Menu optimization playbook:
5provenstrategiesto improvemargins,reduce costs&elevateguest experience
5provenstrategiestoimprove margins,reducecosts&elevatethe guestexperience
With inflation continuing to take a larger piece of your profits, labor challenges and other pressures impacting operating costs, controlling expenses by reworking your menu to maximize profits has become more important than ever.
Howdoyouhitthesweetspotofmenuoptimization?
Nailing the perfect menu is about more than culinary creativity — though that’s important. It’s about menu engineering, a deep evaluation and optimization of your restaurant’s dishes. When done right, food-service operators can realize substantial cost savings, streamlined procurement, operational efficiencies and improved sales.
Thefivestrategiesformenuoptimization
1. 2. 4. 5. 3.
1.Collecttherightdata
Use menu performance data, ingredient costs and guest insights to understand what’s profitable — and what is not. The process can be time consuming. Take advantage of new tools that alleviate some of the busy work involved. Digital tools like Entegra Shopping Assistant identify high-opportunity items and oncontract products and services that cost less.
2.Engineerformargin
Categorize your items into Stars, Plow Horses, Puzzles, and Dogs.
Remove low-margin, low-sales items (Dogs)
Optimize pricing to preserve profitability (Plow Horses & Stars)
Consider ingredient substitutions – consider creative swaps like mixed protein blends, portion right-sizing or removing low-margin items
3.Simplify&standardize
Reduce SKUs to cut food waste and prep time. Our chefs can guide operators through SKU rationalization and product cuttings, often leading to better quality at bettersavings through Entegra's GPO network.
Bringingdown foodcosts withSKU rationalization
SKU rationalization helps identify redundant, offcontract or underused products to reduce costs and streamline purchasing.
With fewer ingredients, operators can improve quality, boost efficiency, increase margins— and turn some plow horses into stars.
Schedule your SKU rationalization session with Entegra Culinary Consulting.
4.Elevatepresentation&descriptions
Areyourmostprofitabledishesplacedwhere eyesgofirst?
The “sweet spot” on the menu is the upper right corner.
Doyouhighlightyourkeydisheswithvisualcues?
Boxes, icons or menu callouts increase attention and sales.
Isyourmenulayoutgroupedlogicallyaroundprofitability?
Organize items by category or sales performance.
Areyouusingprofessionalfoodimagesfor topdishes?
Good visuals can increase sales by up to 27%.
Arepricessubtleandvalue-driven?
Remove dollar signs and round pricing smartly: $14.95 vs. $15.
Doyourdescriptionspopwithrich,sensory language?
Words like “wood-fired” and “sun-drenched” sell.
5.Innovatewithpurpose
Seasonal LTOs and menu refreshes can reignite guest interest and boost check averages. ECC can help you developandtestnewofferingsthatdeliverROI.
