Menu Engineering

What is menu mix percentage?

Direct answer

Menu mix percentage is the number of units sold for one menu item divided by the total units sold in its menu category, multiplied by 100. It measures popularity, not profitability.

Key points

  • Menu Mix % = Item Units Sold / Category Units Sold x 100.
  • Compare items inside a useful category such as entrees, not across unrelated sections.
  • Popularity becomes actionable only when paired with contribution margin.

What to do next

  1. 1Choose a stable menu category and reporting period.
  2. 2Divide each item’s unit sales by total category unit sales and multiply by 100.
  3. 3Plot menu mix against contribution margin to identify Stars, Plowhorses, Puzzles, and Dogs.

Deeper tools and guides

Menu Engineering Guide

Classify Stars, Plowhorses, Puzzles, and Dogs with action steps.

Restaurant Profit Margin Calculator

See whether gross profit and menu mix are carrying the business.

How to Price a Menu

Use cost floors, market checks, and perceived value together.