Sales Metrics
How do you calculate average check in a restaurant?
Direct answer
Average check equals net sales divided by the number of guest checks for the same period. If you need average spend per guest instead, divide net sales by covers rather than checks.
Key points
- Average Check = Net Sales / Number of Checks.
- Average spend per cover is a different metric when one check can include several guests.
- Compare like-for-like dayparts and channels because delivery, dine-in, and group checks behave differently.
What to do next
- 1Choose net sales after discounts and a consistent definition of completed checks.
- 2Divide sales by checks for average check, or by covers for spend per guest.
- 3Segment changes by daypart, order channel, menu mix, and add-on attachment rate.