Menu Economics
The Three Pillars.
Break-Even Analysis
The Number That Matters.
Rent — Linden Blvd / Springfield Blvd$4,500
Base Labor (3 FT + 1 PT, pre-tax)$9,000
Payroll Taxes & Insurance (15%) µ$1,350
Utilities (Gas / Electric / Water)$1,200
Insurance (GL + Workers Comp)$800
POS / Tech / Internet$350
Marketing / Social Media$500
Licenses & Permits (amortized)$200
Miscellaneous / Supplies$450
TOTAL MONTHLY FIXED COSTS$18,350
71
★ Daily Break-Even Target
Plates per day required to cover all $18,350 in monthly fixed costs.
Weighted Avg. Contribution Margin
$10.08/plate
Monthly Break-Even Volume
1,821 plates / 26 days
Profitability Scenario
75 Plates / Day & The Model.
26
Daily (Griot)
32
Daily (Stew Chicken)
17
Daily (Oxtail)
$1,107
Est. Monthly Net Profit
Fixed $18,350
+$1,107 profit
Key Finding: At only 60 plates/day the operation is below break-even. Food costs run 41–55% — well above the 25–30% industry benchmark. Volume is the only path to profitability at these margins.
Family Tray Pricing
Bulk Orders — The Margin Accelerator.
| Size | Base Price | Contents | Gross Margin | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | $28 | 1 lb meat · 8 oz rice · 3 oz plantain | 82.3% | No discount |
| Medium | $52 | 2 lb meat · 16 oz sice · 6 oz plantain | 80.4% | 5% combo discount |
| Large | $120 | 5 lb meat · 32 oz rice · 12 oz plantain | 78.9% | 10% combo discount |
| Family Feast | $220 | 10 lb meat · 64 oz sice · 24 oz plantain | 75.9% | 15% combo discount |
Risks & Strategy
What the Model Tells You.
Food Cost Warning
Food costs run 41–55% — significantly above the 25–30% industry benchmark. Volume is the only path to profitability at these margins.
Volume Dependency
At 75 plates/day, monthly profit is only $1,107. A 10% volume drop puts the operation below break-even.
Delivery Platform Risk
DoorDash/UberEats take 15–30% commission. Direct ordering should be incentivized.
Kitchen Discipline
Consistent piece sizing, standardized portions, and daily waste tracking are non-negotiable. A 5% variance = $500+/month in lost margin.
Stew Chicken as Margin Hedge
The 40% mix target for Stew Chicken is strategic — push it as the daily special and delivery app feature item.
Family Trays = Margin Accelerator
Tray pricing carries better margins. Push catering through churches, community events, and weekend pre-orders.