Meatball subs sell comfort. Margins disappear in the sauce and the meatball size. If you do not weigh portions, the math will drift fast.
This guide is a U.S.-focused meatball sub cost calculator. It uses public price benchmarks, portion math, and pricing examples.
Quick Summary
- Meatball weight is the #1 profit lever
- Sauce looks cheap but adds up across every order
- Roll size changes food cost more than most owners expect
- Add-ons (extra meatball, provolone, double cheese) must be priced as full line items
Why Meatball Sub Margins Leak
- Meatballs grow over time.
- A “heavier scoop” per ball doubles your loss across 200 orders.
- Sauce is treated like free.
- Extra ladles are a hidden line item.
- Roll size varies by supplier.
- A 4 oz roll vs 6 oz roll changes your total cost by 5–10%.
- Cheese slices are inconsistent.
- A thicker slice is real money over a week.
- Waste in prep is invisible.
- Overcooked batches and cold leftovers are margin killers.
U.S. Price Benchmarks (Retail, City Average)
These BLS/FRED benchmarks are retail. Use them as directional signals, then plug in your supplier costs.
| Item | Latest U.S. city average | Unit cost | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef, 100% | $6.687/lb (Dec 2025) | $0.42/oz | Primary meatball driver |
| Bread, white, pan | $1.833/lb (Dec 2025) | $0.11/oz | Roll baseline |
| Cheese, cheddar | $5.789/lb (Dec 2025) | $0.36/oz | Slice + melt cost |
| Tomatoes, field grown | $1.840/lb (Dec 2025) | $0.12/oz | Sauce base cost |
Price Outlook (Plan for Repricing)
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. If you price subs once a year, your margin quietly erodes.
Portion Standards to Lock In
Write these into recipes and train to them:
- Meatball weight (oz) before cooking
- Meatballs per sub (3, 4, or 5)
- Sauce per sub (oz)
- Roll weight (oz)
- Cheese slices and weight (oz)
- Oil/breadcrumbs per batch (oz)
- Packaging cost per order
Small drift per sub becomes a big loss per week.
Example 1: 6-Inch Classic Meatball Sub
Portion assumptions:
- Ground beef: 6 oz raw (3 meatballs)
- Roll: 4 oz
- Cheese: 1 oz
- Sauce: 3 oz
- Breadcrumbs + seasoning: $0.12 (example)
- Packaging: $0.25 (example)
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Portion | Unit Cost | Line Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef | 6 oz | $0.42/oz | $2.52 |
| Roll | 4 oz | $0.11/oz | $0.44 |
| Cheese | 1 oz | $0.36/oz | $0.36 |
| Sauce | 3 oz | $0.12/oz | $0.36 |
| Breadcrumbs + seasoning | 1 portion | $0.12 (example) | $0.12 |
| Packaging | 1 set | $0.25 (example) | $0.25 |
| Total sub cost | $4.05 |
Price Targets
| Target Food Cost % | Menu Price |
|---|---|
| 28% | $14.50 |
| 30% | $13.50 |
| 32% | $12.65 |
If your market will not support $12–$14 subs, reduce meatball ounces before discounting price.
Example 2: 12-Inch Loaded Meatball Sub
Portion assumptions:
- Ground beef: 9 oz raw (5 meatballs)
- Roll: 7 oz
- Cheese: 2 oz
- Sauce: 5 oz
- Breadcrumbs + seasoning: $0.18 (example)
- Packaging: $0.30 (example)
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Portion | Unit Cost | Line Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef | 9 oz | $0.42/oz | $3.78 |
| Roll | 7 oz | $0.11/oz | $0.77 |
| Cheese | 2 oz | $0.36/oz | $0.72 |
| Sauce | 5 oz | $0.12/oz | $0.60 |
| Breadcrumbs + seasoning | 1 portion | $0.18 (example) | $0.18 |
| Packaging | 1 set | $0.30 (example) | $0.30 |
| Total sub cost | $6.34 |
Price Targets
| Target Food Cost % | Menu Price |
|---|---|
| 28% | $22.75 |
| 30% | $21.25 |
| 32% | $19.75 |
Build a Price Ladder
A ladder makes price increases feel normal.
| Tier | Example | Target Food Cost | Why it works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 6-inch classic | 28–30% | Most popular anchor |
| Standard | 12-inch shareable | 30–32% | Higher ticket, better perception |
| Premium | Extra meatball + provolone | 32–35% | Upsell with visible value |
Add-On Pricing That Protects Margin
If you charge $1 for an extra meatball but it costs you $0.90, that add-on is not worth it.
Use this rule:
Add-on price = Add-on cost ÷ Target food cost %Example:
Extra meatball cost = $0.90
Target food cost = 30%
Add-on price = 0.90 ÷ 0.30 = $3.00Round to $2.99 or $3.25.
Common Leak Checklist
- Do you weigh meatball scoops by ounces?
- Are rolls standardized by weight, not brand name?
- Is sauce portioned with a ladle or scale?
- Are cheese slices weighed per shift?
- Are leftovers tracked and priced into waste?
If any are “no,” fix those before you change prices.
Related Guides
- Sandwich & Deli Cost Guide
- Food Cost Ratio Guide
- US Menu Pricing Calculator
- Prime Cost Guide
- Menu Engineering Guide
- US Prep Yield Calculator
Want Meatball Sub Costs Done Automatically?
KitchenCost stores beef, bread, cheese, and sauce costs in one place. Update one ingredient and every sub cost updates instantly.
Try KitchenCost.