Free Food Cost Calculator - Menu Price Calculator

ADD YOUR INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENT	PURCHASE PRICE ($)	QUANTITY PURCHASED	QUANTITY USED	INGREDIENT COST ($)

SET MARGINS & PRICING

TOTAL INGREDIENTS COST ($)

$ 0.00

MARKUP PERCENT (%)

MARKUP AMOUNT ($)

RECOMMENDED MENU PRICE ($)

REVIEW YOUR SUMMARY

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What you can do with Menubly Recipe Cost Calculator?

Menubly Restaurant Food Cost Calculator is a tool designed to help restaurant owners, chefs, and managers optimize their menu pricing and maximize profitability. With this calculator, you can:

Accurately calculate the food cost percentage for each menu item
Determine the ideal selling price for your dishes
Analyze the profitability of your menu items
Identify areas where you can reduce costs without compromising quality
Make data-driven decisions to improve your restaurant’s financial performance

How to use our Food Cost Calculator?

Follow these simple steps to get the most out of our Restaurant Food Cost Calculator:

1. Add Ingredients

For each ingredient, provide:
- Ingredient name
- Purchase price – the price at which you purchased the ingredient
- Quantity purchased – the quantity at which you purchased the ingredient, please also specify the unit of measurement (gram, kilogram, liter, milliliter)
- Quantity used – the quantity you used in the recipe

Click “Add ingredient” button if you need to add more.

Pro tip: If you need to scale your recipe up or down for different batch sizes, use a recipe converter first to adjust all ingredient quantities proportionally, then input the converted amounts into the food cost calculator for accurate pricing.

2. Review Calculations

Once all inputs are entered, the calculator will display:
- Total ingredient cost
- Recommended menu price
The default markup percentage is set to 20%, but you can adjust this to your desired percentage
You can also enter a specific markup amount if preferred

3. Review the Ingredient Summary

On the right-hand side, you’ll find a “Review Your Summary” section
This includes a pie chart representing the proportion of each ingredient’s cost
Use this visual aid to quickly identify which ingredients are contributing most to your food cost

Free Restaurant Food Cost / Menu Price Calculator FAQs

What is restaurant food cost?

Restaurant food cost refers to the total amount spent on ingredients used to prepare a menu item. It's a crucial metric in the food service industry, as it directly impacts profitability. Food cost is typically expressed as a percentage of the selling price.

What is the formula to calculate food cost percentage for restaurants?

The formula to calculate food cost percentage is:

Food Cost Percentage = (Total Cost of Ingredients / Selling Price) x 100

Our calculator automates this process, making it easy for you to determine the food cost percentage for each menu item.

What is a good food cost percentage?

A good food cost percentage varies depending on the type of restaurant and menu item. However, here are some general guidelines:

Fine dining restaurants: 28-32%
Casual dining restaurants: 30-35%
Fast food establishments: 25-30%
Bars: 20-25%

Keep in mind that these are average ranges, and your ideal food cost percentage may differ based on your specific business model and target profit margins.

What are the benefits of calculating food cost percentage?

Calculating food cost percentage offers several benefits for restaurant owners and managers:

Accurate pricing: Ensure your menu prices are set to achieve your desired profit margins.
Identify cost-saving opportunities: Pinpoint ingredients that are driving up costs and explore alternatives.
Menu engineering: Analyze which items are most profitable and adjust your menu accordingly.
Inventory management: Better understand your ingredient usage and optimize your ordering process.
Profitability analysis: Gain insights into your overall restaurant profitability and make data-driven decisions.
Competitive advantage: Price your menu items competitively while maintaining profitability.

By regularly using our Restaurant Food Cost Calculator, you can stay on top of these critical aspects of your business and drive long-term success.

How to calculate cost for a recipe?

Calculating recipe food cost accurately is essential for restaurant profitability.

Follow these simple steps:

List all ingredients including spices, oils, and garnishes
Determine current supplier prices for each ingredient
Convert to cost per unit (ounce, gram, etc.)
Measure exact quantities used in the recipe
Multiply unit cost by quantity for each ingredient
Add all costs together for total recipe cost
Factor in waste percentage (5-10%)
Divide by portions if making multiple servings

For efficiency and accuracy, try using a recipe cost calculator to streamline this process and ensure proper menu pricing.

What is Menubly and how does it work?

Menubly is an affordable and easy-to-use online menu and ordering platform that helps restaurants create beautiful, interactive online menus and take orders directly from customers - with zero commission fees.

When customers want to view your menu, they can scan a QR code at your restaurant table or click a link you share on social media. They'll see a mobile-friendly menu that makes it easy to browse dishes, check prices, and place orders directly with you - whether for dine-in, pickup, or takeaway.

What types of businesses can use Menubly?

Menubly is perfect for any food business that wants to modernize its menu experience with an online menu that customers can access instantly and place orders through, such as:

Restaurants (fast food, casual dining, fine dining, etc)
Cafes and coffee shops
Bars and breweries
Bakeries
Food trucks
Ghost kitchens and delivery-only brands
Juice bars and smoothie shops
Catering and event services