Although the City of Kingston might not be one of Ontario’s most internationally known metropolitan areas, the city does boast some of the province’s most exciting new restaurants and eateries.
With a vibrant food scene, an expanding population, beautiful downtown core, and welcoming lifestyle, Kingston is a city that has all the right ingredients for new restaurants to flourish.
So, whether you’re a franchise owner looking for the perfect spot for your next location or an independent restaurateur who’s still doing some market research, here are five reasons why you should consider opening up your next restaurant in the City of Kingston.
1. The Burgeoning Food Scene
When it comes to enthusiasm about food, there are few cities in Ontario that are as obsessed with what they eat as Kingston is. Whether it’s a restaurant, cafe, tavern, or market, there’s a good chance there’ll be a long line of hungry Kingston residents about too.
And, with more than a hundred eateries within a nine-block stretch of downtown Kingston alone, the restaurant scene here is clearly thriving.
From farmers’ markets like the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market and The Kingston Public Market to celebrated restaurants and cafes like The Everly, Miss Bao, and of course, Chez Piggy, Kingston offers a genuine farm-to-table experience for foodies across the city.
If you’ve got a unique restaurant concept or a fan-favourite franchise in mind, the people of Kingston will be sure to welcome you with open arms (and mouths) right from the get-go.
If you’re a franchise owner and are looking to expand into the Kingston area, make sure you read my Tips For Expanding Your Restaurant Franchise here before you begin.
2. The Growing Population
With a rich history dating all the way back to the 17th century, the City of Kingston is no recent discovery. However, in recent years, the city has seen some tremendous population growth rates. And it’s not just Kingston that is attracting an increasing number of local residents, but the surrounding towns and communities as well.
Places like South Frontenac, Belleville, and Prince Edward County are also seeing sharp upturns in their local populations, with many residents traveling into Kingston on a regular basis. What does that mean for a new Kingston-based restaurant owner? You won’t have to do too much worrying about the local demand for great food.
If you’re thinking about buying a restaurant for the first time, there are some sage pieces of advice every first-time buyer should know. Read up on The Ultimate Guide To Buying A Restaurant here for more information.
3. The Affordable Listings
Depending on which part of the city you’re in, the cost to open a new restaurant here can vary. However, no matter where in Kingston you go, all of the restaurant real estate listings are incredibly affordable when compared to major cities nearby like Toronto, Ottawa, and even Montreal.
Whether you want to open a franchised QSR, a food court kiosk, a stylish small-plates bar, or a full-fledged Bed and Breakfast, the cost to own a restaurant in Kingston is much lower than you might think. Depending on which style of restaurant you’re dreaming of opening, prices start from anywhere between $80,000 through to the $400,000 range on average.
If you’re planning on opening up your first restaurant or just want to find a restaurant listing that won’t break the bank, then Kingston is a city that should be on your restaurant radar.
Ready to start your search for the perfect Kingston-based restaurant for you? See what’s currently available in the Kingston market or use my tailored search service to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
4. The Student Life
One factor that keeps the city of Kingston so vibrant is the local student population. With popular schools like Queen’s University, St. Lawrence College, and the Royal Military College of Canada all based within the immediate area, Kingston’s downtown core especially is always full of students and young professionals.
And, as you probably already know about university and college-aged students, they tend to have quite the appetite. While students can come across as overly boisterous at times, they’re certainly a fantastic demographic for new restaurants to capitalize on.
By opening a restaurant in Kingston, not only will you get the chance to develop a brand new set of student customers each year, but the students who graduate from Queen’s University will remember you and your restaurant with fond memories from their time at school forever.
This means repeat customers during homecomings, reunions, or even just if they pass through the area again sometime in the future.
Whether you launch your new restaurant in Kingston or any other city, there are a few things you can do to protect your new business from failure. Read my post “Here Are A Few Reasons Why New Restaurants Fail” to learn more.
5. The Stunning Scenery
While everyone dreams of opening up a restaurant with a beautiful natural backdrop, most restaurants in competitive markets aren’t always blessed with the most picturesque of surroundings. However, many Kingston restaurants have the upper hand in this department — especially those located down by the waterfront.
In fact, Kingston is a city that is surrounded nearly on all sides by breathtaking natural scenery, and many shops, restaurants, and eateries attempt to make full use of it.
On the southern border, you have the gorgeous shores of Lake Ontario. That then connects with the shimmering riverfront of the St. Lawrence River. Scattered between them and across the downtown area are expansive parks and green spaces like the Marshland Conservation Area, Lake Ontario Park, and Belle Island. Needless to say, there’s a tremendous amount of natural beauty here.
So, while it’s always nice to have picturesque backdrops in full view of your restaurant’s dining room, it’s also nice to simply know they’re just a hop, skip, and jump away from you at all times.
Are you still somewhat green when it comes to buying restaurants? Learn more about how to prepare for your purchase and what the extra costs involved are by reading my related posts here:
2020 was an infamously tough time for restaurants and their owners across the world — but will this year be any different? Get an insider insight on the matter by reading our blog post: Is Now The Right Time To Invest In A Restaurant Business? today.
