More and more restaurants are recognizing that knowledge is power when it comes to their menus. Today’s restaurant customers are increasingly concerned about a variety of health factors and want detailed menu descriptions. Perhaps they are trying to control their weight, or maybe they suffer from a food allergy. Maybe they’re concerned about the humane treatment of animals and want to know where the meat they eat comes from. The bottom line is that people want to know as much as there is to know about the food they eat, and that includes meals eaten out at a restaurant.
So what is the best way to present all of this information? All restaurants should invest in professional and scientific menu labeling for all of their menu items, and generally this information will be kept in a book that is available to the customer upon request. But there is another way to make sure the customer knows that the restaurant cares as much about what’s in the food as they do, and that is by making good use of each and every menu description.
The Marketing Power of Menu Descriptions
There are complicated psychological factors at play when people read over a menu. Studies have shown that more complex menu descriptions sell up to 30% better in some cases and leave the customer with the impression that the food tasted better and was of higher quality, and thus also worth more in terms of dollar amount.
For example, which description of a hamburger sounds better to you?
Example 1: Hamburger on a bun with pickles and fried onions.
or
Example 2: 100% Grass-fed local beef patty on a whole grain bun with homemade pickles and sauteed organic Vidalia onions from our very own kitchen garden.
Most people would agree that the second description sounds more delectable, and it’s because of the details and care that went into the sourcing, preparation, and description of the food.
Menu Labeling Assists with Menu Descriptions
Even if your restaurant doesn’t get its ingredients from fancy-sounding places, there is still a lot you can do to liven up your menu descriptions. Armed with the information from the menu labeling process, you can now write menu descriptions that will appeal to and inform your customers. If an item is gluten free, say so. If menu items contain nuts, mention them in a detailed menu description, so that people with food allergies can steer clear. And be sure to point out any menu items that are low-fat or low-calorie, since finding healthy options while eating out can be a real challenge for the many people trying to watch their weight.
More Information Is Better
Just remember that the more information you can provide your customers, the happier they will be. No, not everyone will want to know exactly what’s in the chocolate souffle, or the exact calorie count of the spaghetti and meatballs, but those who do will choose your restaurant over another because they are empowered by the knowledge and better able to make healthy eating choices for themselves and their families.
Ready to get started? We can provide your restaurant with the menu labeling and nutritional details you need to write amazing, mouth-watering menu descriptions for everything on your menu. Contact MenuTrinfo today.
Image used under Creative Commons from avlxy.
