Menus are an important sales tool for restaurants. As a result, making a restaurant menu design is seen as a critical component in improving the restaurant’s customer experience. Restaurants now provide a variety of menu design options, including printed, online, and counter display… In this post, Rich Payment Solutions will show you 11 steps to make a restaurant menu design that will attract customers.
1. How many dishes do most restaurant menus include?
According to psychologist George A. Miller, most people can only remember seven items of information at once. This does not imply that your menu should only include seven items, but it does highlight the necessity of categorizing foods and maintaining the number of dishes in each category between three and seven.
For many restaurants, having an overly large menu can result in earnings losses from underused or rotting goods. As a result, a neat and acceptable menu not only makes it easier for consumers to choose, but it also allows the restaurant to run more efficiently.
Optimizing the quantity of dishes on the menu not only improves the customer experience, but it also helps businesses reduce waste and save money. Instead of trying to provide too many options, concentrate on the quality of each dish and ensure that each menu item is carefully chosen to best satisfy your clients’ requirements.
2. 11 steps to creating an appealing restaurant menu
A restaurant menu is a list of the dishes and beverages that a restaurant serves, which can be printed or seen online. Each restaurant’s menu will have unique requirements based on its style and target audience. The 11-step tutorial below will help you construct a complete restaurant menu without employing a professional designer.
List all foods and beverages on the menu
Before you start designing your menu, prepare a precise list of all the foods and drinks you wish to include. There are numerous approaches you can use to do this. If you like the old-fashioned approach, pen and paper is also an option. Make a copy of this list so it may be managed and updated later.
Digital tools such as Excel or Google Sheets are useful since they allow you to easily cut, copy, and paste items, as well as automatically store information, preventing you from losing crucial data.
Categorize foods and beverages on the menu
Divide menu items into categories such as appetizers, main courses, desserts, and other similar groups. Then, pick which items should be the menu’s major feature.
You may want to put the appetizer first to capture consumers’ attention, or you may want to put a special appetizer at the top of the list to boost sales and popularity. Based on the findings from your menu spreadsheet. Simply drag and drop menu items to rearrange them in the appropriate order.
Pricing of menu items
Menu price is an essential stage that should be researched thoroughly. The pricing of each dish, as well as the presentation, are essential components of the restaurant menu. If you already have a menu, include the current prices for each item and consider modifying them to correspond to sales data from your point-of-sale system. Based on sales data research, you may need to change your prices to make them more appealing to customers.
If you’re beginning from scratch, discover how to price your menu for optimal profit and customer happiness. Our menu engineering course will provide you with the necessary tools and tactics for making data-driven judgments about inventory prices and food cost percentages. Even successful restaurants can use this to update and reconsider their pricing strategies.
Create a description of each dish
The best menu descriptions are frequently the result of the chef’s inspiration and labor in creating each dish. Consult with the chef to discover more about the origin and inspiration for each meal, as well as the high-quality ingredients and unique recipe they utilize.
Then, on your sheet of paper, write a brief description of each item, using descriptive words such as fresh, crunchy, savory, tangy, and sweet—but use them imaginatively and avoid overusing them.
It is critical to examine what new customers may imagine while reading the menu for the first time. Adding these descriptions to the menu will help customers comprehend each meal and be more inclined to try new dishes by highlighting crucial ingredients and dietary restrictions.
Select a color palette for designing the menu
Selecting the appropriate color palette for your menu will reflect your restaurant’s brand. You can simply select the three colors you want to appear on the menu or opt for a minimalist design, such as black and white, to save on printing costs.
Color selection is not only about aesthetics; it also influences consumers’ emotions and perceptions of your business. For example, if your restaurant has a modern and sophisticated style, you can achieve elegance by using muted hues such as blue, gray, or black. In contrast, if your restaurant has a classic design or a strong hometown stamp, warm colors such as red, orange, or yellow will be more appropriate, generating a sense of proximity and warmth.
Make a basic restaurant menu
It is not easy to create an appealing menu design. First, you must transform all of your hard work and thoughts on paper into a full menu. If you opt to employ a professional designer, give them a list of dishes and the color scheme you want. This will make it easier for them to build a menu that complements the restaurant’s style and branding.
If you wish to design it yourself, you can start with one of the available menu templates and adapt it to your specifications. Here are some basic concepts to assist you in designing an efficient menu.
- Keep the menu simple and avoid overwhelming customers with a large menu.
- Take advantage of the “golden triangle” theory, which states that the reader’s eyes often begin in the middle of the page, then wander to the upper right corner, and ultimately the top left corner. Place high-margin food in these spots to draw guests’ attention.
- Consider eliminating the dollar symbol and not putting prices in columns so that buyers cannot easily compare dish costs.
Use high-quality photos to make a restaurant menu design
Printed menus are useful because they make good use of white space, allowing customers to focus on the important information, which is the food and extensive descriptions. Although adding more graphics and icons might make the menu more visually appealing, if utilized excessively, they can divert clients from paying attention to the items.
If you wish to use photographs on your menu, select the most profitable meals to showcase. However, for these photographs to look good in print, they must be of great quality. Hiring a professional photographer to capture your cuisine is vital since low-quality shots might give a negative impression and diminish the menu’s worth.
Select the proper font, space, and layout for your restaurant menu
Nowadays, many restaurant owners hire a professional designer to assist them in creating menus, or they use available menu templates to get started. Testing and perfecting multiple versions can take anywhere from a few hours to several days, if not weeks. You’ll need to think about margins, line spacing, fonts, and general layout.
