{"id":2903,"date":"2025-05-13T00:37:19","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T16:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/?page_id=2903"},"modified":"2025-05-16T14:35:10","modified_gmt":"2025-05-16T06:35:10","slug":"restaurant-prime-cost-calculator","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/restaurant-prime-cost-calculator\/","title":{"rendered":"Restaurant Prime Cost Calculator"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\n\n Restaurant Prime Cost Calculator<\/title>\n <style>\n body {\n font-family: 'Inter', sans-serif;\n background-color: #F1F5F9;\n padding: 20px;\n color: #1E293B;\n }\n h2 {\n text-align: center;\n color: #1E293B;\n }\n .container {\n background-color: #ffffff;\n padding: 30px;\n border-radius: 16px;\n max-width: 800px;\n margin: auto;\n box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);\n }\n label {\n display: block;\n margin: 12px 0 6px;\n font-weight: 600;\n }\n input[type=\"number\"] {\n width: 100%;\n padding: 10px;\n border: 1px solid #CBD5E1;\n border-radius: 8px;\n background-color: #F8FAFC;\n font-size: 16px;\n color: #1E293B;\n }\n button {\n margin-top: 20px;\n padding: 12px 20px;\n background-color: #00c1b2;\n color: white;\n border: none;\n border-radius: 8px;\n cursor: pointer;\n font-size: 16px;\n font-weight: 600;\n }\n button:hover {\n background-color: #4AA85A;\n }\n .result {\n margin-top: 30px;\n padding: 20px;\n background-color: #ECFDF5;\n border-left: 6px solid #54B963;\n border-radius: 8px;\n }\n <\/style>\n<\/head>\n<body>\n <div class=\"container\">\n <h2>Restaurant Prime Cost Calculator<\/h2>\n\n <label>Net Sales ($)<\/label>\n <input type=\"number\" id=\"netSales\" step=\"0.01\">\n\n <label>Beginning Inventory ($)<\/label>\n <input type=\"number\" id=\"beginInventory\" step=\"0.01\">\n\n <label>Purchases ($)<\/label>\n <input type=\"number\" id=\"purchases\" step=\"0.01\">\n\n <label>Ending Inventory ($)<\/label>\n <input type=\"number\" id=\"endInventory\" step=\"0.01\">\n\n <label>Total Labor Cost ($)<\/label>\n <input type=\"number\" id=\"laborCost\" step=\"0.01\">\n\n <button onclick=\"calculatePrimeCost()\">Calculate Prime Cost<\/button>\n\n <div class=\"result\" id=\"result\" style=\"display:none;\"><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <script>\n function calculatePrimeCost() {\n var netSales = parseFloat(document.getElementById('netSales').value) || 0;\n var beginInventory = parseFloat(document.getElementById('beginInventory').value) || 0;\n var purchases = parseFloat(document.getElementById('purchases').value) || 0;\n var endInventory = parseFloat(document.getElementById('endInventory').value) || 0;\n var laborCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById('laborCost').value) || 0;\n\n var cogs = beginInventory + purchases - endInventory;\n var primeCost = cogs + laborCost;\n var primeCostPercent = netSales > 0 ? (primeCost \/ netSales) * 100 : 0;\n\n document.getElementById('result').style.display = 'block';\n document.getElementById('result').innerHTML = `\n <strong>Cost of Goods Sold (COGS):<\/strong> $${cogs.toFixed(2)}<br>\n <strong>Labor Cost:<\/strong> $${laborCost.toFixed(2)}<br>\n <strong>Total Prime Cost:<\/strong> $${primeCost.toFixed(2)}<br>\n <strong>Prime Cost as % of Net Sales:<\/strong> ${primeCostPercent.toFixed(2)}%\n `;\n }\n <\/script>\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9567466\" data-id=\"9567466\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d4956a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d4956a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/get-started\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Calculator-CTA-2.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2936 has-transparency\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Calculator-CTA-2.png 550w, https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Calculator-CTA-2-183x300.png 183w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" data-dominant-color=\"a090c4\" style=\"--dominant-color: #a090c4\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-32fae20 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"32fae20\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-92a64cd\" data-id=\"92a64cd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e5c3a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8e5c3a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-94bf4ec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"94bf4ec\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4cc40ff\" data-id=\"4cc40ff\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a5ce964 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a5ce964\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large\"><b>Restaurant Prime Cost Calculator\n<\/b><\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-efcf7da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"efcf7da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.11.5 - 14-03-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Use our free Prime Cost Calculator to measure your restaurant\u2019s most critical metrics\u2014cost of goods sold (COGS) and labor\u2014and see how they impact your bottom line. Know where your money is going before it\u2019s too late<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4a1af23 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4a1af23\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7b7e151\" data-id=\"7b7e151\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d72263 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2d72263\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\"><b>What Is Prime Cost & Why It Matters\n<\/b><\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd3f973 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cd3f973\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your <\/span><b>prime cost<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the combination of:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">COGS (food, beverage, and inventory costs)<\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Total labor costs (salaried + hourly)<\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Together, these make up <\/span><b>60\u201365% of your total expenses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Monitoring prime cost is the fastest way to stay profitable in a competitive restaurant market. If you ignore it, you risk razor-thin margins, overstaffing, or wasted ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a6020cb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a6020cb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a025786\" data-id=\"a025786\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37cefa6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"37cefa6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\"><b>Prime Cost Mistakes That Can Eat Into Your Profits\n<\/b><\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d37bba8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d37bba8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span id=\"docs-internal-guid-e738f3e6-7fff-5d5b-6bed-68e3964e46ad\"><\/span><\/p><div dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-left: 0pt;\" align=\"left\"><table style=\"border: none; border-collapse: collapse;\"><colgroup><col width=\"146\" \/><col width=\"199\" \/><col width=\"279\" \/><\/colgroup><tbody><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Prime cost > 65%<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Food and labor costs are too high<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Reduce waste, optimize schedules, renegotiate with suppliers<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">COGS spikes<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Over-ordering, portioning issues, or theft<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Track inventory better, control portions, and monitor daily usage<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Labor costs creeping up<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Overtime, overstaffing, or inefficient scheduling<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Improve