Denver, Colorado — Startup Costs
Restaurant Startup Costs in Denver
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.
Startup cost breakdown
| 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). |
Timeline to launch
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).
How Denver compares
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.
Plan your Denver restaurant
Use our break-even calculator to model your startup costs and find out how long it takes to recover your investment.
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