Advanced Site Intelligence

Best Restaurant Location in Wilmington

The Wilmington market combines a 125K population base, $26/sqft lease rates, and moderate competitive pressure—yielding distinct dynamics for restaurant operators.

Launching a restaurant in Wilmington requires $255K capital against $62K household income (4.1x multiple).

67/100 opportunity score
300,000 metro residents
$62,000 average income
73/100 launch timing score
Good - Favorable Window
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125K
City Headcount
$62K
Median Income
Moderate
Market Density
5
Industry Mix
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Restaurant Finder

Wilmington, United States

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Foot traffic data
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Competitor Locations
Opportunity Zones
High Traffic Areas
300,000 potential customers in metro area
500+ businesses helped
Real-time market data
AI-powered recommendations
Market Analysis

Market Readiness: Restaurant in Wilmington

Market nuances specific to Wilmington's demographics

67 / 100

Market Opportunity

Based on 7 comprehensive market factors

Fair 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

Inside Wilmington's Commercial Landscape

in-depth location evaluation

Market Position

Wilmington positioning

Launching a restaurant in Wilmington requires $255K capital against $62K household income (4.1x multiple).

Operating in Wilmington: $26/sqft rent, 78-point foot traffic, $26,000/mo baseline for 1K sqft unit.

Consumer base of 0.3M at $62K average income drives a $19B economic opportunity.

Market dynamics: moderate saturation, very high expansion, 4.1x capital requirement.

Viability assessment: 4.1x capital needs, 78/100 exposure, $26/sqft overhead yields 61/100 score.

Wilmington runs on Tourism and Film Production, supporting $62K earners.

Baseline 2.5% expansion against moderate competition. Standard entry dynamics.

$255K startup. 49 local income-months to break even.

Competitive Position

National ranking for restaurants

Score: 67.7/100. 0.3M people. $62K income.

Restaurant costs $255K to open. Income ratio: 0.24x.

Traffic: 78. Rent: $26/sqft. Income: $62K.

Very High growth. Moderate competition. Score: 67.7.

0.3M metro. $26/sqft rent. 78 foot traffic.

$255K startup. $26,000/mo rent. 49 income-months to recoup.

Score 67.7. Average conditions. Execution decides success.

$18.6B total income across 0.3M people.

Strategic Recommendations

Actionable strategies tailored for Wilmington

Very High growth. Moderate competition. Plan accordingly.

Traffic: 78. Rent: $26/sqft. $26,000/mo for 1000 sqft.

$62K income. Mid-tier pricing works. Offer options.

Restaurant: $255K to open. 49 income-months to recoup.

Traffic 78. Balanced. Mix storefront and digital.

0.3M metro. Focus on one location first.

$312,000/yr rent. 503.2% 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 (78) - organic visibility

Seasonal Levers

  • Holiday dining
  • Summer outdoor seating
  • Event catering opportunities
National Benchmarks

How Wilmington surpasses

calibrated to $62K demographics

The $62,000 income profile in Wilmington positions it 53% higher than the $40,492 national norm.

Commercial rates averaging $26/sqft in Wilmington sit 20% below the $33/sqft market standard, enabling competitive pricing.

The 0.3M regional population trails average markets (3.8M) by 92%.

Restaurant Market Analysis for Wilmington

Why Wilmington for Restaurants?

  • Metro population of 300,000 provides large customer base
  • Average income of $62,000 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 Wilmington

Tourism industry creates diverse dining opportunities and higher traffic

Seasonal Considerations for Wilmington

Holiday dining

Summer outdoor seating

Event catering opportunities

District-by-District: Wilmington

Commercial corridors serving $62K earners

Downtown Wilmington

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

Wilmington vs Other United States Cities for Restaurants

City Population Avg Income Market Score Action
Wilmington ⭐ 300,000 $62,000
67/100
Current City
Atlanta 6,307,000 $71,000
90/100
Explore →
Plano 7,760,000 $102,000
90/100
View data →
Frisco 7,760,000 $127,000
88/100
Compare →
Fort Lauderdale 6,166,000 $73,000
87/100
Check it →
Market Signals

Restaurant Insights Unique to Wilmington

Every business + city URL now shows a different mix of ratios, rent dynamics, and demand levers.

01

Compared to Atlanta, Wilmington scores -23 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.

02

Market fundamentals place Wilmington at 68/100 for restaurants: $62,000 average wages meet 78/100 pedestrian density.

03

Operating in Wilmington: $26/sqft rent, 78-point foot traffic, $26,000/mo baseline for 1K sqft unit.

04

$255K startup. $26,000/mo rent. 49 income-months to recoup.

05

In Wilmington, Parking availability becomes the tiebreaker.

FAQ

Restaurant FAQs for Wilmington

Each answer references real Wilmington data so this section is unique across the site.

What playbook works best for restaurants in Wilmington?

0.3M metro. Focus on one location first.

What makes the Wilmington market distinctive?

Operating in Wilmington: $26/sqft rent, 78-point foot traffic, $26,000/mo baseline for 1K sqft unit.

What operational lever matters most for restaurants in Wilmington?

Parking availability should lead your playbook when launching in Wilmington.

How does Wilmington compare to other restaurant markets?

Compared to Atlanta, Wilmington scores -23 points higher—explaining the real estate premium.

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 Wilmington?

Good - Favorable Window with a 67/100 opportunity score, moderate competition, and a 78/100 foot traffic index. Strong market conditions support entry. Develop detailed business plan and secure financing within next 3-6 months.