How do you optimize your menu for online ordering and delivery platforms?

1 Choose your dishes wisely

Not all dishes are suitable for online ordering and delivery. Some may lose their quality, freshness, or presentation during transport. Others may require special packaging, reheating, or assembly instructions. You want to offer dishes that are easy to prepare, pack, and consume, and that can maintain their flavor, texture, and appearance. Avoid dishes that are too messy, delicate, or complicated.

2 Simplify your menu

Having too many options can overwhelm your customers and slow down your kitchen. You want to focus on your best-selling and most profitable dishes, and eliminate or consolidate the ones that are less popular or less profitable. A simple menu can also help you reduce food waste, inventory costs, and preparation time. Aim for a menu that has around 10 to 15 items, with a balance of categories, cuisines, and dietary preferences.

3 Use clear and appealing descriptions

Your menu descriptions are your main tool to entice your customers and communicate your value proposition. You want to use clear and concise language, avoid jargon or abbreviations, and highlight the ingredients, flavors, and benefits of your dishes. You can also use sensory words, storytelling, or cultural references to create a more engaging and memorable description. For example, instead of "chicken sandwich", you could write "crispy fried chicken with tangy coleslaw and spicy mayo on a toasted brioche bun".

4 Add photos and ratings

Photos and ratings can help you showcase your dishes and build trust and credibility with your customers. You want to use high-quality and realistic photos that reflect the actual portion size, presentation, and ingredients of your dishes. Avoid using filters, stock images, or misleading angles. You also want to encourage your customers to rate and review your dishes, and display the ratings and feedback on your menu. This can help you increase your visibility, reputation, and sales.

5 Update your menu regularly

Online ordering and delivery platforms allow you to change your menu easily and frequently, without having to print new copies or update your website. You can use this flexibility to test new dishes, offer seasonal specials, or run promotions. You can also use data and analytics from the platforms to track your performance, customer preferences, and feedback, and adjust your menu accordingly. Updating your menu regularly can help you keep your customers interested, satisfied, and loyal.

6 Benchmark your menu against competitors

Online ordering and delivery platforms also give you access to a lot of information about your competitors, such as their menus, prices, ratings, reviews, and promotions. You can use this information to benchmark your menu against theirs, and identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. You can also use this information to differentiate yourself from your competitors, and create a unique selling proposition that appeals to your target market.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?