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Restaurant opportunity score in Buffalo hits 69/100 thanks to $48,000 incomes and 66/100 foot traffic.
AI-Powered Location Analytics
Best Restaurant Location in Buffalo
Our analysis of Buffalo reveals $18/sqft commercial rates, 66/100 pedestrian activity, and low saturation—key factors in the moderate outlook for restaurant ventures.
Buffalo restaurant economics: $255K investment, $48K target demographic, 5.3x cost-to-income.
68/100 opportunity score
1,166,000 metro residents
$48,000 average income
25/100 launch timing score
Cautious - High Preparation
278K
City Headcount
$48K
Median Income
Moderate
Market Density
5
Industry Mix
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Restaurant Finder
Buffalo, United States
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✓ Competitor map
✓ Foot traffic data
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
1,166,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
Restaurant Success Factors in Buffalo
Exclusive intelligence from Buffalo's commercial zones
68
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Fair 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
Market Forces Shaping Buffalo
systematic opportunity mapping
Market Position
Buffalo positioning
Buffalo restaurant economics: $255K investment, $48K target demographic, 5.3x cost-to-income.
Location costs run $18/sqft (66 walkability score), totaling $18,000/mo for standard retail footprint.
1.2M metro residents earning $48,000 on average create a $56B addressable market.
Competitive landscape shows low density with moderate momentum (5.3x investment ratio).
Calculated viability of 50/100 based on 5.3x investment, 66 foot traffic, $18 occupancy.
Buffalo runs on Healthcare and Education, supporting $48K earners.
Baseline 2.5% expansion against low competition. Standard entry dynamics.
$255K startup. 64 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 68.9/100. 1.2M people. $48K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.19x.
Traffic: 66. Rent: $18/sqft. Income: $48K.
Moderate growth. Low competition. Score: 68.9.
1.2M metro. $18/sqft rent. 66 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $18,000/mo rent. 64 income-months to recoup.
Score 68.9. Average conditions. Execution decides success.
$56.0B total income across 1.2M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Buffalo
Moderate growth. Low competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 66. Rent: $18/sqft. $18,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$48K income. Value positioning needed. Volume matters.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 64 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 66. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
1.2M metro. Focus on one location first.
$216,000/yr rent. 450.0% of local income. Factor that in.
Low competition. Moderate growth. Timing is flexible.
Launch Timing & Momentum
Align your opening window with market-ready signals
Entry Signal
Cautious - High Preparation
Current conditions in Buffalo favor waiting over rushing. Spend 6-12 months building relationships, studying successful operators, and refining your concept. Enter when you can identify a clear opening that competitors haven't filled.
Timing score: 25/100
- 🎯 Low competition - market leadership opportunity
Seasonal Levers
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks
How Buffalo surpasses
scaled across 1.2M consumers
Household earnings of $48,000 in Buffalo represent a 19% premium versus the $40,492 market average.
Operating costs at $18/sqft represent a 45% savings compared to $33/sqft typical rates.
The 66/100 pedestrian score represents 16% weaker organic discovery versus market baseline (79/100).
Buffalo's 1.2M metro area is 70% smaller than typical (3.8M), offering focused market dynamics.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Buffalo
Why Buffalo for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 1,166,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $48,000 supports restaurant spending
- Moderate 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 Buffalo
Tourism industry creates diverse dining opportunities and higher traffic
Seasonal Considerations for Buffalo
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
Finding Your Spot in Buffalo
Matching restaurant requirements to Buffalo zones
Downtown Buffalo
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
Buffalo vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo ⭐ | 1,166,000 | $48,000 |
|
Current City |
| Atlanta | 6,307,000 | $71,000 |
|
Explore → |
| Plano | 7,760,000 | $102,000 |
|
View data → |
| Frisco | 7,760,000 | $127,000 |
|
Compare → |
| Fort Lauderdale | 6,166,000 | $73,000 |
|
Check it → |
Market Signals
Restaurant Insights Unique to Buffalo
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
Calculated viability of 50/100 based on 5.3x investment, 66 foot traffic, $18 occupancy.
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Traffic: 66. Rent: $18/sqft. Income: $48K.
04
In Buffalo, Foot traffic becomes the tiebreaker because 66/100 foot traffic readings.
05
Compared to Atlanta, Buffalo scores -22 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Buffalo
Each answer references real Buffalo data so this section is unique across the site.
How does Buffalo compare to other restaurant markets?
Compared to Atlanta, Buffalo scores -22 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Buffalo?
1.2M metro. Focus on one location first.
What makes the Buffalo market distinctive?
Calculated viability of 50/100 based on 5.3x investment, 66 foot traffic, $18 occupancy.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Buffalo?
Foot traffic should lead your playbook because 66/100 foot traffic readings when launching in Buffalo.
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 Buffalo?
Cautious - High Preparation with a 68/100 opportunity score, moderate competition, and a 66/100 foot traffic index. Current conditions in Buffalo favor waiting over rushing. Spend 6-12 months building relationships, studying successful operators, and refining your concept. Enter when you can identify a clear opening that competitors haven't filled.