Average check
Example: A Brooklyn pizzeria served 180 covers for $4,500 one Friday, putting its average check at $25, so the owner tests adding a dessert prompt to nudge that number up without needing a single extra guest through the door.
total sales ÷ covers
Also called "average ticket." Total sales divided by total covers. If 180 covers spent \$4,500 total, average check is \$25.
Why it matters
The lever that moves when you raise prices, upsell desserts, shift toward dinner from lunch, or redesign the menu to lead with higher-margin items. A 6% raise on the average check compounds into meaningful revenue without changing cover count — see the Price-Raise Simulator.
Frequently asked
What is average check?
Average check is also called "average ticket." Total sales divided by total covers. If 180 covers spent $4,500 total, average check is $25.
Why does average check matter for a restaurant?
The lever that moves when you raise prices, upsell desserts, shift toward dinner from lunch, or redesign the menu to lead with higher-margin items. A 6% raise on the average check compounds into meaningful revenue without changing cover count — see the Price-Raise Simulator.
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