Hospitality · Free Interactive Tool
Prime Cost Calculator
Food plus labor — the number owners live by.
Your Numbers
The Result
The Operator's Read
60% — under control. Prime cost is where restaurants win or lose; watch it weekly, not monthly.
Built by The Crimson Bench · Educational tool, not financial advice
About the Prime Cost Calculator
Add food and labor cost against revenue to get prime cost — keep it under ~60–65% or profit disappears.
How the Prime Cost Calculator Works
3 inputs in, 2 results out — computed live on your device. Here's exactly what it uses.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Food & beverage cost | $12,000 |
| Labor cost | $15,000 |
| Revenue | $45,000 |
Worked Example
Using the example inputs above, the tool returns:
Prime cost
$27,000
Prime cost %
60.0%
The Operator's Read
60% — under control. Prime cost is where restaurants win or lose; watch it weekly, not monthly.
Assumptions & Limitations
- •This is a single-point calculator — it answers one question at a time. For a full time-based projection, use the matching Toolkit Pro simulator.
- •Defaults are illustrative. Replace them with your real numbers before relying on the result.
- •Educational tool only — not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Prime Cost Calculator calculate?
Add food and labor cost against revenue to get prime cost — keep it under ~60–65% or profit disappears. It takes 3 inputs — Food & beverage cost, Labor cost, Revenue — and returns Prime cost, Prime cost %.
How do I use the Prime Cost Calculator?
Enter your figures in the fields above and the result updates instantly. No signup, no limits, and nothing leaves your browser — the math runs on your device.
Is the Prime Cost Calculator free?
Yes, completely free. For the full time-based simulation — projection tables, scenarios, Excel/PDF export, and AI analysis — see the matching Toolkit Pro simulator.
Who built this tool?
The Crimson Bench's Ivy League-educated operators — the same people we deploy into C-suites. It uses the exact method they'd apply in an engagement.
Is this financial advice?
No. The Prime Cost Calculator is an educational tool for directional planning — not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice.
Related Hospitality Tools
More free calculators in the same category.
Food Cost Percentage
The number that makes or breaks a kitchen.
Menu Item Margin
Is this dish actually worth its place on the menu?
Break-Even Covers
How many guests cover your overhead.
Seat Turnover Revenue
Project revenue from seats, turns, and check size.
Labor Cost Percentage
Keep labor in its lane.
Beverage Cost Percentage
Where the best margins in the house hide.
The Crimson Bench · Est. 2002 · Founded in New York City
Need more than a calculator?
Verified corporate accounts only. Ivy League-educated. Flat-rate pricing. 14-day no-cause cancellation.
25,000+ Ivy League Executives · 150,000+ Global Consultants · 48-Hour Deployment