Pop-up restaurants are temporary ventures that are opened in the larger cities around the country. They’re a good way for chefs to gauge public interest in different dishes and drum up more publicity for their brand. pop-up restaurants began as a way for chefs to test the popularity of their dishes without having to invest in a full restaurant. However, the combination of clever themes and limited supply were so popular that they can be used as a stand-alone business venture.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Start a pop-up restaurant business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Pop-Up Restaurant Business
- Form your Pop-Up Restaurant Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Pop-Up Restaurant Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Pop-Up Restaurant Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Pop-Up Restaurant Business
- Get Pop-Up Restaurant Business Insurance
- Define your Pop-Up Restaurant Business Brand
- Create your Pop-Up Restaurant Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your pop-up restaurant business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Pop-Up Restaurant Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a pop-up restaurant business?
Costs to open can be relatively low because pop-up restaurants can technically open in any spot that’s safe to cook. However, the owner will still have to pay the staff, purchase the food, and potentially purchase or rent temporary equipment. It’s not unusual to spend several thousand dollars or more when all is said and done.
What are the ongoing expenses for a pop-up restaurant business?
Ongoing expenses can include staff salaries, raw cost of ingredients, and costs to rent out the space.
Who is the target market?
Pop-up restaurants are often frequented by younger people (e.g., twenties, thirties, and forties) who are looking for something new and innovative in their area. They are the ones who are constantly looking for what’s new and exciting, and they tend to have a good deal of disposable income. Middle-aged or elderly people in particularly well-off neighborhoods may also round out a businesses customer base.
How does a pop-up restaurant business make money?
Owners can set the price of their dishes based on the demand in their area, but standard pricing models call for between 3 – 4 times the cost of the raw ingredients.
How much can you charge customers?
Customers are generally willing to pay normal restaurant prices for pop-up restaurants. This is true even if they’re being served in the middle of an abandoned alleyway that’s been dressed up with elaborate lighting and table decorations.
How much profit can a pop-up restaurant business make?
Pop-up restaurants can make a good deal of profits if they’re willing to think outside the box. If they can seat 50 people a night at a prix fixe meal of $150, they can generate up to $7,500 a night of revenue. Considering a pop-up restaurant may only cost $3,000 or less to begin, it’s conceivable to turn a profit on the first night!
How can you make your business more profitable?
Businesses looking to become more profitable should capitalize on the momentum of their initial success by branching out to more cities. Owners can also consider selling merchandise to further help establish and cement their brand.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your pop-up restaurant business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your pop-up restaurant business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
Federal Business Licensing Requirements
There are federal regulations regarding what can and cannot be added to, sold as, and processed with food. Attached is a resource from the Food and Drug Administration detailing the process of starting a food business: How to Start a Food Business
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a pop-up restaurant business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Certificate of Occupancy
A pop-up restaurant business is generally run out of a restaurant or small vacant space. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a pop-up restaurant business.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your pop-up restaurant business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
Food Regulations
When selling food, you will need licensing from a local health department; all establishments serving food are required to pass a health inspection. Tips for faring well on a health inspections
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Pop-Up Restaurant Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Pop-Up Restaurant Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a pop-up restaurant business
The beauty of a pop-up business is that people tend to become instantly excited about something that’s only around for a limited time. Word can get out quickly — especially if a restaurant tries to keep it secret. An already recognized chef with a following could probably put out a single notice on a social media page and still generate some buzz. Otherwise, owners may want to choose a more traditional form of bulletin-board marketing in hip places around town (e.g., popular coffee shops, city sidewalks, etc.)
How to keep customers coming back
Most people who go to a pop-up restaurant will likely only go once. They’re there to get a meal that they wouldn’t be able to get in a restaurant around town in an unusual or otherwise trendy space. However, the better that meal is, the more likely they are to tell their own friends or social media followers about it.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
Pop-ups are generally started by chefs, though it’s also possible for a restaurant manager to assemble the talent and coordinate the schedules. But no matter what, all decision-makers will have to be creative in order to generate enough customer interest in the limited-time only restaurant. For those planning to open in several cities around the world, they’ll also need to have a very flexible schedule.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a pop-up restaurant business?
A pop-up restaurant will function very much like a regular restaurant, though the routine is likely to be more intense. Owners will need to create the menus, manage the staff, and plan out the next stop of the tour. The increased demand may mean that every table is constantly booked. Owners will have to ensure that all food is cooked properly and served to patrons in a timely manner.
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful pop-up restaurant business?
It takes more than a culinary background to open up a successful pop-up restaurant. Owners should have some flair or experience with marketing to build public expectation, as well as general people and managerial skills to keep the restaurant running smoothly.
What is the growth potential for a pop-up restaurant business?
Pop-up restaurants can be a lucrative investment for owners because they can build up their reputation and momentum as they go from city to city. While each neighborhood will have their own response to the food, chefs also have the option to alter their menus to appeal to different demographics and tastes.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a pop-up restaurant business?
Patrons of a pop-up restaurant will be far more forgiving of the decor of a restaurant, so the emphasis has to be on the food and the service. Owners may want to practice a little spin to traditional foods in order to differentiate their restaurant from others in the area. For example, a restaurant may serve mostly American food, but the chef can also put their own twist on dishes depending on the location.
It’s also crucial that a pop-up restaurant identify their core purpose at the beginning of the venture. Whether it’s to make money, test out new dishes, or just to have some fun, a pop-up restaurant should be defined for both staff and customers alike. This doesn’t mean the purpose can’t change or grow over time, but it should give a business owner a much clearer vision of how to get from Point A to Point B.
Chefs should also think outside the box when it comes to where the set up. An old barn just outside the city being converted into a pop-up restaurant is not only romantic, it’s also a unique idea that’s easy to tell other people about. In addition to abandoned barns or alleyways, owners could also rent out existing restaurants that may sit empty sometimes. For example, renting out a spot for dinner at a breakfast-only place. Owners could even host midnight meals at practically any permanent restaurant in the area!
How and when to build a team
Pop-up restaurants will need to start building a team immediately. Most owners will already have some type of network in place to pull qualify waiters, managers, and assistant chefs from. It is possible to build a traveling team as well, so workers can both see the world and make a living.