How Do I Estimate Sales at An Event?

I run a stall at a daily market but want to try out the bigger festivals.

If I know how many tickets have been sold, how do I estimate how many people will buy food from me?

Are there any rough % estimates I could apply so I don't run out of food or completely over cook?

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Apr 27, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		How Much Money Can You Make At Big Catering Events
by: David

Hi There,

This can be tricky to work out, but if you work out how many tickets have been sold this will give you a better number to work from.

You should also take into consideration how many other food providers will be present and what kinds of food they sell.

If you are lucky enough to be the only one selling a specific type of food then you will have less competition and generally do better.

Your location within the event will be a contributing factor, before you reserve the pitch try and get last year’s footfall and a location map of where you will be placed.

Aim for high footfall areas like: major attractions, walkways, routes to toilets or where people are likely to congregate.

For a rough calculation, you could say attendance could be 30.000 actual attendance 20.000

If you say 40% of these people will buy food that is 40% of 20.000= 8000 divide by how many other catering units present, say 10 and then times this amount by your regular order size say £5.

8000 divide by 10 (catering units) = 800 multiply by £5= £4000 to you, minus rent, gas, wages, fuel etc.

Once you have deducted all out goings you are left with the profit, you have to then decide if it’s worth it for you.

Don’t just rush in because it’s a big event, take the time to really research and make sure there is enough profit in this for you, and that your costing is bang on, or you may be very disappointed with what you’ll end up earning.

I know this is a rough way to do it but it may give you a better idea of how much profit you can make.

Here are some event catering related questions

Best of luck
David



p.s Get my free guide on Starting a Mobile Catering Business
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