JJ, I never ran a restaurant, but I bet $225 - 500k is needed to get your shoe print.
If one lives in a small area, might get by with $50k . Partnering is a good way to spread the risk. Know a guy who partnered his way into a restaurant, he hardly goes there, works finish carpentry for fun on the side, makes $140k off the restaurant.
$12 k rent / mo.