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
145% of Atlanta consumers prefer local craft beers over national brands in 2023 surveys.
Verified262% of Atlanta millennials increased plant-based food purchases in 2023.
Verified3Average annual spend on dining out per Atlanta resident: $2,450 in 2023.
Verified478% of Atlanta shoppers buy organic produce weekly in 2023.
Directional5Craft spirits consumption up 22% among Atlanta adults 2023.
Single source655% of Atlanta consumers prioritize sustainable packaging for beverages.
Verified7Low/no-alcohol beer sales surged 35% in Atlanta 2023.
Verified841% of restaurant visits in Atlanta were delivery/takeout in 2023.
Verified9Atlanta Gen Z favors RTD cocktails, 28% market share in 2023.
Directional1067% of Atlanta households buy locally sourced meats.
Single source11Coffee consumption per capita in Atlanta: 410 cups/year 2023.
Verified12Vegan restaurant searches up 50% on apps in Atlanta 2023.
Verified1352% prefer non-alcoholic beverages at social events in 2023.
Verified14Atlanta wine consumption: 12.5 bottles per adult annually 2022.
Directional1573% of consumers check nutrition labels on packaged foods in Atlanta.
Single source16Street food sales grew 18% due to food truck popularity 2023.
Verified1739% increase in functional beverage purchases like kombucha.
Verified18Atlanta families spend 15% more on healthy snacks post-2022.
Verified1960% of bar-goers order local Atlanta beers in 2023.
Directional20Ethnic cuisine accounts for 29% of Atlanta dining preferences.
Single source21Premium ice cream sales up 24% in Atlanta supermarkets 2023.
Verified2248% of Atlanta shoppers use loyalty apps for F&B deals.
Verified23Keto and low-carb product sales rose 31% in 2023.
Verified2471% prefer dine-in over delivery for fine dining experiences.
DirectionalConsumer 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
1Atlanta food and beverage manufacturing employed 28,500 workers in 2023.
Verified2Restaurants in Atlanta metro employed 142,000 people in 2023.
Verified3Beverage manufacturing jobs in Fulton County totaled 12,400 in 2022.
Verified4Food service workers in Atlanta numbered 189,000 in 2023.
Directional5Craft brewery employment in Atlanta reached 4,200 in 2023.
Single source6Supermarket staff in Atlanta food/bev sections: 56,000 in 2022.
Verified7Atlanta distillery workers: 1,800 full-time in 2023.
Verified8Hotel F&B employment in Atlanta: 21,500 in 2023.
Verified9Food processing plant workers in metro Atlanta: 34,200 in 2022.
Directional10Bartenders in Atlanta bars: 8,900 employed in 2023.
Single source11Chefs and head cooks in Atlanta: 12,300 in 2023.
Verified12Food batchmakers in Atlanta factories: 2,400 in 2022.
Verified13Waitstaff in Atlanta restaurants: 67,400 in 2023.
Verified14Wholesale F&B sales reps in Atlanta: 5,600 in 2023.
Directional15Bakery production workers: 3,100 in Atlanta 2022.
Single source16Poultry processing line workers: 9,500 in Atlanta area 2023.
Verified17Baristas in Atlanta coffee shops: 7,800 in 2023.
Verified18Delivery drivers for F&B: 14,200 in Atlanta 2022.
Verified19Sommeliers and wine stewards: 450 in Atlanta 2023.
Directional20Food scientists in Atlanta: 1,200 employed 2023.
Single source21Janitors in F&B establishments: 22,100 in 2022.
Verified22Managers in Atlanta restaurants: 16,500 in 2023.
Verified23Packers in beverage plants: 1,900 in Atlanta 2023.
Verified24Cashiers in F&B retail: 38,000 in 2022.
Directional25Brewers and fermenters: 850 in Atlanta craft scene 2023.
Single source26Nutritionists in Atlanta F&B: 620 in 2023.
Verified27Cooks in institutional settings: 11,200 in 2022.
VerifiedEmployment & 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
1Atlanta had 15,200 full-service restaurants in 2023.
Verified2Limited-service restaurants numbered 8,900 in Atlanta metro 2023.
Verified3Bars and taverns in Atlanta: 2,450 operating in 2023.
Verified4Food trucks licensed in Atlanta: 1,200 in 2023.
Directional5Breweries in Atlanta area: 85 active in 2023.
Single source6Distilleries in metro Atlanta: 42 in 2023.
Verified7Wineries and vineyards near Atlanta: 18 in 2022.
Verified8Supermarkets and grocery stores: 1,650 in Atlanta 2023.
Verified9Convenience stores with F&B: 2,100 in metro 2023.
Directional10Food manufacturing plants: 450 in Atlanta area 2022.
Single source11Beverage manufacturing facilities: 210 in Fulton/DeKalb 2023.
Verified12Bakeries and tortilla shops: 780 in Atlanta 2023.
Verified13Caterers operating in Atlanta: 650 in 2022.
Verified14Juice and smoothie bars: 420 in metro Atlanta 2023.
Directional15Coffee and snack shops: 1,850 in Atlanta 2023.
