Can a Foreigner open a restaurant in the USA? [Earning, Requirements, Cost]

Can a Foreigner open a restaurant in the USA? Yes, a foreigner can start a restaurant in the United States. However, the foreigner must maintain many factors in mind when doing so. 

The United States is an attractive place to do business for many foreigners, and restaurants and other eating enterprises are among the most popular.

Despite the pandemic, the restaurant business in the United States is strong and particularly appealing to foreign-born people.

How Can a Foreigner open a restaurant in the USA?

We frequently think that the restaurant industry is among the most profitable industries where anybody can make an income. There’s another myth that restaurant owners should be making millions and billions of dollars.

If you’re planning to become a restaurant proprietor, it is important to keep this in mind: If the restaurant doesn’t achieve an acceptable profitability margin, you will not make enough money.

The pay of restaurant owners is contingent completely on two major aspects that include the cost to run a business and the amount of product the company sells. Your salary will always be linked to the profits of your restaurant.

According to ZipRecruiter, the top restaurant owners can earn $139,500 or more per year. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the estimated 17% of those who hold restaurant owner jobs pay an income of between $18,500 and $30,000. The national average salary for a restaurant owner is about $72,000 per year.

The success of a restaurant is a big factor in how much money they make. Restaurateurs run their own businesses and have a significant degree of control over their income and income. Typically, when the restaurant is more profitable, the restaurant owner is able to afford an increased salary.

Can I open a restaurant without a green card in the US?

Yeah, you can. To operate a restaurant, you do not need to hold a green card. Most of the time, foreigners don’t require a green card to run a business. Or to be registered as an officer of the corporate or director of a U.S. company and earn the profits as long as they pay tax.

Green cards are basically permanent resident card that allows immigrants to work and live within the U.S. It’s not necessary to have green cards. But if you’re not a U.S. citizen of the United States and do not have a green card, you plan to visit the USA for “work,” then you must have a business visa such as one of an E-2 visa or an EB-5 visa.

How much will it cost to open a restaurant in the USA?

If you’re thinking of opening a business, you’ll have plenty of concerns. The most important concern is the cost. What are the costs of starting a restaurant and the costs of doing business in general?

It’s not a simple answer and is contingent on several aspects. It includes the kind of restaurant you’d like to open, the location you’d like to set up your business, and the size of the restaurant you’re planning to open.

The cost of opening a restaurant could range anything from $180,000 to $800,000, and various factors can affect the final price. The typical cost of opening an establishment is $275,000 or $3,046 for a cover of lease space in an investigation conducted. When adding a land acquisition, the figure jumps to $425,000, or $3,734 per cover. 

The price of your restaurant is dependent on a variety of variables, including the location of your establishment and the concept of your restaurant, and whether you decide to lease or purchase the space.

What are the legal requirements needed to open a restaurant in the USA?

1. Business License

A business license authorizes you to conduct business within your jurisdiction. The exact format of the license depends on the location of your restaurant and its address. If you plan to sell alcohol, you’ll require an official federal business license, as well as an official state business license.

This license enables new businesses to operate as legal organizations. Based on the location of your restaurant, you could need to cover a portion of the total sales or a set annual cost.

To determine where you can obtain your business license, search for your city’s name and the business license. Then, look up the US Small Business Administration (SBA)’s website for information. In most cases, you will be able to go through the application procedure described on the website of your state government. You can also visit the city hall to collect them in person.

2. Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Employer identification numbers (EIN) are basically a way of telling authorities in the Federal government that you’re an employer. You’ll be granted a tax identification number as well.

By having this ID number, you can employ employees and put them on a legal payroll. Your state will provide you with an employee identification number. It is distinct from your federal ID number, which helps to establish your company’s status.

Similar to a business license, all companies must also get an employee ID number (EIN) to be able to operate within the U.S. An EIN is issued through the IRS and is simply a tax ID number. You should be prepared to keep this one for a long time. 

3. Liquor License

You’ll need a liquor license if you wish to serve alcohol at your restaurant. Similar to the majority of licenses and permits, the liquor license differs depending on the state. One thing is for certain they can be difficult to obtain and difficult to lose. Therefore, you must be diligent in understanding and observing the state’s ABC laws. 

Your driver’s license might be revoked for a variety of reasons. Including serving minors in the store, excessive serving, disorderly behavior and untrained staff members, and selling at unauthorized times, the list could be endless.

Even a single day without a license to drink could significantly lose sales at your restaurant or, perhaps, lose your good reputation with the public. It is possible to have an alcohol license and a wine and beer license in certain areas when you plan to offer all three. Make sure you apply early, as the process could take up to one year. 

