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Restaurant opportunity score in Detroit hits 69/100 thanks to $38,000 incomes and 65/100 foot traffic.
Data-Driven Market Intelligence
Best Restaurant Location in Detroit
Marketlyzer calculates a 68/100 opportunity score for restaurants in Detroit, supported by moderate competition and $38,000 average income, plus a 65/100 foot traffic index.
At 6.7:1 investment-to-wage ratio, Detroit Restaurants need operational excellence to reach profitability
68/100 opportunity score
4,365,000 metro residents
$38,000 average income
48/100 launch timing score
Moderate - Strategic Entry
633K
City Population
$38K
Avg Income
Moderate
Business Density
5
Key Industries
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Restaurant Finder
Detroit, United States
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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
Restaurant Opportunity Score
Data-driven potential for success in Detroit based on 7 key market factors
68
/ 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
Detroit Restaurant Insights
Data-driven analysis unique to this market combination
Market Position Analysis
Unique positioning insights for Detroit
At 6.7:1 investment-to-wage ratio, Detroit Restaurants need operational excellence to reach profitability
exceptional customer density of 242,500 residents per commercial dollar provides natural demand
Market density rewards innovation in Detroit's balanced Restaurant scene, with 65 traffic rating
Detroit's Technology, Finance presence delivers 2x customer base advantage for Restaurants
Competitive Market Position
How Detroit ranks nationally for restaurants
Scoring 68.75/100, Detroit sits at median performance levels for Restaurant market conditions
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Detroit
⏰ Strategic timing: Plan Detroit 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.
📍 Detroit's affordable rent ($18/sqft) with moderate visibility (65 traffic) is perfect for larger-format Restaurants—go big (2,000-3,000 sqft) since occupancy costs won't kill you, and use saved capital for marketing to drive intentional visits.
💰 Volume-margin balance: $38,000 average income in Detroit demands competitive pricing, but your $255,000 startup costs require sufficient margins. Focus on operational efficiency and high table-turns/Restaurant throughput rather than racing to bottom on price.
📢 Digital-first required: Detroit's moderate foot traffic (65) means you can't rely on walk-bys. With strong tech presence, focus on Instagram/social (35%), Google Ads (30%), partnerships with local tech companies (20%), and influencer collaborations (15%).
🔄 Expansion runway: 4,365,000 market supports 2-3 locations - establish proof of concept before multi-unit expansion in Detroit
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
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
Best Detroit Neighborhoods for Restaurants
Data-driven analysis of optimal areas based on restaurant success factors
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
Market Signals
Restaurant Insights Unique to Detroit
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
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exceptional customer density of 242,500 residents per commercial dollar provides natural demand
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Scoring 68.75/100, Detroit sits at median performance levels for Restaurant market conditions
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In Detroit, Parking availability becomes the tiebreaker.
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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?
📍 Detroit's affordable rent ($18/sqft) with moderate visibility (65 traffic) is perfect for larger-format Restaurants—go big (2,000-3,000 sqft) since occupancy costs won't kill you, and use saved capital for marketing to drive intentional visits.
What makes the Detroit market distinctive?
exceptional customer density of 242,500 residents per commercial dollar provides natural demand
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.
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.