How cost estimates change reports

Cover uses dated estimates to compare POS sales and hours with food and staff costs. These are operating measures, not complete profit, expense or payroll reports.

Why a past report can change

An estimate applies from its start date until its end date, if one is set, or until another estimate takes effect. A future start date schedules a new value. A correction fixes a mistake in the value already stored for its dates. A new estimate records a real change and keeps the previous value for earlier dates.

For example, a bottle costs €8 until 14 May, then €9 from 15 May. Add a new estimate starting on 15 May. Earlier reports keep €8; later ones use €9. If €8 was a mistake and the cost was €8.50 all along, correct that estimate instead.

Food estimates can have an explicit end date. They can also stop applying when a later estimate begins. An hourly staff rate continues until a later rate takes effect.

Missing is not zero

If no food estimate or staff rate applies, Cover cannot calculate that cost. A missing estimate is not a zero cost. A POS refund reduces sales but does not automatically reverse estimated food cost for food already made.

Food cost deductions cover the estimated food cost only. Staff cost deductions cover the estimated staff cost only. Pulse’s combined Sales after food and staff costs subtracts both from sales excluding tax when both estimates are usable and sales totals match. Other expenses are not deducted, so this is not profit. Actual purchases and payroll may differ from estimates.

See record a food cost, set a staff hourly cost and report metrics for steps and definitions.