Restaurant startup costs
Kitchen equipment, fit-out, licensing, inventory and staffing.
Startup Cost Guides
Startup Costs
Industry-specific startup cost guides covering the expense categories that decide whether a new business works — equipment, space, permits, staffing and the other common costs founders under-budget.
- 38 industry guides
- Equipment, space, permits, staffing
- Plan the numbers with AI
How to use these guides
Start with the cost categories, then model your own numbers.
Every guide breaks startup costs into the same practical groups: equipment and build-out, premises, permits and licensing, insurance, opening inventory, staffing and working capital. Amounts vary by location, premises and scale, so treat each category as a line to research locally rather than a fixed price.
- Pick your industry — open the cost guide and work through each category
- Plan the business — use the AI business plan generator to build the section-by-section plan around those numbers
- Compare structures — browse industry templates or the planning blueprint
Browse by industry
Startup costs by industry.
Each card opens the full cost breakdown for that industry, and the planning link starts the same business model as an AI-drafted plan.
Food & Beverage
Coffee shop startup costs
Espresso equipment, lease and fit-out, inventory and permits.
Bakery startup costs
Ovens, leased space, ingredients, packaging and permits.
Food truck startup costs
Truck or trailer, build-out, permits, commissary and stock.
Pizza business startup costs
Ovens, dough preparation, lease, permits and staffing.
Ice cream shop startup costs
Display and production equipment, lease, ingredients and permits.
Dessert shop startup costs
Display and kitchen equipment, lease, ingredients and staffing.
Bar startup costs
Lease and build-out, licensing, inventory, glassware and staffing.
Retail & E-commerce
Retail store startup costs
Lease and fit-out, fixtures, opening inventory, POS and licensing.
Convenience store startup costs
Shelving, refrigeration, inventory, POS and licensing.
Clothing business startup costs
Inventory, retail space or e-commerce setup, packaging and marketing.
Clothing boutique startup costs
Rent, fit-out, opening inventory, fixtures and POS.
T-shirt business startup costs
Printing equipment, blanks, design software and packaging.
Candle business startup costs
Wax, wicks, fragrance, pouring equipment and packaging.
Dropshipping startup costs
Store platform, supplier terms, paid traffic and returns handling.
Trades & Property Services
Construction company startup costs
Tools, vehicles, licensing, insurance, bonding and crew.
HVAC business startup costs
Tools, van and equipment, licensing, insurance and inventory.
Pressure washing startup costs
Washer, surface cleaners, vehicle, water access and insurance.
Auto repair shop startup costs
Lifts, diagnostic tools, bay lease, permits and insurance.
Auto detailing startup costs
Polishers, steam and pressure equipment, supplies and insurance.
Car wash startup costs
Tunnel or bay equipment, water and drainage, site lease and permits.
Transport & Logistics
Trucking company startup costs
Truck or tractor purchase, authority, insurance, fuel and maintenance.
Hotshot trucking startup costs
Truck and trailer, insurance, authority and maintenance.
Dump truck business startup costs
Truck purchase or finance, insurance, licensing and maintenance reserve.
Beauty, Care & Community
Nail salon startup costs
Stations, pedicure chairs, ventilation, products and licensing.
Mobile nail salon startup costs
Vehicle, portable equipment, products, licensing and booking software.
Home health agency startup costs
Licensing, caregiver recruitment, insurance, software and training.
Transitional housing startup costs
Property acquisition or lease, licensing, furnishing and compliance.
Event planning startup costs
Licensing, insurance, software, portfolio shoots and vendor deposits.
Photography business startup costs
Camera bodies and lenses, lighting, editing software and insurance.
Laser engraving startup costs
Laser and ventilation, software, materials and workspace.
Fitness, Leisure & Storage
Gym startup costs
Strength and cardio equipment, floor space, fit-out and insurance.
Bowling alley startup costs
Lanes and pinsetters, fit-out, scoring systems and concessions.
Storage units startup costs
Land or building, unit construction, security, gates and software.
Laundromat startup costs
Washers, dryers, utilities and venting, lease and build-out.
Vending, Digital & Smart Models
Vending machine startup costs
Machines, location agreements, inventory and payment processing.
ATM business startup costs
Machine purchase, placement fees, cash loading and processing.
Crypto mining startup costs
Rigs, electricity and cooling, hosting or facility space.
From costs to plan
Cost estimates are half of it. Then the plan has to hold together.
Once you have a working cost model, the generator turns it into a structured business plan — research, market analysis, financial projections and a written draft you can refine and export.
Build Your Business Plan