01
Score 83.8. Moderate competition. Good entry point.
Expert Location Analysis
Best Restaurant Location in Houston
Houston's 7.5M metro area generates a 72/100 foot traffic index, creating high competition among restaurants targeting the $62,000 income demographic.
Launching a restaurant in Houston requires $255K capital against $62K household income (4.1x multiple).
83/100 opportunity score
7,510,000 metro residents
$62,000 average income
73/100 launch timing score
Good - Favorable Window
2,314K
Resident Base
$62K
Income Base
High
Competition Level
5
Top Sectors
Interactive Location Finder
Find the Best Restaurant Location in Houston
Our location intelligence platform analyzes Houston's commercial landscape. Explore the map to identify high-potential streets with demand-supply gaps.
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Restaurant Finder
Houston, United States
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
7,510,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
Restaurant Opportunity Score: Houston
Competitive dynamics unique to Houston
83
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Solid 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 Houston
thorough viability scoring
Market Position
Houston positioning
Launching a restaurant in Houston requires $255K capital against $62K household income (4.1x multiple).
Real estate: $30 per sqft, pedestrian index 72/100, projecting $30,000 monthly occupancy cost.
The 7.5M-person metro with $62,000 household incomes represents $466B in market potential.
Competitive landscape shows moderate density with very high momentum (4.1x investment ratio).
Success factors combine to 60/100: cost ratio 4.1x, traffic score 72, rent $30/sqft.
Local economy driven by Energy, Aerospace—households averaging $62K.
Baseline 2.5% expansion against moderate competition. Standard entry dynamics.
$255K startup. 49 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 83.8/100. 7.5M people. $62K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.24x.
Traffic: 72. Rent: $30/sqft. Income: $62K.
Very High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 83.8.
7.5M metro. $30/sqft rent. 72 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $30,000/mo rent. 49 income-months to recoup.
Score 83.8. Moderate competition. Good entry point.
$465.6B total income across 7.5M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Houston
Very High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 72. Rent: $30/sqft. $30,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$62K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 49 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 72. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
7.5M people. $62K income. Room for 3-5 locations.
$360,000/yr rent. 580.6% 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 (72) - organic visibility
Seasonal Levers
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks
How Houston leads
calibrated to $62K demographics
Household earnings of $62,000 in Houston represent a 53% premium versus the $40,492 market average.
Operating costs at $30/sqft represent a 8% savings compared to $33/sqft typical rates.
The 72/100 pedestrian score represents 8% weaker organic discovery versus market baseline (79/100).
Houston's 7.5M metro area is 95% larger than typical (3.8M), providing scale advantages.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Houston
Why Houston for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 7,510,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $62,000 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 Houston
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
Best Neighborhoods in Houston
From downtown to suburban: Houston's opportunity spread
Downtown Houston
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
Houston vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston ⭐ | 7,510,000 | $62,000 |
|
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 Houston
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
In Houston, Local cuisine preferences becomes the tiebreaker.
03
Houston leads Atlanta by -7 opportunity points, justifying elevated location costs.
04
Our restaurant opportunity index scores Houston at 84/100—reflecting $62,000 resident earnings and 72 traffic rating.
05
Success factors combine to 60/100: cost ratio 4.1x, traffic score 72, rent $30/sqft.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Houston
Each answer references real Houston data so this section is unique across the site.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Houston?
Local cuisine preferences should lead your playbook when launching in Houston.
How does Houston compare to other restaurant markets?
Our data shows Houston scoring -7 points above Atlanta, making it the stronger restaurant market.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Houston?
Traffic: 72. Rent: $30/sqft. $30,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
What makes the Houston market distinctive?
Success factors combine to 60/100: cost ratio 4.1x, traffic score 72, rent $30/sqft.
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 Houston?
Good - Favorable Window with a 83/100 opportunity score, high competition, and a 72/100 foot traffic index. Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.