Food Startup

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Food Startup? (In 2024)

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 5th, 2024

Looking to start a food startup?

But curious about:

how much it costs to start a food startup?
what are the typical food startup startup costs?
or the actual cost of starting food startups?

Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real food startups and how much they actually cost to start.

Let's go over it.

What is the average cost of starting a food startup?

Based on our data reported by actual food startup founders, the average cost of starting a food startup is between $400 and $8,000,000.

Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for a food startup are around $20K.

Remember, though, not all food startups are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of food startups

Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start a food startup?

We asked real food startup founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?

Here is what they said:

Andrea Slinde

Founder of Golden Root ($4K/month)

"The business was initially (and still currently is) funded and subsidized with personal funds and labor."

Andrea Slinde is the founder of Golden Root, a Turmeric Latte Mix business based in Denver, CO, that focuses on providing anti-inflammatory benefits through organic and non-GMO ingredients.

Read this case study

Read by 6,435 founders

Enric Miquel Pico

Founder of KÜiK Meal ($12K/month)

"All of us had very few savings so we had to go for external funding… We mainly get support from our relatives and friends, but also from Barcelona startup hubs such as Barcelona Activa and from some other FoodTechs such as SmartFooding. This is how we aimed 5.000 € to secure the production of the very first 400 units!"

Enric Miquel is the founder of KÜiK Meal, a meal replacement business that aims to provide a complete and balanced food solution for those with a fast-paced lifestyle.

Read this case study

Read by 8,512 founders

Andrew Buehler

Founder of Urban Smokehouse ($125K/month)

"At this point, I had invested a few $1000 of saving and credit cards on graphic design, website creation, incorporation of the business, and lastly, partnering with a local film student to make my Kickstarter video."

Andrew Buehler is the founder of Urban Smokehouse, a digitally native BBQ brand that started in 2022 and has been profitable since day one.

Read this case study

Read by 3,146 founders

Casey and Vanessa White

Founder of Jaju Pierogi ($80K/month)

"In the first year and a half, we spent around $30,000 to get the business up and running. This money was spent on things like city and town permit fees, the dough sheeter, kitchen supplies, and packaging materials."

Casey White is the co-founder of Jaju Pierogi, a pierogi manufacturing business started in 2016 that makes between $80,000-$100,000 per month.

Read this case study

Read by 3,853 founders

Sadaf Ahmed

Founder of Karachi Kitchen ($2K/month)

"Initially, we bootstrapped. When the design was complete we took out a loan to print the book."

Sadaf is the co-founder of Karachi Kitchen Foods, a business specializing in small-batch traditional Pakistani chutneys and spice blends, featuring handcrafted products made from locally sourced ingredients.

Read this case study

Read by 2,220 founders

Tique Chandler

Founder of Chandler Honey ($10K/month)

"The MVP took just 2 weeks to build and cost only $400. I registered the domain and it cost $12.99. It really didn't cost much."

Tique Chandler is the founder of Chandler Honey, an infused honey brand that has grown to be featured in 150+ stores in Canada in under 2 years.

Read this case study

Read by 4,998 founders

Uri Attia

Founder of Portable Chef ($62K/month)

"For example in our business: a commercial kitchen is a huge expense, even when you’re refitting an existing kitchen. And I was completely broke but determined to start this business. So we didn’t build one out at first. For a couple of years, I operated out of my apartment; after that, we rented kitchen space by the shift from an existing catering company that was often in the space when we were there."

Uri Attia is the founder of Portable Chef, a custom meal delivery service that caters to clients with specific dietary requirements and preferences.

Read this case study

Read by 4,867 founders

Chris Andrews

Founder of Bienville Bites Food Tour ($25K/month)

"Despite the low startup cost, which made this venture feasible, he had to overcome the fear and unpredictability of new business."

Chris Andrews is the founder of Bienville Bites Food Tour, a food tour business that highlights Mobile, Alabama's rich culinary and historical tapestry.

Read this case study

Read by 43 founders

Dustin Finkel

Founder of Ka-Pop! Snacks ($100K/month)

"I turned my home into a test kitchen and started crafting our perfect snack-- using ingredients straight from our pantry. When our insanely picky 6-year-old would not stop asking for more, we knew we had something!"

Dustin Finkel is the founder of Ka-Pop! Snacks, an ancient grain snack company that focuses on sustainable and healthy snacks made from ancient grains.

