Method: a vacant calendar day costs the wage x 40 / 7 hours of cover, counted as the net overtime premium (0.5 x wage). Vacancy costs (overtime, manager time) are modeled for hourly roles only. Replacement costs cover separation, recruiting and training for every role.

Defaults: Black Box Intelligence, State of the Restaurant Workforce 2025 (replacement costs; turnover 110% hourly, 55% managers, also applied to shift leads); BLS OEWS May 2025 line cook wage (USD 18.42); 6 days to fill for LANDED customers against 18 for industry standards (LANDED hiring data). Figures are illustrative and change with your inputs.