You don't need a long report to run a good business. You need a short routine. These five numbers take about five minutes to review over your morning coffee, and together they catch most problems while they're still small.
1. Net sales vs. the same day last week
Compare yesterday with the same weekday last week, not with the day before. A Tuesday is rarely like a Monday. Look at net sales (after discounts, voids and refunds), and keep sales separate from profit and from cash actually collected.
2. Average order value (AOV)
AOV is net sales divided by the number of orders. If sales are flat but AOV is falling, customers are still coming but buying less. That often points to missed upsells, a popular combo being removed, or a price change that pushed people to smaller items.
₱42,000 net sales ÷ 300 orders = ₱140 AOV. If last week was ₱155, you're losing ₱15 per order, or about ₱4,500 a day at the same traffic. Coaching the team to offer a pastry with every coffee could close that gap.
3. Voids, refunds and discounts
Every void and discount should have a reason and an approver. Check the total and who entered them. A sudden spike on one cashier's shift isn't proof of wrongdoing, since a new team member may simply need more training, but it always deserves a friendly conversation.
4. Top sellers and slow movers
Your top five items drive most of your sales, so make sure they're fully stocked for today. Then look at the bottom of the list. Items that barely sold for two weeks are tying up ingredients or shelf space and may be heading toward expiry.
5. Payment mix
Look at the split between cash, card and QR/e-wallet. This tells you how much cash should be in the drawer and what should land in your bank, which makes reconciliation much easier. If QR payments are growing, check that each one was matched to an order; unmatched QR payments are a common source of end-of-day differences.
Make it a routine
- Open the POS dashboard at the same time every day.
- Write the five numbers in a simple log, or let the POS keep the history for you.
- Pick one thing to act on today. Don't try to fix everything at once.
Key takeaway: five numbers, five minutes, one action. Consistency matters more than detail.
Sources and further reading
This article is general information for business owners in the Philippines, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and rates change, so confirm the details that apply to your business with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Figures in worked examples are illustrative. Last reviewed October 2026.
