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$255K startup. 60 local income-months to break even.
Strategic Location Insights
Best Restaurant Location in Knoxville
Data from Knoxville shows high expansion potential: 190K residents, $51,000 average income, and commercial space averaging $20/sqft in moderate-competition zones.
Knoxville restaurant economics: $255K investment, $51K target demographic, 5.0x cost-to-income.
69/100 opportunity score
879,000 metro residents
$51,000 average income
48/100 launch timing score
Moderate - Strategic Entry
190K
Population Size
$51K
Per-Capita Income
Moderate
Business Density
5
Major Industries
Interactive Location Finder
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Explore Knoxville visually. Our AI identifies micro-locations where customer demand exceeds current supply—your competitive advantage.
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Restaurant Finder
Knoxville, United States
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✓ Competitor map
✓ Foot traffic data
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
879,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
Restaurant Opportunity Score: Knoxville
Proprietary metrics for Knoxville's restaurant landscape
69
/ 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
Restaurant Market in Knoxville
in-depth location evaluation
Market Position
Knoxville positioning
Knoxville restaurant economics: $255K investment, $51K target demographic, 5.0x cost-to-income.
Real estate: $20 per sqft, pedestrian index 69/100, projecting $20,000 monthly occupancy cost.
Consumer base of 0.9M at $51K average income drives a $45B economic opportunity.
Entry conditions: 5.0x funding multiple against moderate competition and high trajectory.
Market viability index: 53/100 (factors: 5.0x funding, 69/100 walkability, $20/sqft costs).
Knoxville runs on Education and Healthcare, supporting $51K earners.
At 2.5% growth and moderate density, market is in equilibrium phase.
$255K startup. 60 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 69.35/100. 0.9M people. $51K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.20x.
Traffic: 69. Rent: $20/sqft. Income: $51K.
High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 69.35.
0.9M metro. $20/sqft rent. 69 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $20,000/mo rent. 60 income-months to recoup.
Score 69.35. Average conditions. Execution decides success.
$44.8B total income across 0.9M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Knoxville
High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 69. Rent: $20/sqft. $20,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$51K income. Standard pricing. Test and adjust.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 60 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 69. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
0.9M metro. Focus on one location first.
$240,000/yr rent. 470.6% 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, Knoxville 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 Knoxville surpasses
based on 69/100 traffic metrics
The $51,000 income profile in Knoxville positions it 26% higher than the $40,492 national norm.
Commercial rates averaging $20/sqft in Knoxville sit 39% below the $33/sqft market standard, enabling competitive pricing.
Pedestrian activity scoring 69/100 in Knoxville falls short of the 79/100 average by 12%.
The 0.9M regional population trails average markets (3.8M) by 77%.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Knoxville
Why Knoxville for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 879,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $51,000 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
Restaurant Market Insights for Knoxville
Tourism industry creates diverse dining opportunities and higher traffic
Seasonal Considerations for Knoxville
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
Best Neighborhoods in Knoxville
Zone-by-zone breakdown of Knoxville's commercial areas
Downtown Knoxville
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
Knoxville vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville ⭐ | 879,000 | $51,000 |
|
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 Knoxville
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 69.35.
03
In Knoxville, Visibility becomes the tiebreaker.
04
The -22-point advantage over Atlanta shows why Knoxville maintains higher commercial rents.
05
Knoxville rates 69/100 for restaurants, driven by $51,000 average income and 69/100 pedestrian activity.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Knoxville
Each answer references real Knoxville data so this section is unique across the site.
What makes the Knoxville market distinctive?
$255K startup. 60 local income-months to break even.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Knoxville?
Visibility should lead your playbook when launching in Knoxville.
How does Knoxville compare to other restaurant markets?
Our data shows Knoxville scoring -22 points above Atlanta, making it the stronger restaurant market.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Knoxville?
High growth absorbs Moderate competition. Worth entering.
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 Knoxville?
Moderate - Strategic Entry with a 69/100 opportunity score, moderate competition, and a 69/100 foot traffic index. With moderate saturation, Knoxville 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.