September 2022

6 Free Calculators To Make Restaurant Calculations Easy

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June 19, 2024

If you had a nickel for every time you had to calculate something in the restaurant business, you could retire comfortably. Crunching numbers is a big part of owning a restaurant, however, so it’s a necessary duty. But if you want to save money, there are a handful of free calculators you can get online.


Below, you’ll find a guide to where you can find those calculators and how to make the most out of them.

Vacation pay calculator.

A vacation pay calculator will let you know how much you owe an employee for their paid time off (PTO). These calculators — some of the more basic calculators you can get online — take the vacation time your employees have accrued, multiplying it by their hourly rate. are.


Naturally, employees expect to get paid for the vacation time they earn. For many people, this time is the only opportunity they get to take an extended weekend. Without vacation time, employees are more likely to burn out, causing quality issues.


TimeSheets has a good free vacation pay calculator you can use, allowing you to calculate for both hourly and salaried employees. 

Online payroll calculator.

Online payroll calculators give you the tools necessary to calculate someone’s payroll. Payroll calculators like this will take the hourly rate and multiply it by the number of hours below the overtime rate the employee has worked. These calculators usually also provide information on taxes.


As much as employees enjoy paid vacation time, they take for granted they will be paid accurately for the hours they work. Confirming those hours lets you keep your employees paid and happy. It also means you will be meeting government regulations on paying your employees the wages in their contract.


PayrollGuru is one free online payroll calculator app that you can use on your phone. This payroll calculator contains a breakdown on all 50 states. You can also find different settings depending on the deductions you can take. 

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CRA online payroll calculator.

A CRA online payroll calculator calculates payroll rates and taxes specifically for the Canadian Revenue Agency. These calculators take the payroll deduction formulas based on territorial, provincial, and federal guidelines. CRA calculators allow your employees to create a temporary statement of earnings.


CRA calculators are of no use outside of Canada. If you try to use them to calculate your United States taxes, you’ll find them ineffective. However, they can be handy tools to estimate the payroll on a case-by-case basis.


The official Government of Canada website has a Payroll Deductions Online Calculator (PDOC). This works as a free CRA online payroll calculator that you can share with your employees. However, this PDOC only works outside of Quebec. You’ll need to go to this other link if you want a free CRA online payroll calculator for Quebec

Overtime calculator.

An overtime calculator will help you calculate the rate of overtime pay and the relevant tax rates. Most overtime calculators are for employee use, meaning that restaurant owners will need to think backwards when paying overtime. 


In many countries, overtime pay is a legal requirement. Typically, overtime starts after someone exceeds 40 hours a week. However, some states and provinces allow for bi-weekly overtime limits of 80 hours. Refer to your local guidelines for more information. 


Overtime is often calculated at time and a half. This means if you work for $50 an hour, your overtime rate is $75 —1.5 times the hourly rate. Salaried employees do not get overtime but might have special opportunities for earning extra vacation time. 


For a free overtime calculator that works for everyone, Omni Calculator has you covered. It allows you to insert data that varies depending on your location. As a result, it’s pretty flexible. 

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Payroll deductions calculator.

A payroll deductions calculator allows you to find out the tax deductions you can take out regarding payroll. These deductions include retirement contributions, insurance, income taxes, and various state, provincial, or city taxes. Your payroll deductions vary heavily depending on where you live. 


Required payroll deductions differ depending on your country. In the United States, you need to pay social security taxes at a bare minimum. Other required and conditional deductions include 401(k) contributions, wage garnishments, health insurance, and child support payments. 


In Canada, your required payroll deductions include employment insurance, federal income tax, pension plan contributions, and whatever the local provinces and territories require. 


Deductions include a combination of pre-tax and post-tax contributions. To estimate them, you can use the free payroll deductions calculator on 360 Financial Literacy. 


Tip calculator.

A tip calculator for restaurant business owners calculates the amount of taxes that you need to pay on tips. Depending on where you live, tips are taxed differently than income. Because restaurant servers often receive tips, it’s important to distinguish between hourly wages and tips in your calculation. 


In the United States, tips are considered a part of income. Because of this, servers typically end up being paid below the minimum wage. Owners justify this by saying that the other half of their paycheck comes from tips. In Canada, on the other hand, servers make minimum wage. 


