Restaurant Benchmarks
Performance benchmarks – The ATO determines performance benchmarks, often updated annually and developed using the information reported on income tax returns and activity statements, the 2013–14 year is the most recent at the time of writing this page.
These benchmarks show a number of different financial ratios of business income to business expenses, to help businesses compare their performance against similar businesses in their industry.
The key benchmark ratio for this industry is cost of sales to turnover. This ratio is likely to be the most accurate predictor of business turnover. For businesses that do not report cost of sales or only report a small amount, total expenses to turnover can be used to predict turnover.
2013–14 financial year
Key benchmark ratio Annual Turnover Range
Income tax return $65k–$500K $500K-$2m More than $2m
Cost of sales/turnover 31% – 37% 32% – 37% 30% – 36%
Average cost of sales 34% 35% 33%
Total expenses/turnover 80% – 89% 86% – 93% 89% – 94%
Average total expenses 85% 90% 92%
Activity statement Non-
capital purchases/total sales 56% – 68% 52% – 62% 50% – 59%
The following benchmarks can be used as a guide for businesses to review their performance and business practices against other similar businesses.
Not all expenses are reported by every business, so one or more of the benchmarks below may not apply to your business.
Benchmark Ratio Annual Turnover Range
Income tax return $65k–$500K $500K-$2m More than $2m
Labour/turnover 17% – 26% 23% – 31% 27% – 32%
Rent/turnover 13% – 20% 9% – 14% 7% – 10%
Last updated: 25 Feb 2016