Atlanta restaurants are reporting sales increases of 4.7% over 2011 according to CPA Robert Wagner at Net Financials. Restaurant brokers are seeing a similar trend.

Robert Wagner, CPA at NetFinancials has released his recent report of fourth quarter sales for Atlanta restaurants and the news is on par with what restaurant brokers at We Sell Restaurants have been seeing.

Quoting directly from his report, Wagner states, "Fourth quarter 2011 same-store sales increased 4.7% over sales for the same period in 2010, according to NetFinancials’ latest sales survey of 71 independent Atlanta restaurants. While positive, this increase is the lowest quarterly sales increase in 2011. Quarters 1, 2 and 3, 2011 sales increased 5.3%, 7.2% and 6.4% respectively, over 2010. As in prior 2011 quarters, the fourth quarter 2011 same-store sales gains are broad-based, impacting all three major Atlanta restaurant sectors – fast-casual, causal and fine dining."

Robert Wagner, NetFinancials president states that, “Though consumers faced daunting economic worries in 2011, Atlanta’s restaurants managed to post impressive sales gains. It is remarkable that almost 90% of Atlanta restaurants we surveyed revealed positive sales gains in 2011. Clearly the industry is as vibrant and relevant as ever and, we think, poised for solid growth in 2012.” 

That's in line with what Atlanta Restaurant Brokers are seeing in the marketplace.  One other interesting trend noted by Wagner was that the fourth quarter results were not quite as strong as the other three periods in the year.  he attributes this to the strength of the prior year.  According to him, "Quarter 4 2010 was exceptional exhibiting a one-time ‘recession bounce’ from pent up demand and returning business customers.”

Wagner shared the source of the increase. “Operators tell us the sales increases are due to both increased customer counts and increased check averages in Q4 and year-to-date 2011.”

Atlanta Restaurant Broker and We Sell Restaurant President Eric Gagnon reports similar trends stating, "Our sellers keep us regularly posted on both profitability and revenue trends.  We have seen positive results quarter after quarter in 2011.  The best growth has originated from our fast casual and sports bar restaurants for sale."