Restaurant furniture showroom

Local restaurant, bar, cafe and hotel owners, plus contractors and designers who want to see pieces in person.

You sell at a markup on furniture you stock or order in, and may charge for delivery, assembly and design or layout help.

• Sales and negotiating
• Understanding restaurant layouts and seating needs
• Managing stock and suppliers

• Local business license and sales tax permit, check with your city, county and state
• Lease terms, zoning and signage rules for retail or warehouse space
• Cash tied up in stock that sells slowly
• General liability, property and product liability insurance, plus workers' compensation if you hire
• Heavy lifting and delivery, check vehicle insurance if you deliver yourself

Startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on your space, display pieces and opening stock. Cash can get tied up in stock that sells slowly, so check your lease and stock plans carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many restaurant, bar, cafe and hotel owners buy and the size of their orders. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, before rent and stock costs.

Check your local business license and sales tax permit with your city, county and state. Also check lease terms, zoning and signage rules for retail or warehouse space, insurance, and vehicle insurance if you deliver yourself.