2021 Chicken Broil by the numbers

A table full of satisfied chicken customers were some of the 1,494 diners who ate at Alumni Memorial Field last weekend.

Since it's arguably Manchester's biggest event, and has been for 68 years, it's not surprising to note that there are a lot of really big numbers involved in the annual Manchester Chicken Broil. Here are some "official" numbers provided by outgoing co-chairman Michael Tindall:

• 6675 = number of dinners served
• 3,078 = meals served at drive through (approximately 46% of total dinners served)
• 1,494 = meals eaten on the field (about 22.38% of meals served)
• 1,051 = number of meals served at the walk-up take out line (15.75% of total)
• 700 = meals served at the worker take-out
• 480 = number of tickets purchased online for the first time this year
• 352 = call ahead meals at the large-order takeout
• 300+ = volunteers on the field during the day July 17

"One thing I am always asked, was the Broil a success?" says Tindall. "I look at it a little differently than others probably do ... a lot of people want to know if the event was a financial success. And at this point, we don't have final financial figures; that is something that takes time.

"But we had excellent numbers; it was a big success from that standpoint and it was absolutely without question a very successful day. I base my opinion on the fact that I'm walking the grounds all day; I see the patrons, the workers and without exception, every single person had a smile. Everyone I asked said the meal was wonderful. The workers all did their jobs smoothly, the weather was picture perfect, and I call that a success by any measure."

One financial fact that Tindall did have available was that in the first year of accepting credit cards as payment, the broil processed nearly $10,000 in credit card transactions for dinners and merchandise. That, too, he deemed a very great success for the Broil.

Tindall said he was thrilled with the outcome of his final year as co-chair after 17 very successful Chicken Broils. "They embarrassed me, you know, by giving me a recognition plaque," he added. "When you take on a job like this you don't do it for a plaque, you do it for the good feeling. But it was a very nice gesture."

The good news for the Chicken Broil is that a third generation of the Mann family is stepping in to fill Tindall's shoes starting next year. Jeff Mann, son of Ron Mann and grandson of Willard Mann, will serve as co-chair to Gary Bross for the 2022 Chicken Broil.

"Jeff will do a great job and I wish him all the best," Tindall said. "And I can't thank the community enough for their support over the years."

6,675 perfectly grilled chicken halves were sold to eager consumers on July 17.

Three of the many slaw-makers who made and served the famous coleslaw, 10 gallons at a time.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.