Kitchen Prep Time Calculator

Calculate prep labor hours needed from expected menu items and covers.

Menu Items to Prep

Avg Prep Time Per Item

min

Expected Covers

Items Per Cover

Prep Cook Hourly Rate

Efficiency Factor

Tab to move between fields

Total Prep Hours Needed

39.1 hrs

Prep Staff Needed (8-hr shifts)4.9

Prep Labor Cost$625.00

Total Items to Prep375

Prep Cost Per Cover$4.17

Prep Cost Per Item$1.67

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the menu items to prep and average prep time per item (minutes).
Set expected covers for the service period and items per cover.
Enter your prep cook hourly rate ($).
Review total prep hours, staff needed, prep labor cost, and total items to prepare.
Adjust par levels or scheduling if prep labor cost exceeds budget.

How the result changes with Efficiency Factor

Menu Items to Prep: Number of distinct menu items requiring prep.
Avg Prep Time Per Item: Average prep time per individual item in minutes.
Expected Covers: Expected number of guests for the service period.
Items Per Cover: Average number of menu items ordered per guest.
Prep Cook Hourly Rate: Hourly labor cost for prep cooks.
Efficiency Factor: Labor efficiency factor (accounts for breaks, cleaning, etc.).

Identify Input Parameters
4 parameters
Menu Items to Prep = 20, Avg Prep Time Per Item = 5, Expected Covers = 150, Items Per Cover = 2.5 = 6 input(s) provided
Calculate Total Prep Hours Needed
39.1 = 39.1
Calculate Prep Staff Needed
4.9 = 4.9
Calculate Prep Labor Cost
Prep Labor Cost
625 = $625