4 Ways to Expand Your Restaurant Menu

Restaurants need to put a lot of thought into how they expand their menus. While there is the risk of losing money if new items don’t sell, you may include a new crowd-pleaser that makes it all worth it. For this reason, there are a couple of smart ways to expand your restaurant menu that you should consider. While you may be operating your business differently than usual, customers will still be appreciative of your wide selection both during and after this unique time.

Give Surveys and Taste Tests

The public determines whether your expanded menu flops or finds a foothold. So, who better to ask about your new menu options than your potential customers? Consider first surveying loyal customers as well as customers you’d like to acquire. This way, you can determine if your changes would alienate current customers while assessing new items’ potential for attracting customers and growing your business.

Once you’ve determined that there’s hypothetical interest in a new entrée, make small batches and host a taste test. If you invite third-party diners, you can secure an impartial assessment of your food. This way, you actually know if people will like your new dishes.

Add New Equipment

Another way to expand your restaurant menu is to buy equipment that allows you to broaden your possibilities. For example, you can buy commercial juicing machines to make fresh-pressed beverages that appeal to health-conscious guests. While there are some common juicing mistakes you should avoid, these pieces vary your beverage offerings effectively and boost restaurants’ bottom lines.

Count the Cost

When it comes down to it, adding new menu items is a matter of determining if the cost of additional ingredients is worth the possibility of more sales. Sit down and budget out these costs and decide whether a profit on these items is feasible.

Don’t Be Redundant

One final note—don’t add redundant dishes to your menu. If your burgers, for example, don’t have distinct ingredients that set each apart, you may not want to add more to the mix. You always want to have a diverse menu, and avoiding packing it with similar items keeps this from happening. Also, it’s better to invest your efforts into creating innovative entrées rather than wasting this time on boring additions.