The 10 Most Restaurant-Friendly Cities in the US

If you’re a budding restaurateur, you may wonder which U.S. city is best for starting a restaurant business. Fortunately, plenty of cities exist that are friendly to restaurants and provide the resources and commercial real estate needed to help your business thrive. 

Each city offers something unique and can help create an atmosphere that’s perfect for your new restaurant venture. Whether you’re looking for support from local businesses or just want to be part of an exciting culinary scene, these cities offer it all. 

Here are the 10 most restaurant-friendly cities in the United States, their average commercial rents, and cost of living indices (100 is the national average, any number below 100 indicates a lower-than-average cost.) 

#10 – Austin, Texas

Average commercial rent per square foot: $40.35.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 103;

Health: 93;

Housing: 127; and 

Transportation: 86.

Austin, Texas is a great city to open a restaurant in the United States. It has a strong restaurant-friendly climate and is full of diverse restaurants. On top of that, opening a restaurant in Austin is relatively easy due to its business-friendly environment. 

However, because the restaurant scene is so hot, you’ll have a lot of competition. Some experts recommend having $1.24 million ready for start-up costs alone. That will help you afford everything from building and land to marketing. 

The city also has great access to fresh produce and ingredients, which makes it ideal for those looking to open a restaurant in an area that prides itself on quality food. The city’s vibrant culture and entertainment scene make it an attractive destination for potential customers.

#9 – Bozeman, Montana

Average commercial rent per square foot: $18.15.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 100;

Health: 97;

Housing: 137; and 

Transportation: 89.

Bozeman, Montana is a great city to open a restaurant in the United States. Bozeman boasts utility prices 13% below the national average if you’re focused on avoiding high utility bills. 

That means you’ll be able to save money each month and still have a successful restaurant.  Bozeman is also known for its vibrant nightlife, which could lead to more customers for your business.

#8 – Boise, Idaho

Average commercial rent per square foot: $20.75.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 97;

Health: 99;

Housing: 99; and 

Transportation: 99.

Boise is a cost-effective location for restaurants, especially compared to high-cost options like New York. When you look at the two options side-by-side, Boise has a 29% better cost of living, and rent is 55.7% lower.

This city is also great for those looking to open a restaurant due to its access to food suppliers and growing customer base. Plus, the city has plenty of resources that help restaurateurs select the right property and start successfully.

#7 – Charlotte, North Carolina

Average commercial rent per square foot: $25.00.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 96;

Health: 99;

Housing: 114; and 

Transportation: 94.

Charlotte, North Carolina could be one of America’s next great food cities: Its diversity of food options and cultures is unmatched. The growing city boasts a burgeoning food scene with restaurants of all varieties, from family-style to ethnic cuisine. 

With its close proximity to larger metropolitan areas, such as Atlanta and Washington D.C., it is easy for traveling customers to visit your restaurant and experience something new. 

#6 – Cincinnati, Ohio

Average commercial rent per square foot: $23.40.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 100;

Health: 96;

Housing: 88; and 

Transportation: 103.

If you’re considering starting up in Cincinnati, you’ll likely be able to enjoy costs of living, grocery prices, and utility bills lower than national averages.

This might be a surprise due to the city’s large population, but Cincinnati has somehow managed to maintain its significant population size without having some of the high costs associated with other large cities. 

In the past, the city has even been declared the lowest cost of living of any major metro in the U.S.

#5 – Knoxville, Tennessee

Average commercial rent per square foot: $19.13.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 99;

Health: 91;

Housing: 86; and 

Transportation: 95.

Knoxville, Tennessee is another excellent home for restaurants. The cost of living in Knoxville is also quite low compared to other cities in the U.S., making it easier for businesses to get started without having to worry about large overhead costs.

In addition, Knoxville is known for its vibrant food scene. From BBQ to breakfast spots, this city has something for everyone’s taste buds. 

Plus, the city is in close proximity to a variety of farms and local producers, which help business owners get the ingredients they need for their restaurant ventures without having to order from out of state.

#4 – Omaha, Nebraska

Average commercial rent per square foot: $20.60.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 101;

Health: 91;

Housing: 91; and 

Transportation: 93.

Nebraska is another critically underestimated option in the restaurant scene. For example, Omaha has a low cost of living and a median home value that is lower than the national average. 

This means you can save money on housing and invest those savings in your restaurant.

One major hurdle to consider is getting your required restaurant permits taken care of. This is true for any city, but in Nebraska specifically, you’ll need:

1. Business License;
2. Certificate of Occupancy;
3. Food Handler’s License, also known as Food Service License;
4. Seller’s Permit;
5. Liquor License Permit;
6. Catering Business License;
7. Food Facility Health Permit; and
8. Employee Health Permit.

Once you’ve acquired these, you should be ready to open up shop.

#3 – Orlando, Florida

Average commercial rent per square foot: $29.00.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 102;

Health: 95;

Housing: 98; and 

Transportation: 93.

Orlando, Florida is a great city to open a restaurant in thanks to its thriving economy, diverse population, and many attractions, including nearby Universal Studios Florida and Disney World.

Opening a restaurant in Orlando can be very profitable due to the high number of tourists that visit the city each year. Restaurants also benefit from the warm weather, excellent infrastructure, and access to fresh local ingredients. 

#2 – St. George, Utah

Average commercial rent per square foot: $21.20.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 101;

Health: 93;

Housing: 97; and 

Transportation: 102.

St. George, Utah has developed a reputation for being restaurant-friendly. The city offers new restaurant owners an easy process to obtain licenses and permits needed to open their restaurants.

Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for the promotion of your new business with local media outlets and at nearby universities, like Southern Utah University and Utah Tech University.

#1 – Tucson, Arizona

Average commercial rent per square foot: $19.65.

Cost of Living Indices

Groceries: 98;

Health: 91;

Housing: 90; and 

Transportation: 97.

Tucson, Arizona has a very friendly and welcoming environment for restaurants and their owners. In fact, dozens of new facilities opened up just last year. The city’s climate makes it easy to open and operate a restaurant year-round. 

The people of Tucson are also incredibly supportive of local businesses, so if you do decide to open your restaurant here, you’ll likely have plenty of potential customers.

Where Will You Go?

These are some of the most restaurant-friendly cities in the U.S. that should definitely be considered when you’re looking to open a restaurant. 

These cities have great restaurant-friendly environments and boast plenty of restaurants and dining options. Moreover, they also provide excellent opportunities for entrepreneurs to get started.

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