labor planning, use part-timers, track labor-to-sales ratios<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">No seasonal adjustment<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Same staffing or menu across busy\/slow periods<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Adapt staffing and food orders by season or sales trends<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Inaccurate net sales<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Includes discounts, voids, or comps<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Always calculate prime cost using <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">true<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\"> net sales (after adjustments)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Inventory not updated regularly<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Skews COGS and makes data unreliable<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Count inventory weekly or biweekly<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Low-margin, high-volume items<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Popular dishes might be dragging down profits<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Use prime cost insights to reprice top-selling items<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Rarely calculating prime cost<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Misses warning signs early<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Calculate weekly or monthly to stay in control<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Not breaking down by category<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Can’t see if labor or food is the bigger issue<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Separate into Food COGS, Beverage COGS, Labor (FOH & BOH if possible)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr style=\"height: 38.5pt;\"><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">No time comparison<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Hard to spot trends or improvements<\/span><\/p><\/td><td style=\"vertical-align: top; padding: 5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt; overflow: hidden; overflow-wrap: break-word; border: solid #000000 0.5pt;\"><p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;\">Compare weekly, monthly, and YoY to make informed decisions<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd0f979 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd0f979\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f0171bd\" data-id=\"f0171bd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ed0624 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2ed0624\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\"><b>Pro Tip: Monitor Prime Cost Like a Hawk<\/b><\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-109d179 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"109d179\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Restaurants that track prime cost weekly see faster problem detection and improved profitability over time. Don\u2019t wait for your accountant to flag issues\u2014stay in control, in real time.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5d2f7b5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5d2f7b5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4664e3f\" data-id=\"4664e3f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d25d9d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d25d9d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\"><b>KNOW = Operations That Make Financial Sense\n<\/b><\/h4>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-708505c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"708505c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">KNOW helps restaurants move beyond spreadsheets and whiteboards. Track tasks, manage training, digitize checklists, and improve daily efficiency\u2014all of which help bring your prime cost down over time.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-723d883 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"723d883\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/get-started\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"210\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Frame-1171274923.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2269 has-transparency\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Frame-1171274923.webp 780w, https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Frame-1171274923-300x84.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Frame-1171274923-768x215.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" data-dominant-color=\"4c86bc\" style=\"--dominant-color: #4c86bc\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14a55cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"14a55cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f97c4e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f97c4e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e3a1a52\" data-id=\"e3a1a52\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7aa86ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7aa86ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large\"><b>Frequently Asked Questions \n<\/b><\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc6bd4a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cc6bd4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>1. What is prime cost in a restaurant?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Prime cost = COGS + total labor costs. It’s the most important metric to measure operational efficiency and profitability in food service businesses.<\/p>\n<p><b>2. What\u2019s a good prime cost percentage?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The industry benchmark is 60\u201365% of net sales. Anything higher, and you\u2019re likely bleeding money through waste, overstaffing, or poor purchasing.<\/p>\n<p><b>3. How often should I calculate prime cost?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weekly is ideal. Monthly is the bare minimum. Frequent tracking helps catch issues early and take action faster.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>4. Why is my prime cost so high?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common causes include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over-portioning<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Untracked food waste<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unoptimized labor schedules<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inaccurate sales or inventory data<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>5. Can I use this calculator for food trucks or cafes?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes! Whether you\u2019re a full-service restaurant, QSR, caf\u00e9, or food truck, tracking prime cost is crucial to staying profitable.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6366e39 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6366e39\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0bdc609\" data-id=\"0bdc609\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-675ca20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"675ca20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Restaurant Prime Cost Calculator Restaurant Prime Cost Calculator Net Sales ($) Beginning Inventory ($) Purchases ($) Ending Inventory ($) Total Labor Cost ($) Calculate Prime Cost Restaurant Prime Cost Calculator Use our free Prime Cost Calculator to measure your restaurant\u2019s most critical metrics\u2014cost of goods sold (COGS) and labor\u2014and see […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/template-pagebuilder-full-width.php","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2903"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2903"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2903\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3013,"href":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2903\/revisions\/3013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.getknowapp.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}