Striking a balance between being innovative and playing the hits on your menu is one of the hardest things to do. Consumers want something familiar to latch onto (for the vast majority of restaurants), but they also want new things or twists on their familiar favorites (that novel excitement that comes with trying something perceived as new).
The key to this is understanding who are your customers and what they want and the best way to do that is to have your team get out into the dining room and ask them what they want. This also has the benefit of giving your managers a reason to come and touch the table. Pete Sittnick clued me into a great question that he has his managers ask "What things could we do that would get you to come back once more each month?" tracking these responses gives you a great insight into driving frequency (which is hugely impactful for restaurant success), but can also uncover areas that guests don't love.
Most consumers are looking for the classics executed to a great level. Think of the things your crave when you go out to eat, Burgers, Pizza, Pasta, Sushi, Roast Chicken, Perfectly Crispy Salmon etc. These are usually not wildly complicated items. I personally believe that nostalgia is one of the most underrated factors in restaurant menu design (A la Egon in Ratatouille). Having a mix of the classic standbys and a few inventive dishes allows for a great mix.
How do you think about addressing this in your restaurant?
Owner | Innovator | Artist
2moMuch needed!