Australian Hospitality Statistics

Australia foodservice is a $13.7bn business

Australia's cafes, restaurants and caterers generated $13.7bn in income during 2006-07, according to the latest new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

According to the ABS data the main sources of income for the 15,423 cafes, restaurants and caterers were takings from meals consumed on the premises (47 per cent, takings from catering services (24.1 per cent), and the sale of liquor and other beverages (19.9 per cent)

There were 1.1 million seats available for dining and looking for bums and all up cafes and restaurants generated $9.7bn in income, and employed 145,546 people (47.4 per cent as casuals).

Waiting staff represented the biggest number of employees (41.7 per cent).Over two-thirds (67.5 per cent) employed fewer than 10 people. These smaller businesses accounted for 27.7 per cent of total cafe and restaurant income.Larger cafe and restaurant businesses (those which employed more than 50 people) accounted for 1.5 per cent of all cafe and restaurant businesses and generated over one-fifth of total income (21.8 per cent or $2,115.5m).

More than half (56.8 per cent) were licensed to sell alcohol.

During 2006-07, operating profit before tax for these businesses was $368.3m and their operating profit margin was 3.8 per cent. Meanwhile for the period catering services generated almost $3.9bn in income, employed 50,268 people (58.5 per cent as casuals). Of those employees waiting staff made up 27.2 per cent, kitchen hands accounted for 23.3 per cent and chefs and cooks represented 18.6 per cent.More than half (57.8 per cent) employed fewer than ten people.

These smaller businesses accounted for 9.1 per cent of total catering income. Larger catering businesses—those which employed 50 people or more—accounted for 78 per cent of the total catering income.During 2006-07, operating profit before tax for these businesses was $208.1m and their operating profit margin was 5.3 per cent.

Around the nation New South Wales accounted for the largest percentage of all café, restaurant and catering businesses (36.3 per cent), followed by Victoria (27.4%). Queensland, ACT, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory collectively accounted for 36.7% of all cafe, restaurant and catering businesses.

1 May 2008
Source: Australian Hospitality News, Products and Services