re: Is there a bigger ripoff in the food industry than $2.79 for a soft drink?

Yeah. That was one of the dumbest things I have seen posted. “We are going to serve 600 people today. Let’s do everything at cost except drinks. We can clear a whole $1400 today!!”

Most sit down chain restaurants have around a 22%-28% food cost unless it is a steakhouse which can get up to 33+%. Pizza places are an exception.

The entrees all have profit but the drinks, appetizers, and desserts are the extras that determine how profitable a restaurant can be. They usually carry a 10% or less food cost. Stores have contests among servers to reward whoever sold the most apps or desserts in a given time frame whether it be a shift , a week, or a month.