15 Most Profitable Breakfast Items

According to a General Mills Foodservice-commissioned poll, 62% of Americans say breakfast is their favorite meal of the day. With breakfast foods being so popular, adding a few to your menu makes good business sense. If you’re not sure which are best, this list of the 15 most profitable breakfast items will help you select money-making dishes for your restaurant or diner so you can maximize your bottom line.

Eggs 

Eggs are quick and easy to prepare as well as relatively inexpensive, making them one of the most profitable breakfast items on a restaurant or diner’s menu. Although egg-based dishes like omelettes, frittatas and quiches are must-haves, make sure the side dishes section of your menu includes an “add an egg” option so you can charge guests a high markup on each egg.

Pancakes & Waffles 

Made with simple and inexpensive batters and sold at a good markup, pancakes and waffles are money-making menu items that are also extremely delicious and popular with customers. If you want to increase their profitability even more, offer a variety of mix-ins like nuts and chocolate chips, as well as toppings like whipped cream and real maple syrup, at an additional cost.

French Toast 

Although French toast with powdered sugar and maple syrup is a classic, try offering premium versions made with brioche, stuffed with Nutella or topped with fresh fruit as well. Not only can you charge a better markup on these fancier versions, but they’re also very photogenic, encouraging diners to share photos on social media and promote your menu online for free.

Plain Toast 

Even though toast is possibly one of the simplest items on a breakfast diner’s menu, it can be one of the most profitable because it’s so fast and inexpensive to make. Most guests are going to expect at least 1 pad of butter or jam/jelly at no cost, but charging extra for fancier toppings like avocado, peanut butter or Nutella can increase your money-making potential significantly.

Biscuits 

Biscuits are an often overlooked bread option that has good money-making potential. Even though they’re inexpensive to make because they’re mostly just flour and fat, most customers see biscuits as a novelty. So, whether you serve biscuits as a side or in a sandwich, you can get away with charging a higher price than for other breakfast breads like rolls or English muffins.

Potatoes 

According to a RestaurantDive.com article, adding potatoes to your menu can greatly increase your profitability because they’re so inexpensive and versatile. Even though hash browns and home fries are low-cost sides that are sure to sell well, you can also use potatoes in breakfast burritos and skillets if you want to bulk up the portion–and price–without much extra cost.

Fruit Bowls 

If you’re looking to add nutritious options to your breakfast menu, don’t forget about fruit bowls and cups. They’re delicious as a wholesome side, fresh snack or even low-calorie dessert, so demand is sure to be high. People are willing to pay a bit more for healthy food, so charge accordingly.

Donuts & Pastries 

Donuts and pastries can be big money-makers for a restaurant or café. Most breakfast treats like eclairs, muffins and croissants have similar ingredients, making it easier to buy in bulk and save money. Also, since coffee and pastry is a classic combo, you can promote these two items together, the higher bill total increasing your profitability without having to serve more guests.

Bacon & Sausage 

With yearly bacon and sausage sales totaling $6.3 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, these breakfast meats should be on your menu. Although they’re great as a side, you can also serve bacon and sausage on sandwiches or in omelettes. If an item doesn’t normally come with bacon or sausage, add a note to the menu stating that guests can add some for an additional charge.

Burritos & Wraps 

Entire restaurant chains have been built on burritos, so expanding your menu by adding a breakfast version is sure to be a success. While most diners will expect ingredients like eggs, bacon, chorizo, and cheese to be included in the price, charging extra for sour cream, salsa and guacamole is an easy way to make your breakfast burritos and wraps even more profitable.

Bagels 

For the morning crowd that’s in a rush, bagels are perfect. While plain bagels can be delicious, many customers are going to want theirs with cream cheese, so be sure to offer a range of options like vegetable and strawberry in single-portion cups and charge for each packet: this will increase your profit margin on bagels significantly.

Coffee

One of the most profitable items in a café, coffee is high-margin, low-overhead and in-demand, making it perfect for your breakfast menu. In addition to basic black coffee, consider adding mixed drinks like cappuccinos and lattes since customers are willing to pay an even higher markup for fancier options.

Juices  

More and more customers are looking for healthier options, so it should be no surprise that restaurants can expect a 50-70% gross margin on juice. Besides traditional flavors like apple, orange and grape, offer a few others like mango and pomegranate to make things interesting. Or, try mixing them together to make your own juice cocktails: those are sure to be a hit.

Smoothies 

Like juice, smoothies are another healthy item that’s very profitable because of the high margin and low overhead. Although fruit is the most important ingredient, don’t forget about mix-ins like peanut butter, protein powder and chia seeds because charging more for these extras can make selling smoothies at your breakfast diner even more lucrative.

Alcoholic Drinks 

Cocktails like mimosas, sangria, screwdrivers and Bloody Marys can be big money-makers for your restaurant. Not only are these some of the most profitable cocktails because of the inexpensive ingredients and high markup, but also because they help create a relaxing atmosphere that encourages guests to stay in your restaurant or café longer and order more.