This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
After leveraging lower food costs with vendors and finding local sources for many of its day-to-day needs, Texas Inn has been able to lower prices on close to half of its menu items. “We knew double-digit inflation couldn’t last forever, so we started looking at every way we could reduce costs and be more competitive.”
One tactic could be to maintain or roll-back the prices of their most popular menu items, allowing operators to promote the products synonymous with their brand while also recognizing customer loyalty. Menu consolidation will be important if these trends continue. What are key differences you see in US and UK respondents?
Your menu plays a vital role in your business marketing. So, let's dive deeper into the steps on how to turn your menu into a marketing tool. Optimize Menu Design for Customer Behavior A menu is often one of the first things a guest interacts with when entering a restaurant, right after taking in the atmosphere and interior.
They will be "O-ranging" kindness in Cleveland as part of an effort to encourage restaurant servers and customers to highlight the acts of kindness of one another and those around them.
Real-time data helps with labor scheduling, adjusting menu items, reducing waste and improving profitability. In the competitive restaurant industry, data is crucial for controlling costs and boosting efficiency. Learn how harnessing data enables better decision-making and enhances operational success.
For example: Legal Sea Foods features a kid-friendly, diverse, and budget-conscious menu that includes healthier choices, allowing children to customize their meals with a "first bite," main dish, and two sides, with popular options like grilled salmon and fish fingers.
You can have a crowd-pleasing menu, loyal regulars, and a packed dining roomand still watch your margins disappear. Too many restaurant menus are built on intuition and aesthetics, not real numbers. What Is Menu Engineering and Why Should You Care? Because not every dish thats popular is profitable.
This is the foundation of menu psychology, and for restaurant owners using online ordering platforms, it’s a powerful opportunity to influence how customers engage with their menu items. And while it’s been used for years in print menus, these same techniques can be applied to digital menus, too.
When youre updating your online menu or online ordering system, its tempting to just copy over the dish names from your restaurant menu and call it a day. Well-written menu descriptions dont just tell guests whats in a dish; they entice customers, set the tone for your brand, and can increase sales. Is your pasta handmade daily?
How to simplify yet optimize your menu. Join Patrick Cottrell and Joe English from Sculpture Hospitality, and fit your restaurant to thrive in face of pandemic restrictions. In this webinar, you will learn: Planning and preparation. The logistics of to-go/delivery options. Staffing/Re-training Staff.
By scanning this type of QR code, customers can opt-in to receive upcoming event details, promotional drops, happy hours and more–and should they choose an event of interest, they can even add it to their own personal calendars, ensuring they never miss out on the fun.
Menu pricing isnt just about covering costsits about finding that sweet spot where profitability, customer perception, and operational reality meet. Understanding the Key Factors in Menu Pricing Before you develop your menu pricing strategies, its important to ground your decisions in the numbers.
A standout menu is no longer just a necessity — it’s a critical asset for success. One of our most effective methods for creating a deeper connection beyond a transaction is through storytelling, using local flavors and regional influences in our menu. Maintaining a balance between innovation and tradition is crucial.
Higher Menu Prices To offset rising costs, restaurants may raise menu pricesespecially for dishes that rely heavily on imported goods. Supplier and Menu Shifts Some restaurants may respond by sourcing more ingredients domestically. Supplier and Menu Shifts Some restaurants may respond by sourcing more ingredients domestically.
From migrating your menu to purchasing new hardware, a little planning can make the process much smoother. But if your POS system isn't meeting your needs, then it's time to say sayonara. But before you officially switch POS providers, there are a few things to keep in mind. That's where this guide comes in.
Minimizing Menu Price Increases : Just because diners are still eating out and ordering in, does not mean they are happy about higher menu prices. Restaurant operators should limit significant menu price increases, explore value menus when possible, and avoid implementing any sneaky service charges.
Sourcing the best ingredients at the right price requires a keen understanding of seasonal rhythms, strong relationships with suppliers, and flexibility to adapt menus on the fly. Strategies for Managing Food Costs During Disruptions Don’t be afraid to substitute ingredients Your menu is not set in stone.
Include some details, such as specific menu options or a signature craft cocktail, in the narrative. Place clips of your menu or the restaurant scenery throughout the video to entice viewers while they listen to the customer’s story. Maybe your restaurant offers cuisine they’ve never tried before.
An AI-driven recommendation system can even suggest menu items based on individual tastes and nutritional needs, while chatbots can provide personalized customer service, answering queries and taking orders efficiently. Unifying and acting on digital customer data can also shape a more personalized customer experience.
According to a Gallup poll, guests only look at your menu for 109 seconds before ordering. Menu engineering uses real data to show you which items are the most profitable and should be your main focus. See how your menu items are performing with our free menu engineering worksheet. What is menu engineering?
menu, hours, etc.), These agents are naturally sounding conversational assistants made to be intelligent with a restaurant operators’ intended processes, logic, and information – Not to be mistaken with IVR technology when waiting to hear a robotic menu of options represented by pressing a number 1 through 8.
. "Charcuterie boards and other finger foods are important to have on your menu to capture orders from workplaces planning holiday happy hours rather than full meals. " Buffets and self-serve food are on the menu: 66 percent of organizers say they’re having buffets, instead of: Heavy appetizers – 34 percent Stations (e.g.
