The agencies state $28,865 in initial fees across 6 of the 10 items; 2 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top and depend on the space.
How much does it cost to open a restaurant in Connecticut?
$28,865 in state fees the agencies state, across 6 of the 10 licenses, permits and registrations; 2 are free; 2 are set by the city, the county or a provider. Rent, build-out and equipment come on top.
What the state publishes for a restaurant in Connecticut
Every row checked against its agency’s page; the latest on Oct 21, 2026.
- Stated state fees
- $28,865initial fees across 6 of 10 items
- Free items
- 2no fee as the agency publishes it
- Set elsewhere
- 2by the city, the county or a provider
- Items in all
- 10in the order to get them
Initial fees as each agency states them, summed; renewals are not included. Where a fee depends on size or sales the range is the lowest to the highest stated. Members see each row’s fee, its renewal and the official page.
Set up the business
Item Agency Fee Certificate of organization (LLC) and the annual report Connecticut Secretary of the State Premium only Trade name certificate (DBA) The town clerk of the town where the business operates Premium only Employer Identification Number (EIN) Internal Revenue Service Free Register for tax
Item Agency Fee Sales and use tax permit and employer withholding registration (REG-1) Connecticut Department of Revenue Services Premium only General business license None statewide Free Approve the space
Item Agency Fee Zoning permit and certificate of occupancy Your town’s zoning enforcement officer and building official Premium only Get the permits for your kind of business
Item Agency Fee Food establishment license (Class 1 to 4) Your local health department or health district Premium only Certified food protection manager Local health department Premium only Alcohol permits
Item Agency Fee Restaurant permit, restaurant wine and beer permit, or cafe permit Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Premium only Before the first hire
Item Agency Fee Unemployment insurance account, CT Paid Leave, new hire reporting and workers’ compensation Connecticut Department of Labor Premium only
What comes on top of the fees
The state publishes its fees; the space sets the rest. These work it out from your own numbers.
- Rent the business can carryMonthly sales, or seats and average check, to the base rent that fits a healthy occupancy share.Rent-to-sales calculator
- The real cost of a NNN leaseBase rent plus CAM, property taxes and insurance, each month.NNN lease calculator
- The steps in orderThe same items as a walk-through you tick off, with progress saved to your account.How to open
Fees are shown to members as published. Create an account.
Sources and dates
Business.CT.gov knowledge base: domestic LLC forms and fees; domestic annual report forms and fees; C.G.S. 35-1 as amended by Public Act 24-111; town clerk trade name pages (Guilford, Manchester, Middlebury, Burlington); IRS EIN page; Department of Revenue Services registering with DRS page; sales and use tax information page; DRS-141 and DRS-143 flyers; Business.CT.gov licensing guidance; municipal ordinances; C.G.S. 8-3(f) (zoning certification before a building permit) and 29-265 (certificate of occupancy); town zoning and building department pages; C.G.S. 19a-36h to 19a-36o (Public Act 17-93) and the FDA Food Code as adopted by the Department of Public Health; West Haven and Meriden food ordinances; Ledge Light Health District food service pages; Public Act 17-93 and C.G.S. 19a-36i (certified food protection manager); local health department application forms; Department of Consumer Protection on-premises permit fees (2026) and permit type pages; C.G.S. 30-22, 30-22a and 30-39; Department of Labor 2026 unemployment tax rate notice (new employer rate and taxable wage base); Business.CT.gov new hire reporting page; C.G.S. 31-284; CT Paid Leave Authority. Fees are as published by each agency on the date checked; cities and counties add their own.