KPIOperations & Supply Chain

Food Cost Percentage

Cost of food sold as a percentage of F&B revenue, measuring kitchen cost efficiency

What is Food Cost Percentage?

Food cost percentage is the share of food and beverage revenue that goes on the cost of food consumed. It shows how well a kitchen controls the cost of its ingredients.

It is a central profitability measure for restaurants and hotels.

How this KPI is measured

Function
Operations & Supply Chain
Sub-function
F&B Cost Control
Industry
Hospitality & Hotels
Type
Lagging
Impact
Financial control
Unit
%
Measurement frequency
Weekly / Monthly
Formula
(Cost of food consumed / F&B revenue) × 100

How to calculate it

Divide the cost of food consumed by food and beverage revenue, and multiply by 100.

For example, if food costing 30,000 was used to earn 100,000 of revenue, the food cost percentage is 30%.

Cost of food consumed is opening stock plus purchases minus closing stock. Track by menu item as well as in total.

Where it is used

  • Controlling margin

    Keep food costs in line.

  • Pricing menus

    Set prices from costs.

  • Finding waste and theft

    Spot unexplained losses.

How to improve it

Tips and common mistakes

  • Do not cut quality to cut cost.
  • Compare with your target by menu item.
  • Watch price changes from suppliers.

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