Read this case study

Read by 7,046 founders

suzie yorke

Founder of Love Good Fats ($3M/month)

"I took a big chance and invested my life savings."

Suzie Yorke is the founder of Love Good Fats, a healthy snack business that started in 2017 and has quickly grown to over $120 million in cumulative sales.

Read this case study

Read by 5,474 founders

Enjoyed reading these real world examples?

Our platform is full of case studies of successful food startups that you can learn from.

Starting a food startup - what you should know:

Starting a food startup can be an exhilarating journey, but understanding the costs involved is crucial to your success.

Initial Costs:

Launching your food startup involves a myriad of initial costs that can easily add up. You will need to shell out for equipment such as ovens, refrigerators, and utensils, which can range from $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the size and quality. Location is another significant cost factor; renting a commercial kitchen space can range between $20 to $50 per square foot monthly. Additionally, permits and licenses can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000, depending on your location and specific food industry regulations.

Operational Expenses:

Operational costs include variables like staff salaries, utility bills, and ingredient expenses. Staffing will likely be your highest ongoing cost; hiring skilled cooks and service staff can cost approximately $25,000 to $50,000 annually per employee, depending on qualifications and experience. Utilities such as electricity and water can add another $1,000 to $2,500 monthly to your budget. Ingredients, of course, vary widely but expect to allocate around 30% of your monthly revenue to this essential area.

Marketing and Promotion:

Marketing your new food startup effectively is crucial for gaining traction. Initial marketing expenditures can range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the scope of your campaigns. Regular social media advertising, local promotions, and partnering with food delivery apps can cost around $500 to $2,500 per month.

Hidden Costs:

Don’t forget the hidden costs that often catch new entrepreneurs off guard. Packaging, waste management, and unexpected repairs can add an extra 10-20% to your monthly budget. Moreover, investing in things like website development and maintenance could cost an upfront $1,000 to $5,000 plus a recurring fee for hosting services.

Understanding and planning for these costs can make the difference between your food startup thriving or struggling. Budget carefully, and keep an eye on these crucial expense areas to ensure a smoother launch and sustainable growth.

Potential Costs of Starting a Food Startup

Starting a food startup involves various expenses ranging from equipment and ingredients to labor and marketing costs. Below is a detailed breakdown of potential costs to consider:

Category	Item	Estimated Cost	Details
Business Setup	Business License & Permits	$100 - $500	Costs vary by location and business type
	Legal & Accounting Fees	$1,000 - $3,000	Initial setup and consultations
	Business Insurance	$500 - $2,000 annually	General liability, property, and other coverages
Facilities	Commercial Kitchen Lease	$1,000 - $5,000 per month	Depending on location and size
	Utility Costs	$200 - $1,000 per month	Electricity, water, gas, etc.
Equipment	Kitchen Equipment	$10,000 - $50,000	Stoves, ovens, refrigerators, mixers, etc.
	Point of Sale (POS) System	$1,000 - $3,000	Initial setup and hardware
	Smallwares	$1,000 - $5,000	Knives, pots, pans, utensils
	Packaging Supplies	$500 - $2,000 initial	Boxes, containers, labels, etc.
Ingredients	Initial Inventory	$2,000 - $10,000	Raw materials and initial stock
	Ongoing Ingredient Costs	$500 - $3,000 per month	Monthly replenishment costs
Labor	Staff Salaries & Wages	$2,000 - $15,000 per month	Depending on number of staff and roles
	Training Expenses	$500 - $2,000	Initial staff training
Technology	Website Development	$1,000 - $5,000	Initial setup and design
	Hosting Fees	$10 - $50 per month	Web hosting services
	E-commerce Platform Fees	$30 - $300 per month	Online ordering and payment systems
Marketing	Branding & Design	$1,000 - $3,000	Logo, branding materials, menus
	Marketing & Advertising	$500 - $5,000 per month	Online ads, flyers, promotions
	Social Media Management	$500 - $2,000 per month	Content creation and engagement
	PR & Media Outreach	$1,000 - $3,000	Press releases, media connections
Miscellaneous	Contingency Fund	$2,000 - $10,000	Unplanned expenses or emergencies
	Miscellaneous Supplies	$500 - $2,000	Office supplies, cleaning materials, etc.