In this article, we will look at the 30 US cities with the most restaurants per capita. But before that, let’s take an overview of the food and drink sector in the US, and discover how much Americans spend on food.
Overview of the Food and Drink Sector in the US
Americans love to eat out, making the restaurant and food industry one of the most prominent sectors in the country. In fact, estimates by the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service show that agriculture, food, and related industries contributed around $1.53 trillion to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country in 2023. This translates to a 5.6% share of the total US GDP. American farms alone made up $203.5 billion of the total amount, which amounts to around 0.7% of the country’s GDP. Agriculture’s contribution to GDP is higher than 0.7% primarily because sectors related to the industry depend on agricultural inputs to provide a value addition to the economy. The sectors related to agriculture broadly include food services and eateries, food and beverage manufacturing, food and beverage stores, fishing, and forestry, among several others.
Agriculture, food, and related industries also provided 10.4% of the country’s employment as of 2022, which comes up to around 22.1 million. These industries supported an additional 19.6 million jobs in the country, of which eating and drinking places and food services took up the most significant chunk: around 12.7 million jobs. Food and beverage stores supported approximately 3.3 million jobs as of 2022. You can also look at Top 20 Most Valuable Restaurant Companies in the World for more insight into the restaurant industry.
How Much Do Americans Spend on Food?
On average, Americans spend around 12.8% of their household budgets on food, as of 2022. American expenditure on food ranks in the third place of the total living expenses, right after housing and transportation, which take up a 33.3% and 16.8% share, respectively. Data from the US Department of Labor shows that sales in food service went from $632 billion in 2012 to $898 billion in 2022. With the demand for food service increasing continuously, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment in the industry will grow by around half a million jobs between 2022 and 2032. In addition, it is projected that the industry will put out 2.6 million job openings every year through 2032, of which none would require more than a high school diploma or equivalent. The National Restaurant Association estimates that the restaurant industry sales will reach $1.2 trillion by 2030, with the workforce in the industry exceeding 17 million.
A number of restaurant chains across the United States are opening avenues for employment in the US, such as McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE:MCD), which alone employs more than 100,000 people as of 2023. The world-famous chain opened shop in 1940, and has now grown to become one of the largest restaurant chains by revenue in the world. The company’s Accelerating the Arches campaign has focused attention on expanding its operations to 50,000 restaurants by 2027, kickstarting an era of the fastest growth in the brand’s history. McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE:MCD) is also aiming to expand its loyalty programs from 150 million 90-day active users to 250 million users by 2027, all the while connecting its restaurants across the globe through Google Cloud technology. These growth plans are set to begin in 2024, and will usher in a new age of enhanced operations and customer experience for the brand, attracting more people and contributing to the growth of the restaurant industry as a whole.
However, pressure on the company is increasing due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, with people boycotting the chain after its Aloyana franchise in Israel announced free meals for the Israeli army. Aloyana has been running Israel’s McDonald’s restaurants for the past 30 years, with 225 franchises under its wing. On April 5, McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE:MCD) announced that it would be acquiring all 225 Aloyana-owned McDonald’s restaurants for undisclosed terms and will retain 5,000 employees. McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE:MCD) has faced decreasing sales in Muslim-majority countries and does not expect an improvement in its business until the war is over. However, the company is focused on its international expansion, and particularly, its expansion in China. The American fast food giant opened up 1,374 new stores in international markets, of which 925 were opened in China. By 2028, McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) plans to operate 10,000 outlets in China.
Now that we have taken an overview of the food and restaurant sector, let us look at the 30 US cities with the most restaurants per capita. You can also look at 25 Most Popular Fast Food Restaurants in America and 13 Worst Rated Fast Food Restaurants in America According to Reddit.
