Robert Wagner, CPA at Net Financials has issued his latest quarterly report and the news is on par with what the restaurant brokers are hearing from our clients and definitely good for Atlanta restaurants.

According to the latest data, Atlanta independent restaurant owners reported an increase of 5% over sales for quarter 2 2011.  On a year to date basis, results are even better.  For the year-to-date through June 30 Atlanta restaurant sales increased 5.8% over sales for 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.  The restaurant brokers remind you however that first quarter of 2012 was up against the ice storm of 2011 which meant many restaurants had some closed days in February of 2011. 

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.

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.”

Restaurant brokers Eric and Robin Gagnon echoed the sentiments saying, “Our firm operates in multiple markets, including Florida, Colorado and the Carolinas.  We have found, over the past three years of the recession, that this market is the most resistant to the national trends in sales and most buoyant in the recovery.”  

Net Financials Sample: The 80 independently-operated, non-franchise restaurants were drawn from the metro Atlanta market. Total Q2 2012 sales volume was $45,480,897. Our sample included restaurants in Atlanta’s fast-casual, casual and fine-dining segments opened at least 18 months.

Robert Wagner, CPA is president of NetFinancials, Inc. which provides a full range of tax and accounting services for restaurant companies. Email: bob.wagner@netfinancials.com. www.netfinancials.com Direct: 404-874-7002

The NetFinancials restaurant sales survey is provided free of charge as a service to the restaurant industry.

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