September 2, 2025
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As a restaurant owner with 550-650 new restaurant locations opening each week, understanding how to manage your average check is key to driving long-term success. While this metric offers valuable insight into your revenue potential, pinpointing what influences it isn’t always straightforward, as guest behavior, menu choices, and service style all play a role in determining it.
In this blog, you’ll walk through the basics of how to calculate your average check, why it matters to your restaurant’s performance, and how to use this data to make smarter decisions. We’ll also share practical tips to increase your average check, manage common challenges, and refine your strategy for sustainable growth and a more satisfying guest experience.
The average check is calculated by dividing your total revenue by your total guest count for a specified timeframe. This number provides real-time insight into your guests’ spending habits, helping you make smarter operational decisions.
Your average check can vary depending on the type of restaurant. Quick-service spots typically have lower averages, while fine dining sees much higher numbers. Understanding where you stand within your segment allows you to measure success and identify areas for improvement.
The average check formula may sound straightforward, but there’s more to it than the math. The key factors behind the formula are:
To boost your average check, consider:
Now that you understand what the average check represents, let’s break down how to calculate it for your restaurant.
Understanding your average check is more than just crunching numbers; it’s a valuable tool that helps you fine-tune pricing, track customer behavior, and set realistic sales goals. Here’s how you can calculate it accurately and make the most of the insights it offers.
Start by pulling your total sales figures. Make sure this includes revenue from all food and beverage purchases made by customers. Be consistent in how you handle items such as delivery charges, service fees, or tips. Some POS systems track them, while others don’t. The key is to align the data with how your restaurant typically reports its revenue.
Don't forget to exclude transactions that don’t reflect actual customer spending, such as gift card redemptions, staff meals, or voids. These adjustments ensure the number you're working with truly represents sales activity from guests.
Next, confirm your total number of guests, also known as “covers.” This number plays a critical role in your calculations, and even minor errors can skew your results. If you’re using a POS system, train your team to accurately enter guest counts. Avoid using order or ticket numbers as a stand-in for covers; they won’t give you an accurate representation of customer volume. Regular spot checks or audits can help maintain the accuracy and reliability of this data.
Once you have both the total sales and the guest count, simply divide the sales by the number of guests. That’s your average check.
For example, if your total sales for the day were $6,000 and you served 200 guests, your average check would be $6,000 ÷ 200 = $30. This means, on average, each guest spent $30 at your restaurant.
Knowing your average check helps you set benchmarks tailored to your restaurant type, whether you’re running a fast-casual concept or a fine-dining spot. These insights not only help you stay competitive but also support smarter decisions around menu design, staffing, and promotions.
By understanding and using this metric, you’re better equipped to grow your revenue and deliver a better dining experience.
Also Read: The Complete Guide to Restaurant Accounting
To get a clearer picture of your guests’ spending habits, try breaking down your average check data by meal periods, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This helps you understand how guest behavior and pricing shift throughout the day. For example, your dinner menu is likely more extensive and higher-priced than lunch, so it’s natural for evening check averages to be higher.
For instance, Canadians now spend an average of $63 per restaurant visit, an increase from $56 in 2023.
Understanding the patterns behind high and low average checks gives us a clearer picture of what’s working and what needs attention. That insight directly shapes how we improve your overall dining experience.
We believe great dining comes from smart decisions. Here’s how we use data and insights to fine-tune every part of your experience:
Understanding guest behavior through data not only enhances the dining experience but also reveals practical ways to grow your revenue.
Nowadays, staying competitive means keeping a close eye on your average check and knowing when to adjust. When done right, this strategy helps you spot trends and use them to fine-tune your service, pricing, and promotions.
Start by monitoring your average check regularly. Your POS system can handle most of the heavy lifting, breaking down data by shift, server, or period. Still, it’s wise to double-check manually from time to time to catch any entry mistakes or technical glitches. Some restaurant managers even use spreadsheets for added insight into individual server performance.
Once the data’s in, use it alongside customer feedback. Are low average checks tied to negative reviews or repeat complaints? Combining satisfaction surveys with sales trends can reveal gaps in service, menu appeal, or upselling opportunities. Based on what you learn, you can refine your staff training, rework your menu, or test time-based promotions that gently increase spending without affecting guest satisfaction.
Compare your numbers with industry benchmarks using platforms like iOrders, OpenTable, or Zagat. Seeing where you stand locally or within your category can give you valuable context and help you adjust pricing or strategy if needed.
And remember, technology isn’t just for tracking; it should also help you improve. Today’s POS systems offer real-time dashboards and alerts when check averages fall outside the norm, so you can act fast and keep your margins healthy.
Also Read: Automatic Menu Ordering System for Hotels and Restaurants
Once you’ve identified where your average check stands and what’s influencing it, the next step is putting that insight into action. Here are specific strategies you can implement to raise check averages without compromising the guest experience.
Want to grow your revenue without raising prices across the board? Here are some proven, guest-friendly strategies to boost your average check while enhancing the dining experience.
Combine smart menu strategies with a great team. Utilize data-driven promotions and a touch of technology. You’ll increase your average check and create an experience your guests will return for.
