In short
- Break-even sales = fixed costs / (1 - variable cost share). Divide by your average check and open days to get covers per day.
- Food cost, card fees and app commission all shrink the share of each dollar left to pay fixed costs.
- The side-by-side table shows how many covers a day you need with and without delivery-app orders.
- Every rate is yours to type. Nothing is assumed, saved or sent.
This restaurant break-even calculator answers one question: how many guests a day do you need before the restaurant stops losing money? Use real numbers from your lease, payroll and statements.
| Scenario | Sales needed | Covers a day |
|---|
Delivery app orders versus your own page
How to read the result
- Compare to your real covers
Look at your POS for average daily checks. Below break-even every day means the model needs a change.
- Find the lever
You can raise the check, cut fixed costs, trim food cost or lower the share lost to fees. Change one input and re-run.
- Test the delivery mix
Slide the app share and commission to see how many extra covers a day the apps cost you.
Apps may bring guests too. This tool shows cost, not benefit. If an app sends customers who would never find you otherwise, some of those orders may be worth the commission. The math only compares orders that already know you.
What the calculator assumes
| Assumption | What it means |
|---|---|
| Costs that scale | Food, card and commission are a fixed % of sales |
| Costs that do not | Fixed costs are flat, with no extra labor for volume |
| Same check | App and in-house checks are the same average |
| Your rates | Nothing comes from us; all percentages are yours |
Opening or growing in Texas? TX Openings tracks new Texas restaurant and bar filings from public records. To take orders without a commission, read about your own ordering page. Planning a launch? See the Texas restaurant permits checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cover?
A cover is one guest served, or for this calculator one check, depending on how you count. If your average check is for a table of two, count tables. Use the same unit for the check and for the result.
What goes in fixed costs?
Costs you pay whether you sell one plate or a thousand: rent, base payroll for the minimum crew, utilities, insurance, loan payments, software and subscriptions. The calculator has four boxes so you can add them up; anything extra goes in the last one.
Why does the delivery-app commission change break-even?
Commission is taken from each app order, so every dollar of app sales leaves you less after food cost. With a smaller margin per dollar you need more sales to cover the same fixed costs. The comparison table shows this using only the numbers you enter.
Does the calculator know my real commission or card fee?
No. Every rate is typed by you. Check your own delivery-app contract and card processor statement, because plans and terms vary and change. We have not assumed any rates.
Is this a forecast?
No. It is arithmetic on your inputs, with the simplifying assumption that food, card and commission costs scale with sales while fixed costs stay flat. Real months vary with seasons, staffing and waste.