It’s vital to remember that menu updates should be simple and adaptable. If you don’t give enough area to add or delete dishes over time, especially if your menu varies seasonally, you might have to start over. Because many consumers, particularly committed ones, will recall your menu design and where their favorite foods are located, you must ensure that upgrading your menu does not create significant changes. This ensures continuity and familiarity for clients while saving you time and work in managing your menu.
Choose a restaurant menu design layout
Rich Payment Solutions will assist consumers by giving a variety of design alternatives that are appropriate for business partners. Then organize a vote to determine which choice best fits the restaurant brand. Customers typically analyze the descriptions of each meal, the prices on the menu, and the brand’s consistency through the menu design. Go through the vetting process and select your favorite menu. You can also talk about designs that you anticipate will enhance sales based on statistics from the restaurant’s POS system.
Check and print menus
Before printing, properly test the menu and have someone else review it who was not involved in its creation over the last week. A typographical error or poor punctuation can influence how people perceive your restaurant.
Do not neglect this step; otherwise, you may waste a lot of money producing an unacceptable menu. When you’re ready to print, Rich Payment Solutions offers printing services on high-quality paper at a reasonable price, or you can select one of our restaurant menu printing services.
Create restaurant menus online
When establishing an online menu, ensure that the food descriptions are as detailed as those on the printed menu. Online menu design can segregate categories so that clients can simply choose on the website, particularly when there is no support staff available to answer inquiries.
You can also develop an online menu that clients can access via QR code while sitting in the restaurant. This method of ordering puts guests in control of their dining experience, and the menu is always available, allowing them to continue ordering during the meal.
3. 5 Advantages of creating a beautiful restaurant menu
Make a strong initial impression
When guests walk into a restaurant, one of the first things they notice is the menu. A nicely designed, clean, and professional menu will offer a positive first impression, making guests interested and confidence in the restaurant’s service and food.
Increasing revenue effectively
Smart menu design can help restaurants maximize income by steering consumers to the most profitable meals. A reasonable structure and eye-catching presentation might influence customers’ meal selection decisions, prompting them to purchase special dishes or promotional combos.
Improved customer experience
A well-designed, easy-to-read menu with eye-catching images will assist clients in selecting items, boosting their gastronomic experience. This not only saves service time, but also increases restaurant staff productivity, assuring a positive client experience.
Demonstrate professionalism and develop a brand image
A nicely designed menu that suits the restaurant’s style and concept will demonstrate professionalism and create a distinct identity for the company. Customers will sense the restaurant’s care and commitment down to the slightest detail, increasing satisfaction and loyalty.
Reduce errors during the ordering process
Designing the menu scientifically and clearly will help to reduce errors during the ordering process and prevent avoidable misunderstandings between consumers and service personnel. This not only improves working productivity but also reduces waste, ensuring that all customer requirements are satisfied correctly and quickly.
4. Menu design service for restaurants
To spend more time taking care of clients and enhancing service quality, you’ll need a trustworthy partner for creating and printing restaurant menus. Rich Payment Solutions is glad to offer this service in a professional manner, assisting you in turning ideas into ideal menus that will attract clients.
Flat printing menu
Flat printed menus are a common alternative for restaurants that wish to present a simple menu while maintaining professionalism. With this form of menu, consumers will have various alternatives for printing paper to suit the restaurant’s style and budget.
- Laminated: The menu is coated with a protective coating that boosts durability and water resistance, keeps the menu fresh, and makes it easier to clean.
- Plastic Paper: The menu is composed of a special plastic material that is not only long-lasting, but also waterproof and strong. This is the best option for restaurants who want to serve outdoor menus.
Booklet printing menu
Booklet printed menus are ideal for establishments with a large number of items. Menus for booklet printing are usually three or more pages long. For restaurants who frequently introduce new items, it will be simple to update the appropriate page. Rich Payment Solutions provides the following printing paper materials:
- Plastic paper is a durable and water-resistant plastic substance.
- Clear Cover: This cover provides protection and is simple to clean.
- Leather Cover: This luxurious leather cover is both durable and easy to clean.
Menu To go
The menu to go is professionally designed, simple to use, and appropriate for takeout orders. Rich Payment Solutions provides two common sizes: 8.5×11 and 11×17, to accommodate the varying needs of each establishment. Menu To go’s durable materials and innovative design not only make it easier for customers to choose items, but it also contributes to the restaurant’s overall brand image.
QR Menu
QR Menu has emerged as a practical and modern alternative for eateries looking to improve customer experience. With Rich Payment Solutions’ QR Menu service, you can quickly and securely access your menu. Customers simply scan the QR code with their phone to access the restaurant’s whole menu without touching the actual menu. This not only reduces printing expenses, but also ensures food hygiene and safety.
TV Digital Signage
With the TV Digital Signage system, your menu will be shown brightly and professionally on the TV screen, catching customers’ attention at first glance. This service not only optimizes display space, but also allows you to simply update and alter menus in real time, saving money on printing and improving the client experience. TV Digital Signage can also show photographs and videos of dishes, resulting in a lively and appealing culinary environment.
Rich Payment Solutions’ services go beyond printing and include restaurant menu design, which will help your menu stand out. We will make a restaurant menu design that complements the style of your establishment with the assistance of a professional and experienced design team. Contact Rich Payment Solutions for assistance and a thorough menu design and printing quote for restaurants.
