The restaurant business is a fast-paced, competitive industry, and not every new location that opens survives. In fact, a study using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the medium lifespan of a restaurant in the western US is only 4.5 years. To make it past the five-year mark, restaurant owners must regularly assess the state of the business against internal goals and industry benchmarks. The best way to do this is through a study of a restaurant's KPIs. The following 7 metrics offer insights into a restaurant's positive performance, while also highlighting areas that need improvement. 1. Sales. 2. Historical Sales. 3. Labor Costs. 4. Cost of Goods. 5. Prime Cost. 6. Turnover Rate. 7. Server Benchmarks.