Dallas, TX Restaurant Guide

How to Open a Restaurant in Dallas

Launch in Texas's business capital with corporate dining demand and suburban growth

Dallas Restaurant Market Overview

$12 billion

Market Size

10,000+

Restaurants

800+

New/Year

$1.2 million/year

Avg Revenue

1.3 million (city) / 7.6 million (metro)

Population

$54,000

Median Income

Dallas Restaurant Startup Costs

Small Restaurant

Small cafe or quick-service (under 30 seats)

$130,000 - $300,000

Most Common

Medium Restaurant

Casual dining restaurant (30-80 seats)

$300,000 - $650,000

Large Restaurant

Fine dining or large venue (80+ seats)

$650,000 - $1,600,000

* Costs vary by neighborhood, concept, and build-out requirements

Best Neighborhoods for Restaurants in Dallas

Location is everything. Here are the top neighborhoods for different restaurant concepts.

Uptown

Young professionals

Avg Rent:$6,000 - $15,000/mo

Foot Traffic:High

Best For:

Trendy dining, rooftop bars

Deep Ellum

Entertainment district

Avg Rent:$4,000 - $10,000/mo

Foot Traffic:High

Best For:

Live music venues, breweries

Bishop Arts

Artsy neighborhood

Avg Rent:$3,500 - $8,000/mo

Foot Traffic:Medium-High

Best For:

Boutique dining, brunch

Preston Hollow

Affluent suburban

Avg Rent:$5,000 - $12,000/mo

Foot Traffic:Medium

Best For:

Upscale casual, steakhouses

Lower Greenville

Residential urban

Avg Rent:$3,000 - $8,000/mo

Foot Traffic:Medium-High

Best For:

Neighborhood restaurants, bars

Required Licenses and Permits in Dallas

Food Establishment Permit

Dallas County Health permit

Cost: $350 - $700

Timeline: 2-4 weeks

Dallas County Health

Certificate of Occupancy

City building use approval

Cost: $100 - $300

Timeline: 2-4 weeks

City of Dallas

TABC License

Texas beer, wine, or mixed beverage

Cost: $3,000 - $6,000

Timeline: 2-4 months

Texas ABC

Food Handler Certification

Required for food workers

Cost: $10 - $20 per person

Timeline: 1 day

Accredited Providers

Sign Permit

Exterior signage

Cost: $50 - $250

Timeline: 1-2 weeks

City of Dallas

Grease Trap Permit

FOG interceptor compliance

Cost: $50 - $150

Timeline: 2 weeks

Dallas Water Utilities

Monthly Operating Costs in Dallas

Rent

$2,500 - $15,000/month

Labor Cost

25-32% of revenue

Minimum Wage

$7.25/hour (federal minimum)

Food Cost

28-34% of menu price

Utilities

$800 - $2,800/month

Insurance (Annual)

$8,000 - $24,000/year

Popular Cuisines in Dallas

Tex-Mex

BBQ

Steakhouse

Southern

Asian Fusion

Seafood

Farm-to-Table

Tacos

Opportunities in Dallas

Corporate relocation boom
No state income tax
Lower costs than coastal cities
Growing food scene
Rapid population growth

Challenges in Dallas

Suburban sprawl requires cars
Hot summers limit outdoor dining
Corporate relocations create competition
Strip mall dominance
Water restrictions

Insider Tips for Dallas

1Parking is essential - minimum 1 spot per 4 seats
2Consider suburban locations for value
3Corporate catering is big business
4Patio season is short but crucial
5DFW sprawl means multiple trade areas

Local Resources in Dallas

Texas Restaurant Association

State industry support

Visit Website

Dallas SBDC

Free business consulting

Visit Website

Visit Dallas

Tourism partnerships

Visit Website

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