10 Metrics Every Restaurant Should Track
Daily Revenue
Spot problems fast. Revenue drop 2 days running = investigate.
Average Check
Key profitability lever. ₹20 increase across 100 covers = ₹2,000/day extra.
Table Turnover
More turns = more revenue per seat. Target: 2.5+ turns/night.
Food Cost %
Target: 28-35%. Above this = waste, theft, or pricing problem.
Labor Cost %
Target: 28-32%. Above this = overstaffing or scheduling issue.
Peak Hours
Staff and prep your busiest windows. Don't guess — look at data.
Bestsellers
Highest volume items. Are they also high margin? If not, fix pricing.
Repeat Rate
What % of customers return within 90 days? Target: 30%+.
CLV
Customer lifetime value. Drives loyalty program investment decisions.
Loyalty Enrollment
What % of new customers join loyalty? Target: 40%+.
Menu Profitability Matrix
| Category | Margin | Volume | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Stars | High | High | Feature prominently. Don't touch pricing. |
| 🔍 Puzzles | High | Low | Better descriptions, photos, staff recommendations. |
| 🐎 Plowhorses | Low | High | Gradual price increase or portion reduction. |
| 🐕 Dogs | Low | Low | Remove from menu or overhaul completely. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What metrics should restaurants track in their analytics dashboard?
Key restaurant metrics to track: Revenue (daily/weekly/monthly vs prior period), Average check per cover, Table turnover rate, Food cost %, Labor cost %, Bestselling items and margins, Peak hour analysis, Repeat customer rate, Customer lifetime value, Loyalty enrollment rate. Start with revenue and check average — these immediately reveal problems.
How can restaurant analytics increase revenue?
Analytics increase revenue by identifying: (1) Hidden bestsellers — promote high-margin items your data shows are popular, (2) Dead menu items — remove or reprice items that don't sell, (3) Peak hour opportunities — add staff/capacity during high-demand periods, (4) Low performers — identify slow days and create targeted promotions, (5) Customer win-back opportunities — identify customers who haven't returned in 30+ days.
What is customer lifetime value for restaurants?
Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) = Average check × Visit frequency × Retention period. Example: A customer who spends ₹400/visit, visits 2x/month, and stays loyal for 2 years = CLV of ₹19,200. CLV tells you how much to spend on loyalty programs and marketing. If CLV is ₹19,200, spending ₹500 to acquire/retain that customer is excellent ROI.
How do I know which menu items are most profitable?
Profitable menu items = High margin AND high volume. Use a menu matrix: (1) Stars — high margin, high sales. These are your best items. Promote heavily. (2) Puzzles — high margin, low sales. Improve positioning/description. (3) Plowhorses — low margin, high sales. Consider price increase. (4) Dogs — low margin, low sales. Remove or overhaul. Zestie analytics calculates this matrix automatically.
Can I access restaurant analytics on my phone?
Yes. Zestie dashboard is mobile-first — access all analytics from your smartphone. Get daily revenue summary on WhatsApp each morning. Check real-time sales while at suppliers. Review weekly reports during downtime. No need to be at the restaurant to see how it's performing.
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