We are in a very rural and tiny town. Our family runs our tiny Pizza business 5 days a week, and for the first time in 7 yrs we reduced our hours this Winter. We have only one PT cook if we get slammed that lives walking distance from us, he also does dishes for us at closing, but he only works for us most often one maybe 2 nights a week (Fri and/or Sat).... Currently its just my husband and I and one son. (we have a son overseas who will be back in one year, that says he's interested in coming back and taking the business over)
We sell at most 10 a day -- typically on Fri or Sat, the other days its less than that. (we are talking winter -- our busy season June thru August we do significantly more with tourists.) There has never been enough sales to warrant hiring a manager so that my husband or I can be gone -- it typically requires us to close for the day if any one of us is sick or has out of town appointments. We're fortunate to have an apartment included in our building rent (CHEAP!), so our living expenses are next to nothing. We do make money and save as much as we can - since we have no retirement. Retirement for us is, either one of our son's taking over the business, or selling the place.
We jumped into this business as our only income option 7 yrs ago, and despite the hours that take its toll on my husband and I, I think we've done well considering we jumped into this with very little to no experience and a lot of hard work. Location has a lot to do with it for certain. Sometimes we wish we made more, but most of the time, we're glad its manageable as it is, and would not want the headaches of being too busy.