What do you know about cafes and restaurants in Australia?
The ABS published a report in 2003/2004, titled: 8655.0 - Cafes and Restaurants, Australia, 2003-04
Oldish news but the latest I’ve found so far. From the report:
At the end of June 2004 there were a total of 15,083 businesses operating in cafe and restaurant services in Australia.
“At the end of June 2004, 51.8% (7,820) of businesses in cafe and restaurant services had access to the Internet, while 20.7% (3,126) had a web presence.”
- During 2003-04, income generated by businesses in cafe and restaurant services was $10,129.6m, which represented an average of $671,600 per business. Total expenses for this period: $9,733.2m.
- During 2003-04, the operating profit before tax for these businesses was $404.4m, resulting in an operating profit margin of 4%.
Yah right! How many of these businesses declare all income?!?! [sic]
- Three quarters of cafe’s and restaurants were based in metropolitan areas.
- More than a third of all cafe and restaurant services businesses were licensed.
- Unlicensed cafe and restaurant services businesses accounted for 21% of the total.
- Most of the rest were BYO
- Catering businesses accounted for the other 11.9% of all businesses.
- During 2003-04 businesses predominantly involved in the provision of cafe and restaurant services generated a total of $10,129.6m in income. Cafe and restaurant businesses accounted for 69.9% ($7,085.1m) of this income and catering businesses 30.1% ($3,044.6m).
That is interesting that Catering businesses are pulling 30 % of the income but accounting for only 11% of the businesses, does this make Catering more lucrative?
The break down of turnover for cafes and restaurants is shown below:

At the end of June 2004, there were 188,102 persons working in cafe and restaurant services. Cafe and restaurant businesses accounted for 76.1% (143,171 persons) of total employment and catering businesses 23.9% (44,932 persons).
Caterers pull a third of the income from a quarter of the employees

I thought Melbourne had more cafes/ restaurants per capita than Sydney?? At least according to the graph below, Victoria seems to have less than NSW. Sydney NSW have 10% more people with 15% more cafe/restaurants…

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