Everyone loves good food, and many people love to try something new. If your restaurant has a menu that hasn’t changed in ten years, you’re probably losing customers. When customers have had the same meals at your restaurant over and over again, they tend to get tired of eating the same dishes. While it’s good to keep popular dishes on the menu, it’s also a good idea to update your menu with innovative new dishes.
When you update your menu will depend on the demand of your restaurant. If you can update it seasonally, that will be in your favor. During the summer months there is no point in keeping winter dishes on your menu, and the same is true during the winter months with summer dishes. You want to keep the menu fresh. More importantly, you want to serve the needs of your customers at that time.
During the winter, it’s a good idea to add new dishes and winter favorites, like soup or pasta. Baked potatoes with delicious toppings are also a wonderful winter meal. You could add dishes that are popular in other countries. Dishes with chili or hot spices are fun foods for people trying out in the colder season. Plus, focus more on adding more hot drinks, like flavored hot chocolate, or create your own signature hot drink.
In the summer, you can experiment by adding unique salads to your menu. Try interesting combinations that will intrigue your customers. Consider creating summer dishes based on seasonal vegetables or perhaps try dishes that are currently in fashion. People love to try interesting dishes that they have seen on TV but cannot recreate themselves. Also think about creating your own cold drink mix that tastes sweet and delicious. Cocktails and mocktails are a hit in the spring and summer seasons.
If you can’t update your menu seasonally, review it annually. Decide which dishes have been ordered the most and keep them on your menu. You can remove the less popular dishes from the menu and replace them with new creations. Customers will enjoy trying the new foods and this will ensure more customers return.
Updating your restaurant menu may seem like the least important part of your business, but it is an integral part of it. It’s just as important as using the correct catering equipment in your commercial kitchen. Take the time to review your menu and make any changes necessary to keep customers coming back often.