Despite this, tips are considered a part of income. So, for employees who report this income, it falls under the standard payroll calculator you can find above. However, owners need to consider how sales tax fluctuates depending on how much money they receive for a sale. 


If you are looking for a free tip calculator that considers how sales tax changes as a result, SaleCalc provides some good data. 

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How can I automate payroll calculations?

Using payroll software that automates your calculations can help you save money and time. This prevents you from needing to hire additional staff or wasting time on payroll. Instead, you can leave those calculations to systems that do it for you. 


Push Operations is a complete tool for automating your payroll process. If you don’t want to waste your time with seven free tools, you can use one complete tool. Rather than jumping between different locations, you can go to a single dashboard. 


Push Operations also provides additional tools for HR, employee onboarding, and scheduling. For a complete solution to everything you need to manage your employees, check out Push Operations today. 

canadian payroll guide

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The food and hospitality industry is entering a transformative era in 2024 — driven by consumer demand for transparency, health, environmental responsibility, and a touch of culinary innovation. Diners are more informed, adventurous, and values-driven than ever before. Whether it’s a craving for Korean-BBQ tacos, gut-friendly mocktails, or carbon-labeled menus, today’s customers are embracing trends that combine personal wellness with global consciousness.

For restaurant owners and foodservice managers, keeping pace with the latest food trends is more than a matter of creativity — it’s a necessity for profitability and long-term success. This guide explores the top food trends for 2024, from plant-based innovations to tech-forward sustainability practices, and how operators can successfully integrate them into their businesses.

Let’s dig into what’s trending, what your customers want, and how your restaurant can stay ahead.

What Are the Top Food Trends for 2024?

Here’s a snapshot of the most impactful food trends shaping menus and operations in 2024:

  • Plant-based innovations – Beyond tofu: think cultivated meats, mushroom mycelium, and chickpea-based seafood substitutes.
  • Climate-conscious menus – Locally sourced, low-waste, and forward-thinking menus aligned with environmental responsibility.
  • Functional wellness foods – Ingredients that support mood, energy, and immunity are being infused into dishes and drinks.
  • Tech-driven dining experiences – AI tools, robotics, and smart systems are elevating back-of-house efficiency and customer-facing dining.
  • Global flavor fusions – Mashups of regional cuisines (like Indian-Mexican or Korean-South American) offer novelty and richness.

Why Do Restaurant Owners Need to Pay Attention to Food Trends?

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  • Consumer demand is shifting: According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2024 Culinary Forecast, over 70% of diners say they actively seek healthier, more sustainable options when dining out.
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  • Increased brand loyalty: Restaurants that align with customer values — health, ethics, innovation — earn trust, repeat visits, and social shares.
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  • Operational agility: Trend-oriented kitchens are quicker to pivot when supply chains shift, diets evolve, or digital preferences change.
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Which Foods Are Trending This Year Across the U.S.?

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Rise of Plant-Based Food Trends

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  • Cultivated meats: Also known as lab-grown meats, these are becoming mainstream. Brands like UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat are breaking into U.S. markets with chicken grown from animal cells in controlled environments.
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  • Mycoproteins & legumes: Derived from fungi or pulses, protein-rich alternatives like tempeh, jackfruit, and lupin are being used creatively in tacos, BBQ ribs, and seafood analogs.
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  • Mainstream adoption: Major chains like Burger King and Chipotle continue expanding plant-forward menus, while independents offer bold meatless dishes with flavor-forward sauces, global spices, and satisfying textures.
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Healthy Food Trends for 2024

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  • Gut health focus: Probiotic-rich dishes (kimchi grilled cheese or sourdough naan wraps) and fermented sides are on the rise.
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  • Lower-sugar desserts: Sweet treats are being reimagined with monk fruit, dates, and other low-glycemic ingredients.
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  • Immunity boosters: Menus highlight ingredients like turmeric, ginger, vitamin C, and zinc through smoothies, teas, and power bowls.
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  • Clean-label commitment: Consumers are studying ingredient lists, preferring dishes with wholesome, recognizable components.
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Functional Foods and Beverages

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  • Nootropic-infused drinks: Beverages powered by L-theanine or functional mushrooms cater to focus and calm.
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  • Adaptogenic add-ons: Herbs like ashwagandha, maca, and rhodiola are finding their way into smoothies, lattes, and sauces.
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  • Wellness cocktails: Mixed drinks sans alcohol — but heavy on health — promote detox and energy, flavored with botanicals and natural extracts like spirulina, matcha, and activated charcoal.
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How Are Sustainable Food Trends Shaping the Industry?

