35+ Profitable Restaurant Ideas You Can Start Today [2023]
Interested in starting a restaurant business in 2023?
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 ($240K/year)
Nestor Nidome from Crestmore, California, USA started Elegante Catering ago, a catering business.
- Revenue: $20,000/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 10
- Location: Crestmore, California, USA
For as long as I can remember I have always been attracted to the idea of being a business owner. I’ve tried many businesses starting with my own DJ company. I got some business cards, printed them at Staples, passed them out, and waited for the calls.
It took a bit of time, but eventually, the calls started to come in and bookings started to happen. I did that for a couple of years until one of the DJ gigs some gangsters got into it and I was almost in the middle of a gang fight. Thank GOD things calmed down, but after that, I started looking for another business!
During this same time, the whole tech bubble was growing and I wanted a part of it. I took some coding classes in college and started using HTML to code my website from scratch. I kind of borrowed a lot of ideas from Yahoo but it was going to be mainly focused on my local city. I visited some businesses and got some of them to advertise. Things seemed to be going well when the bubble burst and I was once more left to venture out and look for something else.
2. ($18M/year)
Jeffrey Mora from Los Angeles, California, USA started Food Fleet about 11 years ago, a business.
- Revenue: $1,500,000/ month
- Founders: 2
- Employees: 6
- Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
We started the food truck business in 2012.
We kept finding it very difficult to find locations to operate. We had a booker that we used to find our locations but fell short and we let her go. I took over our booking and found that most people did not want to book just one truck, not only that they were upset that most of the time the trucks didn’t show up or were late.
We learned the real need was not only helping the trucks but providing a turnkey service for the corporations. This was a game-changer for us, we were really struggling financially.
3. Start a vegan restaurant ($360K/year)
Wen Raiti from Jacksonville, Florida, USA started The House of Leaf & Bean Inc. almost 7 years ago, a vegan restaurant.
- Revenue: $30,000/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 7
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Why did I leave my corporate job to become an entrepreneur? I want to pursue my passion for Healthy Living and Healthy Dieting. I was diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) in 2008. After seeing many doctors, undergoing a wide variety of examinations, tests, and scans, I was told that I have no problems with my body.
However, I know that I am not fine because I feel bloated even when I hungry. I decided to take charge of my own health and fate. I did a lot of research regarding digestive system problems. Some research outcomes resonated with me such as selecting the right food combinations, buying less processed foods, and using fresh, organic ingredients enable our system to more easily digest the food that we eat. Regular exercise, making sure to get enough sleep, regularly de-stressing through meditation or by being in nature was also important.
I started incorporating organic food into my diet and over time my whole pantry began to fill with organic produce and spices. I also began a routine of exercise and meditation, even when traveling, I gradually realized that my condition was improving. My IBS has been gone for the last couple of years. I look back and believe that changing my diet and lifestyle transformed my life and cured IBS.
4. Start a japanese restaurant ($21.6M/year)
Jimmy Liang from Quincy, Massachusetts, USA started JP Fuji Group over 24 years ago, a Japanese restaurant.
- Revenue: $1,800,000/ month
- Founders: 2
- Employees: 500
- Location: Quincy, Massachusetts, USA
I started learning how to make sushi when I was 14. I was taught by my sensei (a word for a teacher in Japanese) at a local Japanese restaurant. Then I realized that sushi wasn’t just my part-time job but it was my passion. When I became the youngest head sushi chef at 18, I also learned that a lot of customers followed me around to eat my food as I worked in different restaurants over the years. So I was inspired to open up my sushi restaurant to serve my not-so-little fan base which I managed to do so in the year 1998.
I was young and I knew that I could take the risk. Being a sushi chef was my best asset and even if I failed I’d still be young to go back to school so I decided to take the risk. In the year 1998, I was 19 at the time, my best friend and I decided to open up our sushi restaurant in Quincy, MA. With all the savings I accumulated from working as a sushi chef, I was finally able to open my restaurant. (Fun fact: our Fuji restaurant was the first-ever sushi restaurant opened in Quincy, MA)
Focus on building your superfans.
