7 Things You Need to
Think About When You Create Your Menu
Your menu is a very important reflection of your restaurant.
Other than the meal itself, your menu is the most important piece in making the
right kind of impression to your patrons.
In our last post, we covered the 5 essential elements for creating your menu. Now comes the fun part, actually designing and creating your menu. Here are some important things to consider:
In our last post, we covered the 5 essential elements for creating your menu. Now comes the fun part, actually designing and creating your menu. Here are some important things to consider:
1.
Menu
Style
Decide which menu style you would like. Are you looking for an affordable option that is basic but still durable? Clear menu sleeves are a low cost alternative for your menu covers. You can easily slide in your new menu as you make changes or updates. Or maybe you are looking for a high end elegant menu with a smooth vinyl cover and album style corners? If these don’t sound like your style, you could create a custom menu that is unique to your business.
Decide which menu style you would like. Are you looking for an affordable option that is basic but still durable? Clear menu sleeves are a low cost alternative for your menu covers. You can easily slide in your new menu as you make changes or updates. Or maybe you are looking for a high end elegant menu with a smooth vinyl cover and album style corners? If these don’t sound like your style, you could create a custom menu that is unique to your business.
2.
Menu Layout
Research shows that most people will read your menu like a book, starting in the top left corner and read it left to right. So what does this mean for you? Well, if you want to increase profitability, you can place your higher priced menu items in the left hand corner. If you catch their eye early with an enticing menu item, chances are, that is what they will order. Blocking can also help to organize your menu and help direct eye flow.
Research shows that most people will read your menu like a book, starting in the top left corner and read it left to right. So what does this mean for you? Well, if you want to increase profitability, you can place your higher priced menu items in the left hand corner. If you catch their eye early with an enticing menu item, chances are, that is what they will order. Blocking can also help to organize your menu and help direct eye flow.
3. Make it Easy to Follow
Group like items together and put them in the order that the customer would order them in. Start with appetizers, move on to entrees, next comes side dishes and lastly desserts. And keep it simple. Having just 20 amazing dishes are far better than 100+ mediocre items. And PLEASE don’t forget to proofread! Nothing is worse than getting all of your menus printed out only to find a glaring typo!
Group like items together and put them in the order that the customer would order them in. Start with appetizers, move on to entrees, next comes side dishes and lastly desserts. And keep it simple. Having just 20 amazing dishes are far better than 100+ mediocre items. And PLEASE don’t forget to proofread! Nothing is worse than getting all of your menus printed out only to find a glaring typo!
4. Gather Feedback from Customers
Before you order copies of your brand new
menu, stop first and gather some feedback. Ask some of your best customers to
come in and take a look at the new menu. You could even pitch the idea as a VIP
event with drinks and appetizers. This is a small price to pay for the
invaluable feedback you will receive before you launch your new menu!
5. Choose the Right Kind of Visuals
Just say NO to clip art and illustrations! These types of images won’t do your menu items any favors. And be VERY careful if you are using actual photography of your entrees. We recommend hiring a professional photographer to take these pictures. Some things are just better when left to the professionals!
Just say NO to clip art and illustrations! These types of images won’t do your menu items any favors. And be VERY careful if you are using actual photography of your entrees. We recommend hiring a professional photographer to take these pictures. Some things are just better when left to the professionals!
6. Print Daily Specials
Most likely, you will have specials. We
suggest printing your specials separately each day. Specials are special and
should be treated as such.
7.
Don’t
Forget to Update!
Food and market prices vary, so it is expected that your prices will fluctuate. You are in business to make money, so when rent goes up or wages are increased or food prices are on the rise; make sure you are making the necessary changes to your menu to cover these increased costs.
Food and market prices vary, so it is expected that your prices will fluctuate. You are in business to make money, so when rent goes up or wages are increased or food prices are on the rise; make sure you are making the necessary changes to your menu to cover these increased costs.
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