Houston, Texas — Startup Costs
Opening a restaurant in Houston typically costs $120,000–$400,000 (second-gen space); $200,000–$550,000 (shell build-out). Here is the full breakdown — lease deposits, equipment, build-out, permits, inventory, and pre-opening costs — with real dollar ranges based on Houston market data.
| Cost item | Low | High | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lease deposit + first 3 months rent | $8,000 | $25,000 | 1,500 sqft at $20–35/sqft; second-gen spaces cut this significantly |
| Kitchen equipment | $35,000 | $75,000 | Second-gen saves 30–50% if hood/grease trap included |
| Build-out / tenant improvements | $40,000 | $180,000 | $40–80/sqft second-gen vs. $90–180/sqft shell space |
| TABC liquor license | $1,000 | $6,000 | — |
| Initial inventory & smallwares | $8,000 | $15,000 | — |
| Permits, licenses & health inspection | $1,500 | $3,000 | — |
| Pre-opening labor & training | $7,000 | $14,000 | — |
| Marketing & grand opening | $4,000 | $12,000 | — |
| Total estimated range | $104,500 | $330,000 | 3–5 months from lease signing. TABC processing: 30–60 days. Houston Health: 2–3 weeks. Second-gen spaces can open 4–6 weeks faster than shell build-outs due to existing infrastructure. |
3–5 months from lease signing. TABC processing: 30–60 days. Houston Health: 2–3 weeks. Second-gen spaces can open 4–6 weeks faster than shell build-outs due to existing infrastructure.
Houston restaurant startup costs are in the middle range, with the primary differentiator being local commercial rent and wage levels. 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: 2026-07-02. Data drawn from: