Labour Cost Calculator: Labour %, Cost per Cover and Covers per Labour Hour

A labour cost calculator shows how much of your sales goes on staff and how productive each hour is. Enter sales, covers, labour cost and hours worked, and the tool gives labour cost percentage, cost per cover, covers per labour hour and the labour budget at your target.

How to read your result

• Labour cost % of sales: labour cost divided by sales. KSh 150,000 on KSh 500,000 of sales is 30%.
• Labour cost per cover: labour cost divided by covers. On 400 covers that is KSh 375.
• Covers per labour hour: covers divided by hours worked. 400 covers over 300 hours is about 1.33.
• Labour budget at your target: the most you could spend for that sales level, and how far over or under you are.
• Use the same labour cost definition every time: wages plus payroll costs.

Download the matching form

The Shift and Break Planner totals hours for each cook so you can see the hours behind the cost.

Related reading

• All kitchen management tools
• Printable kitchen forms and Excel worksheets
• Rule 20: Clear Communication in the Culinary Landscape
• The Executive Sous Chef: The Backbone of Culinary Excellence

Frequently asked questions

What labour percentage should I aim for?

It depends on your concept, your service style and what you charge. Set a target from your own business plan and use this tool to see where each week lands.

What counts as labour cost?

Wages, plus employer payroll costs such as statutory contributions and benefits. Include management time if it is part of the kitchen team. Whatever you choose, use the same definition each time.

How do I improve covers per labour hour?

Schedule to the forecast instead of a fixed roster, cross-train cooks and reduce rework. Compare similar shifts with each other, not a quiet lunch with a busy Saturday.