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Population migration can’t stop restaurant innovationPopulation migration can’t stop restaurant innovation

Folks may be moving south and west, but restaurateurs still see plenty to love in the Northeast.

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

August 16, 2024

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Starr Restaurant Group L Palmberg LeCouCou 360

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New York City is far from the only notable market in the Northeast region, which also includes the smallest state (Rhode Island) and one of the least populous states (Vermont).Courtesy of Starr Restaurant Group

The Northeast region of the United States is associated primarily with New York City, which is considered by many to be the restaurant capital of the country (it has the most Michelin stars in the nation). But New York City is far from the only notable market in the Northeast region, which also includes the smallest state (Rhode Island) and one of the least populous states (Vermont).

Read about the 125 biggest restaurant groups in America here.

The Northeast is losing the most people out of the four geographic quadrants — a trend that began in earnest during the pandemic and continues to this day. Even mighty New York City lost almost 1% of its population from 2022 to 2023, and none of the 15 fastest growing cities in the U.S. are in the Northeast, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

But even as Northeasterners continue to trickle southward, there’s exciting movement among restaurant groups in the area, and not just in the predictable (though dependable) restaurant scenes like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston, which are home to stalwart restaurant groups like Union Square Hospitality and Starr Restaurant Group.

Some cities to be on the lookout for include Portland, Maine (Maine had the largest population growth in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023), Jersey City (New Jersey had a 5.7% population growth spurt from 2010 to 2020), and Burlington, Vt., which is becoming one of the trendier cities for restaurant seekers in the region.

Related:The Vintage Syndicate brings a unique restaurant ownership model to Philadelphia

Above, meet the 24 biggest restaurant groups in the Northeast, and come back to NRN.com over the coming weeks to meet the 125 biggest multiconcept groups in America.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected] 

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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