Food cost · 5 min de lectura
Restaurant food cost variance: what to check first
A practical English sequence for explaining a food cost gap before changing prices or recipes.
Confirm the period and units
Before explaining a variance, confirm that sales, beginning inventory, purchases, and ending inventory use the same period, currency, and units. A definition mismatch can look like a purchasing problem.
Separate the likely causes
Compare the adjusted food cost with the base food cost, then review portion size, purchase price, waste, and inventory count differences. Start with the cause that can explain the largest movement with the least guesswork.
- Check high-volume items first.
- Compare supplier invoices for the same unit.
- Record waste separately from regular usage.
Assign one next check
Write one action, one owner, and one date for the next close. For example, weigh ten portions before the next order and compare the result with the recipe standard.