35+ Profitable Restaurant Ideas You Can Start Today [2024]
Interested in starting a restaurant business in 2024?
We put together 35 of the best restaurant businesses you can start in today.
For each business idea, we’ll show you real-world examples of other restaurant businesses to help you see what it really takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a catering business
A catering business is responsible for providing food & beverage-related services for vast types of events.
Catering businesses are known to be more flexible than other businesses because they don’t have to worry about location or pricing and can even work 24/7. They can cater anywhere and offer any price point that they want.
However, starting a catering business requires a lot of planning.
To start a successful catering business , you'll need to plan and prepare menus, manage budgets, handle clients, and more.
In addition, catering allows you to meet more people and show off your cooking skills.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Elegante Catering founder, Nestor Nidome, details his journey from failed DJ business to a $20k/month catering company, emphasizing the importance of online marketing and customer feedback as key contributors to his success.
2. Start a food delivery business
In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.
The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.
You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.
How much you can make: $14,000 — $1,800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.
3. Start a food startup
Starting a food business can involve opening your own restaurant, bakery, food truck, cake shop, or even starting a business or blog online.
Other kinds of food businesses include manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Food businesses prepare a wide range of foods such as snacks, sweets, and meals to sell directly to consumers and also include cafeterias at workplaces and similar facilities.
If you have a passion for food, starting a food business can be an extremely fun, challenging, and rewarding business venture.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Trini Pepper Sauce co-founder and co-owner, Mustafa Mannan, shares how he successfully imported and manufactured his family's unique pepper sauce recipe and launched it through a Kickstarter campaign, now selling an average of $3,000/month in revenue.
4. Start a Japanese restaurant
Imagine introducing the rich culture and exquisite flavors of Japan to your community. A Japanese restaurant is a culinary venture where you offer authentic dishes, from sushi and ramen to tempura and sashimi, making each meal an experience.
Starting this business involves more than just a passion for Japanese cuisine. You need to source high-quality ingredients, design a welcoming space, and hire skilled chefs who can prepare traditional recipes. The commitment to authenticity will set your restaurant apart and create a loyal customer base.
While it requires dedication and hard work, owning a Japanese restaurant taps into a growing interest in diverse dining experiences. If you aspire to bring the artistry and tastes of Japan to local diners, this business could be your ideal venture.
How much you can make: $1,800,000/month
This case study is about the founder of a 9-location sushi restaurant group, generating annual sales of $20 million, who started his business by focusing on building superfans through superior customer service and expertly prepared cuisine.
5. Develop a restaurant menu online designer tool
Crafting restaurant menus has never been more critical, and now there's a tool to make it both easy and engaging—an online restaurant menu designer. This intuitive platform allows restaurateurs to design, update, and publish their menus with minimal hassle.
Picture transforming your restaurant’s presentation with a few clicks—choosing templates, adjusting layouts, adding images, and tweaking descriptions, all in real-time. Your menu can evolve as quickly as your culinary inspirations, without printing delays or costs.
Not just for tech-savvy individuals, this tool is designed for anyone who wants to bring creativity and efficiency to their restaurant’s marketing efforts. You'll save both time and money, allowing you to focus on what you do best: creating unforgettable dining experiences.
If you’re eyeing a business idea that harmonizes creativity, tech, and the ever-growing food industry, this online menu designer tool is worth your attention.
How much you can make: $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $50 (?)
MustHaveMenus is a cloud-based design and print service for restaurants that allows them to quickly create professional menus and marketing materials in just a few clicks, using templates and an easy-to-use editor, making it a one-stop-shop for all their design needs.
6. Start a waterfront restaurant business
7. Start a buffet-only restaurant business
8. Start a restaurant supply business
9. Start a restaurant reservation platform
A restaurant reservation platform lets customers reserve a table while restaurateurs oversee bookings, cancelations and no-shows. The reservation software may also feature a waitlist tool, a visual table management and handles payments.
The hotel and restaurant business has become more competitive, and restaurants are focusing on improving service delivery. An example of a great approach is investing in table reservation software, which delivers a more predictable wait time. A restaurant reservation platform helps businesses optimize seating layouts to accommodate more customers.
Therefore, building a restaurant reservation system can be a great idea if you want to start a hospitality business.
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 720 days (?)
10. Start a sea food restaurant
Seafood restaurants can be a fun way to become an entrepreneur and earn a living. Start by picking the type of seafood restaurant to open. This is especially important if the target area has other seafood establishments. Then, create a working budget and write a good business plan for a seafood establishment. Secure working capital and legitimize your business to avoid trouble with the local authorities.
Finally, contract reliable seafood suppliers, hire staff and market your business.
11. Start an american food restaurant
Craving a slice of the American dream? Consider opening an American food restaurant. Picture a dining spot serving hearty burgers, crispy fried chicken, and classic apple pie—your gateway into the local food scene.
Starting this business involves more than just a love for good food. You'll need to secure a location, navigate permits, and craft a menu that caters to a broad audience. Then comes the hiring of a talented team, from chefs to waitstaff, who share your passion.
The beauty of an American food restaurant lies in its universal appeal. People love familiarity and comfort, especially when it comes to food. By offering well-loved American dishes, you cater to a wide range of customers, from families to food enthusiasts.
If you’re looking to combine entrepreneurial spirit with culinary creativity, this venture offers a rewarding challenge. Serve up a taste of Americana and build a community around great food.
12. Start a community restaurant guide business
13. Start a restaurant menu business
A restaurant menus business involves designing, creating, and printing menus for restaurants, cafes, and other dining establishments.
You will work closely with restaurant owners to craft visually appealing and informative menus that showcase the establishment’s offerings.
By providing a professional and enticing menu, the restaurant menus business helps restaurants attract customers and enhance their overall dining experience.
The opportunity is lucrative due to the continuous demand for menu updates, redesigns, and high-quality prints. This is because restaurants strive to stay competitive and maintain an attractive presentation for their customers.
How much you can make: $300,000/month
MustHaveMenus is a cloud-based design and print service for restaurants that allows them to quickly create professional menus and marketing materials in just a few clicks, using templates and an easy-to-use editor, making it a one-stop-shop for all their design needs.
14. Start a ghost restaurant business
15. Start a restaurant meal delivery business
Consumer demand for food delivery services has risen steadily. Starting a restaurant meal delivery business can be a rewarding business.
You can start your restaurant with a food delivery service or partner with reliable restaurants to fulfill the orders. Create a food ordering app, and market your business.
16. Start a shipping container restaurant
17. Start a hawaiian restaurant
18. Start a roadside restaurant business
19. Start a beer garden restaurant
A beer garden restaurant is an outdoor dining establishment that serves a variety of beers and delicious food in a relaxed setting.
Customers can enjoy their meals and drinks in an open-air space, often surrounded by greenery or under a canopy.
The main attraction is the extensive selection of beers, ranging from local craft brews to popular international brands.
The goal is to create a social and communal atmosphere, encouraging patrons to gather, unwind, and share good times.
With picnic-style seating, friendly service, and a laid-back vibe, a beer garden restaurant is an ideal spot for friends and families to come together and savor both great beer and tasty food.
20. Start a restaurant washroom cleaning service business
21. Start a restaurant placemats business
22. Start a pop-up restaurant
Are you passionate about food but daunted by the complexities of running a full-scale restaurant? Consider a pop-up restaurant.
A pop-up restaurant is a temporary dining experience that sets up shop in unique, often unexpected locations for a limited time.
It's a fantastic way to test culinary concepts, build a following, and create buzz without the hefty investment required for a permanent establishment. You can focus on the quality of your menu and the dining experience, rather than long-term overhead costs.
Whether you’re a seasoned chef or an aspiring foodie entrepreneur, the transient nature of a pop-up lets you play with flavors and themes to gauge public interest. With careful planning and the right marketing strategy, a pop-up restaurant can turn your culinary dreams into reality, offering an innovative and flexible path into the food industry.
How much you can make: $124,998/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Andrew Buehler launched Urban Smokehouse, the world’s first digitally native BBQ brand, through a Summer Kickstarter campaign, raising over $30,000 in pre-orders; since then, the company has achieved monthly sales of over $5,000 split between their website and in-person pop-ups and events, relying heavily on word of mouth and organic social media.
23. Start a cannabis restaurant
24. Start a fast food business
Fast food kiosks utilize ordering kiosks where patrons order food before taking a seat. The business model cuts the wait times by offering faster service and sending orders directly to the kitchen.
Starting a food kiosk allows you to reach a wider audience and comes with a reduced burden on staff. Therefore, food kiosks are a low-expense business with the potential to generate higher profits.
How much you can make: $124,998/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Andrew Buehler launched Urban Smokehouse, the world’s first digitally native BBQ brand, through a Summer Kickstarter campaign, raising over $30,000 in pre-orders; since then, the company has achieved monthly sales of over $5,000 split between their website and in-person pop-ups and events, relying heavily on word of mouth and organic social media.
25. Open a cafe
A charming and profitable venture worth considering is opening your own café. Imagine a cozy corner where people gather to enjoy good coffee, delicious pastries, and the comforting hum of conversation—this is the essence of a café.
Starting a café involves securing a location, developing a unique menu, hiring skilled staff, and marketing your new hotspot to attract customers. It's a venture that combines culinary arts, hospitality, and community-building.
The allure of owning a café lies in creating a welcoming space that becomes a daily ritual for patrons, a place where stories are shared and friendships are forged. If you’re passionate about coffee culture and enjoy creating inviting atmospheres, this could be a highly rewarding business idea. Embrace the challenge, and you could become the heart of your local community.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $108,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 95 days (?)
This case study follows the co-founder of Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business which started as a hobby and now has 6 units that supply the UK's biggest sporting events, commercial and film shoots, generating around £150k from working only 70 days of the year.
26. Start a brew pub business
A brewpub is a unique business that combines the atmosphere of a pub with the craft of brewing beer on-site. In simple terms, it's a place where people can enjoy freshly brewed beer along with a variety of food options.
Imagine a cozy spot where you can sip on handcrafted beers, often made right in the same building, while indulging in a menu of delicious pub-style meals.
Brew pubs offer a social and casual setting, making them a popular choice for friends and family to gather, enjoy good company, and savor the taste of locally brewed beer.
If you’re passionate about brewing and creating a welcoming space for people to relax and enjoy quality drinks and food, a brew pub might be the perfect business venture for you.
How much you can make: $120,000/month
Progress Brewing, a craft beer company in South El Monte, saw continuous growth of 12-14% every month for 16 months straight and hopes to break $2M revenue in 2019 with a focus on high-value non-hype beer, excellent customer service, and providing an overall enjoyable experience.
27. Start a fine dining business
28. Start a bar business
Opening a bar can be a compelling business venture. Picture a space where people unwind after a long day, celebrate milestones, or just savor the comfort of their favorite drink. In simple terms, a bar business involves creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment where guests can enjoy a range of beverages, from craft cocktails to regional beers.
By appealing to diverse tastes and offering unique themes or entertainment, you can draw a loyal clientele. There's also the flexibility to host events, tastings, or live music nights, adding layers of engagement to the customer experience.
However, it’s crucial to understand the commitment involved. This includes navigating licenses, managing suppliers, and fostering an exceptional customer service standard. The rewards can be gratifying, knowing you’ve created a cherished spot in the community. If you’re eager to craft memorable moments and provide stellar hospitality, starting a bar might just be your calling.
How much you can make: $3,500/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Denver Pub Crawl is a US-European hybrid experience for tourists and locals run by Tyler, with operations that not only were able to scale around variables like capacity and number of attendees, but also managed to grow his team from two part-time members to a team of four, including a paid intern, while answering the question of what the future looks like: continuing to push, grow, and create.
29. Start a takeaway hotels business
30. Start a juice bar
The increasing popularity of healthy juices and low start-up costs make starting a healthy juice shop appealing.
To start a healthy fresh juice business, prepare a business plan, create juice recipes and ensure you have the licenses and permits to sell fresh juice. Locate local producers and source fresh fruits for your business.
31. Start a bakery
Everyone loves baked goods, be it sweet items like cakes, muffins, and cookies or savory baked food like pizzas, buns, bread, and puff pastry. Baking takes a lot of effort and patience, which is why many people buy baked items from stores or restaurants instead of baking them at home.
Starting a bakery can be a rewarding business opportunity if you have a passion for baking. If you plan to start a bakery, consider that happy customers often become repeat customers. Therefore, always focus on quality and work on customer satisfaction.
To start a bakery , pick an ideal format. Some options include:
- Counter-style bakery
- A hybrid bakery with a cafe,
- Food truck with a bakery
- Home bakery.
Write a suitable business plan and choose the correct location.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $25,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
French chef and founder of online bakery Pastreez, Anthony Rosemond, shares keys to success including validating ideas with the market, focusing on SEO and organic growth, building customer relationships through email and SMS, never offering discounts but offering freebies, and diversifying the business with new products and content on social media.
32. Open an ice cream parlour
Ice cream is something that people of all ages equally enjoy globally, making it a profitable business to venture into.
This frozen dessert industry has registered massive growth in recent years, a trend that shows the industry’s potential.
If you are looking to start your ice cream business, follow these steps:
- Decide whether to make your ice cream or to source from established ice cream brands
- Write an effective business plan for the ice cream shop detailing the goals, strategies, and plans
- Fund your business idea
- Choose a spacious shop in an area with plenty of foot traffic
- Offer different ice cream flavors
Opening an ice cream parlor is not easy work. However, if you do it right, it is rewarding and can be a lot of fun.
How much you can make: $16,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 730 days (?)
The Good Scoop, a California-based artisanal ice cream shop, started with a small Italian countertop ice cream maker and now has a production facility, wholesaling to various venues, offering frequent scooper programs, and using Instagram as their primary advertising platform.
33. Start a cloud kitchen business
What is a cloud kitchen business? A cloud kitchen business is a type of mobile catering business. It's a growing trend where chefs prepare food in their own kitchens, then deliver it to events and venues via bike or car.
Starting a cloud kitchen is a great way to get your foot in the door of a business and make some extra cash. Cloud kitchens are popular because they allow you to participate in a wide range of meals, from small lunches to large dinners, without having to invest in expensive equipment or supplies.
Follow these steps to get started:
Identify the type of food you want to serve—you might want to focus on one type of cuisine or try something new each day.
Research local restaurants that offer similar meals so that you can get an idea of what people like and what works well in your area.
Find a reliable space where you can prepare food safely and efficiently—this will be where most of your equipment will go!
Talk with potential customers about what they're looking for in terms of price and quality; this will help guide how much profit margin should be included in each meal's cost (and how much money you'll need).
34. Start a quick service food kiosk business
Strapped for time but excited about starting a business? A quick service food kiosk might be your answer. This concept involves setting up a small, standalone station that serves fast meals to a busy crowd.
Whether it’s a coffee stand, smoothie bar, or hotdog cart, the focus is on speed and convenience. You'll need a good location—think high foot-traffic areas like office complexes, university campuses, or outdoor markets. Licensing, health permits, and a streamlined menu are crucial.
Why consider this? It's simpler to manage than a full-blown restaurant, requires less capital, and offers the flexibility to pivot based on customer preferences. Start mornings with a breakfast menu and transition to lunch seamlessly. It's hard work, but with the right approach, it can be a highly rewarding venture that meets the fast-paced lifestyle of today's consumers.
How much you can make: $15,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
This case study article highlights the success story of Dohful Cookies, India's first soft-baked cookie company, founded by Arushi and Chaman in 2018. They targeted young people aged 18-30 who are well-traveled, aware of global food trends, and eager to try high-quality global food products in India. The cookies are 100% eggless, made with pantry ingredients, and without any preservatives or additives. With a focus on SEO, influencer partnerships, and community-building through social media, they have attracted and retained customers. They are now expanding their sales channels to Amazon and opening a brick-and-mortar store in New Delhi.
35. Start a home cooking business
Ever thought about turning your culinary talents into a business? A home cooking business could be your ideal venture. Simply put, this involves preparing and selling home-cooked meals to local clients.
This business model allows you to showcase your cooking skills to a paying audience right from your home kitchen. You can specialize in comfort foods, healthy meal preps, or gourmet dishes—whatever suits your expertise and market demand.
Interest in home-cooked meals has surged, with people eager for fresh, personalized dining options. Plus, it offers you flexibility and the comfort of working from home, supporting a balanced lifestyle.
Starting a home cooking business does require adhering to local health and safety regulations and effective marketing to build a customer base. If you have a passion for cooking and a drive to share your culinary creations, this could be a rewarding business opportunity.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
