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Washington DC exceeds Atlanta by -5 points, which drives the city's premium pricing power.
Advanced Site Intelligence
Best Restaurant Location in Washington DC
Our analysis of Washington DC reveals $62/sqft commercial rates, 85/100 pedestrian activity, and high saturation—key factors in the moderate outlook for restaurant ventures.
Washington DC restaurant economics: $255K investment, $97K target demographic, 2.6x cost-to-income.
85/100 opportunity score
6,385,000 metro residents
$97,000 average income
45/100 launch timing score
Moderate - Strategic Entry
678K
City Population
$97K
HH Income
Very High
Biz Concentration
5
Economic Drivers
Interactive Location Finder
Find the Best Restaurant Location in Washington DC
Explore Washington DC visually. Our AI identifies micro-locations where customer demand exceeds current supply—your competitive advantage.
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Restaurant Finder
Washington DC, 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
6,385,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis
Market Readiness: Restaurant in Washington DC
Proprietary metrics for Washington DC's restaurant landscape
85
/ 100
Market Opportunity
Based on 7 comprehensive market factors
A+ Market Rating
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
Inside Washington DC's Commercial Landscape
comprehensive market assessment
Market Position
Washington DC positioning
Washington DC restaurant economics: $255K investment, $97K target demographic, 2.6x cost-to-income.
Commercial space at $62/sqft with 85/100 foot traffic equals $62,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
Consumer base of 6.4M at $97K average income drives a $619B economic opportunity.
Market dynamics: high saturation, moderate expansion, 2.6x capital requirement.
Viability assessment: 2.6x capital needs, 85/100 exposure, $62/sqft overhead yields 70/100 score.
Washington DC runs on Government and Professional Services, supporting $97K earners.
Baseline 2.5% expansion against high competition. Standard entry dynamics.
$255K startup. 32 local income-months to break even.
Competitive Position
National ranking for restaurants
Score: 85.75/100. 6.4M people. $97K income.
Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.38x.
Traffic: 85. Rent: $62/sqft. Income: $97K.
Moderate growth. High competition. Score: 85.75.
6.4M metro. $62/sqft rent. 85 foot traffic.
$255K startup. $62,000/mo rent. 32 income-months to recoup.
Score 85.75 despite high competition. Market is proven.
$619.3B total income across 6.4M people.
Strategic Recommendations
Actionable strategies tailored for Washington DC
Moderate growth. High competition. Plan accordingly.
Traffic: 85. Rent: $62/sqft. $62,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
$97K income. Premium pricing viable. Margins can be strong.
Restaurant: $255K to open. 32 income-months to recoup.
Traffic 85. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.
6.4M people. $97K income. Room for 3-5 locations.
$744,000/yr rent. 767.0% of local income. Factor that in.
Moderate growth. High competition. Execution decides success.
Launch Timing & Momentum
Align your opening window with market-ready signals
Entry Signal
Moderate - Strategic Entry
Washington DC's high competition is offset by strong foot traffic (85 index). Focus on prime street-level visibility and unique storefront experience to capture walk-by customers in this contested market.
Timing score: 45/100
- 🔥 High competition - differentiation critical
- 🚶 Good foot traffic (85) - organic visibility
- 💎 High income $97,000 - premium pricing viable
Seasonal Levers
- Holiday dining
- Summer outdoor seating
- Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks
How Washington DC surpasses
scaled across 6.4M consumers
Household earnings of $97,000 in Washington DC represent a 140% premium versus the $40,492 market average.
Operating costs at $62/sqft represent a 91% premium compared to $33/sqft typical rates.
The 85/100 pedestrian score represents 8% stronger organic discovery versus market baseline (79/100).
Washington DC's 6.4M metro area is 66% larger than typical (3.8M), providing scale advantages.
Restaurant Market Analysis for Washington DC
Why Washington DC for Restaurants?
- Metro population of 6,385,000 provides large customer base
- Average income of $97,000 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 Washington DC
Tourism industry creates diverse dining opportunities and higher traffic
Exceptional foot traffic creates natural customer discovery and impulse purchases
Seasonal Considerations for Washington DC
Holiday dining
Summer outdoor seating
Event catering opportunities
District-by-District: Washington DC
Zone-by-zone breakdown of Washington DC's commercial areas
Downtown Washington DC
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
Washington DC vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants
| City | Population | Avg Income | Market Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC ⭐ | 6,385,000 | $97,000 |
|
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 Washington DC
Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.
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Market fundamentals place Washington DC at 86/100 for restaurants: $97,000 average wages meet 85/100 pedestrian density.
03
$255K startup. 32 local income-months to break even.
04
$619.3B total income across 6.4M people.
05
In Washington DC, Foot traffic becomes the tiebreaker because 85/100 foot traffic readings.
FAQ
Restaurant FAQs for Washington DC
Each answer references real Washington DC data so this section is unique across the site.
What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Washington DC?
Foot traffic should lead your playbook because 85/100 foot traffic readings when launching in Washington DC.
How does Washington DC compare to other restaurant markets?
Washington DC outranks Atlanta by -5 points for restaurants, reflecting stronger fundamentals across income, traffic, and competition.
What playbook works best for restaurants in Washington DC?
Traffic: 85. Rent: $62/sqft. $62,000/mo for 1000 sqft.
What makes the Washington DC market distinctive?
$255K startup. 32 local income-months to break even.
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 Washington DC?
Moderate - Strategic Entry with a 85/100 opportunity score, very high competition, and a 85/100 foot traffic index. Washington DC's high competition is offset by strong foot traffic (85 index). Focus on prime street-level visibility and unique storefront experience to capture walk-by customers in this contested market.