Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I trust Validator’s numbers?+
Validator runs on F&B industry benchmarks for the US, UK, and Australia — combined with the numbers you enter. It's built by a former restaurant operator and fintech founder, not a generic calculator. That said, your results are only as good as your inputs: treat Validator as a financial sanity check to use alongside your own judgment and advisors, not a guarantee.
How is Validator different from a spreadsheet?+
A spreadsheet starts blank — you build every formula and find every benchmark yourself. Validator pre-loads F&B cost structures and benchmarks, auto-calculates break-even and profitability, lets you compare scenarios side-by-side, exports investor-ready reports, and adds an AI advisor. It's a spreadsheet that already knows how F&B works.
Is this a real product or a side project?+
Validator is built and run by Khang Pham, who has spent years on both sides — operating F&B businesses and building fintech products. It's independently run and free at its core, but it's grounded in real industry experience, not guesswork. We respond to support emails within 24 hours.
Is Validator free?+
Yes, completely — no credit card, no data selling, no upsell. The core validation tool, Excel/PDF export, AI advisor, and knowledge library are all free. An optional Pro tier adds more scenarios, deeper analysis, and clean exports for founders who want to go further.
How accurate are the validation results?+
Results are reference-level, based on your inputs plus F&B industry benchmarks for the US, UK, and Australia — think financial sanity check, not prediction. Actual outcomes vary with location, management, and seasonality. The professionals get the most out of it by pairing Validator's numbers with their own expertise.
Do I need to create an account?+
Not required. You can use the validation tool without registering. An account is only needed to save scenarios, export Excel/PDF, or use the AI advisor.
Is my data safe?+
Yes. Data you enter in the wizard is only stored in your browser (localStorage) until you actively save it. When saved, data is encrypted and securely stored on Supabase. We don't sell data to third parties.
What business types are supported?+
8 popular F&B models: Coffee shop, Eatery, Bubble tea, Restaurant, Cloud Kitchen, Bakery, Bar/Pub, Kiosk.
Can I compare multiple scenarios?+
Yes. You can save up to 10 scenarios and use the "Compare" feature to put 2-3 scenarios side by side, comparing key metrics and charts.
Who is the "Business Health Diagnosis" for?+
For existing F&B business owners who want to analyze their current situation. Enter actual data (revenue, costs, menu) to receive cost diagnosis, channel analysis, menu matrix, and improvement suggestions.
How does the AI Advisor work?+
The AI Advisor uses DeepSeek to analyze your scenario data and provide specific insights and suggestions. You need to be logged in to use this feature.
Can I export reports?+
Yes. You can export reports as Excel (detailed 12-month breakdown), PDF (printable), or print directly from your browser.
How do I contact support?+
Email validator.international@gmail.com. We typically respond within 24 hours.