Portland, Oregon — Startup Costs
Restaurant Startup Costs in Portland
Opening a restaurant in Portland typically costs $150,000–$400,000 (neighborhood restaurant), $30,000–$80,000 (food cart). Here is the full breakdown — lease deposits, equipment, build-out, permits, inventory, and pre-opening costs — with real dollar ranges based on Portland market data.
Startup cost breakdown
| Cost item | Low | High | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lease deposit + first 3 months rent | $8,000 | $18,000 | 1,200 sqft at $22–30/sqft/year |
| Kitchen equipment | $40,000 | $75,000 | — |
| Build-out / tenant improvements | $50,000 | $130,000 | — |
| OLCC liquor license | $400 | $800 | — |
| Initial inventory | $7,000 | $12,000 | — |
| Permits (Multnomah County + Portland city) | $500 | $1,500 | — |
| Pre-opening labor & training | $10,000 | $20,000 | — |
| Marketing & opening | $6,000 | $15,000 | — |
| Total estimated range | $121,900 | $272,300 | 3–6 months from lease signing. OLCC license: 45–60 days. Multnomah County health: 2–4 weeks. Avoid winter construction (Nov–Feb) when rain delays are common. |
Timeline to launch
3–6 months from lease signing. OLCC license: 45–60 days. Multnomah County health: 2–4 weeks. Avoid winter construction (Nov–Feb) when rain delays are common.
How Portland compares
Portland 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.
Plan your Portland 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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