Demographic and socioeconomic profiles of chop bar owners and customers in Ghana: Implications for business sustainability and patronage patterns

This study examines the demographic and socioeconomic profiles of chop bar owners and patrons within Ghana’s food service industry, a vital sector contributing to employment, entrepreneurship, and socio-economic development. Employing a quantitative approach with structured questionnaires, data were collected from 767 respondents across six major regional capitals, revealing that the industry is predominantly driven by middle-aged female owners and male customers. The findings indicate that most owners possess between 6 to 10 years of experience and have educational backgrounds mostly below diploma level, whilst customers generally hold diploma or higher qualifications and have engaged with chop bar services for comparable periods. The analysis highlights gender disparities, with women constituting the majority of owners and men representing the primary customer base, reflecting complex social and cultural dynamics. The results emphasise the sector’s stability, resilience, and potential for growth, underscoring the importance of targeted interventions such as capacity-building, improved access to finance, and policy support to enhance sustainability and inclusivity. This research addresses critical gaps in context-specific data, providing empirical insights for policymakers, development stakeholders, and enterpreneures seeking to strengthen Ghana’s informal food sector.