Average order value (AOV): the formula, and how restaurants raise it
Updated October 20, 2026
Average order value (AOV) is the average amount a customer spends per order: total revenue divided by the number of orders. In a dining room the same number is called the average check or average ticket. A restaurant that took $9,000 from 450 orders last month has an AOV of $20.
In short
- AOV = revenue ÷ orders, for the same period and the same set of orders.
- Decide what "revenue" means before you compare months: with or without tax, tips and delivery fees.
- Compare like with like: delivery, takeout and dine-in usually have very different AOVs.
- On Menuthere the Analytics screen shows revenue, orders and average order value for any period, on every plan.
The formula
AOV = total revenue ÷ number of orders
Two choices change the answer:
- Which orders count. Leave out cancelled orders and unpaid online checkouts. Decide whether orders still in progress count.
- What's in "revenue." Order totals include tax, delivery charges and tips; food sales don't. For tracking your menu, food sales after discounts is the cleaner number. For cash flow, totals are fine. Just don't mix them.
A worked month
| All order totals | Food only (after discounts) | |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $9,000 | $7,560 |
| Of which sales tax | $630 | — |
| Of which delivery charges | $585 | — |
| Of which tips | $225 | — |
| Orders | 450 | 450 |
| AOV | $20.00 | $16.80 |
Both are "the AOV," and they differ by $3.20 per order. A month where more people order delivery will show a higher total-based AOV even if nobody ordered more food. (Illustrative figures.)
AOV by channel
| Channel | Orders | Revenue | AOV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery | 180 | $4,320 | $24.00 |
| Takeout | 150 | $2,550 | $17.00 |
| Dine-in (QR) | 120 | $2,130 | $17.75 |
| All | 450 | $9,000 | $20.00 |
If delivery's share grows, the overall AOV goes up with no change in what any one customer orders, so watch AOV per channel. (Illustrative.)
Five ways to raise average order value
- Paid options inside the dish. Sizes and add-ons ("add avocado +$1.50"). See menu modifiers.
- A pairing suggestion. A drink or side suggested when a main goes in the cart. See upselling.
- A free-delivery threshold set just above your current delivery AOV. See free delivery threshold.
- Offers tied to spend. A free dessert above a set amount, or a BOGO on items people share.
- A minimum order for delivery, where small orders cost more to deliver than they earn.
AOV is one half of revenue; the other is how many orders you get. Pair it with conversion rate and customer lifetime value.
How Menuthere shows average order value
- The Analytics tiles. Total revenue, Orders, Avg. order value and Menu scans for Today, This Month or a custom date range. Avg. order value is revenue divided by orders.
- Which orders count. Choose Completed only or All except cancelled; the second also counts orders in progress and leaves out cancelled and unpaid online orders.
- What revenue includes. Total revenue adds up order totals, so it includes tax and charges and takes off discounts. Use it consistently month to month.
- By order type. The Order types card splits orders and amounts into Delivery, Takeaway and Dine-in, so you can work out AOV per channel.
- Per customer. The customer list (Lite) shows Avg order per customer and Avg amount per customer, and each customer's own average order.
- On every plan; downloading a report as Excel starts on Lite. Help: sales analytics.
What it doesn't do: the AOV tile has no switch to leave out tax or delivery charges. For a food-only AOV, download the Excel report (Lite), which lists every order, and work it out there.
See your revenue, orders and average order value from day one. 0% commission.
Related terms
- Upselling: the quickest lever on AOV.
- Free delivery threshold: a checkout nudge set from your AOV.
- Customer lifetime value: AOV times how often and how long a customer orders.
- Conversion rate: the share of visits that become orders.
FAQs
What is average order value in a restaurant?
Average order value is the average amount spent per order over a period, worked out as total revenue divided by the number of orders. In a dining room it is often called the average check or average ticket.
How do you calculate average order value?
Divide total revenue by the number of orders for the same period. For example, $9,000 from 450 orders is an AOV of $20. Leave out cancelled orders, and decide whether revenue includes tax, tips and delivery fees.
Is average order value the same as average check?
They measure the same thing. Average check is the dining-room term, usually per table or guest check, while average order value is used more for online orders. Both are revenue divided by the number of orders or checks.
Should AOV include tax and delivery fees?
Either works if you are consistent. Including them shows what customers pay; leaving them out shows what your menu earns. A shift toward delivery raises a total-based AOV without anyone ordering more food.
Where can I see my average order value on Menuthere?
On the Analytics screen, which shows total revenue, orders and average order value for today, this month or any date range. It is on every plan, including Free.
Sources (3)
- Menuthere help: Sales analytics, updated 10 Oct 2026 (tiles Total revenue, Orders, Avg. order value, Menu scans; Avg. order value is revenue divided by orders; Total revenue includes tax and charges; Completed only / All except cancelled; Order types card): https://menuthere.com/docs/analytics/sales-analytics (accessed 20 Oct 2026)
- Menuthere help: Your customer list, updated 6 Oct 2026 (Avg order per customer, Avg amount per customer; starts on Lite): https://menuthere.com/docs/customers/your-customer-list (accessed 20 Oct 2026)
- Menuthere help: A customer's history (Average order per customer): https://menuthere.com/docs/customers/a-customers-history (accessed 20 Oct 2026)