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From Menu to Sourcing: The Push Toward Sustainability

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  • Local and seasonal sourcing: Supporting nearby farms reduces emissions, ensures freshness, and appeals to community-minded consumers.
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  • Zero-waste operations: Chefs are using root-to-stem cooking, fermentation for food preservation, and creative uses for scraps in sauces or stocks.
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  • Eco-conscious packaging: Compostable containers, reusable to-go kits, and edible cutlery are disrupting traditional takeout models.
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Tech and Innovation in Sustainable Dining

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  • Carbon labeling: Climate impact scores on menus help customers make informed dining decisions, much like calorie counts.
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  • AI-driven inventory management: Tools optimize ordering patterns, reducing spoilage and overstock-related waste.
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  • Vertical farming & hydroponic setups: Onsite or bordered supply chains shorten the farm-to-table journey.
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What Is the Most Popular Food Trend Right Now?

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While many trends are gaining traction, one standout in 2024 is the rise of global comfort fusion — particularly dishes that marry traditional comfort food with spicy, umami-rich flavors.

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  • Korean-Mexican cuisine: Think birria bulgogi tacos or kimchi queso.
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  • Indian-South American mashups: Curried empanadas or tandoori arepas are headline grabbers.
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  • TikTok’s viral influence: Trends like \“chili crisp eggs\” or \“pickle sushi\” are being adapted on local menus, proving that social virality turns into real-world demand.
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How Social Media Is Driving Food Trend Adoption

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Role of Social Media in Accelerating Food Fads

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  • Influencer credibility: A single post from a viral chef or creator can spark national interest in a dish.
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  • Hashtag virality: Foods labeled #ButterBoard or #WaterTok evolve into week-long waitlists and menu must-haves.
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  • User-generated content: Diners love documenting quirky, beautiful, or “you’ve-never-seen-this-before” dishes to share online.
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Leveraging Food Trends for Restaurant Marketing

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  • Seasonal menus & pop-ups: Limited-time offerings based on trending foods motivate urgency and trial.
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  • Social callouts: Encourage diners to tag, post, or review your trend-forward menu items.
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  • Reels and behind-the-scenes content: Show viewers where your ingredients come from or how a niche global dish is made.
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Global and Fusion Food Trends to Watch

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  • Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei) flavors: Featuring citrusy ceviches with umami-rich miso and soy glazes.
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  • West African influences: Dishes using jollof rice, egusi stew, or fonio grain paired with plant-based elements.
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  • Filipino-American blends: Adobo-braised brisket sandwiches or ube milkshakes have mainstream momentum.
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Tips for Implementing 2024 Food Trends in Your Restaurant

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  • Test with limited-time offers (LTOs): Introduce a trending ingredient as a weekly special or seasonal dish to measure interest.
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  • Survey your customers: Use email lists or POS systems to gather input on potential additions.
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  • Train your staff: Equip them with the knowledge and enthusiasm to explain functional or sustainable items.
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  • Work with specialized suppliers: Align with local farmers, health-focused vendors, or zero-waste packaging providers for smoother execution.
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Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead of the Curve with 2024’s Food Trends

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Adapting to food trends in 2024 isn’t about chasing every new idea — it’s about identifying the trends that align with your market, values, and culinary identity. Plant-based options, sustainability, global flavors, and wellness-centric dining aren’t just appealing — they’re economically vital.

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Restaurants that act early — leveraging data, culture, and digital ecosystems — will attract today’s health-conscious, eco-aware diner and become tomorrow’s industry leaders.

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Ready to Lead the Industry with Smarter Menu Strategies?

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2024 promises bold innovations in food — and your restaurant can thrive by embracing the right trends. Whether you’re scaling functional drinks, reducing kitchen waste, or jumping on the next viral fusion dish, the right tools can help you act faster and smarter.

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Subscribe to the Push blog for expert insights on restaurant operations, emerging food trends, and next-gen hospitality technology. Stay ahead — serve success.

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Internal Links

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External Sources

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  • National Restaurant Association 2024 Culinary Forecast
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  • Technomic’s 2024 Foodservice Trends Report
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  • Mintel Functional Food Trends Analysis 2024
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