Uncover exactly where your restaurant is losing money
Answer 35 targeted questions across 8 operational areas. Receive a personalized diagnostic report and program recommendation delivered directly to your inbox.
35Diagnostic Questions
8Operational Areas
30minTo Complete
Before We Begin
Your Restaurant Profile
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Step 1 of 11
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Section 1 of 9 · Revenue Analysis
Sales & Revenue Performance
These questions establish the trajectory and health of your top-line revenue. Answer based on your best recollection if you don't track formally.
Question 1
How have your total monthly sales trended over the past 6 months?
⚠ A revenue decline of this magnitude is a critical indicator. Your score will reflect this severity.
Question 2
How has your average check size per guest changed compared to 12 months ago?
Question 3
How full is your restaurant during your busiest service periods?
Question 4
How significant are your slow periods in impacting weekly revenue?
Question 5
Roughly what percentage of your revenue comes from your top 5 selling menu items?
Step 2 of 11
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Section 2 of 9 · Cost of Goods Sold
Food Cost & Inventory Control
COGS is one of the most controllable cost areas in a restaurant. These questions reveal where purchasing, waste, and portioning may be eroding margins.
Question 6
What is your current food cost as a percentage of food revenue?
Industry benchmark: 28–32% for most full-service restaurants.
⚠ Food cost above 38% is a critical red flag indicating systemic issues in purchasing, portioning, or pricing.
Question 7
How would you describe your food waste levels?
Question 8
How often do you review supplier pricing and seek competitive quotes?
Question 9
Do you have documented portion control standards in place?
Question 10
How frequently do you conduct a full physical inventory count?
Step 3 of 11
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Section 3 of 9 · Labor Costs
Staffing & Labor Efficiency
Labor is typically 30–35% of revenue. Inefficiencies here compound quickly into significant losses.
Question 11
What is your total labor cost (wages + taxes + benefits) as a percentage of revenue?
⚠ Labor cost above 38% of revenue is a critical threshold that threatens overall profitability.
Question 12
How do you currently approach staff scheduling?
Question 13
How significant is overtime in your weekly labor costs?
Question 14
How would you rate your staff turnover over the past 12 months?
Question 15
Do you track staff productivity metrics (e.g., revenue per labor hour, covers per server)?
Step 4 of 11
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Section 4 of 9 · Operational Structure
Workflow, Authority & Drift
Structural instability accumulates beneath the surface of daily operations. These questions identify where it is building.
Question 36
How would you describe the level of friction in your day-to-day operational workflows?
Question 37
How clearly are decision-making rights and accountability defined across your team?
Question 38
How often do established processes and standards degrade over time without active correction?
Step 5 of 11
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Section 5 of 9 · Operational Expenses
Fixed & Variable Overhead
Beyond food and labor, overhead costs can quietly consume margins.
Question 16
What is your monthly rent or occupancy cost as a percentage of monthly revenue?
⚠ Rent exceeding 15% of revenue severely constrains your ability to generate profit regardless of other improvements.
Question 17
How would you characterize your utility costs (gas, electric, water)?
Question 18
How effective is your current marketing spend at generating revenue?
Question 19
How frequently does equipment downtime or failure affect your service operations?
Step 6 of 11
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Section 6 of 9 · Customer Metrics
Guest Experience & Loyalty
These questions reveal whether your customer experience is building loyalty or silently repelling repeat business.
Question 20
What is your current average online review rating (Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor)?
Question 21
What percentage of your guests would you estimate are returning customers?
Question 22
How have customer complaints trended over the past 6 months?
Question 23
For restaurants that take reservations: what is your average reservation fill rate?
Question 24
Do you have a loyalty program or structured initiative to encourage repeat visits?
Step 7 of 11
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Section 7 of 9 · Menu Engineering
Menu Profitability & Pricing
Your menu is your most powerful financial tool. These questions reveal whether your pricing strategy and item mix are working for you.
Question 25
Do you know which menu items are most and least profitable (contribution margin, not just sales volume)?
Question 26
When did you last formally review and update your menu pricing?
Question 27
How many items does your current menu contain?
Question 28
Do you adjust your menu seasonally to account for ingredient availability and cost changes?
Step 8 of 11
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Section 8 of 9 · Cash Flow
Financial Stability & Cash Management
Cash flow problems can emerge even in profitable restaurants. These questions assess the liquidity and payment health of your business.
Question 29
How would you describe your current cash flow situation?
⚠ Inability to meet financial obligations is a critical emergency indicator requiring immediate intervention.
Question 30
What are your typical payment terms with key suppliers?
Question 31
Do you have a cash reserve set aside for unexpected expenses or slow periods?
Question 32
How do you currently manage and monitor daily cash flow?
Step 9 of 11
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Section 9 of 9 · Market Position
Competition & Market Alignment
Understanding your market position reveals whether external pressures are contributing to your challenges.
Question 33
How clearly defined is your restaurant's unique value proposition?
Question 34
How do you perceive your competitive position in your local market right now?
Question 35
How well do you understand your target customer and their expectations?
Step 10 of 11
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Final Step
Review & Submit
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Restaurant: Name: Email: Phone:
By submitting this diagnostic, you agree to receive your results and follow-up communications from Knife Ledger at the email and phone number provided. Your responses are confidential and will only be used to generate your personalized diagnostic report.
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