Add-On Items Increase Revenues

-Offer add-on items that have "come-back flavor"- that is, they taste so good that customers return again and again for them. Instill a craving in your customers by offering free samples of new items on your menu.

Develop signature dishes in every category, from beverages, to entrees, to desserts. Customers are more likely to order your apple pie if it is the house specialty.

-Create new menu items periodically to keep customers interested, making sure only to replace those items that are very unpopular.

-If customers are unable to choose between two dessert items, offer them a little of each. Even develop a dessert sampler of your most popular items.

-Make sure your servers know "their stuff". Servers who know their stuff are better salespeople. Every server should test every dish. There's nothing more irratating then to ask the opinion of the server on an item only to get the response "I don't know...I have never tried it."

source: The National Restaurant Association