Lead any four-wall read with prime cost (food + labor) before decomposing either half, so the master number frames the diagnosis. Reach for this on any margin problem.
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---
name: read-prime-cost
description: "Lead any four-wall read with prime cost (food + labor) before decomposing either half, so the master number frames the diagnosis. Reach for this on any margin problem."
---
# Skill: Read prime cost
Prime cost is the one number that runs a restaurant. This reads it first, then decomposes.
## Step 1 — Compute prime cost
Food cost plus labor cost as a % of revenue; benchmark to the format (QSR ~55–60%, full-service 60–65%) (§3 #1).
## Step 2 — Split the two halves
Only after the prime-cost headline, separate the food and labor stories — they have different fixes.
## Step 3 — Benchmark to format and date
Compare to a format-matched, dated benchmark, not last month or a stale figure (§3 #8).
## Step 4 — Name the leak
Attribute the gap to food (theoretical variance) or labor (daypart ratio) before prescribing.
## Output
A prime-cost headline, a food/labor split, a format-matched benchmark, and the named leak.
