The best menu engineering method

Matrix Method:
Collect data: Analyze your sales data to determine the popularity of each menu item and calculate their food costs and profitability. You can use your point-of-sale system or sales reports to gather this information.

Create a matrix: Draw a two-dimensional matrix on paper or use a spreadsheet. The x-axis represents popularity (high to low), while the y-axis represents profitability (high to low). Divide the matrix into four quadrants: Stars, Plowhorses, Puzzles, and Dogs.

Stars: High-profit items with high popularity. These are your menu’s winners that should be highlighted and promoted further.
Plowhorses: High-popularity items with average profitability. These items generate revenue but may need some adjustments to increase profitability.
Puzzles: Low-popularity items with high profitability. These items have potential but require attention to boost their popularity.
Dogs: Low-profit items with low popularity. These items should be evaluated for potential improvements or consider removing them from the menu.

Plot menu items: Place each menu item in the appropriate quadrant based on its popularity and profitability. Consider using different colors or symbols to visually distinguish them.

Analyze the matrix: Evaluate the distribution of menu items across the quadrants. Identify trends, such as an overreliance on Plowhorses or a significant number of Dogs. This analysis will help you understand the overall performance of your menu and guide your decision-making.

Strategic actions:
Stars: Focus on promoting and highlighting these items even further to capitalize on their popularity.
Plowhorses: Consider adjusting the pricing, portion sizes, or presentation to improve profitability without sacrificing popularity.
Puzzles: Invest in marketing and promotion to increase the popularity of these items. Alternatively, you can reposition or modify them to make them more appealing.
Dogs: Evaluate whether these items are worth keeping on the menu. If not, consider removing or reimagining them.

Regular review and adjustment: Menu engineering is an ongoing process. Continuously monitor your menu’s performance, update the matrix, and make adjustments based on changing customer preferences, costs, and trends.
Remember, the success of menu engineering relies on accurate data collection and analysis. It’s also essential to have a robust point-of-sale system for accurate records.