Look at popularity and profit together
Menu engineering compares how often an item sells with the contribution it makes per sale. Contribution margin is selling price minus the variable cost of the item.
Group items thoughtfully
Popular, high-contribution items deserve attention and consistency. For less popular or lower-contribution items, consider positioning, recipe changes, pricing, or whether the item has an important role for guests.
Revisit with fresh data
Use a representative sales period and update recipe costs before drawing conclusions. Seasonality, dietary options, and the overall guest experience are important context for every decision.
This guide is for educational purposes and is not financial or legal advice.
