Fine dining restaurants typically net 3–8% profit margins, significantly lower than most other business models. A successful fine dining establishment generating $2 million in annual revenue might clear $100,000–160,000 in actual profit after paying for everything. The slim margins stem from three brutal cost centres: food costs run 28–35% of revenue (higher than casual dining's 25–28%), labour sits at 30–35% because you need skilled chefs and attentive front-of-house staff, and occupancy plus overhead consume another 20–25%. The math gets tighter in expensive markets. A fine dining spot in downtown Toronto or Ottawa's ByWard Market pays premium rent, needs constant linen service, maintains an extensive wine inventory, and absorbs higher waste from ingredient spoilage and plate presentation. Many operators consider 5% net margin a win. Restaurants pushing 8% typically own their building, have streamlined operations after years of iteration, or command premium pricing that their market actually supports. Revenue volume matters more than percentage. A restaurant netting 5% on $3 million in sales ($150K profit) survives easier than one netting 8% on $800K in sales ($64K profit). The former has runway for a bad month or equipment failure. Most fine dining failures happen because owners underestimate how long it takes to build reputation and consistent reservations—often 18–36 months before approaching sustainable profit. From an SEO perspective, fine dining restaurants need local visibility more than most businesses because they depend on special occasions, corporate events, and destination diners. Ottawa SEO typically sees these restaurants invest heavily in Google Business Profile optimization, review generation, and content around chef profiles or seasonal menus. The profit margins don't support massive ad budgets, so organic search becomes critical. A restaurant that ranks locally for "anniversary dinner Ottawa" or "private dining room downtown" can fill tables without burning 15–20% of revenue on third-party delivery platforms that destroy already-thin margins.