Capacity calculator

How to use it

1. 1Type your figures into the calculator. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored. The answer is worked out in your browser.
2. 2Read the result and its caption. The assumptions are shown on the screen beside the number.
3. 3Save your figures once in the back office. Then this screen, and every other one, answers for your shop instead of a generic one.

What it does

• We divide your open hours by the time one guest stays. That is how many times each seat turns in a day.
• We multiply seats by turns to get the most customers you could serve. We multiply that by the average check to get the most sales you could take.
• We divide your actual daily sales by that maximum to get how full you are. We cap it at 100%. Above that, one of your inputs is wrong.
• The maximum is a ceiling, not a target. Real rooms rarely seat every chair: a table for four often seats two, and a 60 to 70% figure is a strong day for a restaurant.
• Empty seats cost the gap between the maximum and your actual sales, at your current average check. Raising the check moves this number as much as filling seats does.

Common questions

How do I calculate restaurant capacity?

Divide your open hours by the time one guest stays to get turns per seat. Multiply by your seats for the most customers a day. Multiply by the average check for the most sales a day.

What is a good capacity utilization for a restaurant?

For a full-service restaurant, a steady 60 to 70% is strong. Quick service runs higher, fine dining lower. Compare against your own last month, not against a venue with a different room and a different menu.

What is a normal table turnaround time?

About 45 minutes for quick service, 60 to 90 for casual dining, 120 or more for fine dining. Use the time you see in your own room, not the booking slot length. They are not the same number.

The calculator says I am 100% full. Is that right?

Almost certainly not. It means your daily sales are higher than the maximum, so one input is off. Check the average check and the time per guest first.

Does this capacity calculator work for a salon or clinic?

Yes. Enter chairs or beds as seats, and the time one appointment takes as the time per guest. The math is the same.

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