¿Cuánto te cuestan las horas extras?

Cómo Calcular los Costos de Horas Extras en un Restaurante

Overtime is one of the biggest hidden costs in the restaurant industry. Studies show that restaurants spend an average of 10-15% of their total payroll on overtime, though most owners believe the number is under 5%.

The Overtime Cost Formula

The basic formula for calculating overtime costs:

For example, if an employee earning $15/hr works 46 hours instead of 40 at 1.5x overtime:

Why Overtime Kills Restaurant Profits

5 Ways to Reduce Overtime

1. Accurate demand forecasting — schedule shifts based on historical foot traffic patterns
2. Cross-training — employees who can fill multiple roles give you scheduling flexibility
3. Automated scheduling — use scheduling apps like Shifty to plan shifts clearly and keep your team organized
4. Split shifts — replace one long shift with two shorter ones during peak and off-peak
5. Real-time monitoring — track employee hours throughout the week, not just at payroll time

Overtime Laws You Should Know

Under the federal FLSA, overtime is required after 40 hours per week at 1.5x the regular rate. However, some states have stricter rules:

• California — overtime kicks in after 8 hours per day (not just 40/week), and double time after 12 hours
• Colorado — similar daily overtime rules (after 12 hours)
• Alaska — overtime after 8 hours/day for businesses with 4+ employees

Our calculator uses customizable thresholds and multipliers so you can match your local labor laws.