Single source16Poultry processing plants: 25 major facilities in 2023.
Verified17Dairy processing plants: 35 in Atlanta region 2022.
Verified18Wholesale distributors of F&B: 890 in 2023.
Verified19Snack food factories: 120 in metro Atlanta 2023.
Directional20Frozen food processors: 80 facilities in 2022.
Single source21Meat packing plants: 45 in Atlanta area 2023.
Verified22Atlanta craft cocktail bars: 320 in 2023.
Verified23Vegan and plant-based outlets: 250 new in 2022-2023.
Verified24Fine dining establishments: 180 in Atlanta proper 2023.
DirectionalEstablishments & 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
1Atlanta's food and beverage industry contributed $15.2 billion to the metro area's GDP in 2023, representing 4.2% of total GDP.
Verified2Food manufacturing in Atlanta generated $8.7 billion in revenue in 2022, up 5.3% from 2021.
Verified3Beverage manufacturing sector in Fulton County reached $4.1 billion in sales in 2023.
Verified4Total wholesale trade in food and beverages in Atlanta metro hit $22.4 billion in 2022.
Directional5Atlanta's craft beer market size was valued at $1.2 billion in 2023, with 12% YoY growth.
Single source6Restaurant industry sales in Atlanta totaled $11.8 billion in 2023.
Verified7Non-alcoholic beverage sales in Atlanta supermarkets reached $3.5 billion in 2022.
Verified8Atlanta's food processing exports were $2.9 billion in 2023.
Verified9Value-added in Atlanta food and beverage manufacturing was $6.3 billion in 2021.
Directional10Atlanta bar and tavern revenue summed $1.8 billion in 2023.
Single source11Food service contractors in Atlanta generated $2.4 billion in 2022.
Verified12Atlanta's soft drink production revenue was $3.2 billion in 2023, led by Coca-Cola.
Verified13Grocery wholesalers in metro Atlanta handled $18.6 billion in 2022.
Verified14Atlanta's wine and spirits distribution market was $900 million in 2023.
Directional15Full-service restaurants in Atlanta earned $7.9 billion in sales in 2023.
Single source16Atlanta food trucks contributed $450 million to local economy in 2022.
Verified17Limited-service eating places revenue in Atlanta was $3.7 billion in 2023.
Verified18Atlanta's bottled water market size hit $650 million in 2022.
Verified19Poultry processing in Atlanta generated $1.5 billion revenue in 2023.
Directional20Atlanta's overall F&B retail sales reached $25.1 billion in 2023.
Single source21Snack food manufacturing in Atlanta totaled $1.1 billion in 2022.
Verified22Atlanta distilleries revenue was $320 million in 2023.
Verified23Bakeries in Atlanta produced $850 million in goods value in 2022.
Verified24Atlanta juice and smoothie bar sales were $210 million in 2023.
Directional25Dairy product manufacturing revenue in Atlanta was $950 million in 2022.
Single source26Atlanta coffee and tea wholesalers traded $1.4 billion in 2023.
Verified27Catering services in Atlanta generated $680 million in 2022.
Verified28Atlanta meat product sales hit $2.2 billion in 2023.
Verified29Frozen food manufacturing in Atlanta was $750 million in 2022.
Directional30Atlanta F&B industry saw 7.2% revenue growth from 2021-2023 average.
Single sourceMarket 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
1Atlanta produced 2.1 billion liters of soft drinks in 2023.
Verified2Craft beer production in Atlanta totaled 1.8 million barrels in 2023.
Verified3Poultry processed in Atlanta plants: 1.2 billion pounds annually 2023.
Verified4Bottled water output from Atlanta facilities: 850 million gallons in 2022.
Directional5Bakery goods produced: 450 million units in metro Atlanta 2023.
Single source6Snack foods manufactured: 320 million pounds in 2023.
Verified7Dairy products output: 1.1 billion pounds milk equivalent 2022.
Verified8Frozen prepared foods: 280 million units produced 2023.
Verified9Meat products processed: 950 million pounds in 2023.
Directional10Spirits distilled in Atlanta: 15 million proof gallons 2023.
Single source11Coffee roasted in Atlanta: 120 million pounds annually 2022.
Verified12Juice bottled: 650 million liters in metro 2023.
Verified13Candy and confectionery: 180 million pounds produced 2023.
Verified14Sauces and condiments output: 95 million gallons 2022.
Directional15Tortillas and flatbreads: 240 million units manufactured 2023.
Single source16Non-dairy milk alternatives: 420 million liters produced 2023.
Verified17Energy drinks manufactured: 180 million cans in 2022.
Verified18Ice cream and frozen desserts: 75 million gallons 2023.
Verified19Beer canning lines produced 1.2 billion cans in Atlanta 2023.
Directional20Organic food processing: 150 million pounds in 2022.
Single source21Ready-to-drink cocktails: 28 million units bottled 2023.
Verified22Pasta production: 110 million pounds dry pasta 2023.
Verified23Salad dressings: 85 million bottles filled 2022.
VerifiedProduction & 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.
Sources & References
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