Running a restaurant is hard enough without drowning in spreadsheets. But there are five numbers that, checked weekly, will give you a clear picture of your business health.
1. Average Transaction Size
This is your total revenue divided by the number of transactions. If it's dropping, customers might be ordering less per visit. If it's rising, your upselling is working.
**Target:** Track the trend, not the number. A 5% increase over a month is a great sign.
2. Revenue by Day of Week
Plot your revenue for each day over 4 weeks. You'll see clear patterns — and you might be surprised. That "slow Tuesday" might actually be your third-best day.
**Action:** Staff according to actual traffic, not assumptions.
3. Customer Return Rate
What percentage of your customers come back more than once? This is the most important metric for long-term growth. A 30% return rate means you're building loyalty.
**Target:** Aim for 25-40% for a casual dining restaurant.
4. Top 5 Sellers
What are your best-selling items by volume? This should inform your menu design, ingredient ordering, and promotional strategy.
**Action:** Feature your top sellers. Cut items that aren't moving.
5. Peak Hours
When is your restaurant busiest? Not just lunch vs. dinner — which specific hours see the most traffic? This determines your staffing, prep schedule, and when to run promotions.
**Action:** If 5:30-7:00 PM is your peak, make sure you're fully staffed by 5:15.
The Weekly Ritual
Set aside 15 minutes every Monday morning. Check these five numbers. Compare to last week. That's it. In a month, you'll have more insight into your business than most owners get in a year.