22-Year-Old Man Closes Restaurant After Just a Month: ‘If You Want to Burn Money, Open One’
SALUDA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Opening a restaurant is often seen as one of the most exciting entrepreneurial ventures — but for one 22-year-old, it turned into an expensive lesson. A Reddit user recently went viral after revealing that his restaurant, launched after months of planning, shut down in just one month, leaving him with a massive financial loss and a harsh reality check about the food business.
The Dream Turns Into a Nightmare
The young Redditor explained that he had always wanted to start a restaurant or café. After six months of searching, he finally found what seemed like a promising location — a small shop in a bustling student neighborhood near colleges and hostels.
Although the rent was ₹30,000 — slightly high for the area — he believed the constant student foot traffic would make the business sustainable. He invested heavily in equipment, branding, and setup before finally opening the restaurant in May 2025.
Initial sales were encouraging, averaging ₹2,000–₹2,500 per day. However, within weeks, the excitement faded. The restaurant’s menu, focused on higher-quality dishes, didn’t align with the local student crowd’s preference for cheap, filling meals.
Long Hours and Mounting Losses
As operational costs climbed — including rent, raw materials, and staff salaries — revenue lagged behind. The owner described waking up at 4 a.m. to prepare for a 7 a.m. opening and working late until 9 p.m., leaving little time for rest.
“My schedule was messed up, and I lost 4 kilos in 20 days,” he wrote. The long hours and constant stress made the business unsustainable.
By early June, he and his brother decided to close the restaurant permanently. They were left with unsold inventory, which had to be offloaded at half price. “If you ever feel like burning money, just open a restaurant,” the Redditor concluded.
Social Media Reactions and Lessons Learned
The post sparked widespread discussion among Reddit users, many of whom related to the challenges of starting and sustaining a small business.
One commenter wrote, “This gentleman spoke truth! Business is 50% effort and 50% luck.” Another added, “You probably didn’t research enough, brother. Restaurants make money fast, but they’re also the fastest to fail.”
Many agreed that the restaurant industry remains one of the toughest for beginners, requiring not only capital and planning but also adaptability to customer demands.
I lost 6 lakhs in my restaurant business in a month
byu/candlesovercandies insmallbusinessindia
An Expensive Lesson for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
The young entrepreneur’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of the food business — a sector where passion alone often isn’t enough to guarantee success. His honesty in sharing his failure has inspired others to approach entrepreneurship with both enthusiasm and realism.
Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. The claims have not been independently verified, and Saluda Standard-Sentinel does not endorse or confirm their authenticity.
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