Atlanta, GA Restaurant Guide

How to Open a Restaurant in Atlanta

Launch in the South's cultural capital with a booming food scene and growing population

Atlanta Restaurant Market Overview

$14 billion

Market Size

8,500+

Restaurants

700+

New/Year

$1.1 million/year

Avg Revenue

500,000 (city) / 6 million (metro)

Population

$69,000

Median Income

Atlanta Restaurant Startup Costs

Small Restaurant

Small cafe or quick-service (under 30 seats)

$125,000 - $300,000

Most Common

Medium Restaurant

Casual dining restaurant (30-80 seats)

$300,000 - $650,000

Large Restaurant

Fine dining or large venue (80+ seats)

$650,000 - $1,600,000

* Costs vary by neighborhood, concept, and build-out requirements

Best Neighborhoods for Restaurants in Atlanta

Location is everything. Here are the top neighborhoods for different restaurant concepts.

Midtown

Urban core

Avg Rent:$5,000 - $14,000/mo

Foot Traffic:High

Best For:

Upscale casual, cocktail bars

Buckhead

Affluent district

Avg Rent:$6,000 - $18,000/mo

Foot Traffic:Medium-High

Best For:

Fine dining, steakhouses

East Atlanta Village

Hipster enclave

Avg Rent:$2,500 - $6,000/mo

Foot Traffic:Medium

Best For:

Dive bars, creative concepts

Westside/West Midtown

Industrial chic

Avg Rent:$4,000 - $12,000/mo

Foot Traffic:Medium-High

Best For:

Trendy restaurants, food halls

Decatur

Suburban downtown

Avg Rent:$3,000 - $8,000/mo

Foot Traffic:Medium

Best For:

Family dining, craft breweries

Required Licenses and Permits in Atlanta

Food Service Permit

Fulton County Board of Health permit

Cost: $300 - $600

Timeline: 2-4 weeks

Fulton County Health

Business License

City of Atlanta occupational tax

Cost: $75 - $500

Timeline: 1-2 weeks

City of Atlanta

Alcohol License

Beer/wine or liquor pouring license

Cost: $500 - $5,000

Timeline: 3-6 months

City of Atlanta

Food Handler Certification

ServSafe or equivalent

Cost: $10 - $20 per person

Timeline: 1 day

Approved Providers

Sign Permit

Exterior signage approval

Cost: $50 - $200

Timeline: 2-4 weeks

City of Atlanta

Fire Marshal Approval

Fire safety inspection

Cost: Included in permit

Timeline: 2-4 weeks

Atlanta Fire Rescue

Monthly Operating Costs in Atlanta

Rent

$2,500 - $14,000/month

Labor Cost

26-33% of revenue

Minimum Wage

$7.25/hour (federal minimum)

Food Cost

28-34% of menu price

Utilities

$800 - $2,800/month

Insurance (Annual)

$8,000 - $22,000/year

Popular Cuisines in Atlanta

Southern/Soul Food

BBQ

Fried Chicken

Korean

Ethiopian

Seafood

Farm-to-Table

Brunch

Opportunities in Atlanta

Rapid population growth
Film/TV industry presence
Airport hub brings travelers
Affordable compared to coastal
Strong Southern food heritage

Challenges in Atlanta

Suburban sprawl
Traffic affects location decisions
Competitive chef scene
Seasonal tourism
Multiple jurisdictions in metro

Insider Tips for Atlanta

1BeltLine locations are premium
2Consider ITP (Inside the Perimeter) vs OTP
3Soul food and Southern cuisine have built-in demand
4MARTA access matters for staff
5Brunch is hugely popular in Atlanta

Local Resources in Atlanta

Georgia Restaurant Association

State industry support

Visit Website

Invest Atlanta

Small business grants and loans

Visit Website

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

Tourism partnerships

Visit Website

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