Q. It seems like a good way to make money is to start a restaurant. Is this true?

A. Not really. Very few restaurants generate the millions in revenue needed to produce a good return. The finance and money issues surrounding the restaurant business are tough. It’s a low margin business compared to many other industries including financial services, consulting, cosmetics and fashion. A well-run restaurant makes a 3-5% net profit. Running a successful restaurant requires tight cost controls and hands-on management.