Starting a restaurant, whether it’s a cozy cafe on a street corner or an upscale steak house, is a dream that many people have. If it seems easy, keep in mind that there are many steps to opening up a restaurant and it requires a great deal of equipment.

Some of the things you will need to do in order to start a restaurant include:

Have a plan. Your plan should include a budget, the type of food you plan on serving, the size of your restaurant, how many employees you anticipate, where you will get funding, and how you plan to advertise your business, among other things.

Find the place. You will need to open your restaurant in a good location in order to generate business. A commercial real estate agent will help you find the right spot that is both visible and accessible to your potential customers.

Buy equipment. The equipment you lease or buy will vary depending on the type of restaurant you have. For example, if you want to open a smoothie cafe, you will need a lot of high powered blenders. A restaurant that serves a lot of meat will need a good wood burning stove. Most restaurants will also need commercial refrigeration, which includes refrigerators and freezers that are larger and more powerful than residential ones.

Get the right permits. Licensing and permits required vary from state to state and will also depend on your restaurant. If you plan on serving alcohol, you will need a license for that. You will also need a business license, as well as approval from the board of health in your state.

Opening a restaurant is a rewarding venture, but it takes a lot of work and preparation before you can be open for business.