Activity-based costing in restaurants
1. Introduction
Interest in cost and management accounting practices in the restaurant industry is rising (Raab et al., 2009; Annaraud et al., 2008). Pavesic (1985) has initiated research in pricing and cost accounting for restaurants, introducing the concept of profit factor
(PF) in menu engineering (ME). Prior studies, such as the one presented in Chan and
Au (1998) investigate the implications of not incorporating overhead costs in menu-item profitability analyses in restaurants in Hong Kong. Since then, a number of researchers have examined the application of contemporary cost and management accounting techniques, and particularly activity-based costing (ABC) in a restaurant
environment
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To this end Kaplan and Cooper (1998) suggest that service companies are ideal candidates for ABC. One reason for this is that in the services industry a great percentage of total cost is labour cost and processes are highly variant (Kostakis et al.,
2008). Studies have shown the possible use and potential benefits of ABC in the hotel industry (Kostakis et al., 2011; Berts and Kock, 1995; Noone and Griffin, 1999).
New techniques assisting large-scale ABC implementation have also been developed in recent years (Kaplan and Anderson, 2004).
The restaurant industry is facing great challenges today, mainly due to the highly competitive environment and the diverse needs of the customers. Restaurants have to achieve a balance between serving these needs, and pricing their menu items to achieve adequate profitability levels (Raab et al., 2009).Traditional costing systemsand simplistic pricing approaches were very popular within the restaurant industry. Overhead cost and operating expenses were usually excluded and prices were a function of food cost, as well as customer demand, historical prices and other factors. This method has the evident disadvantage of leading to misleading information about individual menu items.
Research
Southwest Airlines is a company that is known for its low ticket prices and profitability despite the highly risky industry in which it operates. This essay examines the cost behavior, cost volume profit (CVP), activity based costing (ABC), budgeting process, costing and decision making policies of the firm. The essay will discuss how the airline integrates these concepts in its daily operations.
2. What is the total cost? How much of the total cost are labor costs? Capital costs?
In 1981, labour costs in the plants, which made up approximately 25% of total cost of production in each plant, with the exception of Vancouver, were as follows:
Overhead costs are not in proportion to the production output because of the method they are using. This leads to inaccurate pricing and costing decisions. An Activity Based Costing System would help find the real relationship between the products produced and overhead.
By Thomas Ahrens (London School of Economics), and Christopher Chapman (University of Oxford), from The Contemporary Accounting Research Vol. 21 No. 2 (Summer 2004) pp. 271–301.
In our analysis, we compared the profits earned by 60 Crusty Dough Pizza Company restaurants to factors associated to their menu, amenities, services, and statistics regarding the restaurant communities. The factors that we analyzed are listed in Table 1.
Glaser Health Products of Ranier Falls, Georgia needs assistance in evaluating and classifying costs in order to implement an activity-based costing system. As stated in the case, these costs will be used for planning and control decisions rather than inventory valuation. The activity-based costing system will provide better allocation of Glaser’s overhead costs rather than a system to look at the cost drivers or the activities that their overhead costs comprise. Glaser’s general structure of an activity-based costing model should consist of cost
As previously mentioned, the use of activity-based costing gives Kemps an advantage when competing for customers in an ever more competitive and growing market. However, the ability to succinctly distinguish how many small changes, when taken together, can have a large impact on cost savings (and therefore profit), is necessary in order to convince customers who may not be familiar with the many benefits of ABC. Mainly, management would want to demonstrate how the cost savings that they enjoy are ultimately passed on to their customers, perhaps by showing some of the improvements that have been made to their own company as a result of implementation, specifically focusing on advancements that would have a direct impact on the customer’s business.
Budget development should consider future changes that might influence the operation (Payne-Palacio & Theis, 2015, P.473). Not only budgeting, managers make decisions regarding service, product and performance evaluation in order to provide high-quality service. The active communication within customers and departments, training program and implementation of technology innovation is aimed to ensure the quality of service and product. A good menu design makes the operation more efficient and effective by considering the work process and sanitation in advance. This could help ensure the quality of the
Q3. How were the limitations of the existing cost system overcome by the ABC Cost System? What are the implications of the ABC system?
Operating expenses includes production costs, such as direct labor, indirect labor, inventory carrying costs, equipment depreciation, materials and supplies used in production, and administrative cost. This was not happening at Alex’s plant. His inventories had increased over the past six or seven months and operational expense also increased. This meant he had a lot of work to do to keep his plant open and he was now aware of it.
INTRODUCTION Businesses – from manufacturing, merchandising and service industries alike – take careful consideration in the analysis of their costing systems in order to be able to set up competitive prices in the market. Misallocation of costs may lead to incorrect price estimates, continuous production of unprofitable products, and ineffective processing schedules. In this case study, we will discuss the costing methods which Zauner Ornaments have used or is currently using and, in conclusion, be able to distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of each costing method. CASE CONTEXT The case seeks to assist Zauner’s comptroller, Yu Chia-yi, in determining the best costing method for their overhead costs. In addition we also aim to
What are factors influence to customer purchase behavioral? How is good management system impact to employee performance delivery high quality service?
complex. The basic objective here is that of taking the cost of expected production operations in the
Cause: never owned restaurant before, budget, must factor in: time of preparation, time of labor, amount of dishes sold, different profit by type of dinner