Restaurant Cost Per Order Calculator
Calculate total unit operating costs per order across dine-in, direct pickup, and third-party delivery apps, factoring in packaging, labor, and platform commissions.
Unit Order Operating Cost Formula
Total Cost/Order = Ingredients + Packaging + Labor + (Order Price × Processing %) + (Order Price × App Commission %); Net Profit = Price − Total Cost- Packaging & Disposables: Kraft paper bags, tamper-evident containers, condiment cups, and plasticware ($1.00–$2.00 on takeout).
- Direct Labor: Kitchen cooking and packing labor allocated per order ticket (~$4.50–$6.50).
- Platform Commission: 0% for dine-in/direct pickup; 15% to 30% for third-party marketplace delivery apps.
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Calculation Steps:
How to Use This Calculator
Assumptions & Limitations
- Calculates operating unit economics per single order ticket.
- Does not treat customer revenue as cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do delivery app orders generate lower profit margins for restaurants?
Delivery apps take a 15% to 30% commission off the top line, while restaurants also must spend $1.20 to $2.00 on heavy-duty to-go containers, bags, and tamper-proof stickers, cutting net profit in half unless menu prices are raised.
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