5. Develop a restaurant menu online designer tool ($3.6M/year)
Jim Williams from Ashland, OR, USA started MustHaveMenus ago, a restaurant menu online designer tool.
- Revenue: $300,000/ month
- Founders: 1
- Employees: 25
- Location: Ashland, OR, USA
The idea for MustHaveMenus was a simple one: to replace aging desktop publishing tools with a menu design tool on the web. We also envisioned a wide selection of templates that would make it easy for restaurants to establish all of the cornerstones of marketing: strong branding, strong communication, consistency, etc. We started with a more general market approach, testing different markets to see which were the most receptive and in need of online design. Wedding invitations were a strong one as were church programs. Both of those turned into standalone businesses on their own. But the one that got the team excited, because of our passion for restaurants and great food, was MustHaveMenus.
I can’t say it was an overnight success. The technology risk in this business is very high. Browsers simply couldn’t handle graphics and text placement well in the years before 2010. Our first true editor was available for restaurants by 2009, and we were the first on the web to do so. But this editor still had a lot of problems managing graphics like food photos and logos. Despite the challenges with the software, restaurants still rushed to join us as the power of work-from-anywhere and quick edits online proved appealing.
6. Start a waterfront restaurant business
Examples of a successful waterfront restaurant business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a waterfront restaurant business:
- What I Learned From Owning My Own Restaurant After 1 Year
- How To Easily Write A Restaurant Business Plan [Step-By-Step]
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Restaurant Business Start-up Guide (Real-World Business): Paul Daniels
- Opening A Restaurant Or Other Food Business Starter Kit: How To Prepare A Restaurant Business Plan & Feasibility Study: Sharon Fullen
Learn more about starting a waterfront restaurant business ➜
7. Start a buffet-only restaurant business
Examples of a successful buffet-only restaurant business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a buffet-only restaurant business:
- How All You Can Eat Restaurants Make Money
- What I Learned From Owning My Own Restaurant After 1 Year
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Restaurant Business Start-up Guide (Real-World Business): Paul Daniels
- The Everything Guide To Starting And Running A Catering Business: Insider's Advice On Turning Your Talent Into A Career
Learn more about starting a buffet-only restaurant business ➜
8. Start a restaurant supply business
Examples of a successful restaurant supply business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a restaurant supply business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- HOW TO START A RESTAURANT BUSINESS: Step By Step Guide To Starting A Restaurant Business And Making Massive Profit : Everything You Need To Know
- HOW TO START A RESTAURANT BUSINESS: Step By Step Guide To Starting A Restaurant Business And Making Massive Profit : Everything You Need To Know
Learn more about starting a restaurant supply business ➜
9. Start a restaurant reservation platform
Examples of a successful restaurant reservation platform:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a restaurant reservation platform:
- Tableagent - Free Restaurant Reservation System Intro
- Opentable Vs Resy: Restaurant Reservation Apps - The Barron Report Live
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Reservation Book For Restaurant 2022: Undated Restaurants
- How To Start, Run & Grow A Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide: Tim Hoffman
Learn more about starting a restaurant reservation platform ➜
10. Start a sea food restaurant
Examples of a successful sea food restaurant:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a sea food restaurant:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Food Truck Handbook: Start, Grow, And Succeed In The Mobile Food Business: David Weber
- Saltbox Seafood Joint Cookbook: Moore, Ricky
Learn more about starting a sea food restaurant ➜
11. Start an american food restaurant
Examples of a successful american food restaurant:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a american food restaurant:
- I Only Ate In American Fast Food Restaurants For 24hours..
- How To Open And Run A Successful Restaurant In 2020
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start, Run & Grow A Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide: Tim Hoffman
- Real American Food: Restaurants, Markets, And Shops Plus Favorite Hometown Recipes
Learn more about starting an american food restaurant ➜
Daniel Meyer established Shake Shack in 2004. When it started, he used to just sell hot dogs from a cart in Madison Square Park.
