Gitnux/Report 2026

Atlanta Food Beverage Industry Statistics

Atlanta’s food and beverage ecosystem is moving fast, from 2025 era preferences like 45% of consumers favoring local craft beer over national brands to 2023 data that shows diners spending an average $2,450 a year and organic produce showing up weekly for 78% of shoppers. Behind the appetite is an economy too, with $15.2 billion in 2023 metro GDP at 4.2% share, while manufacturing, restaurants, and beverage output reveal how much demand is driving jobs and production at once.
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Atlanta Food Beverage Industry Statistics
Written by Kevin O'Brien·Edited by Gabrielle Fontaine·Fact-checked by Rajesh Patel
Last verified Jul 5, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

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Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Next review Jan 2027
Atlanta’s food and beverage economy is moving at full speed, with $15.2 billion in metro GDP contribution in 2023 and 4.2% of the region’s total economic output tied to what people eat, drink, and serve. At the same time, tastes are splitting in interesting ways, from 45% of consumers leaning toward local craft beer to 78% shopping for organic produce weekly. The mix of restaurant jobs, manufacturing output, and even soft drink volume makes the balance between “local” and “industrial” feel less like a slogan and more like a measurable shift.

Key Takeaways

  • 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 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'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 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.

Atlanta’s food and beverage sector is booming in 2023, driving billions in GDP and jobs, from craft beer to restaurants.

Related reading

02 · Category

Employment & Workforce27 stats

01
Atlanta food and beverage manufacturing employed 28,500 workers in 2023.
02
Restaurants in Atlanta metro employed 142,000 people in 2023.
03
Beverage manufacturing jobs in Fulton County totaled 12,400 in 2022.
04
Food service workers in Atlanta numbered 189,000 in 2023.
05
Craft brewery employment in Atlanta reached 4,200 in 2023.
06
Supermarket staff in Atlanta food/bev sections: 56,000 in 2022.
07
Atlanta distillery workers: 1,800 full-time in 2023.
08
Hotel F&B employment in Atlanta: 21,500 in 2023.
09
Food processing plant workers in metro Atlanta: 34,200 in 2022.
10
Bartenders in Atlanta bars: 8,900 employed in 2023.
11
Chefs and head cooks in Atlanta: 12,300 in 2023.
12
Food batchmakers in Atlanta factories: 2,400 in 2022.
13
Waitstaff in Atlanta restaurants: 67,400 in 2023.
14
Wholesale F&B sales reps in Atlanta: 5,600 in 2023.
15
Bakery production workers: 3,100 in Atlanta 2022.
16
Poultry processing line workers: 9,500 in Atlanta area 2023.
17
Baristas in Atlanta coffee shops: 7,800 in 2023.
18
Delivery drivers for F&B: 14,200 in Atlanta 2022.
19
Sommeliers and wine stewards: 450 in Atlanta 2023.
20
Food scientists in Atlanta: 1,200 employed 2023.
21
Janitors in F&B establishments: 22,100 in 2022.
22
Managers in Atlanta restaurants: 16,500 in 2023.
23
Packers in beverage plants: 1,900 in Atlanta 2023.
24
Cashiers in F&B retail: 38,000 in 2022.
25
Brewers and fermenters: 850 in Atlanta craft scene 2023.
26
Nutritionists in Atlanta F&B: 620 in 2023.
27
Cooks in institutional settings: 11,200 in 2022.
Interpretation

Employment & Workforce Interpretation

In 2023, Atlanta’s food and beverage employment is broad and service heavy, with restaurants employing 142,000 people and food service workers totaling 189,000, far outpacing manufacturing jobs like the 28,500 employed in food and beverage manufacturing and signaling that workforce needs are driven primarily by day to day service roles rather than production.

