Restaurant Food Cost Calculator
Work out the cost of each plate from your recipe, then see a menu price that meets your target food cost percentage, with optional sales tax and your gross profit per plate.
Prices in PKR · Last updated 22 October 2026
1. Recipe
How many plates does this recipe make?
2. Ingredients
For each ingredient, enter the price you pay per unit and how much the recipe uses, for example the price per kg of chicken and the grams in the recipe.
3. Other costs per plate
Packaging, garnish, sauces or anything else each plate needs. Leave it empty if none.
4. Pricing
Food cost % is the plate cost as a share of the menu price before tax. The US National Restaurant Association puts food costs at 28% to 35% of restaurant sales. That is a US figure, so set a target that suits your restaurant.
Enter a target between 1 and 99. Using 30% for now.
Rates are set by your province or ICT and can depend on how the customer pays. Enter the rate that applies to you.
Plate cost and menu price
| Ingredient | Cost in recipe | Share |
|---|
Gross profit is before rent, salaries, gas, electricity and other running costs.
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How the calculation works
- Each ingredient’s cost is the amount the recipe uses × the price you pay per unit. Units are converted, for example 750 g of an item bought per kg is 0.75 kg.
- If only part of what you buy is usable, the cost is divided by the usable share.
- Plate cost = whole recipe cost ÷ portions + other costs per plate.
- Suggested menu price = plate cost ÷ your target food cost %, rounded up if you choose.
- Gross profit = menu price − plate cost. Sales tax, if you add it, goes on top of the menu price.
Example: a recipe that costs Rs 1,200 and makes 4 plates has a plate cost of Rs 300. At a 30% target, the menu price is Rs 300 ÷ 30% = Rs 1,000, leaving Rs 700 gross profit a plate.
Choosing a target food cost
The US National Restaurant Association says food costs make up 28% to 35% of sales in restaurants. It is a US figure, not a Pakistan benchmark, which is why the target here is yours to set. A lower food cost % leaves more of each sale for rent, salaries, utilities and profit.
Usable % (yield)
Some of what you buy never reaches the plate: onion skins, bones, trimmings. If your recipe quantity is the cleaned amount, enter the usable %. For example, if 1 kg of onions gives 900 g after peeling, enter 90. If your recipe quantity is as bought, leave it at 100.
Sales tax on the menu price
Sales tax on restaurant services is set by your province or the Islamabad Capital Territory, and the rate can depend on how the customer pays. Enter the rate that applies to you. It is added on top of the menu price and is not part of your food cost or profit.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good food cost percentage?
There is no single right figure. The US National Restaurant Association puts food costs at 28% to 35% of restaurant sales, but that is a US figure, not a Pakistan benchmark. This calculator starts at 30%, which you can change. Your own target depends on your menu, prices, rent and staff costs.
How do I work out the cost of one plate?
Add up the cost of every ingredient in the recipe, divide by the number of portions it makes, then add any other per-plate costs such as packaging or sauces. That is your plate cost.
How is the menu price worked out?
Menu price = plate cost ÷ target food cost %. For example, a plate cost of Rs 300 at a 30% target gives Rs 1,000. You can round the price up to the nearest Rs 5, 10, 50 or 100.
What does usable % mean?
It is how much of what you buy ends up in the dish after peeling, trimming or deboning. If 900 g of every 1 kg of onions is usable, enter 90. Leave it at 100 if your recipe quantity is the amount as bought.
Should sales tax be added to the menu price?
Sales tax on restaurant services is charged by the province or the Islamabad Capital Territory, and rates and rules can depend on where you are and how the customer pays. Check the rate that applies to you with your revenue authority or tax adviser, then enter it here. The calculator adds it on top of the menu price.
Is anything I type stored?
No. The calculator runs in your browser and does not save or send your recipe or prices.
Estimate only. The results depend on the prices and quantities you enter. Food cost % does not include rent, salaries, utilities or other running costs. Check sales tax rates with your revenue authority or a tax adviser.
Source for the 28% to 35% range: National Restaurant Association, “Working to reduce food waste” (1 April 2024).
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