Opening a restaurant is a dream that comes true within the walls of a premises, with a well-defined concept, and above all, a project that requires flawless organization. Before you can treat your first customers, there's a crucial step to take: budgeting for your project. From the layout of the premises to the kitchen equipment and administrative formalities, every detail has a price. And that's where it all begins: what costs should you expect? How can you anticipate them so you can get started in the best possible conditions? Here's a detailed guide to help you open your future restaurant.
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Opening a restaurant, whether fast food, traditional, dark kitchen or food court, involves costs that vary from project to project. The figures we've provided here are only estimates, as many factors influence the budget for opening a restaurant: location, surface area of the premises, franchise fees, compulsory licenses and kitchen equipment. Each item of expenditure can have a considerable impact on thebalance of your overallbudget!
There have never been so many fast food outlets in the country: with 52,500 outlets in 2024 (+4% on 2022), fast food is a fast-growing sector in France (Source: Le Figaro). According to a study by Food Service Vision, this dynamism is confirmed, with fast food sales exceeding 20 billion euros for the first time in 2023 (Source: Francetvinfo).
To open a kebab, pizzeria, burger or sushi restaurant: the budget required varies between 10,000 and 100,000 euros, with an average of 35,000 euros to launch an outlet.
Traditional restaurants generally require a larger budget. Between fit-out work, kitchen equipment and specific licenses, costs range from €80,000 to €300,000. Location, surface area and decorating ambitions also play a key role in the final cost.
Dark kitchens are 100% digital kitchens designed exclusively for delivery sales. This concept allows you to reduce certain costs, such as decoration and space reserved for customers. However, they do require investment in a professional, high-performance digital infrastructure. Costs vary on average between €20,000 and €70,000, depending on equipment and location.
The food court concept, which brings together several brands in the same space, requires a specific budget. Average costs are generally between 150,000 and 1 million euros, depending on the number of stands, the work to be carried out and the equipment to be shared.
The best way to get a precise idea of the budget required for your project is to draw up a solid business plan. We'll tell you all about it in the article below 👇
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The costs of opening a restaurant fall into several essential categories. Good management of these expenses is the key to a successful launch!
This fee includes everything you need to comply with the law and get your business up and running:
These costs can vary greatly depending on your location and concept.
Fitting out your restaurant often represents a significant proportion of the total budget. You'll need to consider the following items:
A precise estimate will depend on your aesthetic choices and the constraints of your premises.
Kitchen equipment is a major investment when opening a restaurant. This includes kitchen equipment such as ovens, fryers and worktops, as well as the cost of raw materials and suppliers. Digital solutions, such as ordering kiosks, cash registers or online ordering systems, are also strategic expenditures.Â
Zoom: why invest in digital solutions? They represent an essential lever for optimizing your business:Â
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Here are a few steps to help you prepare your budget:Â
Opening a restaurant is an exciting adventure, but it requires rigorous preparation. The business plan is a written document that sets out the details of your restaurant opening project. It serves to convince investors and banks, and to give you a clear picture of your start-up costs.Â
Here's a summary of the main parts of a restaurant business plan:
Tip: Be as transparent as possible and write in a simple, clear and concise style!
Even with careful preparation, the unexpected can happen. Among the factors to anticipate:
It's essential to build a safety margin into your overall budget to absorb these contingencies.
👉 To find out more: Opening a restaurant: 13 mistakes not to make
A number of local and national grants can help reduce the cost of opening a restaurant. For example, Brittany's Pass Commerce et Artisanat program supports restaurants wishing to invest in digital solutions. Don't hesitate to get in touch with your local region or chamber of commerce to find out what' s available in your area!
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Do you run a restaurant and are looking for a partner to help you digitalize your business? Innovorder is the only player in France to offer a complete ecosystem: order-taking, checkout, preparation, delivery and management!