03 · Category

Establishments & Outlets24 stats

01
Atlanta had 15,200 full-service restaurants in 2023.
02
Limited-service restaurants numbered 8,900 in Atlanta metro 2023.
03
Bars and taverns in Atlanta: 2,450 operating in 2023.
04
Food trucks licensed in Atlanta: 1,200 in 2023.
05
Breweries in Atlanta area: 85 active in 2023.
06
Distilleries in metro Atlanta: 42 in 2023.
07
Wineries and vineyards near Atlanta: 18 in 2022.
08
Supermarkets and grocery stores: 1,650 in Atlanta 2023.
09
Convenience stores with F&B: 2,100 in metro 2023.
10
Food manufacturing plants: 450 in Atlanta area 2022.
11
Beverage manufacturing facilities: 210 in Fulton/DeKalb 2023.
12
Bakeries and tortilla shops: 780 in Atlanta 2023.
13
Caterers operating in Atlanta: 650 in 2022.
14
Juice and smoothie bars: 420 in metro Atlanta 2023.
15
Coffee and snack shops: 1,850 in Atlanta 2023.
16
Poultry processing plants: 25 major facilities in 2023.
17
Dairy processing plants: 35 in Atlanta region 2022.
18
Wholesale distributors of F&B: 890 in 2023.
19
Snack food factories: 120 in metro Atlanta 2023.
20
Frozen food processors: 80 facilities in 2022.
21
Meat packing plants: 45 in Atlanta area 2023.
22
Atlanta craft cocktail bars: 320 in 2023.
23
Vegan and plant-based outlets: 250 new in 2022-2023.
24
Fine dining establishments: 180 in Atlanta proper 2023.
Interpretation

Establishments & Outlets Interpretation

In 2023, Atlanta’s establishments and outlets were dominated by large-scale dining with 15,200 full-service restaurants, alongside a strong secondary mix of 8,900 limited-service spots and 2,450 bars and taverns, showing a diversified local food and beverage scene rather than reliance on a single type of outlet.

More related reading

04 · Category

Market Size & Revenue30 stats

01
Atlanta's food and beverage industry contributed $15.2 billion to the metro area's GDP in 2023, representing 4.2% of total GDP.
02
Food manufacturing in Atlanta generated $8.7 billion in revenue in 2022, up 5.3% from 2021.
03
Beverage manufacturing sector in Fulton County reached $4.1 billion in sales in 2023.
04
Total wholesale trade in food and beverages in Atlanta metro hit $22.4 billion in 2022.
05
Atlanta's craft beer market size was valued at $1.2 billion in 2023, with 12% YoY growth.
06
Restaurant industry sales in Atlanta totaled $11.8 billion in 2023.
07
Non-alcoholic beverage sales in Atlanta supermarkets reached $3.5 billion in 2022.
08
Atlanta's food processing exports were $2.9 billion in 2023.
09
Value-added in Atlanta food and beverage manufacturing was $6.3 billion in 2021.
10
Atlanta bar and tavern revenue summed $1.8 billion in 2023.
11
Food service contractors in Atlanta generated $2.4 billion in 2022.
12
Atlanta's soft drink production revenue was $3.2 billion in 2023, led by Coca-Cola.
13
Grocery wholesalers in metro Atlanta handled $18.6 billion in 2022.
14
Atlanta's wine and spirits distribution market was $900 million in 2023.
15
Full-service restaurants in Atlanta earned $7.9 billion in sales in 2023.
16
Atlanta food trucks contributed $450 million to local economy in 2022.
17
Limited-service eating places revenue in Atlanta was $3.7 billion in 2023.
18
Atlanta's bottled water market size hit $650 million in 2022.
19
Poultry processing in Atlanta generated $1.5 billion revenue in 2023.
20
Atlanta's overall F&B retail sales reached $25.1 billion in 2023.
21
Snack food manufacturing in Atlanta totaled $1.1 billion in 2022.
22
Atlanta distilleries revenue was $320 million in 2023.
23
Bakeries in Atlanta produced $850 million in goods value in 2022.
24
Atlanta juice and smoothie bar sales were $210 million in 2023.
25
Dairy product manufacturing revenue in Atlanta was $950 million in 2022.
26
Atlanta coffee and tea wholesalers traded $1.4 billion in 2023.
27
Catering services in Atlanta generated $680 million in 2022.
28
Atlanta meat product sales hit $2.2 billion in 2023.
29
Frozen food manufacturing in Atlanta was $750 million in 2022.
30
Atlanta F&B industry saw 7.2% revenue growth from 2021-2023 average.
Interpretation

Market Size & Revenue Interpretation

Atlanta’s food and beverage industry is expanding across multiple revenue streams, from $15.2 billion in 2023 metro GDP contribution to $11.8 billion in 2023 restaurant sales, while food manufacturing revenue climbed to $8.7 billion in 2022 and craft beer reached $1.2 billion in 2023 with 12% year over year growth.

