R&D Diaries for Smarter Restaurants
📋 What is A/B Testing in Menu Design?
A/B testing is when you compare two versions of your menu — Menu A vs Menu B — to see which one performs better in terms of:
- Sales
- Order mix
- Customer satisfaction
- Profit margins
It’s the scientific method for menu design. And guess what? You don’t need an app or fancy POS system to do it — you can test offline, too.
💡 Why It Works
Your menu is not just a list of items — it’s your silent salesman.
Small changes in:
- Item placement
- Descriptions
- Highlighted specials
- Pricing structure
can massively shift what guests choose.
A/B testing shows you what actually works — not just what looks good.
🛠️ How to Run an Offline A/B Menu Test
1. Create Two Versions of the Menu
Make subtle but strategic changes. For example:
| Change Type | Menu A | Menu B |
|---|---|---|
| Item order | Signature dish at bottom | Signature dish at top |
| Highlighting | No icons | Use 🔥 or ⭐️ for top sellers |
| Price format | Rs. 950 | 950 without currency |
| Descriptions | “Grilled chicken with herbs” | “Charcoal-grilled chicken with house spices” |
Keep all other elements the same.
2. Test in Parallel or Sequential Days
Option A: Parallel Test
- On Day 1: 50% of guests receive Menu A, 50% get Menu B
- Train servers to alternate or assign sections
Option B: Sequential Test
- Week 1: Use Menu A
- Week 2: Use Menu B
Track data separately.
3. Measure These Metrics
| Metric | How to Track |
|---|---|
| Item sales volume | Daily sales report manually or POS |
| Average order value | Total sales ÷ # of covers |
| High-margin item orders | % of orders from target items |
| Feedback & confusion | Ask servers or use quick comment cards |
4. Look Beyond Sales
Watch for:
- Customer hesitation (menus that confuse or overwhelm)
- Server input (e.g. “Guests keep asking what this item means”)
- Item skips (if your best dish isn’t being ordered, maybe it’s lost on the page)
📦 Bonus: A/B Testing Add-Ons
- QR Code Menu Test: Link QR codes on tables to different menu versions
- Table Tent Promos: Use two designs, see which gets more redemptions
- Dessert Menu Inserts: Test “Before You Go…” vs “Save Room for Dessert 🍰”
🇵🇰 Does This Work in Pakistan? Absolutely.
Whether you’re running a fine-dining restaurant in Islamabad, a dhaba-style joint in Karachi, or a lakeside café in Khanpur — menu psychology is universal.
In fact, with limited digital infrastructure, offline A/B testing becomes even more powerful when combined with smart training and daily observations.
🔚 Final Thought
You test your Facebook ads.
You test your recipes.
Why not your most powerful sales tool — the menu?
One small test could unlock thousands in monthly sales.