Also Read: Top 10 Strategies to Improve Speed of Service in Restaurants
Managing your average check is no easy task, especially when customer behavior, rising costs, and competitive pressure all collide. But with the right systems and strategy in place, you can turn these challenges into growth opportunities.
One of the biggest hurdles you face is the inconsistency in how much guests choose to spend. External economic pressures, like California’s $20 minimum wage, can strain your margins, particularly if you’re operating as an independent restaurant.
Unlike large chains that can absorb these rising costs more easily, you often work with tighter budgets. That means you’re constantly walking a fine line, keeping your prices competitive while still delivering the level of service your guests expect.
Introducing technology adds another layer of complexity. Sure, kiosks and automated systems have been shown to boost average checks. But you also know there’s a trade-off. These tools can reduce labor hours, but they might not sit well with guests who prefer a personal touch.
So, while automation can be a valuable tool, you’re likely balancing its benefits against potential impacts. If you want to learn more about how our system balances guest experience with profit, we can help. Book a free demo to see our solutions today.
The real challenge is maintaining guest satisfaction while keeping your average check healthy. Raising prices may increase the average check on paper, but you also risk losing frequency if guests begin dining out less or sharing meals more often.
You’ve probably seen how a temporary revenue boost can mask a deeper issue, such as fewer transactions or declining loyalty. And that’s a risk you can’t afford to ignore..
It’s not just about getting bigger checks once; it’s about gaining loyal guests who return and spend more. iOrders supports this with built-in loyalty programs, targeted promos, and customer insights that help you fine-tune offers based on spending habits.
Instead of offering blanket discounts, you can reward high spenders or entice lapsed customers back with timely, relevant deals that increase frequency without compromising your margins.
With iOrders, you’re not just tracking your average check; you’re actively growing it through more innovative tools, better guest experiences, and data-backed strategy. It’s your all-in-one solution to boost revenue, improve efficiency, and keep your restaurant future-ready without compromising on what makes your brand special.
Also Read: How to Control Restaurant Labor Costs Effectively
When you’re a restaurant owner focused on increasing your average check, the right tools can make all the difference. Technology should work for you, not against you. iOrders offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to streamline your operations and boost profitability.
Third-party delivery platforms often charge commissions ranging from 15% to 30%. These fees significantly reduce your profit margins. iOrders offers a commission-free system, allowing you to keep more of the revenue from every order, directly increasing your average check’s profitability.
Outsource delivery without hiring your own drivers. You can tap into logistics partners like Uber Direct or DoorDash Drive. They handle delivery for a flat fee per order. This cuts the cost of hiring, training, and managing in-house teams. All the while, you maintain your restaurant’s branding, allowing you to grow sales and boost your average check without increasing overhead.
Data-driven insights help you get smarter about your promotions. With iOrders' Smart Campaigns, you can send targeted offers to specific customers, encouraging them to spend more. Our Loyalty and Rewards Programs also help you turn casual diners into regulars who are motivated to increase their average check to earn rewards.
Effective marketing is key to a higher average check. iOrders’ Managed Marketing Services help you create personalized campaigns based on customer data. We connect with your audience without relying on costly third-party services. This boosts your marketing ROI and drives stronger revenue, ensuring every customer interaction has the potential for a higher average check.
With iOrders, you’re not just managing staff, you’re optimizing operations that directly lead to sales growth and a higher average check.
Managing your average check is a powerful business strategy. It’s about more than just numbers. It's about understanding your business.Mastering the average check formula helps you make smarter decisions. It leads to healthier profit margins. With the right tools, this is an achievable goal.By implementing data-driven strategies, you can take control. You can improve your profits and build a thriving business. It all starts with one simple, essential metric.
However, with the right tools such as iOrders, you can simplify scheduling, reduce manual work, and make more informed decisions based on accurate data.When you take control of ways to increase the average check, you’re not just making money. You’re creating a stronger, more profitable operation.
Want to see how iOrders can help optimize your staffing and improve your margins? Book a demo today.
1. What is the average check formula?
To calculate your restaurant’s average check, simply divide the total sales revenue by the number of guests served during a given period. The result shows the average amount each customer spends per visit.
2. Why is it important to track my restaurant's average check?
Tracking your average check is a powerful way to measure your restaurant's financial health. It provides insights into customer spending habits. This helps you identify trends and make smarter business decisions.
3. What are some of the key strategies to increase my average check?
You can use smart menu strategies and staff training. Upselling and cross-selling are very effective. Loyalty and rewards programs, as well as data-driven promotions, also help encourage guests to spend more.
4. How does iOrders help me manage and improve my average check?
iOrders provides tools like Smart Campaigns and Loyalty Programs. These use customer data to send targeted promotions. This encourages higher spending and repeat business. Our system helps you make smarter decisions.
5. What is Delivery-as-a-Service, and how can it help my restaurant?
Delivery-as-a-Service allows you to outsource delivery without hiring your own drivers. iOrders integrates with partners like DoorDash Drive. You pay a flat fee per order, which helps you cut labor costs while still offering seamless delivery under your brand.
