Atlanta's food and beverage scene is far more than just delicious dining; it’s a colossal economic engine that poured over $15 billion into the metro area's economy last year alone, fueling everything from sprawling manufacturing plants and bustling restaurants to a booming craft beer culture and innovative food trucks.
Key Takeaways
- Atlanta's food and beverage industry contributed $15.2 billion to the metro area's GDP in 2023, representing 4.2% of total GDP.
- Food manufacturing in Atlanta generated $8.7 billion in revenue in 2022, up 5.3% from 2021.
- Beverage manufacturing sector in Fulton County reached $4.1 billion in sales in 2023.
- Atlanta food and beverage manufacturing employed 28,500 workers in 2023.
- Restaurants in Atlanta metro employed 142,000 people in 2023.
- Beverage manufacturing jobs in Fulton County totaled 12,400 in 2022.
- Atlanta had 15,200 full-service restaurants in 2023.
- Limited-service restaurants numbered 8,900 in Atlanta metro 2023.
- Bars and taverns in Atlanta: 2,450 operating in 2023.
- Atlanta produced 2.1 billion liters of soft drinks in 2023.
- Craft beer production in Atlanta totaled 1.8 million barrels in 2023.
- Poultry processed in Atlanta plants: 1.2 billion pounds annually 2023.
- 45% of Atlanta consumers prefer local craft beers over national brands in 2023 surveys.
- 62% of Atlanta millennials increased plant-based food purchases in 2023.
- Average annual spend on dining out per Atlanta resident: $2,450 in 2023.
Atlanta's thriving food and beverage industry is a massive economic and employment powerhouse.
Consumer Trends & Sales
- 45% of Atlanta consumers prefer local craft beers over national brands in 2023 surveys.
- 62% of Atlanta millennials increased plant-based food purchases in 2023.
- Average annual spend on dining out per Atlanta resident: $2,450 in 2023.
- 78% of Atlanta shoppers buy organic produce weekly in 2023.
- Craft spirits consumption up 22% among Atlanta adults 2023.
- 55% of Atlanta consumers prioritize sustainable packaging for beverages.
- Low/no-alcohol beer sales surged 35% in Atlanta 2023.
- 41% of restaurant visits in Atlanta were delivery/takeout in 2023.
- Atlanta Gen Z favors RTD cocktails, 28% market share in 2023.
- 67% of Atlanta households buy locally sourced meats.
- Coffee consumption per capita in Atlanta: 410 cups/year 2023.
- Vegan restaurant searches up 50% on apps in Atlanta 2023.
- 52% prefer non-alcoholic beverages at social events in 2023.
- Atlanta wine consumption: 12.5 bottles per adult annually 2022.
- 73% of consumers check nutrition labels on packaged foods in Atlanta.
- Street food sales grew 18% due to food truck popularity 2023.
- 39% increase in functional beverage purchases like kombucha.
- Atlanta families spend 15% more on healthy snacks post-2022.
- 60% of bar-goers order local Atlanta beers in 2023.
- Ethnic cuisine accounts for 29% of Atlanta dining preferences.
- Premium ice cream sales up 24% in Atlanta supermarkets 2023.
- 48% of Atlanta shoppers use loyalty apps for F&B deals.
- Keto and low-carb product sales rose 31% in 2023.
- 71% prefer dine-in over delivery for fine dining experiences.
Consumer Trends & Sales Interpretation
Atlanta's food and beverage scene paints a picture of a discerning, health-conscious, and locally proud consumer who happily spends a small fortune dining out to sip craft beer and eat plant-based meals, all while checking nutrition labels and wrestling with the eternal dilemma of whether to order in or go out.
Employment & Workforce
- Atlanta food and beverage manufacturing employed 28,500 workers in 2023.
- Restaurants in Atlanta metro employed 142,000 people in 2023.
- Beverage manufacturing jobs in Fulton County totaled 12,400 in 2022.
- Food service workers in Atlanta numbered 189,000 in 2023.
- Craft brewery employment in Atlanta reached 4,200 in 2023.
