01
Compared to Atlanta, Cleveland scores -24 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.
Evidence-Based Analysis
Best Restaurant Location in Cleveland
For restaurants in Cleveland, the $255,000 average investment operates against $20/sqft rent and moderate market saturation, with 18% industry success benchmarks.
Capital requirements for Cleveland: $255K startup facing $50K earning households at 5.1x leverage.
67/100 opportunity score
2,088,000 metro residents
$50,000 average income
20/100 launch timing score
Cautious - High Preparation
372K
Local Population
$50K
Earning Power
Moderate
Business Saturation
5
Industry Presence
Interactive Location Finder
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Explore Cleveland visually. Our AI identifies micro-locations where customer demand exceeds current supply—your competitive advantage.
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Restaurant Finder
Cleveland, United States
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✓ Foot traffic data
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
2,088,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
How Cleveland Scores for Restaurants
Market nuances specific to Cleveland's demographics
67
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Balanced Potential
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
Why Cleveland for Restaurant?
in-depth location evaluation
Market Position
Cleveland positioning
Capital requirements for Cleveland: $255K startup facing $50K earning households at 5.1x leverage.
Operating in Cleveland: $20/sqft rent, 68-point foot traffic, $20,000/mo baseline for 1K sqft unit.
Market scale: 2.1M population × $50K income = $104B consumer spending power.
Market dynamics: moderate saturation, moderate expansion, 5.1x capital requirement.
Viability assessment: 5.1x capital needs, 68/100 exposure, $20/sqft overhead yields 52/100 score.
Primary sectors (Healthcare, Manufacturing) power the $50K household base.
Market growing at 2.5% annually. Moderate competitive environment. Stable outlook.
$255K startup. 61 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 67.2/100. 2.1M people. $50K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.20x.
Traffic: 68. Rent: $20/sqft. Income: $50K.
Moderate growth. Moderate competition. Score: 67.2.
2.1M metro. $20/sqft rent. 68 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $20,000/mo rent. 61 income-months to recoup.
Score 67.2. Average conditions. Execution decides success.
$104.4B total income across 2.1M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Cleveland
Moderate growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 68. Rent: $20/sqft. $20,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$50K income. Standard pricing. Test and adjust.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 61 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 68. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
2.1M metro. $50K income. 2-3 locations possible.
$240,000/yr rent. 480.0% of local income. Factor that in.
Moderate growth. Moderate competition. Execution decides success.
Launch Timing & Momentum
Align your opening window with market-ready signals
Entry Signal
Cautious - High Preparation
Current conditions in Cleveland 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: 20/100
- ⚖️ Moderate competition - balanced market entry
Seasonal Levers
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks
How Cleveland outperforms
calibrated to $50K demographics
At $50,000 per household, Cleveland exceeds typical markets ($40,492) by 23%, creating premium service demand.
Real estate at $20/sqft puts Cleveland 39% below market norms ($33/sqft).
A 68/100 foot traffic index places Cleveland 14% below the 79/100 national median, requiring destination-draw strategies.
With 2.1M metro residents, Cleveland falls below the 3.8M benchmark by 46%.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Cleveland
Why Cleveland for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 2,088,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $50,000 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
Seasonal Considerations for Cleveland
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
Where to Set Up in Cleveland
Commercial corridors serving $50K earners
Downtown Cleveland
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
Cleveland vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland ⭐ | 2,088,000 | $50,000 |
|
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 Cleveland
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
Market fundamentals place Cleveland at 67/100 for restaurants: $50,000 average wages meet 68/100 pedestrian density.
03
Market growing at 2.5% annually. Moderate competitive environment. Stable outlook.
04
$255K startup. $20,000/mo rent. 61 income-months to recoup.
05
In Cleveland, Local cuisine preferences becomes the tiebreaker.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Cleveland
Each answer references real Cleveland data so this section is unique across the site.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Cleveland?
$240,000/yr rent. 480.0% of local income. Factor that in.
What makes the Cleveland market distinctive?
Market growing at 2.5% annually. Moderate competitive environment. Stable outlook.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Cleveland?
Local cuisine preferences should lead your playbook when launching in Cleveland.
How does Cleveland compare to other restaurant markets?
Benchmarked against Atlanta, Cleveland delivers -24 additional opportunity points—driven by superior market conditions.
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 Cleveland?
Cautious - High Preparation with a 67/100 opportunity score, moderate competition, and a 68/100 foot traffic index. Current conditions in Cleveland 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.