4. Sign Permit

Signage is essential to draw attention to your restaurant. So it is necessary to obtain approval from the city’s government. The requirements for acceptable size, location, and lighting can differ by city. If you’re leasing or renting an area for restaurants, it’s recommended to obtain the landlord’s written consent to accompany the permit for sign-ups.

Before you can begin any restaurant marketing, you might need to get a permit for signs from the local government. Sign permits have several restrictions that vary by region. But they generally impose restrictions on signs’ dimensions and locations. 

5. Certificate of Occupancy

Now you’ll need to get an official certificate of occupancy to show that your establishment is well-constructed and zoned as well as maintained. One of the requirements for the restaurant’s opening is that this is completed.

The city or town in which your restaurant is located issues the certificate and generally requires a building inspection from local authorities. Before opening to the public, the majority of restaurants require an occupancy certificate.

It is an ideal moment to assess the capacity of your space because you’ll have to design your floor plan around this limitation. Reserve a space in front of the restaurant to clearly announce this requirement and any other licenses or permits that you must show.

6. Resale Permit

A resale permit is typically only required if your establishment is located in a state. It is possible to register online with your local authorities for a tax-exempt certificate.

Resale certificates prevent double tax collection on these purchases. This means that instead of paying sales tax on the item when you first purchase it. The tax is paid when your client purchases it.

7. Food Service License

The city’s health department issues licenses for food services. This means they’ll vary based on the location. This is the form that requires a tense personal visit by the Health Department. They make sure that your restaurant is operating in compliance with the regulations for food safety in restaurants and will be there to inspect the operation periodically as well.

To offer food at the restaurant, you must have a food service permit, which is typically given by the county health department or the county health department.

A health inspector will be visiting your establishment personally to make sure that you’re adhering to all food safety regulations for restaurants. When you obtain the food service permit, they will examine your establishment. If you don’t pass any of their inspections, you’ll be at risk of losing your food service license. Therefore, it’s essential to be always ready.

8. Sellers or sales tax permit

A seller’s license allows states to recognize the business as a collection agent of tax on sales. It is also known as an authorization for sales tax.

In certain states, this license is referred to as a “sales tax” permit or license. The majority of businesses, particularly within the food and beverages industry, require authorization for sellers and a certificate of resale.

It tells your state government that your company is tax-exempt when customers make transactions. In the case of your state regulations, you might need a permit to sell for tax purposes.

The rules for opening restaurants will differ based on location. So be sure to speak with your local government to inquire about the rules and requirements for registration procedures. 

Like the resale permits and the resale permit, you’ll also have to maintain a record of sales tax collected and imposed and reconcile them at the close of the calendar year.

Restaurant licenses and permits cost in the US

Business license cost

The cost for obtaining an official restaurant license is dependent on the state and city but is usually about $50 for the majority of applications. The other fees for obtaining your company license could range from $25 to $7,700.

Food Service License Cost

The cost for a food service license can vary depending on the location and the number of employees, but they could vary from $100 to $1000. You’ll need to renew these licenses regularly also.

Liquor License Cost

The cost in other states is the cost of full licenses for liquor can cost from $12,000 to $400,000. On the other hand, wine and beer licenses could cost as low as $3000.

Music License Cost

The prices for music licenses in restaurants are based on the type of music played, recorded, or live. Whether it’s audio-only or video, as well as the number of evenings each week that music is played and whether admission is charged, and a host of other variables. Background music costs between $250 and $500.

Health Permit Cost

The price of an Employee Health Permit is different from state to state, but it can range from $100 up to $500. It is also possible to expire after 3 to five years.

Seller’s Permit Cost

There is no charge to apply for the permit to sell. But you might have to deposit a security amount in the event that the restaurant shuts down and you do not have paid taxes. The amount of security will be decided at the time you submit your application.

Is it hard to open a restaurant?

It isn’t extremely hard to open a restaurant. But here, you have to be exceptionally calculated, structured, and goal-oriented. You can take actions to simplify the procedure, such as improving your abilities. You can take actions to simplify the procedure, such as improving your abilities.

The reality is that many restaurants fail within their initial year because of insufficient planning. However, this doesn’t mean that your food service business must be a complex undertaking. In fact, the more efficient your food service business is, the better chance it has of succeeding.

Lastly, I want to say just one thing: if you don’t have a clear plan about financing, location, and staffing, it can be a little hard to open a restaurant.

Above, we have discussed if it is hard or not to open a restaurant in the US, how much will it cost to open a restaurant in the USA, what are the license and requirements needed, etc. We hope “Can a Foreigner open a restaurant in the USA? [Earning, Requirements, Cost]” was helpful to you? Best of Luck!!