Sit-Down fish and chip restaurant
Open a small eat-in fish and chip restaurant with table service, fresh fish and a simple menu.
- A$120k-350k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small restaurant where customers sit down to eat battered or grilled fish, chips, calamari and sides. The menu stays short so one small team can cook it well and keep costs under control.
Your first three steps
- Visit local fish and chip shops and cafes at busy times, then price up your menu and work out how many covers you need each week to break even
- Talk to a local fish supplier or wholesaler about prices, quality and delivery, and shortlist a few sites with seating and kitchen extraction already in place
- Ask your local council what approvals you need for the site (food business registration, fit-out, signage) before signing any lease
Who pays
Local families, tourists and holidaymakers in coastal or regional towns, and groups wanting a casual, affordable meal out.
How it makes money
Sales of meals and drinks, usually a set price per dish. Profit depends on buying fish well, keeping waste low and filling tables at lunch and dinner.
Skills that help
- Cooking fried and grilled seafood consistently
- Managing food costs and stock
- Rostering and leading a small team
- Friendly customer service
Watch out for
- Food business registration with your local council and food safety rules, including whether you need a trained Food Safety Supervisor in your state
- Council or planning approval for a change of use and kitchen fit-out, and fryer extraction and fire safety requirements
- A liquor licence is a separate application if you want to serve beer or wine, check your state's liquor authority
- Wages and awards once you hire staff, plus workers compensation insurance, check the relevant award and your state scheme
- Lease terms, rent as a share of sales, and fluctuating seafood prices
- Public liability and property insurance
- Startup costs depend heavily on the site: a unit with existing kitchen and extraction costs far less than a bare shell, so get fit-out quotes before committing
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: sit-down fish and chip restaurant
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open a fish and chip restaurant in Australia?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $120,000 to $350,000, depending heavily on the site. A unit with an existing kitchen and extraction costs far less than a bare shell, so get fit-out quotes before committing.
How much can a sit-down fish and chip restaurant make?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $25,000 to $80,000, depending on location, seating and trading season. Rent, wages and fluctuating seafood prices come out of that revenue, so check your numbers before signing a lease.
What approvals do I need to check before opening?
Check food business registration with your local council, food safety rules and whether you need a Food Safety Supervisor. Also check council or planning approval for change of use, fryer extraction and fire safety, and a separate liquor licence if serving alcohol.
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