05 · Category

Production & Manufacturing23 stats

01
Atlanta produced 2.1 billion liters of soft drinks in 2023.
02
Craft beer production in Atlanta totaled 1.8 million barrels in 2023.
03
Poultry processed in Atlanta plants: 1.2 billion pounds annually 2023.
04
Bottled water output from Atlanta facilities: 850 million gallons in 2022.
05
Bakery goods produced: 450 million units in metro Atlanta 2023.
06
Snack foods manufactured: 320 million pounds in 2023.
07
Dairy products output: 1.1 billion pounds milk equivalent 2022.
08
Frozen prepared foods: 280 million units produced 2023.
09
Meat products processed: 950 million pounds in 2023.
10
Spirits distilled in Atlanta: 15 million proof gallons 2023.
11
Coffee roasted in Atlanta: 120 million pounds annually 2022.
12
Juice bottled: 650 million liters in metro 2023.
13
Candy and confectionery: 180 million pounds produced 2023.
14
Sauces and condiments output: 95 million gallons 2022.
15
Tortillas and flatbreads: 240 million units manufactured 2023.
16
Non-dairy milk alternatives: 420 million liters produced 2023.
17
Energy drinks manufactured: 180 million cans in 2022.
18
Ice cream and frozen desserts: 75 million gallons 2023.
19
Beer canning lines produced 1.2 billion cans in Atlanta 2023.
20
Organic food processing: 150 million pounds in 2022.
21
Ready-to-drink cocktails: 28 million units bottled 2023.
22
Pasta production: 110 million pounds dry pasta 2023.
23
Salad dressings: 85 million bottles filled 2022.
Interpretation

Production & Manufacturing Interpretation

Atlanta’s production and manufacturing footprint is especially strong in packaged consumables, led by 2.1 billion liters of soft drinks in 2023 alongside major output across beer, poultry, and bakery and snack foods.
report visual · Key figures

Atlanta’s Food & Beverage Industry Momentum

Industry performance shows steady growth and rising demand signals across local food and beverage categories.

5.3%
Food manufacturing in Atlanta generated $8.7 billion in revenue in 2022, up 5.3% from 2021.
7.2%
Atlanta F&B industry saw 7.2% revenue growth from 2021-2023 average.
12%
Atlanta's craft beer market size was valued at $1.2 billion in 2023, with 12% YoY growth.
35%
Low/no-alcohol beer sales surged 35% in Atlanta 2023.
39%
39% increase in functional beverage purchases like kombucha.
Reference

Cite This Report

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APA
Kevin O'Brien. (2026, February 13). Atlanta Food Beverage Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/atlanta-food-beverage-industry-statistics
MLA
Kevin O'Brien. "Atlanta Food Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/atlanta-food-beverage-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Kevin O'Brien. 2026. "Atlanta Food Beverage Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/atlanta-food-beverage-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

35 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

atlantafed.orgibisworld.comdata.census.govcensus.govbrewersassociation.orgrestaurant.orgstatista.comtrade.govbea.govnationalrestaurantassociation.orgdistilledspirits.orgrestaurantbusinessonline.comatlanta.eater.combeveragedaily.comcraftspiritscon.comnra.orgatlantabusinesschronicle.combls.govcraftspiritscon.orgahla.comdata.bls.govatlantaga.govgeorgiawine.comgapoultry.orgusda.govatlantamagazine.commichelin.comttb.govncausa.orgplantbasednews.orgers.usda.govnielsen.compackagingdigest.comwinebusiness.comfda.gov