Jacket potatoes look inexpensive. Margins disappear when potato size and fillings drift.
This UK guide shows how to cost jacket potatoes by size and topping so you can price for reliable profit.
Quick Summary
- Jacket potato cost = potato + filling + butter + garnish + packaging
- Potato size is the hidden cost lever
- Fillings should be priced as separate tiers
- Takeaway packaging belongs in every order cost
Why Jacket Potato Costs Drift
- Potato size varies by bag and supplier
- Fillings are served without a portion standard
- Butter and salad garnish are treated as free
- Packaging is ignored on takeaway orders
Core Cost Formula
Potato cost = Potato size x unit cost
Total cost = Potato + Filling + Butter + Garnish + Packaging
Food cost % = Total cost / Menu priceSet Size Tiers
- Small, regular, large with clear weights
- Price jumps should follow size jumps
- Keep one default size to reduce confusion in service
Filling Portion Control
- Cheese, tuna, and chilli need fixed scoop sizes
- Premium fillings should be a paid upgrade
- Double filling should be a separate line item
Takeaway Pricing
- Foil, box, and bag are real costs
- Build takeaway pricing with packaging included
- If delivery is common, keep a dedicated takeaway price tier
Checklist
- Potato sizes weighed and standardised
- Filling scoops fixed
- Butter and garnish included
- Packaging cost per order tracked
Do This Now
- Weigh your potatoes and set size tiers (small, regular, large)
- Fix filling portion sizes with measured scoops (cheese, tuna, beans)
- Build separate recipes for each filling type
- Add butter, garnish, and packaging to every order cost
- Price takeaway with packaging included (foil, box, bag)