Learn restaurant menu planning basics for your restaurant startup in the UK. Read more to find out about how to start a restaurant in the UK.

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One key to restaurant startup success is having a well-planned menu. A good menu does more than list dishes. It reflects your restaurant’s brand and attracts customers.

We’ll cover how to understand your audience, food service, choose the right dishes, and design an appealing menu. Plus, we’ll show how the role of an ePOS system in restaurant menu planning.

What is Restaurant Menu Planning?

Restaurant menu planning is the process of designing and organizing a list of food and drink offerings for a restaurant. It involves selecting dishes that align with the restaurant’s concept, target audience, and operational capabilities. Effective menu planning ensures that the menu is balanced, appealing, and profitable.

Identify Your Target Market

Knowing who your customers are is crucial. Start restaurant menu planning by identifying your target market. Are you aiming to attract families, young professionals, or food enthusiasts?

Research your local area to understand the demographics and preferences of potential customers. This will help you create a menu that appeals to their tastes and needs.

See the full guide on restaurant market research for UK startups to learn more. https://etakeawaymax.co.uk/restaurant-market-research/

Cultural and Dietary Considerations

In the UK, it’s important to offer diverse and inclusive menu options. Consider cultural preferences and dietary restrictions when planning your menu. Include options for vegetarians, vegans, and those with food allergies.

This not only broadens your customer base but also shows that you care about your customers’ needs.

Crafting Your Menu

Choosing the Right Dishes

Select dishes that align with your restaurant’s theme and concept. If your restaurant is Italian, focus on classic Italian dishes like pasta and pizza. For a British pub, include traditional favorites like fish and chips or shepherd’s pie.

Make sure the dishes you choose reflect the identity of your restaurant and appeal to your target market.

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Balancing Variety and Simplicity

A well-balanced menu offers variety of menu items without overwhelming customers.

Aim for a good mix of starters, mains, and desserts. Include different types of menu items such as meat, seafood, and vegetarian options.

However, keep your menu manageable. Too many choices can lead to longer preparation times and higher costs. Focus on quality over quantity.

Also keep in mind that you should decide on core ingredients to manage storage space, supply chain, food cost, and food waste.

Menu Pricing

Set prices that are fair and competitive. Consider the cost of ingredients, preparation time, and local market rates.

Research what nearby restaurants charge for similar dishes. Your pricing should reflect the value and experience you offer while ensuring profitability. Balance affordability with quality to attract and retain customers.

Types of Menu Planning

Static Menu Planning – A static menu remains the same over a long period, with little to no changes.
Cycle Menu Planning – Menu items rotates over a specific period (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) and then repeats.
À la Carte Menu Planning – Each menu item is listed and priced separately, allowing customers to choose individual dishes.
Table d’Hôte Menu Planning – A fixed menu with a set price, offering limited choices (or no choice) for each course.
Seasonal Menu Planning – Menus that change according to the seasons, featuring seasonal dishes and ingredients.
Du Jour Menu Planning – “Menu of the day” that changes daily, offering different dishes each day.
Hybrid Menu Planning – Combines elements of different menu types to offer both fixed and variable options.

Designing the Menu

Menu Layout and Design

A visually appealing menu design can enhance the dining experience.

Organize your menu logically, grouping items by categories such as starters, mains, and desserts.
Use clear headings and easy-to-read fonts.
Avoid clutter by keeping the design simple and clean.
High-quality images of your dishes can also tempt customers and showcase your offerings.

Free restaurant menu templates are widely available in sites such as Canva, they even have a free menu maker.

Descriptive and Persuasive Language

The language you use on your menu should be both descriptive and enticing. Use vivid adjectives to make dishes sound more appealing.

For example, instead of “chicken curry,” use “succulent chicken curry with fragrant spices.” Highlight unique ingredients and cooking methods to draw attention. Good descriptions can make a dish irresistible.

Highlighting Specials and Signature Dishes

Feature your specials and signature dishes prominently. Use boxes, borders, or different fonts to make them stand out.

Specials can highlight seasonal ingredients or new recipes, keeping your menu fresh and exciting. Signature dishes are unique to your restaurant and can become a major draw for customers.

How Can an ePOS Help with Restaurant Menu Planning?

eTakeawayMax is the zero-commission alternative that helps you make more money from online orders. Get more repeat business with contact-less QR menu ordering, waiter apps, driver apps, pre-ordering, and order limits. Integrates with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Just-Eat, UberEat, Deliveroo and more.

Data-Driven Decisions

Our ePOS systems collect valuable data on what dishes are selling well and which are not. This information allows you to make informed decisions about your menu. You can identify best-sellers and under-performers, helping you adjust your offerings to better meet customer preferences and boost sales.

Menu Adjustments

With our ePOS system, updating your menu is quick and easy. You can add new dishes, change prices, or remove items with just a few clicks. This flexibility is essential for keeping your menu fresh and aligned with current trends or seasonal availability.

Improved Customer Experience

Our well-implemented ePOS system enhances the overall customer experience. It ensures accurate order taking and efficient service, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Additionally, our ePOS system offer features like customer feedback collection, which can provide insights into further improving your menu and service.

Try our risk-free 3 month trial: https://etakeawaymax.co.uk/

Check out other guides on starting a restaurant business in the UK:

Features	Shared Portals	eTakeaway Max™
Online branding	Nope	Absolutely. Our web design team works closely with you to create your very own custom site. No bog-standard templates here.
Social media promotion	Nope	Yep. We’re big believers in the power of social media. Building a presence is pretty easy too – people love seeing your food pics.
Email marketing	Nope	Included. Email newsletters are great for luring in customers with your new deals. It’s hard to turn down a freebie.
Coupons and loyalty points	Nope	Sure. Not too long ago we developed a loyalty point system – perfect for upselling and making sure customers always come back.
Commissions	Yep. Upwards of 11%!	Never have, never will.
Promotions (Including Google ads)	Another nope.	£600 worth of promotional material included in each package.

Introduction to Restaurant Menu Planning: All You Need to Know