All restaurants, cafes, pubs, hotels and takeaways have to budget for menu printing. Whether it is a small chipper or an elegant resort hotel, any business that serves food needs a printed menu so people can review their options. Some menus remain unchanged for years, but others change weekly or seasonally. A menu might seem like an afterthought. Really, it’s the food itself that impresses people, right? While getting the food right is obviously essential, every aspect of the customer experience is important such as the lighting, the service, to the seating and the cutlery. It all affects how people feel about the establishment. That’s why menu printing is so important.

The menu does more than tell people what food is offered. It is a critical opportunity to brand the establishment. The colours, fonts, tone of voice and paper used all subtly influence how the customer perceives the brand. These elements combine to project a mood and personality. And of course, menus provide essential information about the establishment’s offerings. All of that means that menu printing is more complicated than simply organising a list of foods being served.

5 Points to Consider for Menu Printing

If it is time for your establishment to print menus, you need to consider what information your customers need to make a satisfying choice and enjoy their experience with your business.

1. Today, people are more aware of food allergies and intolerances. While some people are just hopping on the bandwagon, others face serious – even fatal – consequences if they eat the wrong thing. It is imperative that your customers know exactly what is in the dishes they order to avoid allergens. They must also know if the food is at any risk of cross-contamination in your kitchen. A simple coding system has become popular because it is an easy way to convey a lot of information.

2. For a variety of reasons, some customers will also seek out vegan and vegetarian dishes. It pays to reassure them which dishes meet their criteria. It also means your staff is spared having to review the menu with multiple customers.

3. As awareness spreads about the ecological and economic impact of how restaurants source their food, identifying which ingredients are organic or locally produced can be a strong selling point.

4. Does your establishment have a set of meals specifically for children? Depending on the number of options for children and how much of your customer base is families with little ones, you can choose to either dedicate a section of the main menu to children’s dishes or to print a separate menu for children.

5. Customers like to know how things work. Your menu should also include details on your policies regarding substitutions, payment methods, tipping and groups. Putting this on the menu means wait or counter staff don’t have to spend time answering questions and customers feel more comfortable because they don’t have to ask.

Learn more about menu printing here or contact our print and design experts on 01-5390088