What are Average Taproom Net Profits?

This question came up recently: What are average taproom net profits?

The un-satisfying answer is that it depends on a lot of different factors.

However, in this post, we’ll review taproom key metrics so that you have a ballpark look at average taproom net profits.

We’ll also provide you with tools and resources so that you can measure and improve taproom profits in your brewery.

To begin, taproom net profits are calculated by subtracting total operating costs from taproom margins.

Sales – Cost of beer = Gross Margin

Gross Margin – Operating Expenses = Net Profit

The Net Profit dollars are then divided by Sales dollars to arrive at a percentage Net Profit. This is an easy way to compare profitability of one taproom to another, or to compare your expected profit to your plan.

Let’s look at an example…

Your taproom purchases beer from your brewery at $150 per 1/2 barrel.

The 1/2 barrel will yield about 100 16oz pints, and you sell each pint for $6. Total sales on a 1/2 barrel calculate to $600.

$600 Sales – $150 Cost of Sales = $450 Gross Margin per 1/2 barrel

To get to Net Profit, deduct operating expenses from the gross margin.

Operating expenses are the day-to-day costs to run your taproom. These include lease costs, wages, taxes, utilities and so on.

Costs will vary greatly from one taproom to another, but for our example we’ll assume operating costs of 30% of sales

30% x $600 Sales = $180 Operating Expenses per 1/2 barrel

So, after all of these numbers, we’ve arrived at an average taproom net profit:

$450 Margin – $180 Operating Expenses = $270 Net Profit per 1/2 barrel

The $270 Net Profit divided by $600 in Sales gives us a 45% Net Profit percentage.

Average Net Profit for a Taproom will depend on a number of factors. Sales, Margins and Operating Expenses are the ingredients that make up Net Profit, and each will influence the bottom line.

For more numbers and metrics, check out this post on taproom profits.

If you want to increase Sales and Net Profits in your Taproom, check out the Online Course: How to Boost Taproom Profits. The course is yours free with your annual subscription. 

Already an Annual Subscriber? Head over to the Online Courses section for unlimited access to all the Craft Brewery Financial Training resources.

Yours in Taproom Profits,

Kary