The restaurant industry is one of constant adaptation. From food and drink offerings to seating options, the one constant in the industry is change.
Your restaurant’s menu is the most essential marketing tool that you have. It attracts guests to dine with you and turns them into a loyal customer base. While many restaurants find reinventing their menus to be advantageous, it isn’t always necessary – or the best idea – to consistently change your food and drink offerings.
There are benefits to using both consistent and changing menus, but the best choice for your restaurant will depend on a few key factors.
1. How much time do you have to train your staff on a new menu?
If you’re working with a relatively small team, you may find that changing the menu regularly is more energy than it’s worth. Whenever your menu changes, you need to train your staff on how to present menu options, what is included on the plate, and more. If you don’t have the time to dedicate to that, you may find that a static menu is more suited to your restaurant.
2. How many returning customers do you have?
If you’re working on creating a loyal, returning customer base, you may find that they come to your restaurant for a specific dish. Taking any of the staple options off of your menu could prevent you from building a returning customer base.
3. Do you have consistent pricing for your ingredients?
If your restaurant is in a position where price changes are few and far between, and you’re making a profit on the meals on your menu, adjusting your menu could be costly. Many restaurants are experiencing increasing product prices and product shortages, which is a great reason to seek out a menu adjustment. If your restaurant is not, there’s no reason to fix something that isn’t broken.
A changing menu is not inherently better than a consistent menu, and vis-versa. If your restaurant is thriving with your current menu, there’s no need to actively pursue revamping it.
