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12 Ways to Create a Restaurant and Culinary Business Menu

Febbi S
Cara  Membuat Menu Makanan Restoran yang Menarik dan Menguntungkan

A restaurant menu is one of the most important elements in providing the best experience for customers.

Aside from being a primary sales tool, a well-designed menu can increase restaurant profits and culinary business success.

Whether in print, online, or on a menu board, an attractive menu design will make guests feel more comfortable and satisfied.

In this article, ESB will guide you through 10 practical steps to develop and design an effective restaurant menu.

12 Ways to Create a Restaurant and Culinary Business Menu

Here are 10 practical ways to create a menu that not only grabs attention but also supports the success of your culinary business and restaurant.

1. Determine the Number of Items

The first thing to consider is how many food items will be featured on the restaurant menu?

The number of items should not be too many. According to George A. Miller, a cognitive psychology expert, most people can only remember about seven pieces of information at once.

So, make sure each category has 3-7 options to help guests make their choices easily.

Avoid making the menu too long, as it could confuse customers and reduce profits due to unused ingredients.

Focus on an efficient and organized menu to boost your restaurant and culinary business profitability.

2. Create an Attractive Menu Design

The right menu design can significantly impact restaurant success. If a low-profit menu item becomes the highlight or main feature, guests will order it more often.

Conversely, a well-designed menu can encourage guests to choose more profitable dishes.

The menu can also help staff with upselling by listing add-ons, such as side dishes or toppings.

Ensure the menu design reflects the restaurant's brand identity for a more memorable customer experience.

3. List All Menu Items

Write down all the food and beverages you want to offer. Use a spreadsheet like Google Sheets to organize and edit them before moving to the design process.

4. Group Menu Items

Start by grouping items into clear categories, such as appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

Then, arrange the items within each category based on popularity or the profit margin they generate.

This will make your restaurant and culinary business menu more organized, helping customers choose while maximizing business profit potential.

5. Set Menu Prices

Ways to Create a Restaurant and Culinary Business Menu

Sumber: jasafotojakarta.com

 

To determine competitive and appropriate prices, the first step is to analyze the cost of ingredients and desired profit margins.

This helps ensure that each menu item offers optimal profitability for your business. Additionally, offering food and drinks as bundles is often more appealing to customers. 

Bundle menus give the impression of being more economical compared to individual items. Due to their high appeal, you can place bundle items at the front of the menu.

This strategy aims to capture visitors' attention and encourage them to choose bundles that benefit both the customer and your culinary business.

6. Write Appealing Menu Descriptions

Use appetizing words such as "crispy," "savory," or "fresh." However, avoid overuse of descriptive words.

Here are examples of appealing menu descriptions:

  • Spiced Fried Chicken
    Choice chicken pieces marinated in a signature spice mix, fried until the skin is perfectly crispy. Served with spicy, savory garlic sambal and fragrant warm rice.
  • Fresh Tropical Salad
    A refreshing mix of lettuce, sweet mango pieces, and creamy avocado, drizzled with a tangy lime dressing.

Read more: Guide to Setting Food Prices to Increase Profit

7. Choose the Right Color Scheme

Use colors that reflect your restaurant and culinary business identity. The right colors can influence customer perception of the restaurant.

8. Design the Menu Carefully

Use templates or design software like Canva to create a clean, easy-to-read menu. Avoid busy designs that can confuse customers.

9. Add High-Quality Photos

If using photos, ensure they are of high quality. Good photos can increase the appeal of your restaurant and culinary business menu.

10. Organize Fonts and Layout

Use simple, easy-to-read fonts to ensure the menu is clear and comfortable to read.

Make sure the menu layout follows the "golden triangle" principle, where customer attention naturally gravitates toward the center, upper-right corner, and upper-left corner. This principle is crucial as it can affect customer decisions.
By placing the most attractive or profitable items in strategic positions, you can increase purchase interest.

Ensure design elements such as fonts, images, and layout are well-arranged and harmonious to make the menu look professional and appealing.

11. Proofreading and Print the Menu

Review the menu to ensure there are no errors. Once satisfied, have the menu printed by a professional printing service for the best results.

Some restaurants print their menus on ordinary materials. If you're one of those restaurant owners, the finished menu may look like regular paper or an unprofessional book.

This can make customers reluctant to browse the menu, which can impact their experience.

12. Create an Online Restaurant Menu

The online menu should be consistent with the printed menu, both in terms of descriptions and photos. Use a platform that allows photo uploads to enhance visual appeal. One such platform is ESB Order.

As a business owner, you can also create a digital menu with a QR Code, allowing guests to order directly from their tables. This method provides convenience and a more modern experience for customers.

Read more: Smooth Business Operations! 4 Tips for Managing Food Supply Chains

Closing

Creating a restaurant menu requires planning and attention to detail. With this guide, you can create a menu that is both attractive and profitable. 

To boost efficiency and transactions, use ESB Order. Proven to increase transactions by up to 60% with AI recommendations, speed up ordering by 40%, and have a low commission of just Rp1,000 per bill.

 

Integrated with digital payments, vouchers, and loyalty programs. Optimize your restaurant's operations now!

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