Reporting Explained: Food Cost Actual by Item
Use this report to analyze the actual cost of goods sold (COGS) for items over a defined period. It helps you:
- Understand true item-level costs
- Compare cost against sales
- Identify margin and profitability trends
Accurate results depend on completing core workflows such as invoicing and physical inventory.
Standard Reports >F&B > Food Cost
The Actual By Item report calculates item-level costs using:
- A starting physical inventory
- An ending physical inventory
The report shows:
- Actual usage cost
- Optional retail sales
- Actual cost percentage
The selected inventory range defines the reporting period.
Generate the report
- Go to Reports > Standard Reports
- Open F&B > Food Cost
- Select Actual By Item
- Select:
- Starting Physical Inventory
- Ending Physical Inventory
- Click Generate
Filters
-
Physical Inventory Range (Required)
Select two committed physical inventories -
Only Show Items Counted (Optional)
Limits results to items included in the physical inventory
| Column | Description | Formula / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| COGS | Assigned COGS account | “Not Set” indicates no account assigned |
| Level | Item level structure | Used for reporting |
| Vendor | Primary vendor assigned to the item | — |
| Starting Cost | Cost of beginning inventory | Based on purchase cost |
| Purchasing Adjustments Cost | Cost impact of purchasing-related adjustments | Quantity × calculated cost at transaction date (not vendor price) |
| Ending Cost | Cost of ending inventory | Based on purchase cost |
| Actual Usage Cost | Total cost of items used during the period | Starting Cost + Purchasing Adjustments Cost − Ending Cost |
| Retail Sales | Total sales value of items | Quantity × (POS Retail − POS Discounts) |
| Actual Cost % | Cost as a percentage of sales | Actual Usage Cost ÷ Retail Sales |
Tips
- Commit all invoices and adjustments before running the report
- Verify POS mapping and sales data for accurate retail values
- Run after completing a full physical inventory cycle
Related Articles
Reporting Explained: Actual Vs Theoretical
Use this report to compare expected (theoretical) inventory usage to actual usage over a defined period. It helps identify: Shrinkage or waste Recipe or portioning issues Missing transactions (invoices, sales, or adjustments) Accurate results depend ...Reporting Explained: Summary By Period
The Inventory Summary by Period report provides an overview of inventory activity for a selected date and time range. It shows the starting inventory cost, all inventory movements during the period, and the ending inventory cost. Reports > Standard ...Reporting Explained: Food Cost by COGS Department/Category
The Food Cost by COGS Department report shows food cost summarized by COGS department. Use this report to compare inventory costs with sales revenue and monitor food cost performance by department. Reports > Standard Reports > F&B > Food Cost > COGS ...Reporting Explained: Cost Reporting- COGS Detail
The COGS Reporting report helps food and beverage (F&B) customers track inventory costs. It provides a detailed breakdown of Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) accounts and shows how costs relate to: Sales Purchases Physical inventories Manual adjustments Use ...Reporting Explained: Cost Reporting- Inventory Detailed Usage by COGS Account
The Usage Cost report shows the cost of inventory usage during a selected period. It includes detailed costs related to: Manual adjustments Invoices (received items) Returns to vendors Issued and accepted transfers Use this report to understand how ...
Popular Articles
How To: Find Your Yellow Dog Inventory Version
Understanding which version of Yellow Dog Inventory you're using is essential when exploring new features, as some enhancements and functionalities are specific to certain versions. All client types can benefit from knowing their Yellow Dog Inventory ...Feature Overview: Par & Re-Order Points
Par levels and reorder points help streamline purchasing in Yellow Dog. Par level is the ideal quantity to keep on hand. Reorder point is the minimum quantity that triggers reordering. You can update par and reorder points in the following locations: ...Tips & Tricks: How do I download and install drivers for my Zebra Printer?
**As a note: Admin rights will be required to complete this task. If you do not have admin rights on your PC, please contact your IT for assistance** ZD410 Desktop Printer Support Site 1. Navigate to Drivers: 2. Select Zdesigner V. 5 Driver for ...How To: Swap the On-Hand/Parent Size (Edit Base Unit)
When managing items with multiple sizes, it’s essential to configure them correctly. The on-hand/parent size should always represent the base unit or smallest measurement, while additional sizes should be created for purchasing or counting sizes. If ...FAQs: What are Bins?
Question: What are Bins? Answer: Bins are optional location identifiers that specify exactly where an item is stored. You don’t need to create bins in advance. You can assign them: In the Stores tab of the item editor Through a Balto import Bins ...