By Robert Wagner, CPA, Netfinancials
Even though buffeted by strong economic headwinds in Q2, Atlanta restaurants still whipped up positive sales for the quarter. Sales at independently owned restaurants posted an increase of 5% over sales for quarter 2 2011. For the year-to-date through June 30 Atlanta restaurant sales increased 5.8% over sales for 2011.
Quarter 2 2012 vs. 2011
A majority of Atlanta restaurants posted same-store sales increases in the second quarter, 2012 when compared to the same period in 2011. Of the 80 restaurants surveyed, 76% reported positive sales gains in Q2 2012. That contrasts to 24% of restaurants reporting Q2 negative sales trend.
Twenty-one percent of restaurants surveyed reported double-digit sales gains in Q2 2012. While the Q2 numbers are impressive given the difficult economy, they are not as compelling as Q1 2012 when 81% of restaurants showed positive sales and 37% of restaurants showed double-digit sales gains.
Sixth Straight Quarter of Sales Growth
Quarter 2 2012 is at least the sixth straight quarter of comparable sales growth for Atlanta restaurants – the time that NetFinancials has been tracking sales on a quarterly basis.
Conclusion
Robert Wagner, NetFinancials president states that, “Consumers were assaulted with plenty of unsavory economic news in Q2 2012. So it is a little surprising that Atlanta restaurants did so well. A 5% sales increase with 76% of restaurants reporting positive comp sales is a good quarter and showed the remarkable resilience of local Atlanta restaurants. These positive sales comps are an important sign of economic vitality in the Atlanta restaurant industry – a critical source of jobs and commercial activity in the metro area.
“Operators cited the strong growth in visits to Atlanta restaurants from out-of-towners and well as a determination by local consumers to enjoy a meal out even in the face of tough economic news.”
The Sample: The 80 independently-operated, non-franchise restaurants were drawn from the metro Atlanta market. Total Q2 2012 sales volume was $45,480,897. The sample included restaurants in Atlanta’s fast-casual, casual and fine-dining segments opened at least 18 months.
