Fulfil your dream and finally open your own restaurant - here's how

Have you been toying with the idea of opening your own restaurant for a while? Find out below what requirements are needed, how much it will cost and what else you can look out for.

The most important things in brief

Legally speaking, you don't need any training or a degree to open your own restaurant.

If you want to open a restaurant, you need a good concept and sufficient start-up capital. A business plan is therefore essential.

Before you can open a restaurant as a founder, it is important that you calculate costs and plan possible sources of financing.

Opening your own restaurant in Germany: Requirements

Did you already know? You can open a restaurant without training or a degree. However, it is worthwhile if you have a certain amount of expertise and know your business inside out. It is also important that you are flexible and able to work under pressure. Catering is not an easy industry!

Opening a restaurant: Calculate costs and write a business plan

Before you can accept congratulations on opening a restaurant, you still have a few steps ahead of you. The most important is the business plan! Describe your planned concept, carry out a market and location analysis and calculate the costs.

Add up the following four components:

Start-up costs: all costs that will be incurred if you want to open your restaurant

One-off investment costs such as remodelling measures, costs for equipping your restaurant

Ongoing costs: all amounts incurred on a monthly basis, for example rent/lease, entrepreneur's salary and staff costs

Reserve: Don't forget to plan your liquidity. Your buffer should be around 20 % of your total capital requirements.

All beginnings are difficult!

Opening a restaurant in Germany: Which legal form is required?

Many entrepreneurs opt for a limited liability company (UG or GmbH) or a civil-law partnership (GbR). However, there is no preferred legal form if you want to open your own restaurant. It is worth consulting a tax advisor or lawyer when making your choice. Depending on the legal form, different costs and requirements (e.g. bookkeeping) may arise.

Do you need help deciding? Digitale Gründung connects you with experts, lawyers and tax advisors as a one-stop solution. Uncomplicated and 100% digital.

How do I open a restaurant? Formalities at a glance

Your business plan is ready? Congratulations, you're getting closer to your dream. These are the most important registrations and official procedures - what do you need to apply for, how and where?

Trade licence - varies regionally between €20 and €40 - at the trade office

Restaurant licence (if alcoholic drinks are offered) - varies regionally between €50 and €400 - at the public order office

Rental or lease agreement for the premises - Do you need a catering licence? Then you should obtain the contract first. - Landlord

Cash security regulation - at the tax office

First hygiene inspection - others will follow after the establishment - at the public health department

Insurance

1. public liability insurance

2. commercial legal protection

3. business contents insurance

Opening your own restaurant and managing your first sales

As a restaurateur, larger sales are part of your daily business. For this reason, a structured cash book is essential. Most founders use a simple profit and loss account (or EÜR) in their bookkeeping to determine their profits.

Good to know: Pay attention to sales revenue and the annual financial statements. Not every restaurateur is required to keep accounts.

Opening a restaurant: Good chance of success

The catering industry is not an easy one. Nevertheless, with a good concept and a structured business plan, you can hold your own against the competition. Don't forget to think about your marketing strategies right from the start.

FAQ

How much does it cost to open a restaurant?

Franchise companies usually require six-figure sums. Founders who are opening a small restaurant are best advised to calculate costs of several tens of thousands of euros.

How do I design the menu?

In addition to the classic book, it is also possible to design a digital menu. This can be updated more quickly and takes the pressure off your service staff.

Is it worth opening a restaurant?

If you have a good concept and calculate the costs realistically, you have a chance of success.