Simple dishes like pasta have fewer ingredients, but complex dishes with multiple components cost more time and money. Many dark kitchen entrepreneurs think they automatically earn more on an expensive dish, but forget that food costs also rise. Learn exactly how to calculate which dishes are most profitable for delivery.
The difference between simple and complex
A simple delivery dish has 3-5 ingredients. A complex dish has 8-15 ingredients plus multiple preparation steps. You'll see that difference reflected in the food cost immediately.
💡 Simple dish example:
Pasta Aglio e Olio (delivery price €12.50 incl. 9% VAT):
- Pasta: €0.45
- Olive oil: €0.25
- Garlic: €0.15
- Parsley: €0.10
- Packaging: €0.35
Total food cost: €1.30
💡 Complex dish example:
Beef Rendang with rice and vegetables (delivery price €18.50 incl. 9% VAT):
- Beef: €4.20
- Coconut milk: €0.85
- Spices (8 types): €0.95
- Rice: €0.30
- Vegetables: €1.10
- Packaging (2 containers): €0.55
Total food cost: €7.95
Calculate food cost percentage
For delivery, always calculate with the price excluding VAT. At 9% VAT, divide by 1.09.
- Pasta Aglio e Olio: €12.50 / 1.09 = €11.47 excl. VAT
- Food cost: (€1.30 / €11.47) × 100 = 11.3%
- Beef Rendang: €18.50 / 1.09 = €16.97 excl. VAT
- Food cost: (€7.95 / €16.97) × 100 = 46.8%
⚠️ Note:
A food cost of 46.8% is way too high. For delivery, 35% is the maximum to stay profitable after platform fees.
Include platform fees in your calculation
Deliveroo and Uber Eats charge 15-30% commission. This comes on top of your food cost. Together they shouldn't exceed 60% of your revenue - from tracking this across dozens of restaurants, that's the breaking point.
- Pasta (11.3% food cost + 25% platform): 36.3% total
- Beef Rendang (46.8% food cost + 25% platform): 71.8% total
So the pasta generates more profit than the expensive dish. Simple math.
Don't forget packaging costs
Packaging costs an average of €0.30-€0.60 per order. With complex dishes using multiple containers, this adds up quickly.
💡 Packaging cost comparison:
- Simple dish: 1 container (€0.35)
- Complex dish: 2-3 containers + sauce containers (€0.55-€0.85)
This difference of €0.20-€0.50 per order adds up fast.
Which dishes should you promote?
Focus on dishes with low food cost but high ratings. Simple dishes with good taste often score better than complex dishes with high costs.
- Pasta dishes: usually 15-25% food cost
- Pizzas: usually 20-28% food cost
- Salads: usually 25-35% food cost
- Meat/fish dishes: usually 35-45% food cost
With tools like KitchenNmbrs you can see directly which dishes are most profitable, including packaging costs.
How do you compare food costs? (step by step)
Calculate the food cost per dish
Add up all ingredients plus packaging costs. Don't forget oil, spices or garnish. For complex dishes, you'll quickly have 10+ ingredients.
Calculate the food cost percentage
Divide the food cost by the selling price excluding VAT and multiply by 100. At 9% VAT, divide the menu price by 1.09 to get the price excl. VAT.
Add platform fees on top
Add the commission from delivery platforms (15-30%). Food cost + platform fees together shouldn't exceed 60% to stay profitable.
✨ Pro tip
Calculate the exact food cost for your 3 most popular dishes within the next 2 weeks. If those margins work, you've got control over 80% of your profit.
Calculate this yourself?
In the KitchenNmbrs app you can do this in just a few clicks. 7 days free, no credit card.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good food cost for delivery dishes?
For delivery, keep your food cost below 35%. Platform fees of 15-30% come on top of that, so together maximum 60% of your revenue.
Should I include packaging costs in my food cost?
Yes, absolutely. Packaging costs €0.30-€0.85 per order and is a direct cost. Always include this in your food cost calculation.
Why do I earn more on cheap dishes?
Cheap dishes often have fewer ingredients and thus lower food cost. After deducting platform fees, you keep more profit than with expensive dishes with high food costs.
How often should I check my food costs?
Check your 5 best-selling dishes at least monthly. Suppliers regularly raise prices, especially for meat, fish and spices.
Can I charge different prices per platform?
Yes, many restaurants charge 10-15% higher prices on platforms with high commissions. This way you compensate for the extra costs and maintain your margin.
Should I factor in prep time differences between simple and complex dishes?
Absolutely. Complex dishes take 2-3 times longer to prepare, which means higher labor costs per order. Factor in €1-3 extra labor cost for dishes requiring multiple cooking steps or specialized techniques.
📚 Sources consulted
- EU Verordening 852/2004 — Levensmiddelenhygiëne (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 853/2004 — Hygiënevoorschriften voor levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 1169/2011 — Voedselinformatie aan consumenten (2011) — Official source
- NVWA — Hygiënecode voor de horeca (2024) — Official source
- NVWA — Allergenen in voedsel (2024) — Official source
- Codex Alimentarius — International Food Standards (2024) — Official source
- FSA — Safer food, better business (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- BVL — Lebensmittelhygiene (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- Warenwetbesluit Bereiding en behandeling van levensmiddelen (2024) — Official source
- WHO — Foodborne diseases estimates (2024) — Official source
Food Standards Agency (FSA) — https://www.food.gov.uk
The HACCP standards shown in this application are for informational purposes only. KitchenNmbrs does not guarantee that displayed values are current or complete. Always consult the FSA or your local authority for the latest regulations.
Written by
Jeffrey Smit
Founder & CEO of KitchenNmbrs
Jeffrey Smit built KitchenNmbrs from 8 years of hands-on experience as kitchen manager at 1NUL8 Group in Rotterdam. His mission: give every restaurant owner control over food cost.
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