There are many things to consider when you are planning to open a restaurant. You need to find the right space, hire employees and create the perfect menu. In the hustle and bustle of trying to get a new restaurant off the ground, one important step is often not given enough importance and is quickly completed at the last minute before opening. This step is menu design, and one that can have significant impact on yo
ur business. Read on to find out why!
Why is Menu Design Important?
While a menu can seem like a simple list of food and drink options offered in your restaurant, it is so much more than that! It is an internal advertising tool that every single patron of your restaurant, as well as online visitors, have access to. This document does much more than describe what people can expect to eat or drink, it “should communicate a brand, the vision, the ambiance and feel of the restaurant and the food and the experience a guest can expect to have,” according to one source.
What are Tips for Successful Menu Design?
Involve the Chef
While anyone in your restaurant can jot down the food and drink choices, it is only the chef that can transform a boring list into an appetizing and enticing experience. By highlighting special ingredients and local and organic products, the menu can provide more details to your customers.
When creating a menu description, focus on senses, such as the look, taste and texture of food when describing “the experience” in your menu. Use descriptive words that will bring the image of the items to life!
Finally, ask the chef to suggest pairings between food and drink options that can help your patrons have a more-pleasing experience (and help you push sales!)
Focus on the Image
Since a menu is typically a one or two-page document, it provides a small space in which to communicate your entire brand. It can be beneficial to employ the services of a professional menu designer to craft your menu.
Consider that the layout, fonts, colors, images and type of paper used in the menu – this will not only describe the food, but will also speak volumes about the type of restaurant (casual or upscale), food (Mexican or French) and environment customers can expect.
Add Value
One source suggests that there is a way to make a dish more enticing by highlighting its value. This strategy includes stating the geographic region where the item is from, such as:
- Tuscan Olives
- New England clams
- Parisian baguettes
To differentiate yourself from the competition, highlight the exclusivity of the item by mentioning the very farm it came from, such as Sun Valley local eggs. You can also mention brand names if they are well-known and considered to be premium.
Whether you are opening a new restaurant, or simply reinventing your image with a new menu design, you may need financial assistance. IOU Financial can provide you with the help you need with a loan of up to $150,000. Contact us today to find out more!
