Facts & Figures

THE RESTAURANT AND CATERING INDUSTRY

Australia's reputation for world class dining is well known. 6% of international tourists select Australia as a tourist destination on the basis of its food.

The industry turns over $9.3 billion and spends $2.917 billion on wages and salaries and $2.9 billion on food products.

The overall average profit for a restaurant, cafe or caterer, before tax is 1.5%.

The industry employs over 317,400 people.

91% of all restaurant and catering businesses employ less than 20 people (per establishment).

CUISINE STYLES:

According to BIS Shrapnel, the percentage of restaurants in each cuisine style is as follows:

• Modern Australian 36.1%
• Chinese 14.5%
• Seafood 9.2%
• Italian 9.1%
• Thai 4.0%
• French 2.0%
• Japanese 1.9%
• Malaysian 1.1%
• Greek 1.0%
• Other 21.1%

WORKFORCE:

• 91% of all restaurants and cafes employ less than 20 persons (per establishment)
• 48% of the workforce are all either part time or casual
• 25% of the full time workforce are working proprietors or partners
• 55% of the workforce are female - 33% are full time
• 45% of the workforce are male - 58% are full time
• 70% of the workforce have no post-school qualifications
• 16.5% have vocational qualifications
• 5% have a degree or higher qualification

SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

• The Australian Foodservice Market, 6th Edition, 1998-200, BIS Shrapnel
• Australian Bureau of Statistics, Restaurant and Café Industry, 1998-1999