- Supermarket staff in Atlanta food/bev sections: 56,000 in 2022.
- Atlanta distillery workers: 1,800 full-time in 2023.
- Hotel F&B employment in Atlanta: 21,500 in 2023.
- Food processing plant workers in metro Atlanta: 34,200 in 2022.
- Bartenders in Atlanta bars: 8,900 employed in 2023.
- Chefs and head cooks in Atlanta: 12,300 in 2023.
- Food batchmakers in Atlanta factories: 2,400 in 2022.
- Waitstaff in Atlanta restaurants: 67,400 in 2023.
- Wholesale F&B sales reps in Atlanta: 5,600 in 2023.
- Bakery production workers: 3,100 in Atlanta 2022.
- Poultry processing line workers: 9,500 in Atlanta area 2023.
- Baristas in Atlanta coffee shops: 7,800 in 2023.
- Delivery drivers for F&B: 14,200 in Atlanta 2022.
- Sommeliers and wine stewards: 450 in Atlanta 2023.
- Food scientists in Atlanta: 1,200 employed 2023.
- Janitors in F&B establishments: 22,100 in 2022.
- Managers in Atlanta restaurants: 16,500 in 2023.
- Packers in beverage plants: 1,900 in Atlanta 2023.
- Cashiers in F&B retail: 38,000 in 2022.
- Brewers and fermenters: 850 in Atlanta craft scene 2023.
- Nutritionists in Atlanta F&B: 620 in 2023.
- Cooks in institutional settings: 11,200 in 2022.
Employment & Workforce Interpretation
Atlanta's food and beverage industry is a vast and intricate machine, where for every artisan brewer crafting a new IPA there are thousands of restaurant servers, supermarket cashiers, and poultry line workers who collectively keep the city fed, watered, and caffeinated.
Establishments & Outlets
- Atlanta had 15,200 full-service restaurants in 2023.
- Limited-service restaurants numbered 8,900 in Atlanta metro 2023.
- Bars and taverns in Atlanta: 2,450 operating in 2023.
- Food trucks licensed in Atlanta: 1,200 in 2023.
- Breweries in Atlanta area: 85 active in 2023.
- Distilleries in metro Atlanta: 42 in 2023.
- Wineries and vineyards near Atlanta: 18 in 2022.
- Supermarkets and grocery stores: 1,650 in Atlanta 2023.
- Convenience stores with F&B: 2,100 in metro 2023.
- Food manufacturing plants: 450 in Atlanta area 2022.
- Beverage manufacturing facilities: 210 in Fulton/DeKalb 2023.
- Bakeries and tortilla shops: 780 in Atlanta 2023.
- Caterers operating in Atlanta: 650 in 2022.
- Juice and smoothie bars: 420 in metro Atlanta 2023.
- Coffee and snack shops: 1,850 in Atlanta 2023.
- Poultry processing plants: 25 major facilities in 2023.
- Dairy processing plants: 35 in Atlanta region 2022.
- Wholesale distributors of F&B: 890 in 2023.
- Snack food factories: 120 in metro Atlanta 2023.
- Frozen food processors: 80 facilities in 2022.
- Meat packing plants: 45 in Atlanta area 2023.
- Atlanta craft cocktail bars: 320 in 2023.
- Vegan and plant-based outlets: 250 new in 2022-2023.
- Fine dining establishments: 180 in Atlanta proper 2023.
Establishments & Outlets Interpretation
Atlanta's dining scene is an epic, meticulously-stocked battle between the drive-thru's swift convenience and the craft cocktail bar's deliberate artistry, proving the city's stomach is wisely divided between a need for speed and a taste for the refined.
Market Size & Revenue
- Atlanta's food and beverage industry contributed $15.2 billion to the metro area's GDP in 2023, representing 4.2% of total GDP.
- Food manufacturing in Atlanta generated $8.7 billion in revenue in 2022, up 5.3% from 2021.
- Beverage manufacturing sector in Fulton County reached $4.1 billion in sales in 2023.
- Total wholesale trade in food and beverages in Atlanta metro hit $22.4 billion in 2022.
