Menu Price Calculator (Food Cost %)
Turn ingredient cost per plate into a rounded menu price for up to 8 dishes, with GST handled and the real food cost and gross profit shown.
| # | Dish | Ingredient cost per plate (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||
| 2 | ||
| 3 | ||
| 4 | ||
| 5 | ||
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| 8 |
How to use the free Menu Price Calculator (Food Cost %)
- Enter your figures in the fields above – use real numbers from your PMS, channel manager or accounts.
- Tap the button to see the result instantly. Change any value to compare scenarios.
- Copy, print or save the result and use it in your daily or monthly review.
This Menu Price Calculator (Food Cost %) runs fully in your browser on mobile or desktop – no sign-up and nothing is uploaded. Free menu price calculator for restaurants. Enter plate cost for up to 8 dishes and target food cost % to get menu prices with GST, rounding and profit.
The food cost method of menu pricing
The simplest reliable way to price a dish is to start from what it costs to make. First cost the plate: every ingredient at its purchase price, including oil, spices, garnish and the yield loss from cleaning and trimming. Then decide what share of the selling price you want food to take. That share is the target food cost percentage.
Gross profit per plate = Selling price before GST − Ingredient cost
Example: Paneer Butter Masala costs ₹85 a plate. At a 32% target, the price is ₹85 ÷ 0.32 = ₹265.6. Rounded up to end in 9, the menu price is ₹269, the real food cost is 31.6% and the gross profit is ₹184 a plate.
Choosing the target percentage
- 28 to 35% is a common range for Indian restaurants and hotel coffee shops.
- Dal, rice, breads and South Indian dishes can run lower, because ingredients are cheap.
- Seafood, mutton and imported cheese often run higher; you may accept 38 to 40% on them and make it up elsewhere.
- Beverages and desserts usually carry the lowest food cost and lift the average.
Judge the menu on the average food cost and total gross profit, not on one dish.
GST and rounding
Standalone restaurants charge 5% GST without input tax credit. Restaurants inside hotels usually charge 5% as well when room tariffs are up to ₹7,500; check your case with your CA. If your menu shows prices including GST, the calculator grosses the price up by 5% before rounding, then works out profit on the price excluding GST, which is what you actually keep.
Prices are always rounded up, to end in 9 or 0, so rounding never pushes food cost above target.
Go deeper
Build exact plate costs with the recipe cost calculator, then see which dishes sell and earn the most with the menu engineering calculator. Review prices whenever key ingredient costs change. Results are estimates, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What food cost percentage should a restaurant in India target?
Many Indian restaurants aim for 28 to 35% food cost. Fine dining, seafood and mutton dishes may run higher, while beverages and desserts run lower.
Should menu prices include GST?
Either is allowed if the bill is clear. Many restaurants show prices plus 5% GST; others show inclusive prices. This calculator handles both and works out profit before GST.
Why is the actual food cost lower than my target?
Menu prices are rounded up to end in 9 or 0, so the selling price is slightly higher than the calculated price and the food cost share falls a little.
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