Food trucks are a common sight in many streets of a city and they are a unique source of good foods to many people. However, in the middle of the bustle of daily city life, how do those, who are the owners of food trucks, make sure that the menu boards are noticeable and compelling clients to make an order? The answer to all of the above lies in the science of effective food truck menu boards design.
While selecting a menu, first impression counts and if the menu board is designed in an attractive way, it can draw more traffic to your store and increase the sales prospects. It is, however, more than just a pretty picture: there are principles as to why exactly a menu board works.
1. Visual Hierarchy: When developing a menu board, it is crucial to organize the offerings in such a way as to give preference to the most profitable or popular foods. Research has revealed that customers usually focus their eyes on items that are put at the top and middle of the menu board. Since these are some of the most visible positions in your store, making your best selling or high margin products more visible in these areas is likely to boost their sales.
2. Limited Choices: Although choosing a large number of options appears to be beneficial, it has drawbacks because customers may become confused and be unwilling to make a decision. However, you should just reduce your menu board to show only the most selling and most profitable meals. It also eases the work of customer decision-making while at the same time aiding in promoting your specialty meals.
3. Descriptive Language: The manner in which you present your menu can influence the clients’ perception and choices in a very big way. Choose adjectives that stimulate the five senses and give a clear description of the specialties. For instance, instead of putting “Burger” try “Juicy Angus Beef Burger with melted Cheddar and crispy bacon”.
4. Visual Imagery: Adding high quality images of your menu can make the customers’ mouth water and feel like ordering. However, use images sparingly and make sure that they depict the look of the dishes quite well. An appetizing picture of your favorite meal is a
perfect way of attracting customers towards your restaurant.
5. Font and Color: Menu board text and color are very important since it helps in portraying the company’s image and make the board attractive. Select simple fonts but that are fitting of the food truck you are operating. The same case applies to color choice; choose colors that are in harmony with your brand image and feeling you want to create.
6. Clear Pricing: There is nothing as important as transparency when it comes to the issue of pricing. Ensure that course and prices are printed right beside each of the foods on the list to ensure that customers do not have to be shocked by the amount to be charged for each dish. It may be useful to try to use such tactics as the use of specialized prices, where the company offers its products at different prices depending on the customer, or the use of packages that will help in increasing the overall perception of value of the product among the targeted consumers.
7. Seasonal Specials: Update your menu board regularly to include seasonal foods or limited time offers on your foods. This not only makes the customer feel that they have to try out these items as they have never seen such products anywhere else but also creates a cycle of coming back to your business premise in order to discover the next new product you have to offer.
Therefore, menu board design on your food truck is not just an artistic approach but rather a scientific one. Knowing the principles of visual hierarchy, limited choices, descriptive language, visual imagery, font and color, clear pricing and, last but not least, seasonal specials, you can draw customers’ attention to a menu board and boost sales. So, the next time you decide to change your food truck menu, do not overlook this science to help increase your sales and meet your customers’ needs.