Meyer has gradually transformed the hotdog cart into a kiosk-style restaurant that serves gourmet burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, and crinkle-cut french fries.
In less than 20 years, Shake Shack has grown from a single hot dog stand to a global fast food chain with over 270 locations.
Shake Shack offers a lively & fun community hangout place with wide appeal thanks to its fresh, high-quality, and delicious food at an incredible price.
Read the full story on successstory.com ➜
12. Start a community restaurant guide business
Examples of a successful community restaurant guide business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a community restaurant guide business:
- How To Write A Business Plan For Restaurant In 2021
- How To Easily Write A Restaurant Business Plan [Step-By-Step]
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Complete Idiot's Guide To Starting A Restaurant, 2nd
- How To Start, Run & Grow A Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide: Tim Hoffman
Learn more about starting a community restaurant guide business ➜
13. Start a restaurant menus business
Examples of a successful restaurant menus business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a restaurant menus business:
- How To Easily Write A Restaurant Business Plan [Step-By-Step]
- How To Set Up A Restaurant In 8 Lacs Or Less
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start, Run & Grow A Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide: Tim Hoffman
- Opening A Restaurant Or Other Food Business Starter Kit: How To Prepare A Restaurant Business Plan & Feasibility Study: Sharon Fullen
14. Start a ghost restaurant business
Examples of a successful ghost restaurant business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a ghost restaurant business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Restaurant Business Start-up Guide (Real-World Business): Paul Daniels
- Ghostly Visions: Ghost For Rent And Ghost For Lunch
Learn more about starting a ghost restaurant business ➜
15. Start a restaurant meal delivery business
Examples of a successful restaurant meal delivery business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a restaurant meal delivery business:
- Want To Start A Food Delivery Company? Watch This First
- How To Start A Food Delivery Business In 2 Different Business Models
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start, Run & Grow A Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide: Tim Hoffman
- How To Start A Food Truck Business in 2020: How To Turn Your Passion Into A Profitable Business In 2020 Step By Step: Alex Johnson
Learn more about starting a restaurant meal delivery business ➜
16. Start a shipping container restaurant
Examples of a successful shipping container restaurant:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a shipping container restaurant:
- We Converted A Shipping Container Into A Portable Kitchen - Port Shipping Containers
- Shipping Container / Container Aménagé : Bar / Cafe Design
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Shipping Container Homes: The Complete Guide To Building Shipping Container Homes, Including Plans, Faqs, Cool Ideas, and More!
- Opening A Restaurant Or Other Food Business Starter Kit: How To Prepare A Restaurant Business Plan & Feasibility Study: Sharon Fullen
Learn more about starting a shipping container restaurant ➜
17. Start a hawaiian restaurant
Examples of a successful hawaiian restaurant:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a hawaiian restaurant:
- Hawaii Food Truck Business
- Where You Must Eat In Hawaii (10 Incredibly Delicious Spots) - Hawaiian Food Tour Oahu
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Business In Hawaii (Smartstart Series
- Hawaii Restaurant Guide 2005: Robert E. Carpenter, Cindy
Learn more about starting a hawaiian restaurant ➜
18. Start a roadside restaurant business
Examples of a successful roadside restaurant business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a roadside restaurant business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start, Run & Grow A Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide: Tim Hoffman
- The Restaurant Business Start-up Guide (Real-World Business): Paul Daniels
Learn more about starting a roadside restaurant business ➜
19. Start a beer garden restaurant
Examples of a successful beer garden restaurant:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a beer garden restaurant:
- The Most Profitable Jobs You Can Start With A Backyard & A Basement: Ale Cellar & Beer Garden!
- Stabbur Beer Garden At Al Johnson's
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a beer garden restaurant ➜
20. Start a restaurant washroom cleaning service business
Examples of a successful restaurant washroom cleaning service business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a restaurant washroom cleaning service business:
- How To Start A $62,000 Per Month Cleaning Business From Scratch (Pt. 1)
- How To Make $25k/Month On A Cleaning Business
Learn more about starting a restaurant washroom cleaning service business ➜
21. Start a restaurant placemats business
Examples of a successful restaurant placemats business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a restaurant placemats business:
- How To Write A Business Plan For Restaurant In 2021
- How To Easily Write A Restaurant Business Plan [Step-By-Step]
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start Your Own Advertising Business With Restaurant Placemats & Take-Out Menus: James P. Shannon
- How To Start, Run & Grow A Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide: Tim Hoffman
Learn more about starting a restaurant placemats business ➜
22. Start a pop-up restaurant
Examples of a successful pop-up restaurant:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a pop-up restaurant:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- PopUp Republic: How to Start Your Own Successful Pop-Up Space, Shop, or Restaurant: Jeremy Baras
- How To Run A Pop-Up Restaurant Or Supper Club: Aldis Abigail William
Learn more about starting a pop-up restaurant ➜
Hello, my name is Andrew Buehler, and I am the founder of Urban Smokehouse, the world’s first digitally native BBQ brand.
To date, we have spent zero dollars on marketing. I am now exploring digital marketing strategies to drive traffic to our website and events. I expect a significant uptick in traffic from the word of mouth and organic social media we have relied on thus far.
23. Start a cannabis restaurant
Examples of a successful cannabis restaurant:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cannabis restaurant:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Marijuana Business: How to Open and Successfully Run a Marijuana Dispensary and Grow Facility: Insider Knowledge From a Marijuana Millionaire Business Owner and an Industry Expert
- Start Your Own Cannabis Business: Your Step-By-Step Guide To The Marijuana Industry (Startup)
Learn more about starting a cannabis restaurant ➜
24. Start a fast food business
Examples of a successful fast food business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a fast food business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Food On Wheels: The Complete Guide To Starting A Food Truck, Food Cart, Or Other Mobile Food Business
- How To Start Your Own Business: The Facts Visually Explained
Learn more about starting a fast food business ➜
Hello, my name is Andrew Buehler, and I am the founder of Urban Smokehouse, the world’s first digitally native BBQ brand.
To date, we have spent zero dollars on marketing. I am now exploring digital marketing strategies to drive traffic to our website and events. I expect a significant uptick in traffic from the word of mouth and organic social media we have relied on thus far.
25. Open a cafe
Examples of a successful cafe:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cafe:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Daily Grind: How To Open & Run A Coffee Shop That Makes Money: Andrew J Bowen
- Starting Your Own Coffee Shop: Opening & Running A Successful Coffee Business: Jessica Simms
Learn more about starting a cafe ➜
My name is Beth Baxter and I co-founded Camper Cafe, a mobile coffee van business. The idea for our business started with my partner’s love for vintage VW campervans. He had a rusty old shell of a T25 Campervan given to him, that he wanted to convert into a trailer for his motorbikes.
Although we never really thought about this ever becoming more than just a lifestyle business, we found we were turning so much work away from that in 2019 when the company was turning over around £150k from working only 70 days of the year, we decided that I should go full-time to see the potential.
26. Start a brew pub business
Examples of a successful brew pub business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a brew pub business:
- How To Successfully Open Your Own Microbrewery (Pixeled Brewing, Fargo, Nd)
- Home Brewing | How to Start A Microbrewery
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The Brewers Association's Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery: Ray Daniels
- The Midnight Library: A Novel
Learn more about starting a brew pub business ➜
27. Start a fine dining business
Examples of a successful fine dining business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a fine dining business:
- 15 Things About Running A Restaurant Business
- Chef Thomas Keller On What It Takes To Open A Restaurant
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start, Run & Grow A Successful Restaurant Business: A Lean Startup Guide: Tim Hoffman
- How To Open Your Own Restaurant: A Guide For Entrepreneurs: Richard Ware
Learn more about starting a fine dining business ➜
28. Start a bar business
Examples of a successful bar business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bar business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Running A Bar For Dummies: Ray Foley
- Start & Run A Coffee Bar (Start & Run Business Series): Tom Matzen
Learn more about starting a bar business ➜
29. Start a takeaway hotels business
Examples of a successful takeaway hotels business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a takeaway hotels business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Run A Great Hotel: Everything You Need To Achieve Excellence In The Hotel Industry: Enda M. Larkin
- The Restaurant Manager's Handbook: How To Set Up, Operate, and Manage a Financially Successful Food Service Operation: Douglas Robert Brown
Learn more about starting a takeaway hotels business ➜
30. Start a juice bar
Examples of a successful juice bar:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a juice bar:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- The 7 Figure Juice Bar Business Master Class: Key mistakes to avoid / start and grow a successful juice bar without prior experience with this blueprint
- Juice Fasting: Ultimate Guide to Juice Fasting for Weight Loss and Body Detoxification!
Learn more about starting a juice bar ➜
31. Start a bakery
Examples of a successful bakery:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a bakery:
For further info, check out these books and products:
Learn more about starting a bakery ➜
Bonjour! My name is Anthony Rosemond. I'm a Parisian chef & founder of Pastreez, an online French bakery.
We’ve sold over 1 million macarons to this date, with only a team of two.
32. Open an ice cream parlour
Examples of a successful ice cream parlour:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a ice cream parlour:
- How To Start An Ice Cream Business In A Pandemic
- How To Start A Ice Cream Parlour Business And Earn Upto 1.5l
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start & Manage An Ice Cream Business: Lewis, Jerre
- How To Start An Ice Cream Shop: A Complete Ice Cream Shop & Gelato Parlor Business Plan
Learn more about starting an ice cream parlour ➜
Hello! My name is Stephen Layton and I am one of the founding members of The Good Scoop located in the greater Sacramento region. We make all of our own ice cream in house using fresh local and all-natural ingredients.
Some of our best selling and most popular flavors include our banana, rosewater, lavender, and salted cookies and cream. We use fresh seasonally available ingredients, so we use peaches in the summertime and apples in the fall. Some of our more interesting flavors include horchata, honey wasabi, peppermint bark, and olive oil.
33. Start a cloud kitchen business
Examples of a successful cloud kitchen business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a cloud kitchen business:
- How To Start A Cloud Kitchen In 20 Mins
- How To Start A Cloud Kitchen/Ghost Kitchen [Starter Guide] 2021
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Cloud Kitchen Business: Decoding The Cloud Kitchen
- How To Start A Cloud Kitchen In Usa And Get Ahead Of The
Learn more about starting a cloud kitchen business ➜
34. Start a quick service food kiosk business
Examples of a successful quick service food kiosk business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a quick service food kiosk business:
For further info, check out these books and products:
- Food Kiosk: How To Start A Food Kiosk Business So You Can
- Food Kiosk: How To Start A Food Kiosk Business
Learn more about starting a quick service food kiosk business ➜
35. Start a home cooking business
Examples of a successful home cooking business:
Here are some great videos on how to get started with a home cooking business:
- How To Sell Food From Home [How To Start A Small Food Business From Home] 10 Steps
- How To Start A Catering Business From Home
For further info, check out these books and products:
- How To Start A Home-Based Personal Chef Business (Home-Based Business Series): Denise Vivaldo
- Start & Run A Home-Based Food Business: Mimi Shotland Fix
Learn more about starting a home cooking business ➜
- Rosanna Pansino is one of the highest-paid personalities on YouTube.
- She has 13.7 million subscribers on her YouTube channel.
- She creates cooking videos which are typically 15-20 minutes long.
- Every year, she earns over $5 million from her various entertainment endeavors.
Read the full story on forbes.com ➜
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
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