14 Things Rustic Country Pub Owners Need To Know About Drafting A New Menu
A new menu can be an excellent way to attract new customers and delight regular customers alike. It can mean either redesigning the look of a current menu that might be a bit dated or adding new dishes for customers to enjoy. The menu is one of the key selling points for the food side of a pub business, so it is vital that pub owners make the best possible choices.
The menu should be easy to read, clearly state the options available and give customers crucial information on ingredients and allergens that may be included. Some pub owners may benefit from hiring a professional designer who can ensure the redesign is of the highest quality and prevent taking too much time from their busy schedules.
Include Old Favourites
A pub menu needs to incorporate new elements regularly to keep customers interested, but not at the expense of old favourites. If a pub has a dish that people come from near and far to sample or that is the most popular choice for its regulars, pub owners should consider keeping it on the menu. A good mix and new and old elements can be ideal for attracting new customers and keeping regular customers happy.
Keep Track Of The Most Popular Dishes
As mentioned above, it is important to keep old favourites around to ensure that loyal customers remain happy with the service provided. It can be challenging to know how best to do this, so pub owners could consider keeping track of the meals bought through an average week or month. It may also help for pub owners to track the most popular dishes between seasons and use seasonal menus to ensure they provide the foods their customers want most.
Consider The Latest Trends
It is a good idea for pub owners to keep an eye on other trends to see if they could appeal to their pub’s customer base. Asian fusion, Mexican and healthier options have all seen increased interest in recent years, and many pub owners have responded by including such options in their menus.
In addition, almost all places that serve food nowadays include at least a couple of vegetarian options, with many including vegan choices as well. Veganism has seen a big rise in popularity over the years, so pub owners should take note to appeal to this growing section of the consumer market.
Divide The Menu Into Sections
A menu needs to be easily readable and avoid clutter which can overwhelm customers. Sectioning food into relevant boxes or areas can be an excellent way for pub owners to show their customers where to look for different items. Owners could consider sectioning the main meals, side orders, starters and desserts for easier access. Colour coding these sections can also make it easier for customers to identify the items they want.
Choose The Font Carefully
The font will make a big difference in how readable a pub menu is. It is best to avoid overly complicated fonts and choose a clean and easy-to-read option. Pub owners could consider choosing a selection of fonts and having staff, friends, and family look them over to find out which they think is best suited.
Hire A Professional Photographer
It is often best to use photography sparingly on a menu, and when it is used, the images should be taken by a professional food photographer. The images should also be styled appropriately and composed to reflect the image of the pub, in this case, with a rustic feel. This could mean having a roaring fireplace in the background for winter menus and pictures of the beer garden for the summer menu.
Know How To Format Your Documents
For pub owners making their own menu, it is a good idea to learn how best to format it. This can involve a range of software or even pre-made templates to make the job easier. Pub owners will need to know things like how to use Adobe Acrobat JPG to PDF conversions to add images to their menu and how to rearrange items on the menu to get the desired look.
Include Some Nibbles
Not everyone goes to the pub to have a full and hearty meal, so it is important for pub owners to cater to those who want simple bar snacks. Some pubs choose to have a separate menu for bar snacks and nibbles, while others include them at the top of their main menu. Having a good range of nibbles can be ideal, such as olives, nuts, and cheese boards. It is best to choose crowd pleasers for a nibbles section to appeal to the broadest range of customers.
Put A Special Spin On The Classics
Serving simple but delicious pub grub can be a fine choice for many establishments, but increasingly customers are interested in more unusual options. Pub owners looking to branch out but without the time to compose entirely new menus could consider putting a unique spin on classic dishes. This could be something as simple as introducing sweet potato fries to the menu or adding some fresh herbs and seasonings to put a different twist to a pub favourite.
Choose The Right Suppliers
Customers want to know they’re getting the best possible quality with their meals, so it is important that pub owners can advertise their ingredients with pride. If a pub is catering to a customer base that is interested in sustainability, they should use sustainable partners and discuss what this means in their menu. This could be included in a short blurb at the beginning or end of the menu or on specific food items, for instance, by detailing that their steaks come from ethically raised animals from local farms.
Make The Colour Scheme And Design Fit
The colour scheme and design of the menu should fit with the aesthetic and feel of the venue itself. Pub owners should carefully consider these things before making design choices for their menu. For instance, fine dining rustic pubs should steer clear of bright colours that may be better suited to family-friendly spaces.
Make Health Information Accessible
It is not just convenient for customers to understand the allergen information on a menu – it is also the law. A combination of allergen training for a pub’s staff and easy-to-understand information on the menu can be invaluable to ensure the business complies with the law. One great way to include allergen information can be through a key chart of each 14 allergens with symbols next to meals that include them.
Price Competitively
Pricing a menu can always be challenging, and pub owners will need to balance their profits with what their customers are willing to pay. If planning a price increase with their new menu, it is best for pub owners to do so carefully and slowly and avoid raising all prices at once.
Proofread The Menu Thoroughly
Once the menu is complete, it must be thoroughly proofread before being sent to be published. Errors in the menu can lead to confusion from customers or give the impression of unprofessionalism. There are tools available online for pub owners without much experience in proofreading, or they could consider hiring a proofreader to ensure that everything is 100% accurate.
