01
Durham leads Atlanta by -5 opportunity points, justifying elevated location costs.
Expert Location Analysis
Best Restaurant Location in Durham
Durham's restaurant market sits at the intersection of 1.5M metro demand, 75/100 walkability index, and $26/sqft operating costs.
Restaurant in Durham: $255K startup. $72K local income. 3.5x ratio.
86/100 opportunity score
1,500,000 metro residents
$72,000 average income
73/100 launch timing score
Good - Favorable Window
324K
Market Population
$72K
Avg Income
High
Commercial Activity
5
Core Sectors
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Durham, United States
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
1,500,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
Restaurant Opportunity Score: Durham
Exclusive intelligence from Durham's commercial zones
86
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Premium 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
Restaurant Market in Durham
quantitative site ranking
Market Position
Durham positioning
Restaurant in Durham: $255K startup. $72K local income. 3.5x ratio.
Operating in Durham: $26/sqft rent, 75-point foot traffic, $26,000/mo baseline for 1K sqft unit.
Consumer base of 1.5M at $72K average income drives a $108B economic opportunity.
Market dynamics: moderate saturation, very high expansion, 3.5x capital requirement.
Market viability index: 67/100 (factors: 3.5x funding, 75/100 walkability, $26/sqft costs).
Primary sectors (Biotechnology, Healthcare) power the $72K household base.
At 2.5% growth and moderate density, market is in equilibrium phase.
$255K startup. 42 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 86.25/100. 1.5M people. $72K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.28x.
Traffic: 75. Rent: $26/sqft. Income: $72K.
Very High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 86.25.
1.5M metro. $26/sqft rent. 75 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $26,000/mo rent. 42 income-months to recoup.
Score 86.25. Moderate competition. Good entry point.
$108.0B total income across 1.5M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Durham
Very High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 75. Rent: $26/sqft. $26,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$72K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 42 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 75. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
1.5M metro. Focus on one location first.
$312,000/yr rent. 433.3% of local income. Factor that in.
Very High growth absorbs Moderate competition. Worth entering.
Launch Timing & Momentum
Align your opening window with market-ready signals
Entry Signal
Good - Favorable Window
Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.
Timing score: 73/100
- 🚀 Very high growth trajectory - first-mover advantage available
- ⚖️ Moderate competition - balanced market entry
- 🚶 Good foot traffic (75) - organic visibility
Seasonal Levers
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks
How Durham leads
based on 75/100 traffic metrics
Household earnings of $72,000 in Durham represent a 78% premium versus the $40,492 market average.
Operating costs at $26/sqft represent a 20% savings compared to $33/sqft typical rates.
Durham's 1.5M metro area is 61% smaller than typical (3.8M), offering focused market dynamics.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Durham
Why Durham for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 1,500,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $72,000 supports restaurant spending
- High 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 Durham
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
Best Neighborhoods in Durham
Matching restaurant requirements to Durham zones
Downtown Durham
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
Durham vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham ⭐ | 1,500,000 | $72,000 |
|
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 Durham
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
Market fundamentals place Durham at 86/100 for restaurants: $72,000 average wages meet 75/100 pedestrian density.
03
Market viability index: 67/100 (factors: 3.5x funding, 75/100 walkability, $26/sqft costs).
04
1.5M metro. $26/sqft rent. 75 foot traffic.
05
In Durham, Parking availability becomes the tiebreaker.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Durham
Each answer references real Durham data so this section is unique across the site.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Durham?
Restaurant: $255K to open. 42 income-months to recoup.
What makes the Durham market distinctive?
Market viability index: 67/100 (factors: 3.5x funding, 75/100 walkability, $26/sqft costs).
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Durham?
Parking availability should lead your playbook when launching in Durham.
How does Durham compare to other restaurant markets?
Durham's -5-point edge over Atlanta stems from better income demographics and foot traffic patterns.
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 Durham?
Good - Favorable Window with a 86/100 opportunity score, high competition, and a 75/100 foot traffic index. Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.