What's the Best Technique on Menu Analysis?

The purposes of this study were to : (a) analyze the menus of food service operations using the menu analysis techniques of Kasavana & Smith, Miller, Merricks & Jones, Pavesic and Uman, (b) closely examine the characteristics of the five analysis techniques. Calculations for the menu analysis were done by computer using the MS 2000 Excel spreadsheet program. Menu mix% and unit contribution margin were used as variables by Kasavana & Smith, sales volume and food cost% by Miller, sales volume and cash contribution by Merrick & Jones, weighted contribution margin and food cost% by Pavesic, and total cash contribution and unit contribution margin by Uman. In each case, a four-cell matrix was created, and menu items were located in each according they achieved high or low scores with respect to two variables. Items that scored favorably on both variables were rated in the top category (e.g., star, prime, signature, group A, winner) and those that scored below average on both were rated in the lowest category (e.g., dog, problem, loser, group D, loser). While the 3 methods of Kasavana & Smith, Miller, Merrick & Jones focus on customers' viewpoints, the others consider the managers' viewpoints. Therefore, it is more likely to be desirable for decision-making on menus if the menu analysis technique chosen is suited to its purpose.

Development and Application of Menu Engineering Technique for University Residence Hall Foodservice / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This article aims to summarize the development and application of menu engineering technique, 'Menu Engineering Modified by Preference (MEMP)'. The site selected for this project was a foodservice operation in Yonsei University residence hall. Sales and food costs data were collected from the daily sales reports for 1 month, and the survey of food preference was conducted during May, 1999. Statistical data analysis was completed using the SAS/Win 6.12 for descriptive analysis. The calculation for menu analysis were carried out with MS 2000 Excel spreadsheet program. This MEMP technique developed had 6 category criteria and 2 dimensions of the contribution margin (CM) and the menu mix modified% (MMM%). The MMM% was calculated by the sales volumes and also weighted by food preference. The CM and MMM% for each item were compared with a mean menu CM as well as a 70% rule. Four possible classifications by MEMP were turned out as 'STAR', 'PLOWHORSE', 'PUZZLE', 'DOG'. 'STAR' items were the most popular and profitable items and required to maintain rigid specifications for quality. The decision actions for 'PLOWHORSE' menu items which were relatively popular, but yield a low menu average CM included combining a plowhorse item with lower cost products and reducing the frequency of serving or serving size. There was a need for 'PUZZLE' items to be changed in the menu combination, improve recipe, and promote menu. The last 'DOG' items were desired to be deleted. This study demonstrates that menu information can be interpreted more easily with MEMP. The use of MEMP is therefore an effective way to improve management decisions about menu of university residence hall foodservice.