Appeal to every target group with your restaurant's menu - launch

From a relaxing family dinner to a quick bite at a business meeting: there are many reasons why consumers go to a restaurant. A well-thought-out and varied menu is crucial to appeal to your various target groups and keep them satisfied. In this article, the chefs at La Lorraine Bakery Group reveal how you can use smart menu options and strategic decisions to convince every segment of your clientèle to choose your business.

The importance of a versatile menu

First and foremost, a versatile menu makes sure that there is something for everyone. Consider customers with specific dietary needs such as vegetarians, vegans and those on a gluten-free diet. A varied menu satisfies these diverse needs. Whether you want to attract families or professionals, you should always consider dietary preferences when creating your menu. Even if your restaurant specialises in burgers, it's important to provide vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options. Otherwise, you'll have to disappoint a lot of potential customers.

In short: a varied menu ensures that every customer, no matter the target group, is happy. You'll improve customer satisfaction and increase the chance that customers will return to you, as they know they'll always find something they like on your menu.

How do you put together a menu that appeals to every target group? launch

Restaurants attract a wide range of target groups. Each with their own preferences, needs and expectations. Here is an overview.

Target group 1: Families

One of the most common target groups for restaurants is families with young children. These guests come for a relaxing evening and to create good memories together. Since children are not always the easiest customers to please, it's important to take good care of them. So provide a kid's menu or child-friendly options. For example, hamburgers, pizza baguettes and other Italian snacks. Or smaller and simpler versions of existing dishes. For these guests, it's better if things move quickly because children can't sit still for long periods of time. It can be nice to provide a colouring sheet or puzzles for your youngest customers. Then the parents can enjoy a relaxed evening while the kids amuse themselves. A win-win!

Target group 2: Couples

A romantic dinner for two. Is there anything better? Absolutely! A restaurant that is tailored to date nights. An extra-large pizza for sharing, a tomahawk steak with tasty side dishes for two people, an appetiser board full of culinary delights...the possibilities are endless! For couples, an evening at a restaurant is about connecting and making time for each other. A candle on the table won't go amiss. Maybe they'll even come back later for a family dinner...

Target group 3: Business dinners

Business dinners are planned to allow people to discuss important matters or to build relationships. For these customers, efficiency is most important because time is money. Be sure to include dishes on your menu that are quick to prepare, so they can dine and head off to the next meeting. Some business dinners are longer affairs, for example, when an entrepreneur is dining with a potential client. For these types of dinners, you should offer more luxurious dishes. Then your customer can treat their customer to the very best.

Target group 4: Large groups

This target group can be challenging for your staff, but great for your turnover. You need to show these customers what you're made of because every guest at the table is a potential loyal customer. Because you have a large group of people who all need to decide what to eat, it's best to provide a small snack or some bread for dipping. Then no one needs to get “hangry” while waiting. To guarantee quality, you might want to limit their options to, for example, a maximum of four different mains for groups of 8 and higher. Or recommend sharing dishes.

Target group 5: Young people

Young people also like going out to eat with their friends before heading into the city or to relax after stressful exams. Like all the other groups, they care about quality but they often have a more modest budget. It's best to provide some budget-friendly options for them like simple Italian dishes. Make sure your food is nicely presented because they like to post about what they're doing on social media.

Tip: make sure they can tag you on social media as well. List your socials (and your Wi-Fi code) on your menu.

Hold themed evenings to appeal to each target group separately

Do you notice that you have trouble persuading a particular target group to choose your restaurant? Themed evenings are an interesting way to appeal to them directly.

Some examples:

Speed dating nights: an evening specifically for singles who are looking for a partner. Delicious snacks, fun drinks and speed dating. No doubt they'll be back every year on their anniversary.
No-kids-allowed: an evening when only adults are welcome to create an atmosphere of peace and quiet. Ideal for couples and business dinners.
Italian night: Italian meals are great for serving large groups, so encourage your regulars to bring as many friends as possible to enjoy delicious pasta, pizza and lasagne.

LLBG: appeal to every target group with a versatile menu

The secret ingredient of a successful hospitality business is clear: a versatile menu. Need some help with this? Take a look at the very extensive range of products offered by La Lorraine Bakery Group. Sandwiches, savoury snacks, sweet snacks, viennoiserie, patisserie, etc. We'll fill your inventory in an instant with delicious products. Need advice? Talk to one of our representatives. We're happy to help.

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