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Restaurant opportunity score in Detroit hits 69/100 thanks to $38,000 incomes and 65/100 foot traffic.
Advanced Site Intelligence
Best Restaurant Location in Detroit
For restaurants in Detroit, the $255,000 average investment operates against $18/sqft rent and moderate market saturation, with 18% industry success benchmarks.
Launching a restaurant in Detroit requires $255K capital against $38K household income (6.7x multiple).
68/100 opportunity score
4,365,000 metro residents
$38,000 average income
48/100 launch timing score
Moderate - Strategic Entry
633K
Market Population
$38K
Avg Income
Moderate
Commercial Activity
5
Core Sectors
Interactive Location Finder
Find the Best Restaurant Location in Detroit
Our location intelligence platform analyzes Detroit's commercial landscape. Explore the map to identify high-potential streets with demand-supply gaps.
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Restaurant Finder
Detroit, United States
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✓ Competitor map
✓ Foot traffic data
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
4,365,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
Market Readiness: Restaurant in Detroit
Competitive dynamics unique to Detroit
68
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Average Market
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 Detroit's Commercial Landscape
comprehensive market assessment
Market Position
Detroit positioning
Launching a restaurant in Detroit requires $255K capital against $38K household income (6.7x multiple).
Operating in Detroit: $18/sqft rent, 65-point foot traffic, $18,000/mo baseline for 1K sqft unit.
Consumer base of 4.4M at $38K average income drives a $166B economic opportunity.
Market dynamics: moderate saturation, high expansion, 6.7x capital requirement.
Market viability index: 36/100 (factors: 6.7x funding, 65/100 walkability, $18/sqft costs).
Automotive and Manufacturing anchor Detroit's $38K-income economy.
Market growing at 2.5% annually. Moderate competitive environment. Stable outlook.
$255K startup. 81 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 68.75/100. 4.4M people. $38K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.15x.
Traffic: 65. Rent: $18/sqft. Income: $38K.
High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 68.75.
4.4M metro. $18/sqft rent. 65 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $18,000/mo rent. 81 income-months to recoup.
Score 68.75. Average conditions. Execution decides success.
$165.9B total income across 4.4M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Detroit
High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 65. Rent: $18/sqft. $18,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$38K income. Value positioning needed. Volume matters.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 81 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 65. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
4.4M metro. $38K income. 2-3 locations possible.
$216,000/yr rent. 568.4% of local income. Factor that in.
High growth absorbs Moderate competition. Worth entering.
Launch Timing & Momentum
Align your opening window with market-ready signals
Entry Signal
Moderate - Strategic Entry
With moderate saturation, Detroit 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
National Benchmarks
How Detroit surpasses
based on 65/100 traffic metrics
Detroit's $38,000 average income runs 6% below the $40,492 national benchmark, favoring value-focused positioning.
Detroit's $18/sqft lease rates undercut the $33/sqft benchmark by 45%.
Detroit's 65/100 walkability index runs 17% lower than typical (79/100).
Regional reach of 4.4M positions Detroit 14% above the 3.8M standard.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Detroit
Why Detroit for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 4,365,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $38,000 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 Detroit
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
District-by-District: Detroit
From downtown to suburban: Detroit's opportunity spread
Downtown Detroit
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
Detroit vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit ⭐ | 4,365,000 | $38,000 |
|
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 Detroit
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
Automotive and Manufacturing anchor Detroit's $38K-income economy.
03
4.4M metro. $18/sqft rent. 65 foot traffic.
04
In Detroit, Parking availability becomes the tiebreaker.
05
The -22-point advantage over Atlanta shows why Detroit maintains higher commercial rents.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Detroit
Each answer references real Detroit data so this section is unique across the site.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Detroit?
4.4M metro. $38K income. 2-3 locations possible.
What makes the Detroit market distinctive?
Automotive and Manufacturing anchor Detroit's $38K-income economy.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Detroit?
Parking availability should lead your playbook when launching in Detroit.
How does Detroit compare to other restaurant markets?
Benchmarked against Atlanta, Detroit delivers -22 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 Detroit?
Moderate - Strategic Entry with a 68/100 opportunity score, moderate competition, and a 65/100 foot traffic index. With moderate saturation, Detroit 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.