Improve Seasonal Menu Offerings When it comes to the holidays, consumers love to tuck into festive favorites. It’s the perfect season for experimenting with new menu items that align with previous seasonal trends.
Introducing new menu items is more than just adding dishes to your offerings—it’s about crafting an experience that captivates your guests and keeps them coming back for more. A well-planned new menu launch not only boosts customer engagement but also reinforces your restaurant’s brand identity.
For instance, "Discover which menu items are most popular among our target market" is a clear and focused goal. If your market research goal is to introduce a new menu item, you can measure its success by tracking its sales and customer feedback. Instead of having a vague goal like "Improve my business," make your goals more specific.
By combining proactive planning, strategic menu adjustments, operational efficiency, and strong vendor relationships, businesses can effectively manage these challenges while prioritizing customer satisfaction and food safety. Menu Engineering Feature Stable Ingredients : Highlight dishes with ingredients less susceptible to price swings.
Are there specific menu items or categories that are proving to be popular and others that have fallen out of favor? Restaurants that offer diverse and innovative menu options can attract this group. Provide customizable menu options that allow them to tailor their meals to their preferences.
A beer and wine license allows restaurants to craft a unique cocktail menu featuring wine-based liquors without the need for liquor insurance or the extensive paperwork associated with a full liquor license. A well-crafted menu and unique ambiance can encourage customer loyalty.
POS systems do more than just process payments they enable restaurants to personalize menus by analyzing customer data. Learn more in our latest post: How POS Systems Enable Menu Personalization. Real-Time Updates : Adjust menus instantly for accuracy and relevance. Improves Operations : Smarter inventory and menu management.
Educating patrons on how bitterness can actually enhance enjoyment — just as salt sharpens sweetness — requires thoughtful menu language and trained front-of-house staff. It also means rethinking menu development processes. What’s Next for Bitter in Menu Development? Back-of-house training is just as crucial.
Intentional Menu Engineering Tapping into seasonal menus and limited time offers (LTOs) requires thoughtful, intentional planning. At Sweet Paris, our strategic seasonal LTOs leverage ingredients that are executable and maintain operational ease while tapping into flavors that are trending and pair well with existing menu offerings.
While there was a brief dip in consumer awareness of menu price increases in late 2024, the spring of 2025 has seen a moderate rise, affecting dining habits and consumer perceptions of value. Millennials and parents also over-index in restaurant visits, with a strong inclination toward nightlife activities and premium dining experiences.
This approach feels like a suggestion, not a sales pitch, and helps customers discover menu items they might have otherwise missed. Prix Fixe Menu: A multi-course meal at a set price encourages guests to order more while offering an elevated dining experience. Example: Three-Course Chefs Menu Starter, entre, and dessert for $50.
Restaurants can now use customer data to enhance restaurant menu design, creating smarter menus that increase profits and improve the dining experience. Spot Best-Sellers : Focus on the 16% of menu items that drive 80% of sales. Improved Efficiency Trim menus and reduce food waste. Ready to learn how? Keep reading.
While pizza remains a category leader in delivery, due to its durability and ease of transport, 2025 will see a greater emphasis on making other menu items travel better, too. Customers appreciate menu consistency, but they’re also looking for value and ways to customize their experience.
Egg-cellent news…as of June 2, the egg surcharge is officially off the menu,” Georgia-based Waffle House wrote on X. The surcharges came atop years of menu price hikes that have frustrated consumers and hurt restaurant traffic. Thanks for understanding!” But supply has bounced back in recent months, bringing prices back down to earth.
Other restaurants are integrating AI into reservations, guest messaging, and even menu pricing—helping them react to demand in real time. Dynamic pricing allows restaurants to adjust menu prices based on factors like inventory levels, time of day, or seasonality.
From sudden menu changes to staff shortages, the ability to switch up and change at a moment’s notice and due so calmly is invaluable. Adaptability Restaurants are known to be fast paced environments with many different situations happening at once on any given occasion.
Approach the sandwich as a professional chef approaches the presentation of a fine dining meal just without the pretention and costly trimmings that fine dining requires. [] PIZZA: Ahhhone of Americas and the worlds top menu items. Make sure everything is made in house just like that fine dining chef would do for a ten- course tasting menu.
Keep your menu up to date Some experts like Claudia Tomina have been informing how Google is enhancing the menu section of Business Profile. As an example Google now highlights specific dishes and keywords mentioned in reviews, so it’s crucial to keep your menu updated online.
This direct communication lets us announce new menu items, special discounts, upcoming events, and more, keeping customers informed and excited about what’s happening at Health Nut. Embrace Email Marketing Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to stay connected with customers.
Photos of your menu items, ambiance, and even happy customers will give potential guests a glimpse of the dining experience you offer. Use it to share updates, special events, or new menu items. Create engaging email newsletters that have a clear purpose, such as promoting an event, offering a discount, or sharing a seasonal menu.
Reevaluating the prices of your drinks and knowing the types of drinks you sell can help you earn more for each bottle, as well as implementing portion control and even redesigning your menu. Calculate the cost of each drink on your menu, including the cost of the alcohol, garnishes, mixers, and anything else that goes into the drink.
Below are key strategies to help improve your happy hour menu and boost sales. Surveying customers or analyzing sales data can help pinpoint which changes to the happy hour menu could spark interest. READ: Why you should consider adding tiny cocktails to your restaurant bar menu 3.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 49,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content