What are the Average Restaurant Sales per Month by Category?

Breaking down average restaurant sales per month gives restaurant owners, managers, and investors a clearer view of how the business is performing. This goes beyond merely tracking numbers. It’s about using those numbers to make better decisions. 

Sales performance shifts based on many factors, from restaurant type to customer habits. In this article, we’ll break down what these sales look like and how you can use the insights to grow and improve your restaurant. 

UNDERSTANDING AVERAGE RESTAURANT SALES 

As the term suggests, average restaurant sales per month show how much revenue a restaurant brings in over a one-month period. This number helps owners understand performance by revealing their actual revenue over time and is a good starting point for making informed business decisions. 

To calculate it, total your sales for a month. Break it down by category to see which areas drive the most revenue. You can also look at averages over several months to spot patterns and smooth out any one-off spikes or dips. 

Several factors impact monthly sales. Important ones include the restaurant type, menu pricing, location, and foot traffic. We'll explore these factors in more detail later. 

SALES ANALYSIS BY RESTAURANT CATEGORY 

Monthly sales vary depending on the type of restaurant. A quick-service burger chain won’t bring in the same average restaurant revenue as a high-end steakhouse, for example. Here’s a look at some average sales figures by restaurant category in the U.S.:

• Fast Food Restaurants (or Quick Service Restaurants): Chick-fil-A's standalone restaurants average approximately $9.4 million annually. This translates to over $780,000 per month. 
• Casual Dining Establishments: Olive Garden, a prominent casual dining chain, reported annual revenue of over $5 billion across its U.S. locations in 2024. With 900 locations, the franchise generates an average of more than $5.5 million per restaurant annually. This is approximately $460,000 per month. 
• Fine Dining Restaurants: Specific average monthly sales figures for fine dining establishments are less readily available. However, it's understood that fine dining restaurants typically have higher average checks and lower customer volumes, leading to varying average revenue figures depending on location and reputation. 
• Food Trucks: According to industry data, food trucks in the U.S. have average yearly revenues ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. This equates to around $20,000 to $40,000 per month, depending on factors such as location and events.

Sales are shaped by more than just food quality. Service style, average check size, average income in the area, and customer volume all play a role. Knowing where your restaurant fits enables you to set realistic goals and measure success. 

4 KEY FACTORS INFLUENCING MONTHLY SALES 

Even with excellent menu offerings and steady foot traffic, sales rise or dip depending on various key factors. Some are out of your control but knowing what to expect helps you plan better. These common factors shape your monthly revenue: 

1. Seasonality: Busy times like summer, holidays, or local events can boost revenue. Slower months may need more promotions to keep traffic steady. 
2. Location: Restaurants near offices, schools, or tourist spots tend to see higher volume. A hidden or low-footfall location makes marketing even more important. 
3. Competition: Too many nearby restaurants offering similar food can divide the customer base. Unique selling points (USPs) help you stand out. 
4. Menu Pricing: If higher menu pricing doesn’t reflect value or align with customer expectations, it hurts sales. Regular pricing reviews based on data are key. 

Understanding these factors gives you more control over business planning, forecasting, and setting realistic targets. 

COLLECTING AND ANALYZING SALES DATA 

To improve what you sell, you need to understand your current performance. Tracking your data regularly gives you insight into what’s working and where to improve. 

Start with your restaurant POS system. It’s one of the best tools for capturing real-time data, like gross revenue, top-selling items, peak hours, and average spend per customer. This helps you adjust your menu, pricing, or staffing as needed. 

Customer feedback is just as valuable. Use online reviews, comment cards, or short surveys to learn what guests like and what deters them. 

Don’t forget your inventory tracking system. Strong inventory management shows how much product you’re using, helps spot waste, and flags when popular items are running low.  

When you connect these tools, patterns start to emerge. You’ll see how different parts of the business impact each other and where small changes could drive improvements. 

STRATEGIES TO BOOST MONTHLY SALES  

Once you understand your sales data, it’s time to take action. Even small changes can lead to noticeable results when applied strategically. 

Start with menu engineering. Highlight dishes that bring in higher profit margins and update items that don’t sell. Use photos, descriptions, or placements on the menu to guide customer choices.  

Plan smart promotions and marketing campaigns. Local ads, brand loyalty programs, and limited-time offers can help attract more customers, especially during slower periods. 

