Pizza Food Cost: Percentage, Calculator and Example
By mise · Updated September 29, 2026
Quick answer: food cost for pizzerias usually runs 25–30% of the menu price. Divide the ingredient cost of a plate by its menu price; for the month, use beginning and ending inventory plus purchases.
Every concept has its own food cost. What is healthy for pizzerias can be a problem somewhere else, so it helps to know the benchmark and which ingredient moves it.
What is a good food cost for pizzerias?
Most pizzerias land between 25–30% of the menu price. The biggest cost drivers: cheese (often 40% of a cheese pizza), dough, sauce, toppings and delivery boxes.
Example: 14-inch cheese pizza
| Ingredient | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dough ball (16 oz) | $0.85 |
| Sauce (6 oz) | $0.45 |
| Mozzarella (10 oz) | $2.40 |
| Box | $0.55 |
| Total plate cost | $4.25 |
Food cost: —
How to bring it down without cutting quality
- Cheese by weight for every size: 1 oz extra on each pizza adds about 1.5 points of food cost.
- Count dough balls daily and log the ones you throw out.
- Portion toppings with cups or a scale.
- Watch the cheese price every month: it moves more than anything else.
How mise helps
Scan the barcode with your phone camera or snap a photo of the label; mise's AI finds the product and categorizes it with name, brand, category, photo and price. Count at the start and end of the period, add purchases, and mise gives you the actual food cost to compare with the recipe cost. Every count is saved with a date and a name, par levels warn you before you run out, and you see shrinkage and food cost for the period without building a spreadsheet.
Scan the barcode or snap a photo: mise's AI finds the product and categorizes it. 7-day free trial, then US$33 a month (£26 in the UK).
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Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate food cost for pizzerias?
Plate cost ÷ menu price × 100. For the month: (beginning inventory + purchases − ending inventory) ÷ food sales × 100.
What food cost percentage should pizzerias aim for?
Between 25–30%. Above that, check portions, waste and supplier prices before raising prices.
Does the box count in food cost?
For takeout and delivery, yes: packaging is part of the cost of the product you sell.
How much does mise cost?
A 7-day free trial, then US$33 a month per location (£26 in the UK).