Internet research revealed a few sources with ranges of costs associated with opening both a restaurant and a bar.

According to the most recent post (from March 30) on webstaurantstore.com, a foodservice supply website, “Starting a restaurant can cost anywhere from $180,000 to $800,000, with various factors influencing the final bill. The average cost of opening a restaurant is $275,000 or $3,046 per cover for a leased space, according to a recent survey.” That refers to a survey of 350 restaurant owners referenced on restaurantowner.com, in which the total startup costs (for low, medium and upper-level markets, respectively) are $175,500, $375,500 and $750,500. The construction-cost portions of each are $70,000, $200,000 and $472,500.

Myriad costs are associated with opening a restaurant, but sage.com (accounting software) did include specific amounts for signage and advertising (combined): “… you’ll want to make a splash with your grand opening. To make it really count, you’re looking at about $20,000 to $30,000 up front.” Not bad, depending on how much of that is for the signage and how much is for advertising.



Bar costs can range anywhere between $100,000 and $850,000, according to investopedia.com. According to sage.com: “While costs can vary quite a bit, the average cost to open a pub from the ground up is about $480,000 — although costs can range from $110,000 on the low end to $850,000 on the high end … every bar needs a sign. You’ll spend about $1,000 on average.” 

You should look at your signs as being 90% of your yearly advertising budget since this is likely to draw in more patrons than any other method. The higher end the restaurant the higher end the sign needs to be should go without saying. You also need to compete with your restaurant neighbors so look to their signs as well as to what type you should display.