UK Sandwich Shop Cost Guide: Price Meal Deals Without Losing Margin

Sandwich shops win on speed. Margins are won on portion control.

If your bread size, protein weight, or sauces drift, your best sellers become margin leaks.

This UK-focused guide shows how to price sandwiches and meal deals with VAT in mind.

Quick Summary

• Weigh proteins, not “handfuls”
• Price meal deals from a bundle target cost %
• Track sauce and spread portions
• Use net (ex VAT) price for food cost math

Why Sandwich Margins Leak

1. Protein portions drift fast.
2. Sauce and spread costs are ignored.
3. Meal deals hide low-margin items.
4. Bread size changes cost more than you think.

UK VAT Reminder

Most takeaway meals use the standard VAT rate (20%). For pricing decisions, convert the guest price to net (ex VAT).

Net price = VAT-inclusive price ÷ 1.20

If a sandwich is £6.00 on the menu:

£6.00 ÷ 1.20 = £5.00 net price

Use £5.00 in your food cost calculation, not £6.00.

Portion Standards to Lock In

• Bread size (g per roll)
• Protein weight (g per sandwich)
• Cheese slices (count per item)
• Sauces (ml per spread)
• Salad mix (g per sandwich)

Example: Meal Deal Math

Assumptions (example):

• Sandwich cost: £1.90
• Side cost: £0.70
• Drink cost: £0.55

Bundle cost: £3.15

If your target bundle cost % is 35%:

£3.15 ÷ 0.35 = £9.00 menu price (VAT-inclusive)

If £9.00 is too high for your market, reduce bundle costs before discounting the core sandwich.

Do This Now

• Weigh your protein portions on a scale (no eyeballing)
• Measure sauce and spread portions in ml or grams
• Build separate recipes for each sandwich type
• Calculate your meal deal cost and back into the menu price using the formula
• Remember: use net (ex VAT) price for food cost %, not the menu price

Related Guides

• UK Restaurant Menu Pricing Guide
• UK Menu Pricing Calculator
• UK Menu Price Review Checklist
• UK Restaurant VAT Pricing Guide
• Recipe Costing Guide