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Food Cost % — what your number means

Compute your food cost percentage, see how it compares to a regional segment estimate, and walk through the most likely causes if it's off-band.

Last reviewed: Last reviewed 2026-05-04

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Your context (used for regional benchmark)

Remembered on this device for next visit. Defaults are sensible if you don't change them.

Cost of food sold over the period.

Sales attributable to food, same period.

Methodology & sources

Formula: food_cost ÷ revenue. Both numbers should cover the same period.

Worked example: $3,000 food cost ÷ $10,000 food sales = 30.0%.

Universal bands (segment-agnostic):

  • Under 25% — low (verify costing is complete)
  • 25–32% — target
  • 32–40% — high
  • 40%+ — critical

Regional segment band shown on the result is composed from NRA segment guidance × BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology — regional bands.

Not sure which number to focus on? Try the integrated review — one form, all four metrics.

What this likely means

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    First step: —

    Diagnostic content is judgment based on common operator experience. Always verify against your books before acting. Methodology.