Foodcost
definition
”Foodcost“is a term used in gastronomy and refers to the costs associated with the production of food. Foodcost are used to analyze the financial performance and profitability of restaurants or hotels, for example.
Calculation of food costs
Foodcost are an essential part of budgeting and cost management in the food sector. As a rule, Foodcost expressed as a percentage of turnover. Foodcost Are the direct costs of food required to prepare the dishes, such as the costs of:
- ingredients
- spices
- wraps
- Delivery costs
To calculate the Foodcost The total value of food sold over a specific period of time is considered and the direct costs of preparing these foods are broken down. This value is then set in relation to sales in order to Foodcost to determine.
Hohe Foodcost They usually occur as a result of inefficient processes, excessive purchase prices or in connection with food waste. That is why we can Foodcost be reduced thanks to efficient food procurement, food waste control, and effective inventory management.
Die Foodcost, often referred to as food costs, are therefore an important indicator in gastronomy that measures the costs of ingredients in relation to income. They provide information on how much of a dish's income is spent on food. Efficient control of food costs is crucial for the profitability of a catering business. To calculate the food cost, the following formula is usually used:
Food Cost = (cost of ingredients/selling price) × 100
Tools and methods for calculating food costs
For the exact calculation of Foodcost and various tools and methods can be used to control the profitability of a catering establishment:
- Food Cost Calculator: A food cost calculator is a helpful tool for calculating food costs quickly and precisely. It takes into account all ingredient costs and enables a precise calculation of sales prices.
- Food Cost in Excel: Templates in Excel are widely used to calculate and track food costs. These templates provide a structured way to enter all relevant data and monitor cost developments. With the Food Cost Formula in Excel The Food Cost formula can be used and the costs of various dishes can be listed in detail. This makes it easy to adjust and analyze prices.
The calculation of Foodcost is a continuous process. By regularly reviewing and adjusting prices and cost structures, it can be ensured that the catering business remains profitable.
How much mark-up on the purchase price in restaurants?
In gastronomy, the purchase price of ingredients is often added at a certain percentage to determine the final selling price. This surcharge covers not only the costs of food, but also other operating costs such as personnel, rent and ancillary costs as well as a share of profit. A common mark-up in catering is usually around 200% to 300%. This means that the selling price of the dish can be two to three times the cost of buying the ingredients.
What is the percentage mark-up in the catering sector?
The percentage mark-up in the catering sector varies depending on the type of establishment, the competition and the target group. A typical value is between 60% and 70%. This percentage is also known as the target food cost percentage and helps restaurateurs calculate their prices in such a way that all costs can be covered and profits can be made.
Importance of foodcost for gastronomy
Foodcost have a direct impact on the profitability of catering establishments. Foodcost Therefore, effective control must be carried out in order to remain competitive and ensure business success. By optimising the Foodcost costs can be reduced, profits maximized and at the same time ensure the quality of the dishes.
Artificial intelligence and food costs
Foodcost Costs such as overordering, incorrect production, incorrect portioning or out-of-stock can be reduced with artificial intelligence. By using AI, large amounts of data are analyzed and forecasts for production planning are derived from this. In this way, the preparation of food is optimized and Foodcost lowered.

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