How To Calculate Food Cost Per Plate. Now, you need to find your ideal food cost percentage. This will make you know the estimated value of the dish per plate.
To calculate actual food cost, complete the following equation: To calculate your food cost percentage, first add the value of your beginning inventory and your purchases, and subtract the value of your ending inventory from the total. Food cost percentage = total costs of ingredients / sale price
The calculator will automatically estimate your cost per portion, cost per recipe, and actual food cost percentage;
You have to stay on top of cost as staying on top is imperative. To calculate your food cost percentage, first add the value of your beginning inventory and your purchases, and subtract the value of your ending inventory from the total. Figure out your fixed cost per meal served. For example, a selling price of $6.50 gives you a food cost percentage of roughly 34% ($2.207/$6.50)*100.