A friend of mine had invested around $100,000 (with other 2 partners), so they had spent a total of $300,000 to buy an Indian fine dining, in a moderate city in New England. But that was way back when. I do not have detailed information but this much I know that they eventually had to get rid of it. And they too had brought an existing & running Indian Restaurant, which they then re-branded to a Himalayan type (refurbishing, re-licensing, re-leasing et al). Sorry, I could not be of much help here but I am thinking probably somewhere from 200K to 500K for a single person (obviously depending upon various factors). This is very generic and wide open assumption, I guess. I should not even be posting in this topic but I am curious as well. It would be interesting to get insights from friends who have actually tried it or are currently running it. For example, in the Biz Buy Sell link below, a Seafood Restaurant is asking $239000 in Houston. Look and subscribe to 'Springwise' for other ideas that you might probably be able to embed into your food start-up. Let us know what your thoughts are and how you plan. 

It would be good to know from our experienced friends here in this forum. 

Other interesting spots to look further: 

 

http://www.qsrmagazine.com/search/site/Houston

http://www.empleo.gob.es/es/mundo/consejerias/reinoUnido/portalempleo/es/PDF/Autonomo/start-up-quick-guide-restaurant.pdf

http://www.springwise.com/

Biz Buy Sell - Houston, Texas (LINK)