- Atlanta's craft beer market size was valued at $1.2 billion in 2023, with 12% YoY growth.
- Restaurant industry sales in Atlanta totaled $11.8 billion in 2023.
- Non-alcoholic beverage sales in Atlanta supermarkets reached $3.5 billion in 2022.
- Atlanta's food processing exports were $2.9 billion in 2023.
- Value-added in Atlanta food and beverage manufacturing was $6.3 billion in 2021.
- Atlanta bar and tavern revenue summed $1.8 billion in 2023.
- Food service contractors in Atlanta generated $2.4 billion in 2022.
- Atlanta's soft drink production revenue was $3.2 billion in 2023, led by Coca-Cola.
- Grocery wholesalers in metro Atlanta handled $18.6 billion in 2022.
- Atlanta's wine and spirits distribution market was $900 million in 2023.
- Full-service restaurants in Atlanta earned $7.9 billion in sales in 2023.
- Atlanta food trucks contributed $450 million to local economy in 2022.
- Limited-service eating places revenue in Atlanta was $3.7 billion in 2023.
- Atlanta's bottled water market size hit $650 million in 2022.
- Poultry processing in Atlanta generated $1.5 billion revenue in 2023.
- Atlanta's overall F&B retail sales reached $25.1 billion in 2023.
- Snack food manufacturing in Atlanta totaled $1.1 billion in 2022.
- Atlanta distilleries revenue was $320 million in 2023.
- Bakeries in Atlanta produced $850 million in goods value in 2022.
- Atlanta juice and smoothie bar sales were $210 million in 2023.
- Dairy product manufacturing revenue in Atlanta was $950 million in 2022.
- Atlanta coffee and tea wholesalers traded $1.4 billion in 2023.
- Catering services in Atlanta generated $680 million in 2022.
- Atlanta meat product sales hit $2.2 billion in 2023.
- Frozen food manufacturing in Atlanta was $750 million in 2022.
- Atlanta F&B industry saw 7.2% revenue growth from 2021-2023 average.
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
Atlanta's food and beverage sector is a mouthwatering economic engine, serving up billions in GDP alongside your craft beer, chicken tenders, and Coca-Cola.
Production & Manufacturing
- Atlanta produced 2.1 billion liters of soft drinks in 2023.
- Craft beer production in Atlanta totaled 1.8 million barrels in 2023.
- Poultry processed in Atlanta plants: 1.2 billion pounds annually 2023.
- Bottled water output from Atlanta facilities: 850 million gallons in 2022.
- Bakery goods produced: 450 million units in metro Atlanta 2023.
- Snack foods manufactured: 320 million pounds in 2023.
- Dairy products output: 1.1 billion pounds milk equivalent 2022.
- Frozen prepared foods: 280 million units produced 2023.
- Meat products processed: 950 million pounds in 2023.
- Spirits distilled in Atlanta: 15 million proof gallons 2023.
- Coffee roasted in Atlanta: 120 million pounds annually 2022.
- Juice bottled: 650 million liters in metro 2023.
- Candy and confectionery: 180 million pounds produced 2023.
- Sauces and condiments output: 95 million gallons 2022.
- Tortillas and flatbreads: 240 million units manufactured 2023.
- Non-dairy milk alternatives: 420 million liters produced 2023.
- Energy drinks manufactured: 180 million cans in 2022.
- Ice cream and frozen desserts: 75 million gallons 2023.
- Beer canning lines produced 1.2 billion cans in Atlanta 2023.
- Organic food processing: 150 million pounds in 2022.
- Ready-to-drink cocktails: 28 million units bottled 2023.
- Pasta production: 110 million pounds dry pasta 2023.
- Salad dressings: 85 million bottles filled 2022.
Production & Manufacturing Interpretation
While Atlanta’s industrial thirst quenches the nation with enough soda to fill a small ocean, it also ensures we’re responsibly tipsy on craft beer, perpetually caffeinated, suspiciously well-sauced, and never more than a few steps from a perfectly packaged snack.
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