Independent restaurant · Neighborhood bistro, 72 seats
ProjectionFull every Friday, profitable every month
A 72-seat neighborhood bistro packed on weekends but losing money midweek — modeled outcome of a 90-day prime-cost and day-part reset.
- -7%
- Prime cost
- +14%
- Check average
- +31%
- Midweek covers
By the numbers
Where it stands, where it lands
Modeled figures for this format — today’s baseline against the projected position at day 90.
Prime cost
68% → 61%
TodayDay 90Check average
$41 → $47
TodayDay 90Midweek covers per night
48 → 63
TodayDay 90Labor cost
36% → 31%
TodayDay 90
| Measure | Today | Projected day 90 |
|---|---|---|
| Prime cost | 68% | 61% |
| Check average | $41 | $47 |
| Midweek covers per night | 48 | 63 |
| Labor cost | 36% | 31% |
The situation
The menu has never been costed plate by plate, portioning drifts between chefs, and the roster assumes a Friday volume that arrives twice a week.
How we would work it
- Full menu engineering with plate-level costing
- Rebuild the roster around forecast covers by day-part
- Launch an early-week prix fixe aimed at locals
- Weekly variance review with the owner and head chef
Projected outcome
Modeled outcome: prime cost falls seven points, midweek trade grows roughly a third, and the bistro funds refurbishment from operating cash.
Similar situation at your establishment?
Talk to us