Open a restaurant; by format, by city
Each format has different capex, different localities, and different operating risks. Pick a format below to see real economics and the playbook for opening one in your city.
QSR
₹12–30 L capex · ₹1.6–4.2 L/mo fixedQuick-service restaurant — counter-led, high turn, take-away dominant.
Risk: Margin lives or dies on packaging cost + delivery aggregator commission.
Casual Dining
₹25–70 L capex · ₹2.8–7.5 L/mo fixedSit-down dine-in with full menu, alcohol optional, 40-100 seats.
Risk: Rent + labour + interior depreciation are the big three.
Cloud Kitchen
₹6–18 L capex · ₹1–3 L/mo fixedDelivery-only, 1-3 brands per kitchen, no dine-in.
Risk: 100% aggregator-channel; commission + ad spend can flip orders to negative margin.
Café
₹15–45 L capex · ₹1.8–5.5 L/mo fixedCoffee + small-plate menu, social workspace draw, 20-60 seats.
Risk: Coffee bean FX + dairy spikes are the silent killer.
Fine Dining
₹60–200 L capex · ₹6–18 L/mo fixedPremium ticket, plated service, alcohol heavy, 30-80 seats.
Risk: Liquor licence + premium location rent; weekend-only revenue concentration.
Dhaba / Casual Highway
₹8–25 L capex · ₹1.2–3.5 L/mo fixedHighway/roadside, large-batch cooking, truck + family draw.
Risk: LPG + diesel + mandi exposure; weekend tourist + truck-driver mix.
Ice Cream / Dessert Parlour
₹8–22 L capex · ₹1–2.8 L/mo fixedDessert-led, summer-weighted, small format.
Risk: Power outages + freezer downtime is catastrophic.
Sweet Shop / Mithai
₹10–30 L capex · ₹1.4–4 L/mo fixedFestival-weighted dessert + namkeen retail.
Risk: Festival concentration risk; 60% of sales in 8 weeks/year.