How Many Restaurants Are in North Carolina? 2025 Update
Discover the Restaurant Industry in North Carolina
Looking for insights on how many restaurants are in North Carolina? Whether you're researching the food service industry, planning to open a restaurant, or analyzing market trends, understanding the restaurant landscape in North Carolina provides valuable context.
Restaurants in North Carolina
Annual Sales
$33.9 billion
Employees
412,800
Population
10,439,388
With a population of 10,439,388, North Carolina has one restaurant for every 444.8 residents. The restaurant industry in North Carolina employs approximately 412,800 people, with an average of 17.6 employees per establishment.
The economic impact is significant, with restaurants in North Carolina generating $33.9 billion in annual sales. That's an average of $1,444,336 in revenue per restaurant.
How North Carolina Compares to Other States
Understanding how North Carolina's restaurant industry compares to similar states provides valuable context for business planning and market analysis.
Key Restaurant Statistics for North Carolina:
- Total Restaurants: 23,471
- State Area: 53,819 mi² (or 139,391 km²)
- Population: 10,439,388
- Annual Restaurant Sales: $33.9 billion
- Restaurant Employees: 412,800
- Restaurant Density per mi²: 0.44 restaurants/mi²
- Restaurants per capita: 0.0022 per person (or 444.8 people per restaurant)
Major Cities in North Carolina
Restaurant density and market opportunities vary significantly across different cities in North Carolina. Explore the restaurant statistics for major cities to find the best location for your business.
Charlotte
Raleigh
Greensboro
Durham
Fayetteville
Winston-Salem
Wilmington
Cary
Concord
High Point
Where Do We Get Our Data?
At Foodylytics, we gather data from a combination of official state records, industry reports, restaurant associations, and proprietary analytics tools to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information. Learn more about our data sources here.
Need Market Insights for North Carolina?
If you're planning to open a restaurant or invest in the industry in North Carolina, having a deep understanding of the competitive landscape is crucial. Our Foodylytics Restaurant Analysis Report provides a comprehensive breakdown of North Carolina's restaurant scene, including:
- 📊 Local market analysis
- 📍 Restaurant density in different cities and neighborhoods
- 🍽️ Popular cuisines and consumer preferences
- 📈 Growth opportunities based on real data
- 💼 Employment trends and labor market insights
Need Market Insights for North Carolina?
If you're planning to open a restaurant or invest in the industry, having a deep understanding of the competitive landscape is crucial. Our Foodylytics Restaurant Analysis Report provides a comprehensive breakdown of North Carolina's restaurant scene, including:
- 📊 Top competitors by Popularity
- 📍 Closest Competitors
- 🍽️ Popular Cuisines
- 📈 Ratings and Pricing Analytics
- 🏙️ Area Insights to Understand Your Surroundings