Fast-food chains have much to consider. From food preparation to running a profitable business, business owners often seek the best fast food items that satisfy their customers while generating good revenue.
Business owners should always consider including the most profitable fast-food menu items. The question remains: What are the best fast food items business owners should consider?
The Best Fast Food Items
Here are a few recommendations for profitable best fast food items you should consider:
1. Food Items Based on Time of the Day
If you are operating from early mornings to twilight hours, you might want to offer different food items based on the time of the day. Here are a few best fast-food items to consider:
- Breakfast: pancakes, wraps, ham & egg sandwiches
- Lunch: In-house burgers, hotdogs, french fries
- Dinner: Similar to lunch menus but also include dinner specials to attract clients to drop by and order
Switching between different menus may be challenging if you are using traditional paper menu boards. With digital menu boards, you can rely on the dayparting feature to help you automate the menu-changing process depending on the time of the day.
2. Cold & Hot Beverages
Never underestimate the profit margins of non-alcoholic beverages. Research revealed that in 2019, the gross profit margin for the non-alcoholic beverage industry was 54.87%. By providing fountain drinks, juices, coffee, tea, and seasonal beverages, you can motivate customers to order more to combine with their drinks.
3. Combos, Add-Ons, and Sides
Studies revealed that 65% of customers ordered a combo meal from a QSR in the past month. Not only do combos offer customers’ favorite products in a single meal, but combos also indicate affordability and efficiency. Consider including the best fast food items and sides, such as french fries, onion rings, salads, and pies, as part of your combos.
For business owners, combos will give you greater profit leverage than you think. You simply have to ensure your discounted combo deals do not exceed the sum of their parts. Note that you do not need to significantly discount the price as customers are usually happy with slight discounts.
4. Special Kids Menu
Many QSR operators offer kids’ menus below cost to attract parents; however, kids’ menus can contribute to profitability like the rest of the best fast food items.
How do you do that? To start, use products & ingredients you are already using. Moreover, consider adding inspired options, such as snack-size burrito wraps, to attract parents to order for their kids. Lastly, don’t be afraid to upcharge for upgrades and add-ons.
5. Seasonal Menu Items
Surprise your customers with seasonal and limited-time food items to spark their appetite and motivate them to visit the restaurants. Offer the best fast food items, such as peach milkshakes, BBQ grilled chicken wraps, pumpkin-spiced lattes, and gingerbread pies.
Lastly, seize every opportunity to promote your best fast food items. Offer BOGO deals, summer drink specials, or points collection events to attract customers.
Using Digital Menu Boards to Display Your Best Fast Food Items Effectively
Now you have figured out the best fast-food items to include in your menus, the next question is: how do you include them on your menu boards appealingly and attractively?
Traditional paper menu boards have many limitations and cannot cope with changes. Digital menu boards, on the other hand, offer a way to present food menus vividly and allow operators to make changes whenever they need to. Here are 3 ways digital menu boards can benefit your businesses:
1. Attract Customers
Nearly 30% of customers reported when it comes to their purchasing decisions, digital menus are influential. Human eyes are attracted to visuals. Research revealed that visuals get 94% more views than text information. Bring your menus to life with digital menu boards.
With digital menu boards, operators can present their best fast food items with mouth-watering images and vivid videos. They can also update their menus with captivating promotions to attract customers and motivate customers to make additional purchases.
2. Highlight Your Best Fast-Food Menu Items
Put your high-margin fast food items into the spotlight with digital menu boards. Observe your customers’ purchasing frequency to identify your best fast food items. Re-arrange how these items appear on your menus by updating your content via the online platform. Any changes you make will be updated to all or selected locations with minimal delays.
3. Make Updates to Increase Your Profits
Say goodbye to print shops. Digital menu boards give you full control over your menu content. Make updates to your digital menu boards from any device with an internet connection, whenever and where you want. Release your promotional campaigns at the right time and capture all the opportunities to motivate your customers to visit and revisit your restaurants.
Installing and running digital menu boards will be hassle-free when you have the right total solution provider. From designs to launching the digital menu boards at your restaurants, a total solution provider will be able to provide you with a proposal and ensure the process goes smoothly.
You can learn more about NexSigns’ Digital Signage solution and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube to get the latest info on digital signage!
