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NerdyGirl Accounting

Restaurant Food Cost Calculator

Calculate your true food cost per menu item. Set prices that protect your margins.

% (industry avg: 28–35%)
2
Menu Items
14.4%
Avg Food Cost %
30%
Target Food Cost %
0
Items Over Target
1
Classic BurgerEntrees
Cost: $2.84Price: $14.9918.9% food cost
IngredientUnitUnit Cost ($)Qty UsedLine Cost
Ground beef patty (6oz)each$1.851$1.85
Brioche buneach$0.451$0.45
Lettuce, tomato, onionportion$0.301$0.30
Condimentsportion$0.101$0.10
Raw Ingredient Cost$2.70
+ Waste / Spoilage (5%)$0.14
Total Food Cost$2.84
Profit: $12.16Food Cost: 18.9%
2
Caesar SaladSalads
Cost: $1.18Price: $11.999.9% food cost

How to Use This Calculator

  1. 1. Set your target food cost % (industry standard is 28–35%).
  2. 2. Add each menu item with its sale price.
  3. 3. List every ingredient with unit cost and quantity used per serving.
  4. 4. Enter your waste/spoilage % (typically 3–10%).
  5. 5. Food cost % and profit calculate automatically.
  6. 6. Items over your target are flagged in red — adjust pricing or reduce costs.
  7. 7. Export to Excel to save your data, or Print / Save as PDF.

Questions? Visit nerdygirlaccounting.com or schedule a call with Michelle.

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