South Florida by the numbers: Miami Spice edition

“South Florida by the numbers” is a web feature that catalogs the most notable, quirky and surprising real estate statistics.

Let’s face it: summer is NOT the best time of year to be in Miami. The heat is unbearable, the rain is relentless and there’s just not much going on. But there is one oasis of awesomeness for everyone to enjoy: Miami Spice! Now in its 12th year, this promotion (courtesy of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau) brings the very best of Miami cuisine to locals at reduced prices. From August through September, more than 160 area restaurants will offer three-course meals at reduced prices of $23 for lunch and $39 for dinner. With that in mind, chew on these fascinating digits illustrating Miami Spice and the restaurant industry’s impact on Miami.

3,615
Number of restaurants in Miami, according to the popular TripAdvisor web site. [TripAdvisor]

9/11
Impetus behind first Miami Spice promotion, after founder (and former GMCVB board chairman) Steven Haas witnessed the positive impact of New York’s “Restaurant Month.” [Miami New Times]

98,620

Number of people employed in “Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations” in Miami as of May 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That is Miami’s third-largest major employment category, after “Office and Administrative Support Occupations” and “Sales and Related Occupations.” [Department of Labor]

$34.6 billion

National Restaurant Association’s estimate of Florida restaurant sales in 2014. The association also expects that 134,600 new jobs will be created in the restaurant industry within the next decade. [CREW-Miami]

82

According to LoopNet, number of Miami restaurants available for lease as of Thursday. [LoopNet] 

This column is produced by the Master Brokers Forum, a network of South Florida’s elite real estate professionals where membership is by invitation only and based on outstanding production, as well as ethical and professional behavior.