How to Navigate Rising Costs and an Unpredictable Economy

Rising costs and an unpredictable economy are putting restaurant resiliency to the test once again.

You’ve got this – because we’ve got you.

In this guide, we’ll give you tips and best practices to help you do more with less – from taking back control by staying on top of costs to keeping your team flexible and keeping orders flowing.

The following sections are filled with expertly authored resources, tools, and articles that will help you and your team tackle the unknown.

DISCLAIMER: This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, accounting, tax, HR, or other professional advice. You are responsible for your own compliance with laws and regulations. You should contact your attorney or other relevant advisor for advice specific to your circumstances.

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How Restaurants Can Navigate Food Inflation and Protect Profitability

Put rising food inflation into historical context and uncover action items to help protect profits and remain agile in the face of sustained economic pressure.

Step 1: Take Control of Your Restaurant Costs

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How To Use Restaurant Food Cost Control To Protect Profitability

Learn how to calculate restaurant food costs, determine if percentages are on track for your profit goals, and implement tactics to take control of food costs.

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How to Calculate Food Cost and Boost Restaurant Profitability

Maximize profitability by consistently calculating and taking control of restaurant food costs.

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How to Calculate Restaurant COGS and Boost Profitability

Calculating your restaurant cost of goods sold might seem like a pain, but it's an important part of making sure your business is healthy. Here's an easy way to calculate it.

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How to Calculate Your Restaurant Labor Cost Percentage

Learn to calculate restaurant labor cost by hours worked, labor cost as a percentage of revenue, and labor cost as a percentage of restaurant operating costs.

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How a Restaurant Cost Breakdown Can Help Inform Prices and Protect Profitability

Restaurant operators must understand the costs they're up against if they want to optimize performance, turn a profit, and scale their business.

RESOURCE

Restaurant Metrics Calculator

Use this free calculator to calculate the key restaurant metrics needed to understand the health and success of your business.

Use this free calculator to calculate the key restaurant metrics needed to understand the health and success of your business.

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Step 2: Maximize Margins While Capitalizing on Trade Downs

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How to Implement a Consistent Recipe Management Process

Recipe management is a must-have capability for operators to achieve dish consistency, monitor and control costs, and successfully set menu prices.

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Restaurant Inventory Management: The Essential Guide for 2026

See why managing inventory is an integral part of operating a successful restaurant — with helpful tips, terms, and tactics to make managing inventory less complex.

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How to Make Your Menu a Money-Maker Using Restaurant Menu Design

There’s more to a great menu than a beautiful design and layout. Use this menu engineering intro to optimize your menu for profitability and popularity.

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How to Cost a Plate of Food Based on Your Restaurant Recipes

Learn how to calculate plate costs so you can properly price menu items, manage your COGS, and achieve profitability targets.

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Restaurant Menu Pricing Strategy: How to Price Restaurant Menu Items

Learn how to build and implement a restaurant menu pricing strategy that's rooted in profitability.

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Step 3: Optimize Sales Channels to Sustain Profitability

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The Complete Guide to Online Ordering for Restaurants

Everything restaurant operators need to know about online ordering, from choosing a platform to training staff and increasing direct sales.

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10 Strategies to Improve Delivery Efficiency for Restaurants

You can’t control every aspect of the delivery process, which is why it’s important to improve delivery efficiency in the areas you can control. Here are 10 ways to improve delivery efficiency.

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How to Increase Your Online Ordering Sales

Here's how you can promote your restaurant's online ordering program to increase orders and build strong customer relationships.

How to Improve Your Sales With A Seasonal Menu

Learn what a seasonal menu is, how a summer menu can improve business, and how to make a summer menu that will keep customers coming back.

RESOURCE

The Guide to Restaurant Sales

In this Guide to Restaurant Sales, you’ll learn the metrics you need to measure to understand the financial health of your restaurant. Plus, you’ll get tons of great ideas that’ll help you learn how to improve sales in your restaurant.

In this Guide to Restaurant Sales, you’ll learn the metrics you need to measure to understand the financial health of your restaurant. Plus, you’ll get tons of great ideas that’ll help you learn how to improve sales in your restaurant.

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Step 4: Capture Guest Attention & Drive New Business

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15 Unique Restaurant Promotion Ideas You'll Wish You Had Thought of Earlier

Here's 15 restaurant promotion ideas that work to increase your food sales and boost your profits. Get the full list of restaurant and food promotion ideas now.

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Restaurant Social Media Marketing Strategy (2026) - Complete Guide, Examples

Your customers are on social media. Here's how restaurants are using social to bring in new customers and engage their current ones.

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10 Types of Email Marketing for Restaurants (with Examples)

Learn how to use email marketing for restaurants to increase repeat visits, drive revenue, and build guest loyalty. Explore 10 real restaurant email marketing examples, proven strategies, and best practices.

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Bằng việc gửi, bạn đồng ý nhận email tiếp thị từ Toast. Chúng tôi sẽ xử lý thông tin của bạn theo tuyên bố về quyền riêng tư. Thông tin bổ sung dành cho cư dân California có tại tại đây.