Verified Market Research

Best Restaurant Location in Boulder

Data from Boulder shows high expansion potential: 108K residents, $78,000 average income, and commercial space averaging $40/sqft in very high-competition zones.

Boulder restaurant economics: $255K investment, $78K target demographic, 3.3x cost-to-income.

71/100 opportunity score
330,000 metro residents
$78,000 average income
51/100 launch timing score
Moderate - Strategic Entry
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108K
Resident Base
$78K
Income Base
Very High
Competition Level
5
Top Sectors
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Boulder, United States

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Competitor map
Foot traffic data
Optimal zones
Revenue estimate

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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
330,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis

Market Readiness: Restaurant in Boulder

Proprietary metrics for Boulder's restaurant landscape

71 / 100

Market Opportunity

Based on 7 comprehensive market factors

Strong Opportunity

Financial Overview

Average Startup Cost
$255,000
Industry Success Rate
18%
Expected ROI Timeline
18-36 months
Customer Draw Radius
800m
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Unique Market Intelligence

Inside Boulder's Commercial Landscape

comprehensive market assessment

Market Position

Boulder positioning

Boulder restaurant economics: $255K investment, $78K target demographic, 3.3x cost-to-income.

Commercial space at $40/sqft with 77/100 foot traffic equals $40,000/mo for 1000 sqft.

Market scale: 0.3M population × $78K income = $26B consumer spending power.

Market dynamics: very high saturation, high expansion, 3.3x capital requirement.

Viability assessment: 3.3x capital needs, 77/100 exposure, $40/sqft overhead yields 67/100 score.

Primary sectors (Technology, Aerospace) power the $78K household base.

Market growing at 2.5% annually. Very High competitive environment. Stable outlook.

$255K startup. 39 local income-months to break even.

Competitive Position

National ranking for restaurants

Score: 71.55/100. 0.3M people. $78K income.

Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.31x.

Traffic: 77. Rent: $40/sqft. Income: $78K.

High growth. Very High competition. Score: 71.55.

0.3M metro. $40/sqft rent. 77 foot traffic.

$255K startup. $40,000/mo rent. 39 income-months to recoup.

Score 71.55. Average conditions. Execution decides success.

$25.7B total income across 0.3M people.

Strategic Recommendations

Actionable strategies tailored for Boulder

High growth. Very High competition. Plan accordingly.

Traffic: 77. Rent: $40/sqft. $40,000/mo for 1000 sqft.

$78K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.

Restaurant: $255K to open. 39 income-months to recoup.

Traffic 77. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.

0.3M metro. Focus on one location first.

$480,000/yr rent. 615.4% of local income. Factor that in.

High growth absorbs Very High competition. Worth entering.

Launch Timing & Momentum

Align your opening window with market-ready signals

Entry Signal

Moderate - Strategic Entry

Boulder presents mixed signals requiring a measured approach. Test with a smaller footprint or pop-up before full commitment, gathering real customer data to refine your concept over 4-6 months.

Timing score: 51/100
  • 📈 High growth outlook - strong expansion timing
  • ⚠️ Very high competition - niche positioning required
  • 🚶 Good foot traffic (77) - organic visibility

Seasonal Levers

  • Holiday dining
  • Summer outdoor seating
  • Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks

How Boulder dominates

based on 77/100 traffic metrics

At $78,000 per household, Boulder exceeds typical markets ($40,492) by 93%, creating premium service demand.

Real estate at $40/sqft puts Boulder 23% above market norms ($33/sqft).

With 0.3M metro residents, Boulder falls below the 3.8M benchmark by 91%.

Restaurant Market Analysis for Boulder

Why Boulder for Restaurants?

  • Metro population of 330,000 provides large customer base
  • Average income of $78,000 supports restaurant spending
  • Very High business density indicates healthy economic activity
  • Strong foot traffic opportunities throughout the city
  • Strong demographics opportunities throughout the city

Restaurant Success Factors

Foot traffic
Essential
Demographics
Essential
Competition density
Essential
Parking availability
Essential
Visibility
Essential
Local cuisine preferences
Essential

Restaurant Market Insights for Boulder

High competition requires unique positioning but indicates proven market demand

Seasonal Considerations for Boulder

Holiday dining

Summer outdoor seating

Event catering opportunities

District-by-District: Boulder

Zone-by-zone breakdown of Boulder's commercial areas

Downtown Boulder

High Potential
Highest foot traffic in city
Premium pricing potential
Diverse customer base

Business District

Strong Weekday
Office worker demographics
Peak lunch & after-work hours
Catering opportunities

Suburban Areas

Growth Area
Family-oriented demographics
Lower competition density
Ample parking available

Boulder vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants

City Population Avg Income Market Score Action
Boulder ⭐ 330,000 $78,000
71/100
Current City
Atlanta 6,307,000 $71,000
90/100
Explore →
Plano 7,760,000 $102,000
90/100
View data →
Frisco 7,760,000 $127,000
88/100
Compare →
Fort Lauderdale 6,166,000 $73,000
87/100
Check it →
Market Signals

Restaurant Insights Unique to Boulder

Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.

01

Market dynamics: very high saturation, high expansion, 3.3x capital requirement.

02

$255K startup. $40,000/mo rent. 39 income-months to recoup.

03

In Boulder, Local cuisine preferences becomes the tiebreaker.

04

Boulder exceeds Atlanta by -19 points, which drives the city's premium pricing power.

05

Boulder rates 72/100 for restaurants, driven by $78,000 average income and 77/100 pedestrian activity.

FAQ

Restaurant FAQs for Boulder

Each answer references real Boulder data so this section is unique across the site.

How does Boulder compare to other restaurant markets?

Our data shows Boulder scoring -19 points above Atlanta, making it the stronger restaurant market.

What playbook works best for restaurants in Boulder?

$78K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.

What makes the Boulder market distinctive?

Market dynamics: very high saturation, high expansion, 3.3x capital requirement.

What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Boulder?

Local cuisine preferences should lead your playbook when launching in Boulder.

Data Sources & Methodology

Our analysis combines multiple authoritative data sources

Economic Data

  • World Bank Open Data
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • National Census Bureaus

Business Intelligence

  • Ease of Doing Business Index
  • Global Innovation Index
  • Industry Association Reports

Demographics

  • UN Population Division
  • Municipal Open Data Portals
  • Consumer Expenditure Surveys

Real Estate

  • Commercial Real Estate Listings
  • CoStar Market Analytics
  • Local Zoning Databases

Methodology Note: Our opportunity scores are calculated using a weighted algorithm that considers population density, income levels, competition saturation, commercial rent costs, and industry-specific success factors. Data is refreshed quarterly from authoritative sources. Individual results may vary based on specific business circumstances, local regulations, and market conditions not captured in aggregate data.

Ready to Open Your Restaurant in Boulder?

Moderate - Strategic Entry with a 71/100 opportunity score, very high competition, and a 77/100 foot traffic index. Boulder presents mixed signals requiring a measured approach. Test with a smaller footprint or pop-up before full commitment, gathering real customer data to refine your concept over 4-6 months.