rent ($/sqft/yr)	$14 - $34	$25 - $65
Labor Rate Index	1.02	1.15
Sales Tax	8.375%	10.25%
Minimum Wage	$15.57/hr	$15.80/hr
LLC Filing Fee	$155	$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