How to calculate actual restaurant food cost correctly
A practical explanation of cost of food used, compatible food sales, period cutoffs, transfers, credits, and the mistakes that make the percentage unreliable.
Read the guideRestaurant profit resources
Practical controls for stronger restaurant margins.
Clear operating guidance for owners, chefs, managers, and controllers working to understand food cost, purchasing, inventory, and preventable margin loss.
Operator guidance grounded in traceable restaurant dataOperator education
Start with the operating question in front of you.
Each guide explains the control, the information required, and the management action that should follow. No unsupported savings claims and no generic restaurant advice.
Seven places restaurants commonly lose food margin
A management-level screen for the control failures that can turn acceptable purchasing into weak actual results.
Read the guideHow supplier price drift affects menu profitability
Learn how to compare supplier pricing without being misled by pack-size changes, substitutions, fees, or inconsistent units.
Read the guideWhy inventory variance matters more than inventory value alone
A closing inventory value is a balance. Variance analysis explains whether the operating movement behind that balance is controlled and believable.
Read the guideWhat documents are needed for a restaurant profit audit?
Prepare a clean 90-day operating record so purchasing, inventory, menu, waste, and control findings can be supported rather than guessed.
Read the guideFree management tools
Check the signal. Then verify the cause.
Food Cost Leakage Calculator
Compare one compatible review period with your operating target. Your figures stay in your browser and are not submitted or stored.
Open the calculatorFood Cost Leak Checklist
Review purchasing, inventory, recipes and yield, waste, and management reporting in about five minutes.
Download checklist Fillable and print-ready
Need a deeper review?
Apply for the audit Move from screening to evidence-supported priorities.
The Restaurant Profit Retention Audit examines multiple margin drivers within a controlled consulting engagement.