The best profit margins in the restaurant industry come from drinks. Beverages offer 80% profit margins or more in a business where 4% or lower margins are common. That’s why they represent, on average, 30% of restaurants’ revenues.

Dunkin Donuts recently relabelled itself a “beverages company,” acknowledging that revenue-wise, it is actually in the coffee business. Without admitting it, many restaurants are an overpriced drinks company in disguise. While restaurants could use profits from drinks to subsidize great food, you need to be on the lookout for restaurants that lavish their time and money on bartenders, unique drink menus, and a venue that makes you feel okay about spending $12 for a cocktail.