How much does it cost to start a restaurant in San Francisco?

Starting a restaurant in San Francisco costs approximately $545,234 in the first year — $248,810 upfront and $24,702/month in ongoing costs, adjusted for San Francisco's cost of living (179.0% of the national average).

What is the LLC filing fee in CA?

The LLC filing fee in CA is $70. California LLCs must pay an $800 minimum annual franchise tax regardless of revenue.

How does San Francisco's viability score compare to other cities?

San Francisco scores 63/100 across four dimensions: entry cost (4/25), market opportunity (20/25), business climate (14/25), and labor costs (25/25). Compare with other cities using the table below.

Should I Start a Restaurant in San Francisco? (2026 Viability Score)

Q: Should I start a restaurant in San Francisco?

Based on 2026 data, San Francisco scores 63/100 for restaurant viability — a good fit rating. The score factors in $248,810 in startup costs (adjusted for San Francisco's 179.0% cost-of-living index), $70 LLC filing fee, SUTA tax rate of 0.034%, and a workers' comp rate of 0.0154%.

Restaurant viability in San Francisco, CA — 63/100 (Good Fit). Scores four factors: startup cost, market size, business climate, and labor taxes.

No signup No tracking Last updated March 2026 Open Methodology →

Data current as of March 2026 Sources: SBA, BLS, Secretary of State filings, COLI data

63 / 100

Good Fit

San Francisco is a good fit for a restaurant in 2026. The city scores well on multiple factors. First-year costs run approximately $545,234 — $248,810 upfront plus $24,702/month — adjusted for San Francisco's cost-of-living index of 179.0 (79% above the US average).

Score Breakdown

4/25

Entry Cost

First-year startup cost adjusted for COL

$545,234 year one

20/25

Market Size

Population × spending power

873,965 residents

14/25

Business Climate

LLC fees + state income tax

$70 LLC filing fee

25/25

Labor Costs

SUTA + workers' comp rates

SUTA 0.034% · WC 0.0154%

Cost Snapshot for San Francisco

Item	Amount
One-time startup costs	$248,810
Monthly operating costs	$24,702/mo
First-year total	$545,234
LLC filing fee (CA)	$70
Employer SUTA rate (CA)	0.034%
Workers' comp rate (CA)	0.0154%
Cost-of-living index	179.0 (US avg = 100)

All costs adjusted for San Francisco's cost-of-living index. National averages used for worker cost rates.

How San Francisco Compares

City	Score	COL Index	Verdict
San Francisco, CA (this city)	63	179.0	Good Fit
Miami, FL	61	123.0	Good Fit
Austin, TX	60	103.0	Good Fit
Seattle, WA	60	149.0	Good Fit

Go Deeper

Can I Afford It?

Enter your savings and financing to see your funding gap for a restaurant in San Francisco.

Profitability Calculator

Model monthly revenue, margins, and break-even for a restaurant in San Francisco.

Full Cost Breakdown

Line-by-line startup cost breakdown for a restaurant in San Francisco.

Form an LLC in CA

Step-by-step guide to registering your restaurant as an LLC in CA.

How the Viability Score Works

The score combines four data-driven dimensions, each worth up to 25 points. It measures conditions in San Francisco, not your personal finances — a low score means the environment is harder, not that the business can't succeed.

Entry Cost (0–25)

First-year startup cost adjusted for San Francisco's cost-of-living index. Lower cost markets score higher.

Market Size (0–25)

City population scaled by cost-of-living index (a proxy for consumer spending power). Larger, wealthier markets score higher.

Business Climate (0–25)

LLC filing fee, annual report fees, and whether the state has a personal income tax. Lower fees and no income tax score higher.

Labor Costs (0–25)

State SUTA (unemployment tax) rate and workers' compensation rate. Lower payroll tax burden scores higher.

Data sources: SBA.gov (LLC fees), BLS QCEW (SUTA rates), NCCI (workers' comp), COLI (cost-of-living). Updated 2026.

Estimates only. These results are based on publicly available data and standard formulas. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances. This calculator does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for advice on your situation.

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