Food Cost Percentage Calculator
Calculate food cost percentage — a key metric for menu pricing.
Calculate
Enter your values below.
Result
Food cost percentage
0
Formula used
Food cost % = Ingredient cost ÷ Menu price × 100
Example: $3.50 ingredient cost on a $14.00 menu item → food cost = 25%.
How to use this calculator
- Enter Ingredient (food) cost, Menu selling price.
- Press Calculate to see your result instantly.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a target food cost percentage?
Many restaurants target around 28-35%, though it varies by cuisine, concept, and business model.
Does a lower food cost percentage always mean better?
Generally more profitable, but pricing too high can hurt perceived value and sales volume.
Does this account for labor cost?
No, this covers ingredients only — see prime cost calculations for combined food and labor cost analysis.
How can I use this to set a menu price?
Divide your ingredient cost by your target food cost percentage (as a decimal) to find the price needed.