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Service window decision tool

Food Truck Service Window Profit and Break-Even Calculator

Test whether a lunch, dinner, brewery, office, or recurring location window can cover all paid labor, direct order costs, location fees, travel, setup, and allocated overhead within its measured service capacity.

The calculator does not predict demand. Use observed order counts and timed throughput tests whenever possible. Include paid work before and after the public service window.

Window demand and capacity

Time customers can place orders, not total paid shift length.

Use comparable POS records or a clearly labeled planning assumption.

Use the slowest constrained station or a timed service test.

Use current recipe and packaging cost at the expected menu mix.

Paid labor and fixed window costs

Include prep, loading, travel, setup, close, and cleanup paid for this window.

Use wage plus employer payroll costs and other labor burden included in your decision.

Service window results

Modeled orders
90
Capacity: 120
Contribution per order
$10.23
Break-even orders
65
21.7 per service hour
Projected window profit
$261.06
18.1% margin

Decision checks

Capacity utilization
75%

The entered forecast is within the tested window capacity.

Required average order
$13.02

Average order needed to cover the modeled costs at the number of orders the window can serve.

Margin of safety
25 orders

Modeled served orders minus break-even orders. Negative means the current scenario does not reach break-even.

Sales per paid labor hour
$96.00

A scenario output for comparison with your own service records, not an industry benchmark.

Sterling Food Service - Food Truck & Catering Business Startup Hub

Practical guides, calculators, templates, and research for food truck and catering operators. Check local rules and replace every example with your own records before making decisions.

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