What do the Great Lakes, cheese curds, and large stretches of farmland have in common? They all reside in the Midwest, a patch of land comprising 12 states. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, it’s also home to thriving restaurants and diverse operators making their way up the successful restaurant ladder.
Here, we’ll explore what brings restaurants to this land made up of the Great Plains and the Northwest Territory. Britannica said it rather eloquently when defining the Midwest, “The Midwest has become more an idea than a region: an area of immense diversity but somehow consciously representative of a national average.”
The Big City
The largest city within the region is Chicago, the Windy City known for its innovative food scene. In 2023, Food & Magazine named it one of the top 10 food cities. After all these years, one would think it would be growing out of favor, replaced by one of the area’s faster-growing (and cheaper) cities.
Whether it is the mystique, the 50-plus million tourists that travel to Chicago every year, or the support of the locals who, when enthralled with your food, beverages, and experiences, will stick around for a lifetime, its magnetism is still reeling in the entrepreneurs, chefs, and inspired foodies.
Some of the latest restaurant openings include The Basement in Logan Square, Panchos in The Loop, Oliver’s in the South Loop, and Indus in Highland Park.
Home to more than 9 million people, the next biggest city in the Midwest is Detroit, coming in at about 4.3 million.
The Biggest Restaurant Groups in the Midwest
If you’ve spent any time in Chicago and have a certain fondness for restaurants, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants. What started over 50 years ago with the iconic R.J. Grunts has morphed into about 60 brands with 120 locations. Some of the well-known restaurants include 167 Events, AVA, Beatrix, RPM Italian, Wildfire, and Wow Bao. This well-known family-owned restaurant group is based in Chicago and has extended its reach to seven other states and the District of Columbia.
The second runner-up is Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, headquartered in Columbus, OH, which boasts about 20 different concepts, laying claim to around 50 restaurants. About 23 of these are in Columbus. Some of the concepts include Ocean Prime and The Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern.
A study by Forbes Advisor ranked Ohio among the top 10 best states to start a business in 2024. The study indicated a 76% business survival rate and a 13% increase in small businesses. Interestingly, several other Midwest states made the grade, including Indiana, South Dakota, and the number one state, North Dakota.
The third runner-up of NRN’s successful Midwest restaurant groups is Thunderdome. Another Ohio brand, it started in Cincinnati. Today, it has about nine concepts with 50 locations. These brands include Currito, The Eagle, Citybird Tenders, and Maplewood.
The other restaurant groups to make NRN’s top contenders in the Midwest include Cunningham, Flagship, Joe Vicari, Hogsalt, Monven, Boka, Craft Concepts, Scott Harris, The Fifty/50 Group, Ala Carte Entertainment, Mainstreet Ventures, Food Fight, Morrissey, Parker Hospitality, Niche Food Group, W. Vinzant, Bonhomme, Sahm’s Hospitality Group, Gibsons, Rise Brands, Wolfpack, Land and Sea Dept., One Off Hospitality Group, Rosebud, Tavern, The Bartolotta Restaurants, Heisler Hospitality, and Lowlands Group.
Is the Midwest Right for You?
So, how do you know if this is the region where your brand will thrive? If you like beer, music festivals, state fairs, and an infinite number of farmland miles, this may be the place you’d love to call home. As far as your restaurant? That will take some digging.
At Emerging Concepts, we specialize in digging up the data, such as the comparative analysis and in-depth target markets, to name a few. Our team of data scientists and real estate and restaurant experts scout the nation to discover the ideal location that offers the best opportunity for success. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, contact Emerging Concepts.
