Food for Thought
January 10, 2025

How to Optimise Restaurant Menu Add-Ons for Maximum Sales

Add-ons are a simple way to boost your average order value and give customers more choices. Whether they’re dining in, ordering takeaway, or using your catering service, here’s how you can improve your menu add-ons to increase sales.

1. Offer Relevant Add-Ons for Each Service Type

Tailor your add-ons based on the type of order. For dine-in or QR Order & Pay, offer side dishes or extra toppings. For takeaway and delivery, suggest items that travel well, like drinks or desserts. For catering, create bulk add-on options such as extra platters or utensils.

Why it works: Customising add-ons for each service type improves the customer experience and increases your chances of upselling.

2. Suggest Add-Ons at the Right Time

When customers are placing an order, suggest add-ons right before they finalise it. This can be done automatically through your online system, prompting guests to add sides, drinks, or desserts with a single click.

Why it works: Timing is key. Suggesting add-ons before checkout encourages customers to expand their order without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Personalise Add-Ons for Dietary Preferences

Offer add-ons that cater to dietary preferences, such as vegan sauces or gluten-free bread. This makes your menu more accessible and encourages guests to add something extra to suit their needs.

Why it works: Personalising options based on dietary preferences creates inclusivity, making it easier for customers to find exactly what they want.

4. Create Limited-Time Add-On Offers

Introduce seasonal or limited-time add-ons, like a festive dessert or a special dipping sauce. Promoting these as add-ons during holidays or events drives urgency and encourages customers to take advantage of the offer.

Why it works: Limited-time offers create excitement and urgency, encouraging customers to try something new and boost their order total.

5. Make Add-Ons Easy to Understand

Ensure your add-ons are clearly labelled with a short description that explains what the customer is getting. If you offer extra toppings or sides, mention portion sizes and the impact on the meal.

Why it works: Clear descriptions reduce confusion, making customers more likely to opt for an add-on when they know exactly what they’re getting.

By improving your restaurant’s menu add-ons and offering them at the right moment, you increase both customer satisfaction and revenue. Using a reliable system like storekit’s online ordering platform allows you to suggest add-ons seamlessly, boosting your sales across dine-in, takeaway, delivery, and catering.

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No, you will not need to hire more floor staff. Our clients find that they can serve more guests with the same team by removing unnecessary steps of service. Your guests get their food & drink quicker, and your staff can focus on providing a better service.

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No matter the shape or size of your business, storekit is the right tool for your operation. We work with all kinds of hospitality businesses in the UK (& abroad) to increase their sales, control their costs & enable an exceptional customer experience.

Will it reduce customer interaction?

No, you will not lose out on customer interaction. By removing tasks for your staff, they can spend more time on what matters. Bar staff can focus on making the best drinks possible, rather than taking orders. Floor staff can focus on engaging with guests and serving with a smile.

Do my guests want to order from their phones?

Online ordering for restaurants lets your guests order what they want, when they want. They get their food & drink quicker, without the stress of paying the bill. Your staff get more tips & can focus on what they do best - providing the best quality customer experience. You'll make more money & save costs. It's a win-win for everyone involved.

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