In short
- Menu price = plate cost / target food cost %. A $4.20 plate at a 30% target is $14.00.
- Round up to a price ending you choose (.99, .95 or .49) so the food cost stays at or under target.
- On a delivery app, the commission, card fee and packaging come off every order. The tool shows your profit per order there and the app price that matches dine-in.
- Free, runs in your browser. You type every rate; we assume none.
This menu price calculator turns a plate cost and a food cost target into a dine-in price, then shows what a delivery app order really leaves you. Need the plate cost first? Build it with the restaurant food cost calculator.
On a delivery app
| Per order | Dine-in | App | App matched |
|---|
How the math works
- Price from target
Plate cost divided by the target as a decimal. $4.20 / 0.30 = $14.00.
- Round up to your ending
The next price that ends in .99, .95 or .49. Rounding down would push food cost above target.
- Take out the fees
Dine-in profit is price minus plate cost minus the card fee on that price.
- Solve the app price
The app keeps its commission from the price. Add packaging to the cost, then divide the profit you want to keep by what is left after the percentages.
Check your agreement: apps may set rules about menu pricing, and commission can be charged on more than the item price. Enter the rate that matches how you are really charged.
What each setting changes
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Lower target % | Higher menu price for the same plate |
| Higher commission | Bigger gap between the dine-in and matched app price |
| Packaging | A fixed dollar cost, so it hurts low-priced items most |
| Ending (.99 vs .95) | A few cents per plate; it is your style choice |
Using it to set prices
- Run your top five sellers first, then the cheapest items where packaging bites hardest.
- Compare the result with what guests nearby pay before you change a price.
- If you will not raise app prices, read the "App" column as your real profit.
- Re-run when a supplier price or your app rate changes.
Ordering without a commission: the "Dine-in" column is roughly what a direct order looks like, since there is no app percentage. Compare it to the app column, then see our direct online ordering for Texas restaurants.
Weekly, TX Openings tracks new Texas restaurants and bars from public records. For fixed costs and break-even sales, use the break-even calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I price a menu item from plate cost?
Divide the plate cost by your target food cost as a decimal. A $4.20 plate at a 30 percent target gives $14.00. Then round up to the ending you like, such as .99 or .95, so the real food cost never ends up above your target.
Why raise prices on delivery apps?
The app keeps a commission from each order, and you may also pay packaging. At the dine-in price your profit per order shrinks. The calculator shows that gap and the price that closes it, so you can decide whether to raise app prices or accept the lower profit.
What commission should I enter?
The rate in your own app agreement, which can differ by plan and by whether the app or your driver delivers. We do not assume a rate. Read it from your app dashboard or contract and type it in.
Can I charge more on an app than in my restaurant?
Often yes, but check the terms of your agreement and any local rules on menu pricing before you change app prices. This tool is a math aid, not legal advice.
Does the calculator include labor and rent?
No. Profit per order here is the price minus plate cost, packaging and the fees you enter. Labor, rent and other costs are separate; the break-even calculator brings them together.
Is my data saved?
No. The math runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.