A Proven Step-by-Step Guide to More Profitable, Streamlined Menus
Once your goals are set and your menu has been assessed, it’s time to move from planning to development. In Part 2 of the Menu Update Handbook, we cover how to create, test, and refine new dishes, gather feedback from the people who matter most, and make confident decisions based on data—not guesswork.
This phase blends creativity with control, helping you align your new offerings with both your brand and your bottom line. Let’s take your ideas from the test kitchen to the menu board—deliberately and strategically.
4. Develop Recipes & Test
Once a dish is under serious consideration for addition to the menu, source the ingredients and begin building a standardized recipe. Finalize details like portion size, preparation steps, flavor profile, plate presentation, necessary equipment, and food cost. Expect to refine the recipe through iteration.
Start testing internally—have staff taste and provide feedback. Gauge their enthusiasm for selling it. Trusted regulars can also offer valuable, honest input before a broader rollout.
5. Gather Feedback
In addition to getting feedback from employees and trusted regular guests during the development phase, offering potential new menu items as daily or weekly features will provide the opportunity to get feedback from more customers and uncover any operational concerns hindering production during normal operations. Use tools like surveys, comment cards, and social media polls to collect input. This feedback helps ensure your menu decisions are aligned with your menu change goals and helps create excitement for the launch of the new menu.
6. Finalize Menu Decisions
Deciding what stays, changes, or goes requires a clear process aligned with your goals. Focus on the following:
- Decision Clarity: Define who is involved and how decisions are made. Ensure each item is evaluated objectively.
- Data First: Rely on sales and cost data to guide decisions, ensuring financial targets are met.
- Emotional Awareness: Be mindful of attachment to legacy items—balance sentiment with strategy.
- Risk Management: Anticipate hurdles like customer response, supply issues, or execution challenges.
- Build Excitement: Emphasize the benefits—new flavors, better margins, improved service—and rally your team around the vision.
