What is a menu?
The menu is a list of food and beverage items that can be offered by a food service
Importance of the menu
SELLS: It is a great silent sales person and stimulates sales.
IMAGE: It is a signature of a restaurant. It has to be attractive, informative and appealing. It promotes the image of the property.
IDENTITY: It identifies the restaurant theme.
EXPERIENCE: It contributes to the dining experience.
INFORMATIVE: It informs the guest about every aspect of the restaurant.
GUIDE: It helps the guest in making a good choice
Menus can be by PRICE BY SCHEDULE BY MEAL TIMES BY SPECIALITY
Menus by price
À la carte
Table d’hote
Combination menu
À la carte menu
Each food item is priced individually.
Table d’hote
Menu is priced as a whole. Guest has a limited choice.
Combination menu
Menu combines both a la carte and table d’hote menus.
MENU BY MEAL SCHEDULES
Fixed menu
Cycle menu
Daily menu
Menus by meal time
Breakfast -Menu offering a variety of dishes for breakfast.
Lunch -Menu offering a variety of dishes specific for lunch time.
Brunch- Menu designed for guests who wish to wake up late in the morning. it combines breakfast and lunch
Snack -Menu designed to supply quick dishes in between large meals.
Menus by specialty
Poolside menus: Menu designed to provide small dishes in the poolside area.
Wine menus: Specializes in offering different types of wine.
Children’s menus: Menu designed for kids.
Diet menus: Menus for health conscious persons.
There are various factors involved in planning of a menu before startup of any restaurant or hotel.
What are some factors to consider
Availability of Foods- A menu is primarily based on what can be bought in the market.
Food Habits of Costumers- food managers Should conduct a survey to ensure their food establishments align with customers needs and desires.
Amount of Money Available- A food establishment has a definite budget intended for food preparation.
Amount of Time Available- Food preparations must meet deadlines.
Type of Consumers- This refers to the age, sex, occupation, socio-economic status, and nutritional needs of the costumers.
Environmental conditions - hot summer months and cold months
Occasions- special occasions like Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and etc. require special menus.
Types of Business- this includes the kind of food establishment you will have,
Type of menu
Other menu types based on display
QR code menu
Online menu
Paper menu
Menu holder
Menu sign (menu board)
Displayette
Disposable menu
What’s a QR code menu
A QR code menu is a digital restaurant menu that customers can access by scanning a QR code with their smartphone.
What’s an online menu
A online menu is found on the restaurant’s website with restaurant online ordering system.
What’s a paper menu
A paper menu is a physical menu printed on paper
What a menu holder
A menu holder is a stand or holder designed to display paper menus
What’s a displayed menu
Displayettes, also known as tabletop tent menus, are freestanding menu placed on the table
What’s a menu bread (sign)
A menu sign, or menu board, is a large display that showcases the restaurant’s menu,
What’s a disposable menu
Disposable menus are single-use paper menus that are discarded after each use
What’s a pri fix menu
A prix fixe menu offers a set number of courses for a fixed price
