How many covers do you need to break even?
Enter your monthly fixed costs, your average check per guest and the share of it that goes to variable costs. See how many covers a day and a month you need before you start making money.
Rent, salaried staff, utilities, insurance, loan repayments, software: what you pay even with zero guests.
Average spend per guest, excluding tax.
Share of each check spent on food, drinks, packaging, card fees and other costs that grow with every guest. Often 30–45%.
To see whether you're currently above or below break-even.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate a restaurant's break-even point?
First work out the contribution per cover: the average check minus the variable costs of serving that guest. Then divide your monthly fixed costs by it. With €15,000 of fixed costs and a €30 check at 35% variable costs, each cover contributes €19.50, so you need 770 covers a month, or 30 a day over 26 open days.
What counts as a fixed cost?
Anything you pay regardless of how many guests you serve: rent, salaried staff, base utility charges, insurance, loan repayments, subscriptions, accounting. Food, drinks, packaging and card fees are variable because they rise with every cover.
What is contribution per cover?
It's what each guest leaves you after paying for what they consumed: the part that goes towards your fixed costs and, once those are covered, becomes profit.
How can I lower my break-even point?
There are three levers: cut fixed costs, raise the average check through pricing, upselling and drinks, or lower variable costs through portioning, supplier prices and less waste. Small changes to the average check usually move the number the most.
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