US Holiday Pie Pricing Guide: Pumpkin, Pecan, and Apple

Holiday pies print money only if your slice math is real. Butter, eggs, and nuts move fast. Packaging and labeling get ignored.

Quick Summary

• Price pies by slice math first, then round to a clean full-pie price
• Separate tiers for pumpkin, apple, and pecan (nuts cost more)
• Include packaging and labeling in every pie cost
• Use preorder windows and pickup slots to protect labor

This guide shows how to price pies with a clean, repeatable system.

Core Pie Cost Formula

Pie cost = Crust + Filling + Toppings + Packaging + Labor
Pie price = Pie cost / Target food cost %
Slice price = Pie price / Slice count

If the slice price looks wrong, your pie price is wrong.

Why Pie Pricing Breaks

1. Butter and eggs spike during holiday weeks
2. Pecan and specialty toppings are underpriced
3. Large pie tins and boxes are not counted
4. Last-minute orders destroy your bake schedule

Price for the week, not for a random Tuesday.

Example: 9-Inch Pecan Pie (Example Numbers)

• Crust cost: $2.10
• Filling (pecan, syrup, eggs): $4.70
• Toppings and finish: $0.60
• Packaging and label: $1.20
• Labor allocation: $2.40

Pie cost = $11.00 Target food cost 32% -> Pie price = $34.40 Slice price (8 slices) = $4.30

Preorder Rules That Save Margin

• Require deposits for holiday week orders
• Offer two pickup windows only
• Limit flavor SKUs during the rush
• Sell premium pies as limited runs

Local Data Check (US)

USDA ERS expects food-away-from-home prices to rise again in 2026. Holiday weeks magnify those moves, so lock pricing early and re-check supplier quotes. BLS average retail price data is a helpful sanity check for butter, eggs, and flour.

Do This Now

• Decide on slice count per pie (8 slices is standard for 9-inch)
• Calculate the cost of one pumpkin pie using your invoice prices
• Calculate the cost of one pecan pie (should be higher due to nuts)
• Divide pie cost by 0.32 to find your menu price at 32% food cost
• Set up a preorder window (close 3-5 days before pickup)
• Lock your holiday pie prices by early October

KitchenCost tracks pie recipes and updates menu prices when ingredients move.