What it costs to make
What does it cost to make a burger?
About $2.55–$3.40 in ingredients for a cheeseburger with fries, bought from a delivered distributor.
Cheeseburger + friesEXAMPLE
| Ground beef (chuck)5.5-6.5 ozUSDA National Daily Cutout, Oct 1, 2026 | $1.34–$1.58 |
| Tomato + onion1.25-1.75 ozUSDA terminal market, Oct 1, 2026 | $0.06–$0.20 |
| Bun, cheese, pickles, fries1 bun, 1 oz, 6 ozEXAMPLE reference price | $0.78–$0.93 |
| Market price total | $2.18–$2.71 |
| Bought deliveredEXAMPLE estimate: market price plus a typical delivered markup | $2.55–$3.40 |
| At a $14.00 menu price (EXAMPLE) | 18–24% |
Sources: USDA National Daily Cutout, Oct 1, 2026; USDA terminal market, Oct 1, 2026. Rows marked EXAMPLE use example reference prices.
What moves this number
- Beef weight. Each extra ounce of chuck adds about 24 cents at this USDA price.
- Where you buy. The same bun and fries cost different amounts delivered, at cash and carry, or at the grocery store.
- The fry scoop. A heavy hand on the side adds up across a week of plates. Portion it.
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- Prefilled with the EXAMPLE above at market midpoints. Change any number.
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