Women-owned businesses are a driving force in the U.S. economy. Every day, we rely on women entrepreneurs running their businesses and demonstrating their skills and expertise in the restaurant industry.
First, let’s look at some statistics that show how women have been dominating the business world.
- Within the last year, women have started over 1,800 new businesses daily, and these women-run businesses are growing every day.
- Of these new businesses, 64% of them are women of color.
- More than 11.6 million firms are owned by women (generating 1.7 trillion in sales) 2017
- 5.4 million firms are majority-owned by women of color in the U.S., generating over $300 billion in annual revenue.
We narrowed down five women-owned restaurants (out of the many) in Atlanta that are a force to be reckoned with.
When Myrna Perez opened LottaFrutta in 2006, she wanted to infuse her Cuban culture with Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. This staple Latin restaurant has been in the community for the past fifteen years, and it’s a neighborhood favorite.
LottaFrutta serves fresh-cut fruit all day, smoothies, salads, and famously delicious Cuban-style sandwiches.
We recommend trying the Limonatta fresh fruit cup, which features Perez’s signature spicy chile guajillo. It is surprisingly spicy and an excellent combination of cantaloupes, pineapples, papaya and a sweet and spicy combo kick you never knew you needed.
This BBQ joint is everything we love in Atlanta food, and owner Anna Phelps is no rooky on the grill. Featuring classic items like smokey bbq ribs, mac and cheese, pulled pork, wings, and everything in between.
Since opening in 2013, Phelps has served southern-style meals in this cozy restaurant that feels like home with its warm and inviting comfort food. Anna’s was also voted Atlanta Magazines Best BBQ in 2019, which means these menu items are playing no games in the excellent food department.
This vegan food truck took Atlanta by storm when it opened in 2018. Pinky Cole has made a name for herself by creating a menu that gained a massive following in the ATL vegan community and is now a staple among vegan restaurants and black-owned restaurants. Her customers rave over the secret seasoning uses in her burgers which creates a Caribbean feel with a southern style twist.
To learn more about Pinky Cole, check out her interview with Forbes!
Slutty Vegan’s menu items are full of originals like their Super Slut, a plant-based patty loaded with guacamole, jalapenos, vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and their signature Slut Sauce on a vegan Hawaiian bun.
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
Executive Chef Deborah VanTrece is putting her signature stamp on soul food and flavor with an elevated twist. After 25 years of experience, VanTrece opened Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours. It is now ranked highly among Atlanta restaurants and has been featured on the Cooking Channels Late Nite Eats and Genius Kitchen Carnivorous.
They serve a dinner and brunch menu, many highlights, but the specialty cocktails make their restaurant even more special. Their southern martini includes bacon-infused vodka, brown sugar, apple, sage, and Nux Alpina liquor.
Kimberly Knox opened Infusion Crab ATL to serve up what she calls “soulful seafood”. Centering her business around her and her 2 daughters McKenzie and Madison, they created their business centered around family. The three ladies have gained a large following for their family-oriented business that has a knack for making out of this world seafood entrees.
