The tool estimates whole staff equivalents. Part-time schedules and overtime require a separate staffing plan.
Try this with your own numbersFormula and worked example
Required staff = ceiling(sales × hours per sale / (hours available × utilization))
| Input | Example |
|---|---|
| Monthly sales target | 100 |
| Labour hours per cover | 6 |
| Available monthly hours per staff member | 160 |
| Billable utilization | 70 % |
| Calculated result | 6 staff |
Choose reliable inputs
Track purchased quantities, usable yield, labour and waste before deciding on a selling price. For this restaurant calculation, use recipe sheets, supplier invoices and stock counts and a consistent definition of one cover.
- Ingredients: include the portion belonging to this cover or reporting period, and record where the value came from.
- Service labour: include the portion belonging to this cover or reporting period, and record where the value came from.
- Facility overhead: include the portion belonging to this cover or reporting period, and record where the value came from.
Use the same currency for every money input. Do not mix weekly costs with monthly revenue, or count the same expense in both an itemised cost and allocated overhead.
Why round staff demand up?
The tool estimates whole staff equivalents. Part-time schedules and overtime require a separate staffing plan.
Assumes matching skills and smooth demand; shift timing may require more staff.
What if this input changes?
If monthly sales target rises by 10%, this example changes by 0 staff. This shows the effect of one change; it does not predict what will happen.
Open the calculator, save your baseline, then change the input supported by the least reliable estimate in your records. Compare both scenarios before committing to a price or capacity promise.