@Yonah Weiss"Put all your eggs in one basket and then watch the basket closely."

Sometimes (not always) a business has to do eat a loss - it's that bit of business that is known as risk taking.

This can really eat into cash flow and make that 8% actually be 10% or more. 

We hear the food in KC is outstanding and can't wait to try all the local eats!

Other options seem to be working with investors and financing via hard money - but I worry the cost may eat me up if we slip on time/runs longer than anticipated.Any more creative options on how to do this to minimize risk, ensure working with someone that can get it done in a timely manner, and minimize cash I need to put into the deal?

However, the account fees, transaction fees, asset registration, check fees (some custodians even charge for both incoming and outgoing), etc. form a good chunk of money eating away potential profit. 

My dream is to be financially independent and to be able to eat at any restaurant I want without having to worry about the bill. 

We had a revolving 0, giant goose egg, and we were both savers but had one of those nice A frame relationships where weird things happen as the top of the A crumbles... 

Capex will more than eat up cash flow.

Reduce your rent, eat at home and brown bag lunch.