Costs & budget
Money decides everything. Here you see what things cost, with real numbers. And where you can get a loan.
Starting a pizzeria usually costs SEK 300,000 to 1.5 million. The biggest cost is the premises and the kitchen. It is cheapest when you take over a ready pizzeria. You also need money in the bank for the first months, at least three months' rent and wages.
These things cost money
Every pizzeria is different. But the list is almost always the same:
- Premises: deposit and first rent – often SEK 50,000 to 150,000
- Renovation and surfaces – SEK 0 to 500,000 depending on condition
- Pizza oven – SEK 30,000 to 150,000
- Fridge, freezer, dough mixer, counters – SEK 50,000 to 150,000
- Cash register and ordering system – SEK 10,000 to 30,000
- Signs, menu, pizza boxes, first ingredients – SEK 30,000 to 60,000
- Buffer in the account – at least SEK 100,000
Take over an old pizzeria – save hundreds of thousands
Premises that already housed a pizzeria have the oven, extractor fan and floor drains in place. Those are the most expensive things in a kitchen. Always ask: why did the previous owner quit? Bad pizza can be fixed. A bad location cannot.
- An extractor fan and ventilation alone can cost SEK 200,000 to build new
- A second-hand oven and fridge cost half the price of new
- Check that the equipment works before you sign anything
How to work out if the numbers add up
Simple maths before you start. Take the price of a pizza, for example SEK 120. The ingredients cost about SEK 30. That leaves SEK 90 to pay rent, wages, electricity and VAT. How many pizzas a day do you need to sell? Do the maths. If the answer feels possible, go for it.
- Ingredients should cost at most 25–30% of the pizza's price
- Rent should be at most 10% of your sales
- 50–100 pizzas sold per day is a normal pizzeria
Where you can get money
Most people borrow to get started. Three common routes:
Almi
State-ownedThe state's company for business loans. Lends when the bank says no, often as a complement to a bank loan. Also offers free advice.
Visit siteYour bank
Bank loanSEB, Swedbank, Handelsbanken or your local bank. The bank wants to see a simple plan with numbers. Book a meeting early, it takes time.
Visit siteQred
FastOnline business loans with a quick decision. Higher interest than the bank. Best for smaller amounts or when it needs to happen fast.
Visit siteAlways start at verksamt.se – the state's own site for people starting a business. Free and good.
Common questions
Can I start a pizzeria for SEK 100,000?
It is hard, but not impossible. You would need to take over small ready premises with an oven, work yourself and start with takeaway only. Most people need more.
What does a pizzeria cost per month to run?
Expect rent of SEK 15,000–40,000, ingredients at 25–30% of sales, electricity around SEK 5,000–10,000 and wages. A small pizzeria with two employees often costs SEK 150,000–250,000 per month to run.
Do I need a business plan?
The bank and Almi want to see one. It does not need to be long. One page is often enough: what you sell, where, at what prices and how much you need to borrow.
Got the money sorted? Sort out the rules.
Permits and registration are easier than you think. But they must be done in the right order.