30 US Cities With the Most Restaurants Per Capita
Our Methodology
We started our research with gathering data on Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas in the US that had at least 800 full-service restaurants. There were 51 such areas. Next we sourced the population estimates for these areas and computed the restaurants per capita for them. We have used the restaurants per capita metric for these areas as a proxy to rank the most populous cities within these areas. All of our data is sourced from the US Census Bureau, and is as of 2022. The cities are sorted in ascending order of the number of restaurants per capita.
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30 US Cities With the Most Restaurants Per Capita
30. Austin, Texas
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Austin-Round Rock, TX Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1619
Population of MSA: 2,173,804 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000744
Austin is the capital of the US state of Texas, and ranks 30th on our list of the 30 US cities with the most restaurants per capita. The city’s numerous parks, lakes, and luxury constructions are famous among people interested in boating, swimming, biking, and hiking.
29. Nashville, Tenessee
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,601
Population of MSA: 2,143,158 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000747
With 0.000747 restaurants per capita, Nashville takes the 29th spot on our list. It is the capital of the US state of Tenessee and houses 692,587 people as of 2022.
28. San Diego, California
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): San Diego-Carlsbad, CA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 2,515
Population of MSA: 3,323,970 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000756
San Diego is located in southern California on the Pacific Ocean coast. The coastal city’s mesmerizing beaches are its most popular attraction, so are its luxurious resorts and hotels.
27. Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 7,173
Population of MSA: 9,478,801 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000756
Chicago ranks 27th on our list with 0.000756 restaurants per capita. Located on Illinois’ Lake Michigan, the city’s skyline is lined with towering skyscrapers, bold architecture, and futuristic constructions. Some of its most popular tourist attractions include John Hancock Center, Willis Tower, Cloud Gate, and others.
26. Tampa, Florida
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 2,397
Population of MSA: 3,152,928 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000760
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is located on the Tampa Bay. The city is most famous for its high-end dining and bustling nightlife destinations. It lies in the 26th position on our list.
25. Indianapolis, Indiana
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,583
Population of MSA: 2,050,933 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000771
Commonly referred to as Indy, Indianapolis ranks in the 25th spot on our list. With 0.000771 restaurants per capita, the city’s bustling downtown district, vibrant neighborhoods, and high-end entertainment destinations make it popular among tourists.
24. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Pittsburgh, PA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,800
Population of MSA: 2,324,447 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000774
The 24th spot on our list of the 30 US cities with the most restaurants per capita is held by Pittsburgh, a city located in Pennsylvania’s western wing. It has 0.000774 restaurants per capita.
23. Raleigh, North Carolina
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Raleigh, NC Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,070
Population of MSA: 1,362,997 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000785
Raleigh is the capital city of North Carolina, and houses several prominent academic institutions, resulting in Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham being known as the Research Triangle. It has 0.000785 restaurants per capita, ranking it 23rd on our list.
22. Rochester, New York State
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Rochester, NY Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 848
Population of MSA: 1,071,784 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000791
Located on Lake Ontario in New York State, Rochester is the county seat of Monroe County. It has a population of 209,352 people as of 2022, along with 0.000791 restaurants per capita.
21. Charlotte, North Carolina
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 2,059
Population of MSA: 2,595,027 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.0007934406848
With 0.000793 restaurants per capita, Charlotte ranks in the 21st spot on our list of the 30 US cities with the most restaurants per capita. The commercial city is located in North Carolina.
20. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Oklahoma City, OK Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,112
Population of MSA: 1,397,040 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000795
Known for its distinctive cowboy culture, Oklahoma City is the capital of the state of Oklahoma. It has a population of 694,800 people as of 2022, ranking it 20th on our list.
19. Buffalo, New York State
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 907
Population of MSA: 1,129,018 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.0008033530023
Buffalo is the county seat of Erie County and stands on the eastern wing of Lake Erie in Western New York. It also touches the head of the Niagara River, located on the border between Canada and the United States. Buffalo ranks 19th on our list.
