01
$255K startup. 42 local income-months to break even.
Evidence-Based Analysis
Best Restaurant Location in Raleigh
The Raleigh market combines a 477K population base, $28/sqft lease rates, and moderate competitive pressure—yielding distinct dynamics for restaurant operators.
Launching a restaurant in Raleigh requires $255K capital against $72K household income (3.5x multiple).
85/100 opportunity score
1,468,000 metro residents
$72,000 average income
73/100 launch timing score
Good - Favorable Window
477K
Market Population
$72K
Avg Income
High
Commercial Activity
5
Core Sectors
Interactive Location Finder
Find the Best Restaurant Location in Raleigh
Our location intelligence platform analyzes Raleigh's commercial landscape. Explore the map to identify high-potential streets with demand-supply gaps.
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Restaurant Finder
Raleigh, United States
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✓ Competitor map
✓ Foot traffic data
✓ Optimal zones
✓ Revenue estimate
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
1,468,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
How Raleigh Scores for Restaurants
Proprietary metrics for Raleigh's restaurant landscape
85
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
Prime Location
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
Why Raleigh for Restaurant?
systematic opportunity mapping
Market Position
Raleigh positioning
Launching a restaurant in Raleigh requires $255K capital against $72K household income (3.5x multiple).
Commercial space at $28/sqft with 73/100 foot traffic equals $28,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
1.5M metro residents earning $72,000 on average create a $106B addressable market.
Moderate competition meets very high growth at 3.5x startup-to-income ratio.
Viability assessment: 3.5x capital needs, 73/100 exposure, $28/sqft overhead yields 66/100 score.
Primary sectors (Technology, Education) power the $72K household base.
Market growing at 2.5% annually. Moderate competitive environment. Stable outlook.
$255K startup. 42 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 85.95/100. 1.5M people. $72K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.28x.
Traffic: 73. Rent: $28/sqft. Income: $72K.
Very High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 85.95.
1.5M metro. $28/sqft rent. 73 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $28,000/mo rent. 42 income-months to recoup.
Score 85.95. Moderate competition. Good entry point.
$105.7B total income across 1.5M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Raleigh
Very High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 73. Rent: $28/sqft. $28,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$72K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 42 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 73. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
1.5M metro. Focus on one location first.
$336,000/yr rent. 466.7% 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 (73) - organic visibility
Seasonal Levers
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks
How Raleigh dominates
scaled across 1.5M consumers
Household earnings of $72,000 in Raleigh represent a 78% premium versus the $40,492 market average.
Operating costs at $28/sqft represent a 14% savings compared to $33/sqft typical rates.
The 73/100 pedestrian score represents 7% weaker organic discovery versus market baseline (79/100).
Raleigh's 1.5M metro area is 62% smaller than typical (3.8M), offering focused market dynamics.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Raleigh
Why Raleigh for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 1,468,000 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 Raleigh
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
Where to Set Up in Raleigh
Zone-by-zone breakdown of Raleigh's commercial areas
Downtown Raleigh
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
Raleigh vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh ⭐ | 1,468,000 | $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 Raleigh
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
02
Very High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 85.95.
03
In Raleigh, Visibility becomes the tiebreaker.
04
Compared to Atlanta, Raleigh scores -5 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.
05
Raleigh rates 86/100 for restaurants, driven by $72,000 average income and 73/100 pedestrian activity.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Raleigh
Each answer references real Raleigh data so this section is unique across the site.
What makes the Raleigh market distinctive?
$255K startup. 42 local income-months to break even.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Raleigh?
Visibility should lead your playbook when launching in Raleigh.
How does Raleigh compare to other restaurant markets?
Compared to Atlanta, Raleigh scores -5 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Raleigh?
Traffic 73. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
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 Raleigh?
Good - Favorable Window with a 85/100 opportunity score, high competition, and a 73/100 foot traffic index. Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.