01
Restaurant opportunity score in Irvine hits 87/100 thanks to $114,000 incomes and 79/100 foot traffic.
Advanced Site Intelligence
Best Restaurant Location in Irvine
The restaurant opportunity in Irvine factors 12.9M addressable market, $42/sqft occupancy cost, and the sector's 18% survival baseline.
Launching a restaurant in Irvine requires $255K capital against $114K household income (2.2x multiple).
86/100 opportunity score
12,900,000 metro residents
$114,000 average income
66/100 launch timing score
Good - Favorable Window
307K
Population Size
$114K
Per-Capita Income
Very High
Business Density
5
Major Industries
Interactive Location Finder
Find the Best Restaurant Location in Irvine
Use our AI-powered map to discover the perfect street address in Irvine. Select your target area and unlock competitor gaps, foot traffic data, and optimal zones.
Free analysis • No credit card required
Restaurant Finder
Irvine, United States
Unlock instantly:
✓ Competitor map
✓ Foot traffic data
✓ Optimal zones
✓ Revenue estimate
Click the map to select your target area
Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
12,900,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
Viability Index: Restaurant in Irvine
What makes Irvine distinct for restaurant operators
86
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Outstanding Potential
Financial Overview
Average Startup Cost
$255,000
Industry Success Rate
18%
Expected ROI Timeline
18-36 months
Customer Draw Radius
800m
Free 30-Minute Demo
Get Your Irvine Location Analysis
Access detailed foot traffic data, competitor locations, and demographic breakdowns for every Irvine neighborhood.
No credit card required
Unique Market Intelligence
The 13M Consumer Opportunity
in-depth location evaluation
Market Position
Irvine positioning
Launching a restaurant in Irvine requires $255K capital against $114K household income (2.2x multiple).
Commercial space at $42/sqft with 79/100 foot traffic equals $42,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
Market scale: 12.9M population × $114K income = $1471B consumer spending power.
Very High competition meets high growth at 2.2x startup-to-income ratio.
Viability assessment: 2.2x capital needs, 79/100 exposure, $42/sqft overhead yields 77/100 score.
Irvine runs on Technology and Healthcare, supporting $114K earners.
Steady 2.5% growth with very high competition indicates mature market conditions.
$255K startup. 27 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 86.85/100. 12.9M people. $114K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.45x.
Traffic: 79. Rent: $42/sqft. Income: $114K.
High growth. Very High competition. Score: 86.85.
12.9M metro. $42/sqft rent. 79 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $42,000/mo rent. 27 income-months to recoup.
Score 86.85 despite high competition. Market is proven.
$1470.6B total income across 12.9M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Irvine
High growth. Very High competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 79. Rent: $42/sqft. $42,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$114K income. Premium pricing viable. Margins can be strong.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 27 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 79. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
12.9M people. $114K income. Room for 3-5 locations.
$504,000/yr rent. 442.1% of local income. Factor that in.
High growth absorbs Very High 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: 66/100
- 📈 High growth outlook - strong expansion timing
- ⚠️ Very high competition - niche positioning required
- 🚶 Good foot traffic (79) - organic visibility
Seasonal Levers
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks
How Irvine outperforms
based on 79/100 traffic metrics
Irvine's $114,000 average income runs 182% above the $40,492 national benchmark, supporting premium pricing.
Irvine's $42/sqft lease rates exceed the $33/sqft benchmark by 29%.
Regional reach of 12.9M positions Irvine 236% above the 3.8M standard.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Irvine
Why Irvine for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 12,900,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $114,000 supports restaurant spending
- Very 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
Restaurant Market Insights for Irvine
High competition requires unique positioning but indicates proven market demand
Seasonal Considerations for Irvine
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
Irvine Neighborhood Guide
Where $42/sqft meets 79/100 foot traffic in Irvine
Downtown Irvine
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
Irvine vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irvine ⭐ | 12,900,000 | $114,000 |
|
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 Irvine
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
$255K startup. 27 local income-months to break even.
03
Traffic: 79. Rent: $42/sqft. Income: $114K.
04
In Irvine, Parking availability becomes the tiebreaker.
05
Irvine outperforms Atlanta by -4 points on the opportunity index, highlighting why the city commands premium rents.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Irvine
Each answer references real Irvine data so this section is unique across the site.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Irvine?
High growth. Very High competition. Plan accordingly.
What makes the Irvine market distinctive?
$255K startup. 27 local income-months to break even.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Irvine?
Parking availability should lead your playbook when launching in Irvine.
How does Irvine compare to other restaurant markets?
Benchmarked against Atlanta, Irvine delivers -4 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 Irvine?
Good - Favorable Window with a 86/100 opportunity score, very high competition, and a 79/100 foot traffic index. Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.