Average customers per day? week?

[Scoop419]

I'm looking into opening my own shop and about to start my business plan, but I have no clue what I should be averaging for sales. I'm sure it all depends on things like traffic, visibility and marketing, but still, I haven't the foggiest idea what's an average number of customers per day so I can project monthly sales. The locations I'm looking at lie on busy suburban main streets with shops, restaurants and schools around. The downtown areas also have street festivals. I'd be interested to hear what you all average. Thanks in advance!!

[Ice Cream Man]

Where are you located?
How much competition is near by?

[Scoop419]

I'm looking to be located in a quaint historic suburban town with a population around 20,000-30,000, but within 10 minutes of a much larger city. The nearest competition is 2-5 miles away and are your typical soft serve places that are popular with the locals. My product however is unique in that it's a hand dipped brand with gourmet flavors you can't find within a 500 mile radius of here. The price is obviously a little more, but no where near what you'd pay at one of those chain places, and for what you get it's well worth it. I'm looking to do shave ice too to offer some variety in product and price range.

[Ice Cream Man]

To answer your question it's hard to say.
We are in a much smaller town and average 300 a day.
Each server should be able to serve a customer every 1 1/2 minutes.
Location is important, walk in, parking for drive in, sports teams.
There is the weather to deal with.
Outdoor seating is very important especially for large groups or teams, it's not just ice cream it's also social time.

[Scoop419]

Great! That certainly helps a lot. I guess my next question is what are your busiest times of the day/week and when are the slowest? Thanks in advance!

[Ice Cream Man]

Saturday is good.A lot of people stay home to do the chores.
Sunday is family day and the best day of the week.
Week days from 7 PM until closing is busy with the sports teams and people coming out for desert.
Mostly we operate with 2 people Saturday & Sunday and from 7 until 9 through the week. the rest of the time it's one.
To do this you have to set your store up right.
But you can have a bus stop by your door anytime.