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Food Cost Calculator

Food Cost Calculator

What is Food Cost Calculator?

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A food cost calculator computes the cost of producing a recipe or menu item, and the food cost percentage relative to the selling price. Food cost percentage is the key profitability metric for restaurants — industry standard is 28–35%.

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How to Food Cost Calculator

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  1. 1Sum the cost of all ingredients in the portion
  2. 2Food cost % = Ingredient cost / Selling price × 100
  3. 3Ideal selling price = Ingredient cost / Target food cost %

Worked Examples

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Example 1
Given:Ingredients cost £3.50 · Selling price £14.00
Result:Food cost 25%

£3.50/£14.00 = 25% — good margin

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Pro Tip

Track food cost weekly, not monthly. A 3% variance noticed quickly is fixable; the same variance found 4 weeks later has already cost thousands in profit.

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Did you know?

Top restaurants aim for food cost as low as 22–25%, achieved through high selling prices, minimal waste, and efficient purchasing. Fast food chains operate at 25–35%.

Mathematically verified
Reviewed October 2026
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