Japanese deli and grocery shop

Home cooks, Japanese expats and students, food lovers, and nearby office workers looking for lunch.

Retail margin on packaged goods plus higher-margin prepared foods sold at the counter. Gift boxes and seasonal items can add extra sales.

• Knowing Japanese food and ingredients
• Buying and stock control
• Customer service
• Basic food handling and kitchen skills

• Health department permit for selling or preparing food; check what your county requires for packaged versus prepared items
• Imported products need compliant English labels and ingredient or allergen information; check FDA labeling rules with your supplier
• General liability insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• Lease costs, local business license and sales tax registration with your state
• Shelf life and waste on fresh items, so start with a small prepared menu

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your lease, shop fit-out, opening stock and kitchen or fridge equipment for prepared items.

Check what health department permit your county requires for packaged versus prepared food. Imported products need compliant English labels and allergen information, so check FDA labeling rules with your supplier. Also check your business license, sales tax registration and insurance.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on location, range and foot traffic. Fresh items can create waste, so start with a small prepared menu and plan on about 40 hours a week.