Breakfast is supposed to be the easy shift.
In reality, breakfast margins are fragile. Egg prices swing. Bacon is expensive by the ounce. Coffee refills quietly eat profit. And the “value combo” you sell all day is usually underpriced.
This guide is a U.S.-focused breakfast diner cost calculator. It uses BLS retail price benchmarks, portion math, and real menu examples. Use it to price eggs, bacon, pancakes, and coffee like a pro.
Quick Summary
- Cost breakfast by plate components, not by “menu names”
- Eggs and bacon are volatile, so reprice more often than lunch
- Coffee refills are a hidden cost driver
- Pancakes and toast are margin protectors when portioned right
Why Breakfast Diner Costing Is Tricky
Breakfast feels simple. It is not.
- Egg prices move fast.
- Your menu will drift out of margin if you only update once a year.
- Bacon is expensive by weight.
- One extra slice can change food cost by multiple points.
- Coffee refills are a real variable cost.
- Most diners include refills, but few track how many cups are poured.
- The combo discount hides margin loss.
- The plate sells, but the math does not always work.
- Labor is higher than the menu looks.
- Short-order speed costs money.
If you do not cost by portion weight, breakfast profitability is a guess.
U.S. Price Benchmarks (Retail, City Average)
These are BLS average retail prices via FRED. They are retail, not wholesale. Use them as a sanity check when supplier quotes change quickly.
| Item | Latest U.S. city average | Unit cost | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs, Grade A, large | $2.712/dozen (Dec 2025) | $0.23/egg | Your base breakfast protein |
| Bacon, sliced | $6.760/lb (Dec 2025) | $0.42/oz | The most expensive “classic” side |
| Bread, white, pan | $1.833/lb (Dec 2025) | $0.11/oz | Toast margin driver |
| Flour, white, all purpose | $0.554/lb (Dec 2025) | $0.03/oz | Pancake base cost |
| Milk, fresh whole (1 gal) | $4.047/gal (Dec 2025) | $0.03/oz | Pancakes, batters, and coffee |
| Coffee, 100% ground roast | $9.053/lb (Dec 2025) | $0.57/oz | Refill cost driver |
Price conversion formulas:
Price per oz = Price per lb / 16
Price per egg = Price per dozen / 12
Price per oz (milk) = Price per gallon / 128Price Outlook (Why Repricing Matters)
USDA ERS reports food-away-from-home prices rose 4.1% in 2024 and 3.8% in 2025, with a 4.6% increase forecast for 2026. Breakfast menus feel these changes fast because eggs, bacon, and coffee are daily volume items. Reprice quarterly if you want to protect margin.
Portion Standards You Should Lock In
Breakfast margins live inside tiny portions. Write these down and enforce them.
- Eggs per plate (1, 2, or 3)
- Bacon slices per plate (2, 3, or 4)
- Toast slices per plate (1 or 2)
- Pancake batter oz per cake
- Coffee cup size and refill policy
If your team plates “by feel,” your costs will drift every day.
Example 1: Two Eggs + Bacon + Toast
Portion assumptions:
- Eggs: 2 each
- Bacon: 2 oz (about 4 slices)
- Toast: 2 oz (2 slices)
- Butter/jam: $0.12 (example)
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Portion | Unit Cost | Line Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs | 2 ea | $0.23/egg | $0.45 |
| Bacon | 2 oz | $0.42/oz | $0.84 |
| Toast | 2 oz | $0.11/oz | $0.23 |
| Butter/jam | 1 set | $0.12 | $0.12 |
| Total plate cost | $1.64 |
Price Targets
| Target Food Cost % | Menu Price |
|---|---|
| 25% | $6.56 |
| 28% | $5.86 |
| 30% | $5.47 |
If your market expects $8-10 breakfasts, that is not “overpriced.” It is how you pay for labor, rent, and slower table turns.
