Statistics on purchasing habits?

Hi, have any of you put together any numbers on buying habits?
Here's an example:
Let's say 1,000 people attend an event, with mixed ages and so on - the usual mix. Of those 1,000 how many will purchase food and/or drinks at an event?
Another example:
Does the per person sales average increase if it's a 'family' event?
 
I'd love to learn about statistics any of you might have generated from your experiences.
Dave
 

We go by how much food we can sling out of our cart. That is a more accurate way of determining the max we can make and helps us to decide what events we will work and what ones we won't. Our cart is tiny so we know, based on our current menu, we can make about $800 max for an event. So that means small events that the big boys normally don't want to mess with (with the current economy the big boys are doing the smaller events now). Although we are pulling back and won't be chasing any events this year. There are a few we may do again because we enjoyed doing them last year. Depends on how David is doing. He's feeling tired all the time... must the be meds he's on.

i think family events would be busier the closer to meal times you are

BackAlleyBurger


i think family events would be busier the closer to meal times you are

 
LOL no kidding! 
 
Seriously, can you ever 'predict' how many sales you might get at any given event, just as a percentage of attendance?
Here's my question in a different way - we've been asked to be the exclusive food vendor for an upcoming new event in our area. The promoter has NO IDEA on attendance since it is a new event - they estimate between 500 and 2,000 people.
So, if 500 people show up, how many will buy food? If 1,000 show up, how many will be 'buying public'? When I was in sales for consumer camera products, we had very specific numbers that were pretty close. For every 20 people who walked in the door, you could sell 5 cameras - it was almost always right!
So, what about food at events?

I think there is more to the equation than just the numbers:
How long is the event and what time of day?  Will you just get a lunch crowd or multiple meals?
What activities will attendees be doing?  Music and sporting events where spectators are sitting around would be better than something where they are actively involved.
Also, can they bring food from home? 
 
That said, I've heard everything from 3% to 5% of attendance to as low as .5% to 1% - but those stats are more for large events with multiple vendors.  This July I'm doing the Bear Paw Festival (3 day event, 35,000 attendance, 32 food vendors) for the first time and I have been working those percentages quite a bit.  Interestingly enough 1 1/2% (525) is roughly the same number of customers as assuming 50% of attendees buy and I get and equal share (1/32) of those buyers (547). 
 
Being exclusive should also give you a higher ratio than normal.
If it was me, I'd plan on 50% of the projected assuming you have product that won't go to waste if your sales are lower than that.  Since they are unsure of attendance, pick a mid point.  Unless extremely well advertised, first time events rarely draw full capacity.
 

Noodles on the Loose

... If it was me, I'd plan on 50% of the projected assuming you have product that won't go to waste if your sales are lower than that...

If you also street vend, you really shouldn't have much "waste". If we don't sell our stuff at an event, we simply sell it on the street on the following Monday. Of course we hold everything on ice (except bread).

I have only worked festivals and special events in the past.  Nothing for the last three years.  I am in the process of returning to the game.  (so take this with a grain of salt)
 
However, what I have found in the past is that promoters are very optimistic.  Lets say for example they expect 30,000 attendees per day.   I always half that now we are down to 15,000.  Then I say half of them will not purchase food, so now we are at 7500 attendees.  Now I divide that number by the number of food vendors lets say they have 20 food vendors (remember they are expecting 30,000).  That gives each food vendor a potential of 375 folks buying something from them that day, fries, drink, dogs, burgers, pickles, whatever.
 
And this is only if all the stars in the sky line up and everyone is sing "we are the world" and it doesn't rain.
 
I know not very statistical like, but if I hit it right once out of three times I'm happy with them odds.
 
Any formula is better than "Not a Clue"  heheh hehe heheh  Hope this helps
 
 
 
 
 
 

Gilj
...  promoters are very optimistic ...

 
That's a rather polite way of putting it! We have only run into one festival promoter that actually told the truth and she UNDERESTIMATED. We were also the only food vendors. So when she came around asking what the festival could do next year to make things better, we told her to not lie to the food vendors. We told her we need to honestly know how many vendors are expected and the right attendance estimate (last years attendance is s also a good thing to be able to tell the vendors). We told her we need the correct info to bring the right amount of food. This is one of the few events we will do again this year. We did well at the small festival and the folks there were buying and enjoyed the food.

Mama said if you can't say anything nice, dont say anything at all.
 
If all of them underestimated, that would be a good problem to have.  Since I use to always have at least two workers (teenage children with license) I could possible send out for more food.  However, sitting on a boat load of food when your next event isn't for another three weeks can get a little scary.
 
One thing I defintely learned was to know where to get more food.  Even if it meant your local Sams or Costco (worse case senario).  Didn't actually have to use them, but the assurance that if I had to..... I didn't have to waste time figuring out their location in proximity to where the event was.

Gilj
... Even if it meant your local Sams or Costco (worse case senario)...

Actually we DO use Sam's clubs as our main supplier. We have actually found a Sam's Club in every state we have worked and driven thru. We like knowing that the food we based our menu on in NC & GA was also available in NM. And the food we based our menu on in NM was also available in TX and vice versa. I'll even bet the food we are buying here in NM will be available in the next state we move to... where ever that will be...

lornaschinske:  That's cool.  I have access to a Restaurant Dept and I like the variety and the prices.  Just my personal preference.

Gilj
... I have access to a Restaurant Dept and I like the variety and the prices.  Just my personal preference.

There is no Restaurant Depot in this whole state!!!

I've never even heard of Restaurant Depot, so there....

Restaurant Depot.....It's like Home Depot for food.

Chefbuba is right, everything you can imagine for your restauant or mobile unit.  I guess I should appreciate how lucky I am living as close to the ATL as I do.  There are all sorts of food wearhouses, Mexican, Oriental, American, you name it.  I will no longer take this for granted.

My "local" restaurant depot is in Hartford, Connecticut... an hour and a half away when the traffic is good. Needless to say I've never been.

dont feel bad, mine is three hours away opposite end of state, lol....
they did show some crazy good prices though!