It’s no secret that spending in restaurants has gone down dramatically. This is likely due to rising cost-of-living pressures, where people are still wanting to dine out and enjoy the atmosphere after Covid-19 but are now looking to cut costs due to the current financial uncertainty.
Rather than avoiding the dining experience all together, customers are cutting certain parts of their experience to help save money. Some diners are saying no to cocktails, while others are cutting out alcohol all together when dining out. It seems people are more likely to meet just for a coffee, when previously they’d catch up for a full meal.
One way to help these customers ease their financial stress about dining out is to grow your sharing menu. Introducing more sharing options helps deter customers from skipping starters and desserts, and for some, may even replace ordering mains.
Antipasto to the rescue
An easy start to introducing your sharing menu is to add a classic starter option like a Soft Turkish Pide Loaf and serve it with other premium antipasto items such as dips and olives. Check out our video recipe for an Epic Pide Platter.
Reconsider your sides
Another easy sharing item is garlic bread, while traditionally this might be on your menu as a side, the Australian Garlic Bread Co have just released a brand new 8” Sourdough Garlic Bread Loaf that has double the garlic and is easy to spice up, by adding some roasted peach and burrata, your side is transformed into a sharing dish.
Don’t forget dessert!
Sharing isn’t just for starters and mains. How many times have you had customers not order dessert because they couldn’t choose one to share? Give them some desserts that are able to be shared. Get creative and introduce a dessert board, filled with mini versions of all your best-sellers.