Example 2: Pancake Stack (3 Cakes) + Syrup
Portion assumptions:
- Flour: 4 oz
- Milk: 6 oz
- Egg: 1 each
- Oil/butter in batter: $0.12 (example)
- Syrup: 1.5 oz at $0.12/oz (example)
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Portion | Unit Cost | Line Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flour | 4 oz | $0.03/oz | $0.14 |
| Milk | 6 oz | $0.03/oz | $0.19 |
| Egg | 1 ea | $0.23/egg | $0.23 |
| Oil/butter | 1 portion | $0.12 | $0.12 |
| Syrup | 1.5 oz | $0.12/oz | $0.18 |
| Total plate cost | $0.86 |
Price Targets
| Target Food Cost % | Menu Price |
|---|---|
| 22% | $3.91 |
| 25% | $3.44 |
| 28% | $3.07 |
Pancakes are a margin anchor. If you keep portions consistent, they subsidize lower-margin egg plates.
Example 3: Breakfast Sandwich + Coffee
Portion assumptions:
- Egg: 1 each
- Bacon: 1.5 oz
- Bread: 2 oz
- Cheese: $0.30 (example)
- Coffee: 1 cup + refills
Sandwich Cost Breakdown
| Item | Portion | Unit Cost | Line Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg | 1 ea | $0.23/egg | $0.23 |
| Bacon | 1.5 oz | $0.42/oz | $0.63 |
| Bread | 2 oz | $0.11/oz | $0.23 |
| Cheese | 1 slice | $0.30 | $0.30 |
| Sandwich cost | $1.39 |
Coffee Cost (Refill Math)
A common brew ratio is about 0.5 oz of grounds per 8 oz cup. That means 1 lb of coffee (16 oz) yields about 32 cups.
Coffee cost per 8 oz cup = 9.053 / 32 = $0.28Add cup + lid + creamer (example $0.12). One cup of coffee is about $0.40 in total cost. Two refills turns it into $0.80+.
Rule: Track the average cups per guest once a month. Coffee is only “free” if you budget for refills.
Breakfast Combo Math (Do This Weekly)
Combo food cost % = (Plate cost + Side cost + Drink cost) / Combo priceIf the combo cost is 3-5 points higher than your target, raise the price or reduce portions. Do not accept a loss leader without a plan.
Menu Engineering for Breakfast
Use three tiers so pricing feels natural:
- Value tier
- Pancake stack, oatmeal, basic egg plate
- Core tier
- Eggs + bacon/sausage, French toast combos
- Premium tier
- Steak and eggs, smoked salmon, upgraded sides
The premium tier protects margin and makes the core tier feel fair.
The Portion Control Tools That Actually Work
- Use egg scoops or portion cups for liquid eggs
- Pre-portion bacon by ounces, not by slices
- Standardize batter ladles (oz per pancake)
- Log coffee grounds per pot, not “scoops”
If you do not standardize, breakfast drift is guaranteed.
How KitchenCost Helps Breakfast Operators
KitchenCost lets you build breakfast recipes with exact portion weights, then update prices in minutes when egg or bacon costs change.
- Save standard egg, bacon, and toast portions
- Track coffee and beverage costs per cup
- Compare breakfast combo margins by item
- Update supplier prices once, see the entire menu impact
Want to stop guessing? Try KitchenCost - free to start.
Related Guides
- Food Cost Ratio Guide
- Prime Cost Guide
- Loss Rate Guide
- Menu Engineering Guide
- Coffee Shop Pricing Guide
- Chicken Restaurant Cost Guide
- Pizza Cost Calculator
- Home Baking Pricing Guide
- Bunsik Cost Guide
Sources
- USDA ERS Food Price Outlook: Summary Findings (Jan 2026)
- FRED: Eggs, Grade A, large (APU0000708111)
- FRED: Bacon, sliced (APU0000704111)
- FRED: Bread, white, pan (APU0000702111)
- FRED: Flour, white, all purpose (APU0000701111)
- FRED: Milk, fresh whole, fortified (APU0000709111)
- FRED: Coffee, 100%, ground roast (APU0000717311)