Denver, Colorado — Startup Costs
Opening a restaurant in Denver typically costs $200,000–$500,000 (prime neighborhood), $130,000–$280,000 (secondary location). Here is the full breakdown — lease deposits, equipment, build-out, permits, inventory, and pre-opening costs — with real dollar ranges based on Denver market data.
| Cost item | Low | High | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lease deposit + first 3 months rent | $10,000 | $20,000 | 1,500 sqft at $25–32/sqft/year |
| Kitchen equipment | $45,000 | $85,000 | — |
| Build-out / tenant improvements | $70,000 | $160,000 | — |
| Liquor license | $2,000 | $7,000 | — |
| Initial inventory | $8,000 | $15,000 | — |
| Denver business license + permits | $500 | $1,500 | — |
| Pre-opening labor (at $19.29/hr) | $12,000 | $25,000 | Higher due to Denver's minimum wage |
| Marketing & grand opening | $8,000 | $20,000 | — |
| Total estimated range | $155,500 | $333,500 | 4–7 months from lease signing. Denver Fire inspection: 2–4 weeks. Colorado liquor license: 45–90 days. Plan for winter construction delays (Oct–Mar). |
4–7 months from lease signing. Denver Fire inspection: 2–4 weeks. Colorado liquor license: 45–90 days. Plan for winter construction delays (Oct–Mar).
Denver restaurant startup costs are at the higher end due to Denver's $19.29 minimum wage, which increases pre-opening labor costs significantly, and inclusionary zoning that limits available restaurant space. For comparison, see our national restaurant profit margin benchmarks and restaurant profit calculator.
Use our break-even calculator to model your startup costs and find out how long it takes to recover your investment.
Calculate break-even →Last updated: 2026-06-22. Data drawn from: