As a restaurant owner, you know the importance of keeping things fresh—whether that’s your ingredients, kitchen equipment, or how you engage with your customers. But what’s the secret to staying on top of what’s working and what’s not on your menu? Data.

By gathering customer feedback to determine which dishes are hot and which have gone cold, you can make smarter decisions, boost efficiency, and keep diners coming back for seconds. Let’s dive into how you can gather valuable insights and use them to your advantage.

1. Hot and Fresh POS Insights

Your restaurant’s point-of-sale (POS) system can be the source of many actionable insights. Modern POS systems track ordering trends, customer preferences, and times when specific menu items are most in demand, helping you identify popular items—and those that may need tweaking. Use this data to spot patterns, like dishes that perform well on weekends but struggle during the week, or items frequently ordered together to inspire combos or pairings, for example.

Additionally, many POS systems enable you to gather real-time feedback. Prompt customers with quick surveys directly at checkout via on-screen prompts, digital receipts, or automated SMS messages. For example, a question like, “How would you rate your meal?” can appear after payment, allowing diners to respond instantly with a rating or emoji. Digital receipts or loyalty program notifications can include links to short surveys, giving diners the flexibility to share their opinions later.

Tip: Leverage your POS system’s data to test small, data-driven changes to your menu, such as rotating out a seasonal dish or offering a special ingredient as an add-on. By tracking how customers react to these tweaks, you can test new ideas in a low-risk way and gauging interest, ensuring you only invest in what your customers actually want.

2. Feedback to Go

For restaurants with an online ordering platform or app, add a follow-up rating system. After the meal has been delivered or picked up, prompt customers to rate their meal and overall experience through a notification or automated SMS text message. Keep your requests short and sweet, focused on insights that will help you identify what’s working and what could be improved. You may discover, for example, consistently low-rated dishes aren’t well-suited to the to-go format, or perhaps your packaging needs to be reevaluated to preserve the quality of your dishes during transport.

Tip: Allow adequate time before requesting feedback so customers can fully enjoy their meal! Follow up with a personalized thank-you message to show appreciation for their input and build customer loyalty.

3. Pass the Comment Cards, Please

They may not be new, but hardcopy comment cards or short surveys can still be effective ways to gather insights on your dishes—especially if your establishment or clientele lean old-school. Provide a brief rating form or comment card at the table—and don’t forget the pen! Just like the digital prompts we mentioned, keep your card requests or prompts short and focused on data that will directly inform your menu decisions to avoid overwhelming your customers. Always be sure you ask for the specific meal or item they’re grading or commenting on so the insights are actionable; if you’re considering new dishes, ask them to vote.

Tip: Encourage customers to share their thoughts by offering a little something in return, like a discount, appetizer, or even a “secret recipe” delivered via email. It’s a fun way to keep them engaged and coming back for more.

4. Crowdsource Your Next Crowd-Pleaser

Social media can be a goldmine for customer insights. Of course, you want to take note and encourage your community when they share crave-worthy photos of their favorite meals on Instagram. When it comes to menu intel, simple polls can be your best social tool to gather feedback on specific questions. Everyone loves to feel like they’re part of the decision-making process, and social media provides an ideal platform for devoted diners to weigh in on your menu items. An effective crowdsourcing post might ask, “Which new dish would you most like to see on our menu?” along with enticing photos of the options. With an engaged social community, restaurants can crowdsource menu ideas, building anticipation and literally giving customers what they want.

Tip: If your community is small or you haven’t fully embraced social media, you can still gather valuable insights by checking out what other innovative restaurants are doing. See what’s working for them and consider putting a unique twist on your favorite ideas for your own menu.

5. Order Up: What’s Selling, What’s Not

Data isn’t just about customer opinions—it’s also about hard numbers. By analyzing your sales data, you can track which menu items are generating revenue and which aren’t. Whether you track this through your POS system or via receipts, you can identify bestsellers and those that may be underperforming. Examining sales trends will help inform decisions on menu adjustments, from promoting popular dishes to considering the removal or reimagining of slower-moving items.

Tip: Keep in mind that a dish might not be your best-seller in terms of revenue, but still be ordered consistently (for example, during certain times of day), indicating strong customer preference.

6. Call on Ovention’s Culinary Consultants

Sometimes, knowing what works on your menu requires more than just feedback—it might involve a little additional professional insight, too. If you’re unsure which oven cooking methods would best enhance your menu or how to best execute dishes that appeal to modern diners, Ovention can help. In fact, whether you need a culinary consultant, a marketing plan, or installation support, we’re here to serve! