SEO costs for most businesses range from $1,500 to $5,000 per month on a retainer. The average agency retainer lands around $3,200 monthly, per recent industry surveys. Entry-level local SEO can start near $500 to $1,500 monthly.
Restaurant groups with multiple locations pay more. Agencies typically charge a base fee plus a per-location cost, pushing budgets to $3,000 to $8,000 per month for groups with five to ten locations. High-competition markets push that figure higher.
Some agencies offer one-time project pricing rather than ongoing retainers. A focused 90-day local visibility program for a multi-location group can cost less in total than a year of monthly retainer fees. That model works well for operators who want measurable results without a long commitment.
For restaurant groups focused on local search, Noble Cuts restaurant SEO services are built specifically for multi-location operators.