My husband and I did this. He had lost his job and needed to work so we sold our house and bought a bar/nightclub/restaurant. We were in our early thirties. We brought what was a failing business back from the dead and were pretty successful. We could only stand it for two years but we had several people who wanted to buy it. One night at 4:00 a.m. after we closed and were dead tired we were at a restaurant where we always went after closing and one of the buyers was there. We said do you want to buy it and he said yes and six weeks later it was over. I couldn't imagine doing this for longer than the two years. We did many things right but some things wrong. We had 21 employees and many of them taking full advantage of us. We did have a great time doing it. I couldn't imagine doing it at retirement age. You need a lot of stamina to put up with the hours and energy it takes to run a business like this.

Go to the nearest Casino and dump the same amount in the Slots that you were investing in a restaurant. It will be more fun when you lose and you will not be screwing your workers, vendors and the few loyal customers you may have left when your business fails and all your money is gone.

Why do you think franchises are so popular. If you have $2 million contact McDonalds, if you have about $320K contact Jersey Mike's, they're the #1 fastest growing franchise.

Sub Sandwich Franchise Opportunity - Introduction - Jersey Mike's Subs

If you insist on starting from scratch. Move to St. Petersburg and enroll at St. Petersburg JC in the two year Hotel/Restaurant Mgmt program. Get a job at one of the local restaurants such as seafood and learn everything you can. If you want something unique, that probably nobody in Louisville has, get a job at Mazzaro's Italian Market and learn everything you can in two years.

http://www.nicegraphics.com/chow/tam...ros/coffee.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6vJXCskY6...0/IMG_8174.JPG

https://www.floridaforboomers.com/wp...ian-market.jpg

The Deli | Mazzaro's Italian Market

https://go.spcollege.edu/Hospitality/

I knew someone art work who was friends with the family who started salad works in new jersey. It's now a concession. At the time I remember thinking a restaurant that just sells salads, what a great idea. Why didn't I think of it?
Then I just found this.

Saladworks was founded on October 1, 1986, by John Scardapane, who served as the company’s CEO until 2015.[5] The first Saladworks opened in the Cherry Hill Mall, the success of which inspired the opening of 12 additional locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.[3]

Saladworks began franchising in 2001,[3] and by 2007 had 88 locations in eight states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Florida, and Illinois. Today, the franchise operates over 100 restaurant locations in 13 states and has announced plans to expand into new markets in the United States and internationally.

On February 17, 2015, Saladworks filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition and listed Commerce Bank and Metro Bank founder Vernon Hill as a major creditor. The bankruptcy filing said it was looking for an investor.[6] Saladworks was acquired by Centre Lane Partners in June 2015,[7] and promoted Saladworks president Paul Steck to CEO, replacing founder John Scardapane.[8]