Patrons always seem to want something new when they come to a restaurant, whether that restaurant just opened its doors or has been around for decades. No matter which category your restaurant falls into, there are easy ways to expand your restaurant menu without breaking the bank or driving your staff crazy. Keep reading to get a few ideas that will satisfy your customers and keep your business fresh.
Frozen Drinks
Expanding your entire menu is daunting, so skip that struggle altogether by focusing on a smaller part of your menu, like the drink selection. No matter what kind of restaurant you run, frozen drinks will make an excellent addition to the menu. People love iced and frozen drinks all year long, and they’re so versatile that you can never go wrong with them.
Fortunately, these menu items are easy to make too. All you need is a slushy machine, some ice, and the flavorings or syrups of your choice—then you’re good to go. While there are lots of reasons to add a slushy machine to your restaurant, the fact that you can use it to instantly expand your menu is a big one.
Seasonal Specials
While many customers enjoy frozen drinks year-round, some specials are better as seasonal offerings. Look into what seasonal crops your region produces and see what you can use to create a seasonal dish that your patrons will love. Make sure to advertise that the special is only available for a limited time to attract more customers. You can also explain where the local ingredients are from so that they can connect with the dish.
New Designs
Sometimes you don’t have to add items to your menu to expand it. Instead, you may just need to redesign it.
Look over your current printed menu and consider how you can redesign and optimize it to make it look and feel like new. New pictures, more detailed descriptions, and better organization will ensure even loyal customers feel like you’ve upgraded your establishment.
You can also create new sections or offer options that take dietary restrictions into account. Consider offering gluten or dairy-free alternatives to current menu items to give the impression that you’ve expanded your menu without putting too much work on your chef.
Adding frozen drinks, offering seasonal specials, and redesigning your menu are three easy ways to expand your restaurant menu. Small changes like these will help keep you and your staff up to date with current food trends and keep your customers coming back for more.
