What kind of revenue can a restaurant generate?

A restaurant’s turnover largely depends on its location, seating capacity, cuisine, and reputation.

In major urban centers, annual revenue typically ranges between €200,000 and €1,000,000, while in smaller cities it may fall between €100,000 and €500,000. Fine dining venues, themed restaurants with higher average receipts, or those located in tourist areas can exceed €1,500,000 annually.

What does it take to open or invest in a restaurant?

If you're considering opening or acquiring a restaurant, take the following into account:

• Space & equipment: Rent or purchase, professional kitchen, dining furniture, POS system

• Licensing: Health permits, fire safety, music licenses, outdoor seating permissions

• Concept & menu: Type of cuisine, food cost, market positioning

• Suppliers & logistics: Contracts with producers, delivery partners, ERP systems

• Team management: Chef, cooks, waitstaff, shift supervisor

Startup capital for a new restaurant typically starts from €50,000 to €300,000, depending on the concept and location.
Investing in an existing restaurant may range from €20,000 for a minority share to €100,000+ for full ownership.

Why buy or invest in a restaurant?

Acquiring or investing in a restaurant offers:

• Immediate market presence, with an existing customer base and brand awareness

• Operational continuity, without the setup time or uncertainty of a new launch

• Financial transparency, based on historical revenue and cost data

• Growth potential, through menu expansion, adding delivery, or opening new locations

In well-structured restaurants, investment payback can be achieved within 2–4 years, with net profit margins of 10%–25%, depending on operations, target audience, and location.