How Wake County grades Holly Springs restaurants: 90 and up is an A. All 152 routine Holly Springs inspections this year earned an A. Questions: 919-856-5700.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from Wake County Environmental Health and Safety and the North Carolina food protection rules. Scores carry legal weight; a score is one inspector’s findings on one visit.
Wake County Environmental Health and Safety inspects restaurants, food stands, mobile food units, school cafeterias and meat markets in Holly Springs and the rest of the county. The Town of Holly Springs does not inspect restaurants. Reports go online soon after each inspection, the county says.
Who to call
- Wake County Environmental Health and Safety: 919-856-5700, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
- Look up a restaurant: Wake County health inspection reports, search by name or ZIP code 27540
- File a complaint: the county’s complaint page
- Opening or buying a restaurant: Wake County Plan Review, before you sign; permits do not transfer between owners
- Bakeries are inspected by the N.C. Department of Agriculture, not the county: ncagr.gov/fooddrug
How the grades work
North Carolina grades food establishments under the state’s food establishment rules (15A NCAC 18A .2600):
| Score | Grade |
|---|---|
| 90 and up | A |
| 80 to under 90 | B |
| 70 to under 80 | C |
| Below 70 | Permit revoked |
Restaurants are inspected one to four times a year, depending on their menu and food processes, according to the county.
Holly Springs’ scores this year
Wake County lists 129 food establishments with a Holly Springs address: 93 restaurants, 19 food stands, eight school cafeterias, four meat markets and a handful of carts, mobile units and limited food services. We counted their routine inspections in the county’s restaurant inspections open data:
| Period | Routine inspections | A | B | C or below | Lowest score | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 186 | 185 | 1 | 0 | 88.5 | 97.8 |
| Jan. 1 to Oct. 2, 2026 | 152 | 152 | 0 | 0 | 95.5 | 98.7 |
| Sept. 1 to Oct. 2, 2026 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 97 | 99.2 |
Method: “Holly Springs” means the establishment’s address city in county records, which can include places with a Holly Springs mailing address outside the town limits. We counted routine inspections only, not re-inspections. The open data had inspections through Oct. 2, 2026.
Reading a report
A score alone does not tell you what the inspector found. Open the establishment on the county’s inspection reports site to see each inspection and the violations recorded. The county’s open data also lists violations by inspection.
What this means for you
- Holly Springs restaurants scored high this year: none below 95.5.
- Check the report, not just the grade, before you decide.
- See something wrong? Tell the manager, then call 919-856-5700 if it is not fixed.
More on eating out: new businesses in Holly Springs and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up a restaurant inspection score in Holly Springs?
Wake County Environmental Health posts inspection reports soon after each inspection. Search by name or ZIP code 27540 on the county’s health inspection reports site.
Who inspects restaurants in Holly Springs?
Wake County Environmental Health and Safety, not the town. The county inspects restaurants, food stands, school cafeterias, mobile food units and meat markets.
What is a passing restaurant score in North Carolina?
A score of 90 or more earns an A, 80 to under 90 a B and 70 to under 80 a C. A food establishment that scores below 70 has its permit revoked.
How often are Wake County restaurants inspected?
One to four times a year, depending on the menu and how the food is prepared, according to Wake County.
How do I report a problem at a Holly Springs restaurant?
Wake County suggests speaking to the manager first. You can then file a complaint online or call Environmental Health at 919-856-5700.
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