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Restaurant viability in Des Moines rates 69.35/100—typical of middle-tier markets
Data-Driven Market Intelligence
Best Restaurant Location in Des Moines
Marketlyzer calculates a 69/100 opportunity score for restaurants in Des Moines, supported by moderate competition and $62,000 average income, plus a 69/100 foot traffic index.
Des Moines's 4.1:1 capital-to-earnings multiple demands tight cost control for Restaurant margins
69/100 opportunity score
707,000 metro residents
$62,000 average income
48/100 launch timing score
Moderate - Strategic Entry
214K
City Population
$62K
Avg Income
Moderate
Business Density
5
Key Industries
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Des Moines, United States
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
707,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
Restaurant Opportunity Score
Data-driven potential for success in Des Moines based on 7 key market factors
69
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Moderate 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
Des Moines Restaurant Insights
Data-driven analysis unique to this market combination
Market Position Analysis
Unique positioning insights for Des Moines
Des Moines's 4.1:1 capital-to-earnings multiple demands tight cost control for Restaurant margins
The balanced Restaurant market in Des Moines rewards innovation, with 69 foot traffic index
Finance dominance in Des Moines amplifies Restaurant demand by 1x through industry synergies
Competitive Market Position
How Des Moines ranks nationally for restaurants
Restaurant viability in Des Moines rates 69.35/100—typical of middle-tier markets
$62,000 earnings place Des Moines squarely in upper-middle demographics—suited to quality-driven Restaurants
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Des Moines
⏰ Strategic timing: Plan Des Moines entry over next 15-20 months to align with peak growth cycle. High expansion rates make waiting for 'perfect' conditions less critical than consistent execution.
📍 Real estate advantage: Des Moines's $22/sqft lets you lock in prime corners that'd cost 2-3x elsewhere. The 69 traffic index means investing in storefront appeal and local marketing to compensate for lower natural flow.
💰 Middle-premium sweet spot: Des Moines's $62,000 income supports good-better-best pricing for Restaurants. Anchor with mid-tier offerings, then upsell 30-40% of customers to premium options with clear value differentiation.
📢 Guerrilla + digital mix: Des Moines's 69 traffic and moderate incomes mean cost-effective marketing is essential. Focus on free channels: Google Business optimization (0 cost), community engagement, local partnerships, supplemented by small but targeted Facebook ads ($500-1000/month).
Launch Timing & Momentum
Align your opening window with market-ready signals
Entry Signal
Moderate - Strategic Entry
With moderate saturation, Des Moines rewards operators who execute fundamentals exceptionally well. Invest in staff training, consistent quality, and local community engagement over the next 6-12 months to build sustainable advantage.
Timing score: 48/100
- 📈 High growth outlook - strong expansion timing
- ⚖️ Moderate competition - balanced market entry
Seasonal Levers
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
Restaurant Market Analysis for Des Moines
Why Des Moines for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 707,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $62,000 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 Des Moines
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
Best Des Moines Neighborhoods for Restaurants
Data-driven analysis of optimal areas based on restaurant success factors
Downtown Des Moines
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
Des Moines vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
Market Signals
Restaurant Insights Unique to Des Moines
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
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In Des Moines, Parking availability becomes the tiebreaker.
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Des Moines leads Atlanta by -22 opportunity points, justifying elevated location costs.
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Our restaurant opportunity index scores Des Moines at 69/100—reflecting $62,000 resident earnings and 69 traffic rating.
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Des Moines's 4.1:1 capital-to-earnings multiple demands tight cost control for Restaurant margins
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Des Moines
Each answer references real Des Moines data so this section is unique across the site.
How does Des Moines compare to other restaurant markets?
Des Moines leads Atlanta by -22 opportunity points, justifying elevated location costs.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Des Moines?
💰 Middle-premium sweet spot: Des Moines's $62,000 income supports good-better-best pricing for Restaurants. Anchor with mid-tier offerings, then upsell 30-40% of customers to premium options with clear value differentiation.
What makes the Des Moines market distinctive?
Des Moines's 4.1:1 capital-to-earnings multiple demands tight cost control for Restaurant margins
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Des Moines?
Parking availability should lead your playbook when launching in Des Moines.
Ready to Open Your Restaurant in Des Moines?
Moderate - Strategic Entry with a 69/100 opportunity score, moderate competition, and a 69/100 foot traffic index. With moderate saturation, Des Moines rewards operators who execute fundamentals exceptionally well. Invest in staff training, consistent quality, and local community engagement over the next 6-12 months to build sustainable advantage.