In Memphis, Visibility becomes the tiebreaker.
Best Restaurant Location in Memphis
For restaurants in Memphis, the $255,000 average investment operates against $20/sqft rent and moderate market saturation, with 18% industry success benchmarks.
Launching a restaurant in Memphis requires $255K capital against $48K household income (5.3x multiple).
Find the Best Restaurant Location in Memphis
Our location intelligence platform analyzes Memphis's commercial landscape. Explore the map to identify high-potential streets with demand-supply gaps.
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Memphis, United States
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Market Readiness: Restaurant in Memphis
What makes Memphis distinct for restaurant operators
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Financial Overview
Discover Your Ideal Memphis Restaurant Site
Get street-level insights showing exactly where demand exceeds supply for restaurants in Memphis.
Inside Memphis's Commercial Landscape
in-depth location evaluation
Market Position
Memphis positioning
Launching a restaurant in Memphis requires $255K capital against $48K household income (5.3x multiple).
Commercial space at $20/sqft with 68/100 foot traffic equals $20,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
Market scale: 1.3M population × $48K income = $65B consumer spending power.
Moderate competition meets high growth at 5.3x startup-to-income ratio.
Success factors combine to 50/100: cost ratio 5.3x, traffic score 68, rent $20/sqft.
Local economy driven by Logistics, Healthcare—households averaging $48K.
At 2.5% growth and moderate density, market is in equilibrium phase.
$255K startup. 64 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 69.2/100. 1.3M people. $48K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.19x.
Traffic: 68. Rent: $20/sqft. Income: $48K.
High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 69.2.
1.3M metro. $20/sqft rent. 68 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $20,000/mo rent. 64 income-months to recoup.
Score 69.2. Average conditions. Execution decides success.
$64.7B total income across 1.3M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Memphis
High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 68. Rent: $20/sqft. $20,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$48K income. Value positioning needed. Volume matters.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 64 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 68. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
1.3M metro. Focus on one location first.
$240,000/yr rent. 500.0% 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, Memphis 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.
- 📈 High growth outlook - strong expansion timing
- ⚖️ Moderate competition - balanced market entry
Seasonal Levers
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
How Memphis leads
based on 68/100 traffic metrics
The $48,000 income profile in Memphis positions it 19% higher than the $40,492 national norm.
Commercial rates averaging $20/sqft in Memphis sit 39% below the $33/sqft market standard, enabling competitive pricing.
Pedestrian activity scoring 68/100 in Memphis falls short of the 79/100 average by 14%.
The 1.3M regional population trails average markets (3.8M) by 65%.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Memphis
Why Memphis for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 1,348,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $48,000 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
Seasonal Considerations for Memphis
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
District-by-District: Memphis
Where $20/sqft meets 68/100 foot traffic in Memphis
Downtown Memphis
High PotentialBusiness District
Strong WeekdaySuburban Areas
Growth AreaMemphis vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis ⭐ | 1,348,000 | $48,000 |
|
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 → |
Restaurant Insights Unique to Memphis
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
Compared to Atlanta, Memphis scores -22 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.
Memphis achieves 69/100 on restaurant viability metrics, leveraging $48,000 income levels and 68/100 foot flow.
Moderate competition meets high growth at 5.3x startup-to-income ratio.
Traffic: 68. Rent: $20/sqft. Income: $48K.
Restaurant FAQs for Memphis
Each answer references real Memphis data so this section is unique across the site.
What makes the Memphis market distinctive?
Moderate competition meets high growth at 5.3x startup-to-income ratio.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Memphis?
Visibility should lead your playbook when launching in Memphis.
How does Memphis compare to other restaurant markets?
Benchmarked against Atlanta, Memphis delivers -22 additional opportunity points—driven by superior market conditions.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Memphis?
Traffic: 68. Rent: $20/sqft. $20,000/mo for 1000 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 Memphis?
Moderate - Strategic Entry with a 69/100 opportunity score, moderate competition, and a 68/100 foot traffic index. With moderate saturation, Memphis 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.