Average Check Calculator

Calculate average guest check from restaurant revenue and covers served.

Calculate average check

Measure average revenue per guest or cover for a meal period, day or reporting period.

Net sales revenue

Covers / guests served

Average check—

Revenue—

Covers—

How the calculation works

Average check = sales revenue ÷ number of covers. A cover generally represents one guest served, so the metric estimates how much revenue is generated per guest during the selected period.

How to use the result

Track average check alongside traffic, table turnover and food cost. An increase can come from price changes, product mix, add-ons or upselling, while a decline can reflect discounts or a shift toward lower-priced items.

Assumptions and limitations

Be consistent about whether revenue includes taxes, service charges, discounts, delivery sales or other non-dine-in revenue. Mixed definitions can make period comparisons misleading.

Example

If 125,000 in comparable restaurant sales comes from 500 covers, average check is 250.

Frequently asked questions

What is a cover in a restaurant?

A cover generally means one guest served. Use your operation's standard reporting definition consistently.

Should GST be included in revenue?

Use whichever revenue basis your reporting system uses, but keep it consistent across periods.

Is average check the same as average order value?

They are similar, but average check usually uses guests/covers while order value uses transactions or orders.

Can average check rise while profit falls?

Yes. Higher revenue per guest does not guarantee better margin if food, labor, discount or channel costs rise.