How to Price Burger: Food Cost Breakdown & Menu Price Guide
Last reviewed: July 28, 2026
Short answer
Burger typically runs a food cost of 28–33%, supporting a menu price of $11–$16 depending on portion size and ingredient quality. A worked example below shows the exact math for one common version.
What Drives Burger Cost
Beef patty
45–55% of costThe dominant cost, scales directly with patty weight and grade
Bun
8–12% of costBrioche and specialty buns cost meaningfully more than standard
Cheese + toppings
20–30% of costBacon and specialty sauces are the common margin killers
Fries or side (if included)
10–15% of costOften the item that quietly erodes the combo margin
Worked Example
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 80/20 beef patty (6 oz) | 1 | $1.80 |
| Brioche bun | 1 | $0.55 |
| Cheese slice | 1 | $0.30 |
| Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle | — | $0.35 |
| Sauce | — | $0.15 |
| Total ingredient cost | $3.15 | |
Target Food Cost
30%
Suggested Menu Price
$10.50
Actual food cost: 30.0%
Common Pricing Mistakes
Costing the patty at ground price, not portioned price
Bulk ground beef price per pound doesn't account for the exact patty weight you portion and cook. Weigh actual patties, not the case label.
Treating bacon as a flat add-on charge
A $2 bacon upcharge on a burger where bacon actually costs $1.40 barely moves margin. Price add-ons against their real cost, not a round number that feels fair.
Forgetting the bun upgrade cost when menu-testing specialty burgers
Swapping a standard bun for brioche or pretzel can add $0.30–0.50 that needs to show up in the price, not just the description.
Price Every Burger Dish on Your Menu
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