10 Most Profitable Deli Items

With an average monthly revenue of $5,000 to $15,000 and gross profit margin of 25-50%, delis usually outperform the broader foodservice industry in terms of profitability. If you want to make sure your business reaches the higher end of those ranges, this guide to the 10 most profitable deli items will help you stock your delicatessen with the most lucrative products.

Deli Meats

Recent Nielsen data reveals that lunch meat has come to make up almost 20% of grocery store deli department sales. Considering the strong consumer demand and high retail prices, cold cuts like ham, turkey and salami rank as some of the most profitable deli items. Although shoppers’ interest in pre-packaged options is growing, freshly-sliced meats are still preferred, especially among older consumers. 

Quality Cheeses

Cheese is one of the most profitable supermarket items, and it’s a great money-maker for a delicatessen, too. In addition to sliced cheese for sandwiches, make sure you also carry gourmet options like blocks of Cheddar, wedges of Parmesan and wheels of Brie so that your business can become the go-to place whenever people are thinking about making mac and cheese, lasagna or other cheesy dishes.

Gourmet Sandwiches

Since sandwiches usually have both lunch meat and sliced cheese, it shouldn’t be surprising that a profitable sandwich shop can generate $120,000 to $350,000 of revenue per year, far above the average restaurant’s revenue of $111,860. Even if sandwiches aren’t your main focus, putting reubens, BLTs, and subs on your menu is sure to be lucrative, especially if you use high-quality ingredients that justify a higher price.

Homemade Sides

Side dishes like potato salad, coleslaw and pasta salad are deli classics for a reason: they can be made in bulk, have inexpensive ingredients and keep well in the refrigerator, making them very profitable for a delicatessen to sell. Although most are carb and mayo-heavy, be sure to offer a few lighter options like three-bean and fruit salad to attract health-conscious customers.

Artisanal Breads

From baguette and ciabatta to focaccia and brioche, specialty breads are some of the most profitable deli items because people are willing to pay a premium for freshness and quality. If you use quality ingredients like organic flour or natural sweeteners, remember to mention that in the menu description: doing so can enhance the perceived value and help you command even higher prices.

Salad Bar

According to Upside.com, well-stocked salad bars can achieve a 70% gross profit margin before factoring in labor and overhead. So, make sure yours is complete with mixed greens, chopped vegetables, lean proteins and crunchy toppings. Although multiple pricing structures could work, charging a fixed price for meat and then by weight for everything else is the easiest and most profitable way to do it.

Delicious Soups

As explained by DeliBusiness.com, soup sales have been strong in recent years. Together with their low production costs, they can be great profit-generators for delicatessens. If you add soups to your menu, be sure to offer not only classics such as chicken noodle and split pea, but also exotic flavors like Spanish gazpacho and West African peanut. To boost sales even more, promote soup and sandwich or salad combos as the perfect light lunch or dinner.

Refreshing Drinks

From sit-down restaurants to neighborhood mini marts, drinks are some of the most profitable menu items in foodservice establishments. Your customers will be willing to pay a good markup for a specialty juice with their sandwich or fresh coffee with their pastry, so make sure to offer a range of hot and cold beverage options.

Catering Platters

If people rave about your sandwiches and sides, consider creating a catering menu with party platters and boxed lunches so your loyal customers can introduce your food to others. Even though measuring costs accurately and setting prices strategically helps maximize profitability, don’t forget about targeting corporate clients as well since business lunches and holiday parties can be very lucrative.

Charcuterie Boards

Even though fancy cheeses and cured meats already have great profit margins, you can make them even better by putting them together in charcuterie boards. While it’s a good idea to have some premade cheese boards for customers who need something last minute, be sure to take custom orders as well since people are willing to pay even more for something personalized.