Contribution Margin Calculator
Calculate gross contribution margin per dish, model price and cost scenarios, and see total monthly margin across your full menu mix.
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Base dish
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| Scenario | Selling price | Food cost | CM per dish | CM % | Monthly covers | Monthly CM | vs Base |
|---|
| Item | Price ($) | Food cost ($) | Monthly covers | CM per dish | CM % | Monthly CM | Mix % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | — | — | — | 100% |
For context on how contribution margin fits into a broader menu pricing strategy: How to Price a Restaurant Menu Without Leaving Margin on the Table.
Ready to model your full menu profitability?
The Menu Profit System extends this calculator into a consultant-grade workbook: 50+ recipes linked to a menu engineering matrix, week-by-week margin dashboard, repricing scenario planner, and category-level contribution analysis. Built for operators who need more than a snapshot.
Enquire about the Menu Profit System →Contribution margin analysis is the starting point for better pricing. A strategy call applies this thinking to your full menu.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between contribution margin and food cost percentage?
Contribution margin is the dollar amount left after variable cost is subtracted from the selling price — it tells you how much a dish actually contributes to covering fixed costs and profit. Food cost percentage is cost expressed as a share of price. They're two different lenses on the same underlying numbers, and both matter.
Should every dish on a menu have the same target contribution margin?
No. Different dishes play different roles — some anchor value perception at a lower margin, others carry the bulk of the profit at a higher one. The right benchmark is the menu's overall contribution, not a flat target applied to every line.
How does this relate to menu engineering?
Contribution margin, alongside sales volume, is the core input used to classify menu items into categories like stars, plowhorses, puzzles and dogs — see our guide on how menu engineering actually drives profit for the full framework.