Customer service is another way to drive higher sales. A friendly, attentive experience often leads to bigger tips, more return visits, and better reviews. 

Finally, look beyond the dining room. Add new revenue streams like catering, branded merchandise sales, meal kits, or private events. These can increase revenue without needing to increase table turnover. 

You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with one idea, test the impact, and build from there. 

UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY TO TRACK AND INCREASE SALES  

Tech tools give restaurant owners a clearer picture of what’s happening day to day. They also help boost performance over time. 

Your POS platform is more than a restaurant payment system. It tracks sales trends, menu performance, and staff activity. With the right setup, it can help you make faster, data-backed decisions. 

CRM software helps you stay connected to your customers. Use it to track visits, offer promotions, and personalize communication. A loyal customer base spends more, and CRM tools make it easier to bring them back. 

Online ordering platforms and restaurant delivery software open up new revenue streams. They also offer data on order timing, preferences, and peak delivery windows, helping you plan and staff accordingly. 

Together, these tools make it easier to see what’s working and where you can improve. The result? Better service, smarter decisions, and stronger total revenue. 

BENCHMARKING YOUR RESTAURANT AGAINST INDUSTRY STANDARDS 

Knowing how your sales compare to industry averages gives you important context. It lets you see what’s realistic and what needs work. 

Benchmarking goes beyond just hitting a number. Whether you're running a new restaurant or refining an existing one, it’s about spotting gaps and setting smart goals based on real data. Use benchmarks to: 

• Compare your sales to similar restaurant-based businesses in your category. 
• Identify weak areas, like low check averages or slow hours. 
• Set monthly targets tied to industry trends.

Regular benchmarking keeps your strategy grounded. It helps you focus on growth that’s achievable, not just aspirational. 

CASE STUDIES: SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY 

Let’s look at two real-world examples of restaurants that significantly increased their average restaurant sales per month through strategic initiatives. 

MEXICAN RESTAURANT CHAIN DRIVES 21% LIFT 

A national Mexican restaurant chain turned slow months into busy ones using a Paytronix-powered “Instant Win” loyalty promotion. By surprising guests with random rewards like free burritos and tacos, they achieved the following results: 

• 21% more revenue from loyalty members. 
• 8% increase in total sales per month. 
• 30% increase in new loyalty program enrollments. 

The fun, in-store experience kept customers engaged and coming back. 

PIZZA CHAIN BOOSTS LOYALTY SPENDING BY 65% 

To fix slow days, a pizza chain ran a Paytronix-powered dine-in loyalty promo offering timed discounts to registered members. It led to the following success metrics: 

• 65% increase in loyalty spend 
• 84% more loyalty guests 
• 10% higher check sizes 
• 3x increase in new loyalty signups 

A smart reward strategy turned quiet nights into busy, high-earning shifts. 

Key Takeaway: These cases highlight the importance of embracing technology and efficient management practices to drive sales growth in the restaurant industry. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT AVERAGE RESTAURANT SALES PER MONTH 

Still have questions about monthly restaurant revenue? These quick answers cover common questions and help you make sense of the numbers behind the industry. 

What are the average daily sales for a restaurant? 

Average daily sales for a restaurant vary widely based on the type of restaurant, location, and time of year. Busy spots make much more than smaller or slower-paced places. 

How much profit should a restaurant make per month? 

Restaurant profit per month depends on many factors including the restaurant size, labor costs, and menu prices among other aspects. Most aim for a small percentage of sales after covering expenses. Higher revenue doesn’t always mean higher profit. It’s about managing money wisely. 

How much does a small restaurant sell for? 

The selling price of a small restaurant varies significantly based on several factors. It depends on location, equipment, sales history, and brand reputation to name a few. Some sell for tens of thousands and others for much more. 

Why are restaurant profit margins so low? 

Restaurant profit margins are low because operational costs add up fast. Food costs, staff wages, rent, and supplies all take a big chunk, and prices can’t always go up to match. Even a small amount of waste or slow nights hurt profits. That’s why tracking costs and sales is key. 

THE BOTTOM LINE 

Knowing your average monthly sales helps you track performance, set smart goals, and spot areas to improve. It’s not a one-time task. Keep checking your numbers and adjusting as needed. The more you understand your data, the easier it becomes to run a profitable restaurant. 

Ready to grow your restaurant’s revenue? Book a demo and discover how our smart tools turn data into profit.