{"id":5187,"date":"2016-07-08T21:48:36","date_gmt":"2016-07-08T21:48:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/?p=5187"},"modified":"2022-10-12T11:28:01","modified_gmt":"2022-10-12T15:28:01","slug":"expand-restaurant-menu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/expand-restaurant-menu\/","title":{"rendered":"The Smart Way to Expand Your Restaurant Menu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adding new items to your restaurant menu requires advanced planning. From pricing to preparation, multiple elements must be addressed to guarantee successful changes.<\/p>\n

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Stick with Your Brand Image<\/h3>\n

Stepping outside the box and inventing creative dishes is a smart idea only if you don\u2019t make a giant leap.<\/p>\n

Customers expect a certain type of cuisine when they come to your restaurant, and surprising them too much can backfire.<\/p>\n

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When brainstorming new menu items, keep ideas in line with the image of your eatery, and let your creativity shine in how you use ingredients to create a fresh twist on the food you already offer.<\/p>\n

Put Items to the (Taste) Test<\/h3>\n

Hold a tasting party to gather opinions on new items before giving them permanent spots on the menu. This can be a special event for family, friends and loyal customers or a \u201cone day only\u201d buffet open to the public.<\/p>\n

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Choose the items you want to test, and gather feedback on the flavor, appearance and preparation of each dish.<\/p>\n

When the event is over, assess the overall reaction to each dish and determine which ones have the potential to be the most profitable.<\/p>\n

Consider Equipment<\/h3>\n

Some menu items you dream up may require special equipment to prepare.<\/p>\n

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Decide whether or not you have the financial stability to make a large purchase and what payment method would be best.<\/p>\n

If you need to take out a loan, measure the long-term debt against the potential income from the new item. A decent increase in profits may make a new equipment purchase worthwhile.<\/p>\n

You can obtain a Restaurant Equipment loan <\/a>to cover the up front cost without disrupting your cash flow.<\/p>\n

Calculate the Cost of Dishes<\/h3>\n

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In addition to equipment, the final cost of dishes includes the price of:<\/p>\n