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So the report header reads as a named artifact when you save, print, or share. No account — the values live in the URL on your device.

Your restaurant cost report

Last reviewed 2026-05-04.

Food cost

Target band for your segment & region: .

What it likely means

Most common causes (ranked by frequency):

    First step ()

      Where's your food cost leaking? — quick gap analysis

      Your overall food cost % is one number; the leak is usually in 1–3 specific dishes. Enter your top items below — name, recipe cost, menu price, units sold last period — and we'll compute what your food cost should be vs. what it is, plus the worst-offender dish.

      Fill at least one row with all four values to see the gap.

      Method: theoretical food cost % = Σ(recipe cost × units) ÷ Σ(menu price × units). Top-N estimate — the gap is directional, not audit-grade. Real kitchens never hit theoretical; a 2–4 point gap is typical drift, >4 points usually waste, theft, or portion creep.

      Sources & methodology

      • Universal target bands: National Restaurant Association segment guidance.
      • Regional adjustment: BEA Regional Price Parities (state-level, averaged to U.S. Census region).
      • Diagnostic content: judgment based on common operator experience. Always verify against your books before acting.

      See the full methodology →

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