The Secret Recipe for Choosing the Perfect Restaurant Location

Taco Restaurant located in high traffic area with urban characteristics and walk up order window.

Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate

In the competitive world of restaurants, your location can make or break your business. The perfect spot isn’t just about being in a high-traffic area; it’s about understanding your target audience, analyzing the market, and aligning your concept with the local environment. The Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate Team, your trusted Atlanta restaurant brokers, understands the complexities of finding the ideal location. With our extensive expertise in the Atlanta restaurant market, we are here to help you make informed decisions to ensure your restaurant’s success.

Why Location Matters for Restaurants

Before diving into the step-by-step process, it’s crucial to understand why your restaurant’s location is so critical. A great location ensures visibility, accessibility, and alignment with your target audience. It influences foot traffic, operational costs, and even your branding. Whether you’re opening a cozy café, a trendy bistro, a fast food franchise or a quick-service restaurant, your location is an integral part of your business strategy.

Step 1: Define Your Target Market

The first step in choosing the perfect restaurant location is understanding who your customers are. Are you catering to millennials seeking Instagram-worthy brunch spots? Families looking for a kid-friendly dining experience? Or business professionals needing a convenient lunch option?

Understanding your audience’s preferences, habits, and spending patterns will narrow down your location choices. The Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate Team conducts in-depth market research to help you identify your ideal customer base and match it to the best available locations in Atlanta and surrounding areas.

Step 2: Analyze the Demographics

Once you’ve defined your target market, analyzing demographics becomes key. Factors like age, income level, lifestyle preferences, and even cultural influences play a role in determining whether a particular neighborhood is suitable for your concept.

For example, an upscale dining restaurant would thrive in neighborhoods like Buckhead and Alpharetta and Sandy Springs known for its affluent residents, while a fast-casual eatery might be better suited to Midtown, West Midtown, Poncey or Downtown Atlanta, where foot traffic and younger crowds dominate. Our team’s local expertise ensures you’re not only analyzing the right data but also interpreting it to make informed decisions.

Step 3: Evaluate Accessibility and Visibility

Even the best menu won’t save a restaurant if customers struggle to find or access it. Accessibility and visibility are non-negotiable when choosing a restaurant location.

Key factors to consider include:

Foot Traffic: Locations near busy streets, shopping centers, or transit hubs often guarantee a steady stream of potential customers.
Parking and Public Transport: Ample parking or proximity to public transport can make your restaurant more convenient for customers.
Signage: A visible sign on a busy road can attract curious diners and passersby.

The Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate Team specializes in identifying high-visibility locations with strong accessibility, ensuring your restaurant gets the attention it deserves.

Step 4: Study Your Competition

While competition can be intimidating, it’s also an opportunity to learn and grow. Before settling on a location, research the area’s existing restaurants.

Ask yourself:

Are there restaurants offering similar cuisines?
How is their foot traffic?
What’s their price point?

The presence of successful competitors can indicate that the area has demand for your concept, but overcrowding might signal market saturation. Our team conducts competitive analyses to ensure your restaurant stands out while benefiting from existing demand.

Step 5: Assess Costs and Financial Viability

A dream location isn’t so dreamy if it drains your budget. Rent, utilities, and property taxes vary significantly across Atlanta. It’s important to balance location desirability with financial feasibility.

Questions to consider:

Can your restaurant’s projected revenue cover the rent and other fixed costs?
Are there hidden costs, such as maintenance or community fees?
What’s the potential ROI for this location?

The Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate Team is adept at negotiating leases and helping restaurateurs find locations that align with their financial goals.

Step 6: Consider the Future

The perfect restaurant location isn’t just about what works today—it’s about what will work in the future. Researching development plans, zoning changes, and neighborhood growth trends can provide valuable insights.

For instance, areas in the Metro Atlanta and “Outside the Perimeter (OTP)” are experiencing rapid development and could be ideal for a restaurant looking to capitalize on future growth. Our team stays informed about local trends to help you make forward-thinking decisions.

How the Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate Team Can Help

Choosing the perfect restaurant location in Atlanta is no small feat, but you don’t have to do it alone. The Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate Team specializes in restaurant brokerage, combining decades of experience in the food and beverage industry with unparalleled local market knowledge.

Here’s how we can help you:

Customized Property Searches: We tailor our property searches to match your concept, budget, and target audience.
Market Analysis: Our team provides detailed insights into Atlanta’s hottest restaurant markets.
Lease Negotiation: We advocate for favorable lease terms, helping you secure the best deal possible.
Expert Guidance: With 35+ years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, we offer invaluable advice that goes beyond real estate.

Whether you’re a first-time restaurateur or an experienced operator looking to expand, we are committed to your success.

Real-Life Examples: Success Stories from the Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate Team

Transforming Vision into Reality:

A health-focused café in the Atlanta Beltline thrives on steady foot traffic from co-working spaces and gyms.
Revitalizing a Historic Space:

A restaurant blending modern cuisine with historic charm has become a citywide favorite.
Expanding a Popular QSR Local Chain:

High-performing location secured in underserved area based on traffic and consumer data.

Tips for First-Time Restaurateurs

Start Small: Consider smaller spaces to minimize overhead costs.
Leverage Flex Spaces: Test your concept in pop-ups or shared kitchens.
Think Beyond Traditional Metrics: Use online orders and delivery services to expand reach.

Start Your Journey with Us

When searching for Atlanta restaurant brokers, Atlanta commercial real estate experts, or Atlanta business brokers, look no further than the Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate Team. We specialize in helping restaurateurs identify, secure, and succeed in the perfect restaurant location.

The restaurant industry is full of challenges, but finding the right location doesn’t have to be one of them. Let the Jimmy Carey Commercial Real Estate Team guide you through the process, from identifying the ideal neighborhood to negotiating the best lease terms.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward making your restaurant dreams a reality. Together, we’ll find the perfect location that aligns with your vision, budget, and business goals.