Want to help customers understand rising menu prices?
Use this free Menu Costing Infographic to clearly explain the breakdown of plate costs. From ingredients and labor to rent and insurance, help your guests see what really goes into every dish.
What’s inside?
A visual plate cost breakdown that shows where every dollar goes
Real data from Toast’s Menu Price Monitor (July 2025)
Examples of ingredient cost fluctuations across key menu items
Insights from a real restaurant owner
A shareable format designed to educate customers and boost transparency
Why this infographic matters
Many of a restaurant’s costs — from food and beverage prices to insurance and utilities — are outside your control. According to Toast’s Menu Price Monitor, ingredient costs have risen significantly, and understanding how those shifts impact pricing is crucial.
But sometimes, customers don’t see the full picture. This infographic makes it simple to communicate what’s behind menu pricing and why costs are rising, without long explanations or awkward conversations.
“A lot of people have this misconception, even people who work inside the company, that, well, you’re an owner, so you must be rich. And they don’t understand that in the average restaurant, you’re lucky if you can pull 8 to 10% as your profit margin.”
— Michael Ungaro, CEO of San Pedro Fish Market, a fourth-generation family-run restaurant with three locations in Long Beach, California
With this infographic, you’ll get a clear, data-backed explanation of menu costing that you can post, print, or share digitally with your guests. It’s a simple, effective way to start the conversation about value and transparency.
After downloading the Menu Costing Infographic, be sure to check out our other restaurant management and pricing resources below.
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