Free Food Cost Calculator for Excel

Reduce expenses with a free cost calculator

  • See where each dollar goes
  • Calculate total expenses quickly
  • Customizable and ready-to-use

Food Cost Percentage Template.xlsx

What is a food cost template?

What is a food cost template?

This food cost percentage template helps you see exactly how much you spend on ingredients each month. With our Excel-based tool, it’s easier than ever to spot overspending and keep more profit in your pocket.

Why do restaurants need a food costing calculator?

Why do restaurants need a food costing calculator?

A food cost calculator shows exactly how much you’re spending on each dish. This way, you can adjust menu prices and make more profit. It’s a must-have for restaurants that want sustainable cost control.

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A single place to track all costs

A single place to track all costs

Track all your food costs, overhead, and sales data in one place. Get a clear view of how well your restaurant’s cost strategy is performing and make smart decisions.

Instant food cost calculation

Instant food cost calculation

Just add your numbers, and the spreadsheet calculates your food cost percentage automatically. No complex math or manual calculations needed.

Actual costs to projected spending comparison

Actual costs to projected spending comparison

If you forecast costs but don’t compare them to actual numbers, you miss out on big insights. Our template makes it easy to stay on track.

Better cost control with monthly food cost calculation

Better cost control with monthly food cost calculation

Review your food cost calculation every month to see changes in spending. Regular check-ins lead to a healthier bottom line.

What makes the 7shifts cost calculator different?

7shifts company logo

Food Cost Template

Easy schedule builder 7shifts company logo7shifts company logo
Customizable to your restaurant 7shifts company logo7shifts company logo
Free 7shifts company logo7shifts company logo
Free mobile apps 7shifts company logo7shifts company logo
Communication tools (chat, announcement) 7shifts company logo7shifts company logo
Automatic sales and labor reporting 7shifts company logo7shifts company logo
POS Integration for automatic sales tracking 7shifts company logo7shifts company logo
Easy manager note taking 7shifts company logo7shifts company logo
Labor compliance tools 7shifts company logo7shifts company logo

Ideal food cost percentages for each type of restaurant

Quick service restaurants

Quick service restaurants

Quick service restaurants have lower food costs, around 18% to 22%, with their simpler menus. Fewer offerings and quick food prep make it easier to predict and control ingredient costs, especially with a food cost calculator.

Fast casual restaurants

Fast casual restaurants

Most fast casual restaurants aim for a food cost percentage of about 28‑30%. Update recipe details and overhead weekly, then review your calculation to spot any rising costs.

Full-service restaurants

Full-service restaurants

Upscale places tend to have higher food cost percentages, as much as 40% or more, due to premium products. Factor in fancy ingredients, labor, and plating when you calculate total costs in your calculator.

All-in-one restaurant solution

All-in-one restaurant solution

7shifts does more than just help you calculate and reduce costs. Our restaurant software also manages schedules and improves team communication, making it easy to run your restaurant from top to bottom.

Holistic cost analysis for modern restaurants

Holistic cost analysis for modern restaurants

Simple costing alone won’t help you adapt and thrive in a fast-changing industry. 7shifts gives you deeper insight into your menu pricing, overhead, and inventory through advanced analytics.

Grow your business without additional costs

Grow your business without additional costs

Our platform scales to fit your needs, handling more than just food expenses. As your restaurant grows, 7shifts grow with you, so you won’t have to worry about additional software or complicated setups.

Calculate recipe costs for every dish

Calculating the recipe cost for each dish helps you see exactly how every ingredient affects your bottom line. With a cost calculator, restaurants can check for hidden expenses that weren’t accounted for in the pricing.

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