18. Jacksonville, Florida
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Jacksonville, FL Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,245
Population of MSA: 1,533,796 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000811
With around 0.000811 restaurants per capita, Florida’s Jacksonville holds the 18th place on our list of the 30 US cities with the most restaurants per capita. Jacksonville is the seat of Duval County, and is located in northeast Florida’s Atlantic coast.
17. Denver, Colorado
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 2,378
Population of MSA: 2,928,437 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000812
Denver is the capital of the US state of Colorado, and is an American metropolis that dates back to the Old West era. It has 0.000812 restaurants per capita, and takes up the 17th spot on our list.
16. Los Angeles, California
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 10,914
Population of MSA: 13,211,027 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000826
Los Angeles is the most populous, and the most famous, city in California state. The lively city has 0.000826 restaurants per capita, ranking it in the 16th spot on our list.
15. Orlando, Florida
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 2,155
Population of MSA: 2,560,260 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000841
Nothing makes Orlando more famous than the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Florida. The city brims with fun and exciting activities, including futuristic theme parks, outdoor adventure spots, museums, shopping centers, and eateries. The city has 0.000841 restaurants per capita.
14. San Jose, California
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,703
Population of MSA: 1,985,926 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000857
San Jose is the third most populous city in California, with a population of around 971,233 people as of 2022. Around the city stand the Silicon Valley rolling hills, which is one of the most prominent technology hubs in the world.
13. Richmond, Virginia
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Richmond, VA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,107
Population of MSA: 1,282,067 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000863
Virginia’s capital of Richmond ranks in the 13th spot on our list of the 30 US cities with the most restaurants per capita. The city has 0.000863 restaurants per capita.
12. Atlanta, Georgia
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 4,696
Population of MSA: 5,286,728 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000888
Atlanta is the capital of the US state of Georgia, and is also the seat of Fulton County. It has 0.000888 restaurants per capita, giving it the 12th spot on our list of the top US cities with the most restaurants per capita.
11. Virginia Beach, Virginia
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,578
Population of MSA: 1,768,956 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000892
The coastal city of Virginia Beach is located in the southeastern wing of Virginia, on the point of meeting of the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. The city has a population of 455,618 people as of 2022, and ranks in the 11th spot on our list.
10. Boston, Massachusetts
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 4,372
Population of MSA: 4,854,808 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000900
Boston is popularly known as the academic hub of the US, with a majority of its popularity related to academia. It also ranks high on our list with 0.000900 restaurants per capita.
9. Hartford, Connecticut
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,102
Population of MSA: 1,213,531 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000908
With 0.000908 restaurants per capita, Hartford ranks in the ninth place on our list of the 30 US cities with the most restaurants per capita. The city is the capital of the state of Connecticut, and houses around 120,686 people as of 2022.
8. New Orleans, Louisiana
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): New Orleans-Metairie, LA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,197
Population of MSA: 1,271,651 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000941
Popularly nicknamed “The Big Easy,” New Orleans is known for its vibrant nightlife, plethora of entertainment options, and unique cuisine. The city has 0.000941 restaurants per capita, ranking it in the eighth spot on our list. New Orleans is located in Louisiana.
7. Seattle, Washington
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 3,711
Population of MSA: 3,928,498 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000944
Located in the Pacific Northwest in Puget Sound, Seattle is the largest city in the state of Washington. It is a technological hub, with the headquarters of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) standing in its metropolitan area. The city has 0.000944 restaurants per capita.
6. Providence, Rhode Island
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Providence-Warwick, RI-MA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 1,581
Population of MSA: 1,621,099 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000975
Rhode Island’s Providence ranks in the sixth spot on our list with 0.000975 restaurants per capita. The city houses the famous Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design.
5. Portland, Oregon
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA): Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA Metro Area
Number of Full-Service Restaurants: 2,416
Population of MSA: 2,472,774 people
Number of Restaurants per Capita: 0.000977
Lying at the foot of the snow-capped Mount Hood, Portland is the most populous city in the US state of Oregon. The city is located on the Columbia and Willamette rivers and has 0.000977 restaurants per capita.