Independent Atlanta restaurants pushed through the second quarter with strong sales increases, according to a recent survey by Atlanta accounting firm NetFinancials. But separate data show times remain troubled for independent restaurants around the country.
In Atlanta, sales at restaurants open at least a year rose 7.2 percent from the same period in 2010. That increase came on the heels of a strong first quarter, in which sales rose 5.3 percent. The survey spanned fast food, casual restaurants and fine dining.
Due to their small size and private ownership, such restaurants do not publicly report financial results. NetFinancials generated its figures through a survey of 69 Atlanta restaurants, 80 percent of which reported sales gains for the second quarter. About one-third said they posted double-digit increases. One in five reported a drop in sales.