US Cheesesteak Cost Guide (2026): Beef Portioning, Roll Cost, and Real Pricing

Cheesesteaks feel simple. Beef, roll, cheese. That simplicity is why portion drift destroys margins fast.

This guide is a U.S.-focused cheesesteak cost calculator. Use it to lock portions, price upgrades correctly, and stop undercharging on your best seller.

Quick Summary

• Beef ounces decide the profit
• Roll weight matters more than you think
• Price extra meat as a separate item
• Count packaging and side add-ons every time

U.S. Ingredient Benchmarks (Retail)

These are BLS U.S. city average prices. Use them as a sanity check, then replace with your supplier invoices.

Note: Ribeye or top round will be cheaper or higher than this benchmark. Use the number as a baseline, not a quote.

Portion Standards to Lock In

Write these into recipes and train them. Most cheesesteak losses are invisible.

• Beef ounces per sandwich (raw weight)
• Roll weight per sandwich
• Cheese ounces per sandwich
• Onions/peppers ounces per sandwich
• Oil/seasoning cost per sandwich
• Packaging cost per sandwich

Example: Classic Cheesesteak (5 oz Beef)

Portion assumptions (example):

• Beef: 5 oz
• Roll: 4 oz
• Cheese: 1.5 oz
• Onions + peppers: $0.20
• Oil + seasoning: $0.10
• Packaging: $0.35

Cost Breakdown

Price Targets

If that feels high, your wholesale beef price is likely lower. Swap in your invoice and rerun the math.

Extra Meat Is a Separate Product

A “double” cheesesteak is not a free upgrade. Price it like a premium item.

Upgrade assumption:

• Add 3 oz beef

Extra meat cost = 3 oz x $0.78 = $2.34
New total cost = $5.53 + $2.34 = $7.87

At a 30% food cost target:

Price = $7.87 / 0.30 = $26.23

If your market will not accept that price, shrink the meat upgrade or adjust base pricing.

Sides and Combo Pricing

If you bundle fries or a drink, price them explicitly.

Combo price = (Sandwich cost + Side cost) / Target food cost %

Example:

• Cheesesteak cost: $5.53
• Fries cost: $1.10
• Target food cost: 30%

Combo price = ($5.53 + $1.10) / 0.30 = $22.10

Do not let combos quietly raise your food cost.

Margin Leak Checklist

• Beef is weighed every time
• Roll weight is consistent
• Cheese is portioned, not eyeballed
• Extra meat has its own price
• Packaging is included
• Combo math is correct

Related Guides

• Sandwich Deli Cost Guide
• US Menu Pricing Calculator
• Food Cost Ratio Guide
• Prime Cost Guide
• US Delivery App Pricing Guide

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Sources

• FRED — All uncooked beef steaks (APU0000FC3101)
• FRED — Bread, white, pan (APU0000702111)
• FRED — Cheddar cheese, natural (APU0000710212)
• USDA ERS — Food Price Outlook, Summary Findings