![How to plan and track the budget of your burger joint [template]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-budget-3_762a1a30-1c7a-404b-a118-b4285d23d929.png?v=1715856570&width=1100)
If you don’t plan and track your burger joint's budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for burger joint owners, we saw a lot of burger joint owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial revenue.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your burger joint's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for burger joints
Most burger joint owners don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for burger joints
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a burger joint, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for burger joint space | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for kitchen & dining | $700 | $8,400 |
| Water | Water usage | $150 | $1,800 |
| Gas | Gas for cooking and heating | $250 | $3,000 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $100 | $1,200 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $80 | $960 |
| Pest Control | Monthly pest control services | $50 | $600 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $400 | $4,800 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Chef | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $42,000 |
| Grill Cooks | 2 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Prep Cooks | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Dishwasher | 1 | $1,800 | $1,800 | $21,600 |
| Cashiers | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Manager | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
3. Food & Beverage Costs
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food Inventory | Fresh produce, meats, buns, etc. | $8,000 | $96,000 |
| Beverage Inventory | Sodas, milkshakes, etc. | $2,000 | $24,000 |
| Condiments & Spices | Ketchup, mustard, seasonings, etc. | $400 | $4,800 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Detergents, sanitizers, etc. | $150 | $1,800 |
| Paper Goods | Napkins, paper towels, to-go containers | $250 | $3,000 |
| Kitchen Utensils | Smallwares, cutlery, and kitchen tools | $150 | $1,800 |
| Dishware & Glassware | Plates, bowls, glasses, etc. | $150 | $1,800 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $250 | $3,000 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $400 | $4,800 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $150 | $1,800 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $80 | $960 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $100 | $1,200 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $150 | $1,800 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | Regular maintenance of kitchen equipment | $400 | $4,800 |
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and aprons | $150 | $1,800 |
| Licenses & Permits | Health permits, business licenses, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
| POS System | Point of Sale software and hardware | $120 | $1,440 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $400 | $4,800 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $80 | $960 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $150 | $1,800 |
Some burger joints make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best burger joints in the world. Replicate them now!
What are the biggest expenses for a burger joint?
Watch out for these budget busters. Here are five major costs every burger joint owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to manage them effectively.
- Ingredients and suppliesThese can take a big bite out of your budget. You're dealing with perishable items like fresh produce, meat, and buns, and prices can vary based on seasonality, supply chain issues, and quality. To keep these costs in check, focus on portion control, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and minimize waste. It's easy to overspend by buying too much or opting for premium ingredients that don’t add enough value to your burgers.
- Your burger joint staffYour team is your backbone, but paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be costly. This expense is always significant because you need a certain number of employees to provide excellent service and keep things running smoothly. Optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your staff, as this can lead to high turnover and poor service.
- Rent and utilities of your burger jointPrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more customers. Utilities like electricity, gas, and water are essential but can add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too big or too fancy for your needs.
- MarketingYou need to get the word out about your burger joint, but advertising can be pricey, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we give in our pack. Overspending can happen if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Kitchen equipment and maintenance costsThis includes everything from grills and fryers to dining furniture. These are expensive because quality equipment and regular maintenance are crucial for smooth operations and customer satisfaction. Optimize by investing in durable, energy-efficient equipment and maintaining it regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech gadgets you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your burger joint?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a burger joint owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Food Costs | Source your beef and buns from local suppliers to get fresh ingredients at competitive prices. |
| Labor Costs | Use scheduling software to manage staff shifts efficiently and minimize overtime. |
| Utilities | Switch to LED lighting and energy-efficient kitchen appliances to cut down on electricity bills. |
| Marketing | Host social media contests for your burger joint and team up with local food bloggers for free promotion. |
| Cleaning Supplies | Train your team on the proper use of cleaning supplies to avoid unnecessary waste. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Keep a maintenance log for regular checks and servicing of your grills and fryers. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate your lease terms when renewing or consider relocating to a more affordable area. |
| Insurance | Review your insurance policies annually to ensure they meet your needs and compare rates for the best deal. |
| Packaging | Opt for cost-effective, eco-friendly packaging and offer discounts to customers who bring their own containers. |
| Tableware | Invest in high-quality, durable tableware that can withstand frequent use. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system with essential features, low transaction fees, and integration capabilities. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and utilize free online resources for staff development. |
| Waste Management | Implement a food waste tracking system to minimize waste and donate excess food to local shelters. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional kitchen appliances and use management software for orders and reservations. |
| Linen and Laundry | Partner with a cost-effective linen service and consider using reusable napkins and tablecloths. |
| Menu Printing | Use digital menu boards or QR codes to reduce printing costs and keep your menu up-to-date. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay current with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes efficiently to save on fuel costs and time. |
| Office Supplies | Buy supplies in bulk and go paperless with digital order systems where possible. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce spoilage. |
| Pest Control | Schedule monthly pest control services and maintain cleanliness to prevent infestations. |
| Music and Entertainment | Use a streaming service for background music and invite local musicians to perform during off-peak hours. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms and offer staff a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
Copy the tactics of the best burger joints in the world!
There are burger joints that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Expenses that are just useless for a burger joint
Yes, some expenses for your burger joint are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or improving customer experience.
| Burger Joint Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| Fancy Decor | Over-the-top decorations don't necessarily attract more customers and can be a drain on the budget. |
| Premium Beverage Brands | Unless you are a high-end establishment, most customers are satisfied with mid-range options. |
| Extensive Menu | A large menu increases inventory costs and leads to more food waste. |
| High-End Grills | Top-of-the-line grilling equipment is not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Paper Flyers | Traditional paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your burger joint |
| Multiple Uniform Styles | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the customer experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for music or magazines often go unnoticed by customers. |
| Exclusive Ingredients | Using rare ingredients can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Seating | High-end seating is not always appreciated by customers and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Napkins | Personalized napkins are a minor detail that most customers overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Water Brands | Most customers are content with filtered tap water, making expensive bottled water unnecessary. |
| Extra Delivery Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Renovations | Constantly updating decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Table Centerpieces | Elaborate centerpieces are often ignored by customers and add to the cost. |
| High-End Tableware | Luxury tableware is prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by customers. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Menu Designs | Frequently redesigning menus is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense.Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Catering Equipment | Specialized catering equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your burger joint!
Managing a budget for a burger joint when funds are tight can feel like a nightmare. It's like being stuck in a never-ending cycle where any unexpected expense can throw you off balance.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in growth projects, leaving you always chasing after expenses. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, scraping together pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more breathing room and more money to spend.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of burger joints just like yours. Get them now!
Make your burger joint more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best burger joints in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
