1851

Restaurants in America have had it tough in recent years, from COVID-related lockdowns to staffing shortages and now inflation. Although inflation impacts just about every industry, it has hit the food service sector particularly hard. In fact, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/restaurant-menu-price-inflation-highest-40-years?ref=spoton.com&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-smart-menu-design-can-help-restaurants-counter-inflation-2723617" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Restaurant Business</a>, restaurant menu price inflation is at its highest point in roughly 40 years.While inflation and rising food prices can cause problems for business owners, there are several ways that businesses can counter the issue, continue to attract customers and earn revenue through smart menu design.<h2>A Well-Engineered Menu</h2>For starters, having a well-engineered menu that maximizes your overall profitability is crucial in your journey to offset inflation. As<a href="https://get.popmenu.com/post/menu-engineering?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-smart-menu-design-can-help-restaurants-counter-inflation-2723617" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;Popmenu</a> notes, a well-engineered menu can drive as much as 10% to 15% or more revenue to a restaurant’s bottom line. To create such a menu, restaurant operators need to assess how well their current menu items are actually selling and how much potential profit each item has. After doing this, they can determine which menu items can be kept, which items and prices should be modified, and which items need to be eliminated altogether.Additionally, when designing your menu, it should be easy to read and crafted with simplicity in mind. For example,<a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/outside-insights/how-smart-menu-design-can-counter-inflation?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-smart-menu-design-can-help-restaurants-counter-inflation-2723617#:~:text=A%20menu%20that%20clearly%20and,away%20from%20ordering%20by%20price" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;QSR Magazine</a> suggests that utilizing a slightly larger font, employing attention-grabbing colors or boxes, or highlighting signature food or drinks, can result in increased revenue.“A menu that clearly and compellingly explains value will help attract consumer interest in and attention to the quality of your menu items, and away from ordering by price,” wrote<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-cook-6526092/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-smart-menu-design-can-help-restaurants-counter-inflation-2723617" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;Tom Cook</a>, a principal of King-Casey, a restaurant and food service business improvement firm.<h2>Smaller Portion Sizes</h2>But it’s not just about the aesthetic of your menu that matters. When it comes to designing a menu to combat inflation, another strategic approach involves reducing the menu or offering smaller portion sizes. Take another close look at your menu and see which items you may be able to scale back on. If an ingredient or food item is costing you more but isn’t turning a profit, consider removing it. However, if that item is a favorite among consumers and your menu can’t live without it, try reducing the portion size. For example, a steakhouse owner could offer smaller cuts of steak for cost-sensitive diners. This will allow you to adapt to the economic shift while maintaining the quality and appeal of your offerings.<h2>Limited Time Offers (LTO)</h2>Another tactic to counter inflation is by offering strategic limited-time menu items. These limited-time food items can create a sense of urgency among customers, generate buzz and excitement, and ultimately, allow you to have price flexibility. By introducing exclusive items with limited availability, you can set a higher price point, which in turn can allow you to maintain your margins without alienating your customer base. In an<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/01/restaurants-are-getting-creative-with-menus-to-counter-soaring-food-costs.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-smart-menu-design-can-help-restaurants-counter-inflation-2723617" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;interview with CNBC</a>, Chipotle Mexican Grill’s chief operating officer<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottboatwrightmba/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-smart-menu-design-can-help-restaurants-counter-inflation-2723617" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;Scott Boatwright</a> revealed the chain frequently considers offering limited-time menu items as a way to adapt to rising food costs.“We are thinking about future limited-time offers and about margin impact, with an eye toward supply chain, specific to products that we know will see significant inflation and moving those LTOs to at least be on balance with margin or even margin accretive,” Boatwright said.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Raise Prices</h2>One of the most common and immediate responses to offset inflation is to raise prices. Although there are other solutions, if you choose to raise prices, it’s recommended that you do it little by little.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-sharkey-406965b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-smart-menu-design-can-help-restaurants-counter-inflation-2723617" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;Josh Sharkey</a>, the founder and CEO of recipe software company Meez, told<a href="https://backofhouse.io/resources/how-adjust-restaurant-menu-fight-inflation-rising-food-costs?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-smart-menu-design-can-help-restaurants-counter-inflation-2723617" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;Back of House</a> that by poorly executing a menu price increase, business owners could confuse or deter guests from returning.&nbsp;&nbsp;“You can’t just blindly raise prices,” said Sharkey. “If you don’t do it the right way, you’re not only going to impact your customers, but you could negatively affect your business. You have to look at the velocity of sales of different items, which ones have the best economics for you internally and see where the wiggle room is.”If you decide to take this approach, monitor the reaction from your customers. Most importantly, be up-front about it. Maintaining transparency is crucial to prevent customers from being surprised when they receive their checks.<h2>Weather the Inflation Storm</h2>As economic uncertainty continues to loom, there’s never been a better time to reevaluate your menu design. While many of these tips are universal for a variety of business owners, by carefully curating your offerings, optimizing pricing strategies and staying attuned to customer sentiments, businesses can weather the inflation crisis while continuing to provide memorable experiences. &nbsp;

How Smart Menu Design Can Help Restaurants Counter Inflation

1851 Franchise

With a well-engineered menu and a few helpful tactics in their back pockets, restaurant owners can get some reprieve from the ongoing inflation crisis. 

how-smart-menu-design-can-help-restaurants-counter-inflation

New U Women's Clinic & Aesthetics

image of New U Women’s Clinic & Aesthetics employees and franchise

How New U Is Redefining Women’s Health, Offering a Scalable Franchise Opportunity as the Next Big Category Creator in the $21 Billion Med Spa Industry

womens-health-wellness-franchise-new-u

image of New U Women’s Clinic & Aesthetics Founder and CEO Dr. Rachel Fidino

The Void in Women’s Health, Solved By a Two Time Cancer Survivor: How New U Built Care that Didn’t Exist and is Eying National Franchise Expansion

new-u-womens-clinic-consumer-positioning

SweatHouz

SweatHouz Expansion - Tribeca Opening and 12 NYC Franchise Units - 1851 Franchise

SweatHouz Franchise Expands Into New York City With 12-Unit Development Agreement Across Manhattan and Brooklyn

sweathouz-new-york-tribeca-expansion

DoodyCalls

How This Family Built a Fast-Growing DoodyCalls Business in Greensboro, North Carolina

families-in-franchising-robert-thomas-doodycalls-greensboro

Sparkle Squad Window Cleaning Services

Sparkle Squad Franchise - Ryan Fraser - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

Commercial Real Estate Veteran Leverages Commercial Work To Grow Sparkle Squad Franchise

sparkle-squad-franchise-new-jersey-ryan-fraser

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Hardee's Franchise - ARC Burger Lawsuit - 1851 Franchise

Hardee’s Lawsuit Targets Franchisee as 77 Restaurants Prepare to Shut Down

hardees-franchise-closures-arc-burger-lawsuit

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

As Starbucks and Dunkin’ Navigate a Changing Market, New Coffee Players Keep Gaining Ground

starbucks-dunkin-franchise-coffee-market-trends

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

Do You Qualify? A Look at the Chick-fil-A Franchise Requirements

do-you-qualify-a-look-at-the-chick-fil-a-franchise-requirements

The Top 15 Pet Supplies and Retail Franchises for 2025

the-top-15-pet-supplies-and-retail-franchises

Scenthound Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

scenthound-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Christmas Decor Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

christmas-decor-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Ellianos Coffee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

ellianos-coffee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

How Smart Menu Design Can Help Restaurants Counter Inflation

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS