1. Historical Benchmarks
HRT 383
Dinner
Winter 2005

2. What is a benchmark? A point of reference from which
From Merriam-Webster Online:
A point of reference from which
measurements may be made
Accessed 10/08/04

3. An Historical Benchmark is…
An historical point of reference
What did we do in the past?
Measurable
Dollars/Cents
Percentage
Count
Time
Weight
Volume

4. Cautions: Compare “Apples to Apples” Watch for differences in: Volume
Days or Day-Part Variations
Number of operation periods
Hours of operation
Seasonality
“Like Items”
Menu prices
A La Carte vs. Banquets

5. Searching for Benchmarks…
Net Sales Analysis:
Daily or weekly sales in dollars
Total sales
Food sales
Beer sales
Wine sales
Bar sales
Daily or weekly guest count
Daily or weekly check average

6. Searching for Benchmarks…
Weekly Menu Mix/Sales History Analysis:
Item sales (by count or percentage)
Individual items (count or percent)
Category sales (count or percentage)
A la carte counts vs. banquet counts
Unless most measures are equal (or close to equal), use percentages for benchmarks!

7. Searching for Benchmarks…
Bar Cost:
Daily or weekly percentages
Beer costs percentage
Wine cost percentage
Total bar percentage
Usually, weekly information is more accurate than daily information

8. Searching for Benchmarks…
Credits to Cost of Goods Sold:
Comps vs. Total Sales
Goodwill comps (marketing) vs. QSA
Waste report
Accuracy is critical
Use for information rather than benchmarks
Family meal issues

9. Searching for Benchmarks…
Weekly Summary:
QTD information
Counts
Check average
Sales
COGS
Quarterly food cost percentage
Weekly and quarterly bar cost percentage
Other expense categories by percentage

10. Searching for Benchmarks…
QTD Menu Mix/Sales History Analysis:
Item sales (by count or percentage)
Individual items (count or percent)
Category sales (count or percentage)
A la carte counts vs. banquet counts
Usually QTD information is used for benchmark percentages

11. Searching for Benchmarks…
Budgets:
Total Sales
COGS
Food cost percentage target is 40%
Bar cost percentage target is 50%

12. Searching for Benchmarks…
Dinner Menu Mix – Winter 2004:
Appetizers 43.8%
#1-Selling Entrée - Beef Filet 27.6%
A la carte to banquet 53% / 47%
Desserts 57.3%
Beverages %
Bottled Wine 128 each
WBTG 298 each