Blog
Notes for operators
Cost guides, coverage explained, and owner resources for restaurant and bar operators.
Owner Resources
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Are Food Trucks Profitable? The Real Numbers for 2026
Are food trucks profitable? Average annual revenue is around $346,000, with net margins of 6 to 9 percent, or 7 to 15 percent owner-operated.
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Buying an Existing Restaurant: Due Diligence Checklist
Buying an existing restaurant: the due diligence checklist covering books, lease, licenses, equipment, staff and the claims history sellers omit.
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How Much Does It Cost to Open a Bar? 2026 Budget Guide
Cost to open a bar runs about $110,000 to $850,000, with most independent bars at $300,000 to $500,000 — and the liquor license is the wild card.
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How Much Does It Cost to Open a Restaurant in 2026
Cost to open a restaurant: the national median is about $375,500, and most independent projects land somewhere between $175,000 and $750,000.
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How Much Does It Cost to Start a Food Truck in 2026
Cost to start a food truck runs about $50,000 to $175,000, with a mid-range build at $80,000 to $130,000 and used trucks from around $20,000.
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How to Open a Bar: A Step by Step Guide for Owners
How to open a bar, step by step: settle the liquor license first — in a quota state it can be 30 to 60 percent of your entire startup budget.
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How to Start a Restaurant: A Step by Step Owner Guide
How to start a restaurant, step by step: concept, capital, site, lease, permits, build-out, hiring and opening — on a 6 to 12 month timeline.
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How to Start a Food Truck Business: A Step by Step Guide
How to start a food truck, step by step: check city permits first, find a commissary, then buy the truck — reversing that order is expensive.
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Restaurant Profit Margin: What Owners Actually Keep
Restaurant profit margin averages 3 to 5 percent net. Full service runs 3 to 8 percent and quick service 6 to 9 — and prime cost decides which.
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Why Restaurants Fail: The Real Numbers and Reasons
Why restaurants fail: the 90 percent myth is false. Real first-year failure is 14 to 17 percent, and undercapitalization is the leading cause.
Coverage Explained
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Restaurant Hood Suppression: What CP 04 11 Actually Says
Restaurant hood suppression can be a condition of your policy, not just equipment. What ISO form CP 04 11 names under “P-5”, and what it excludes.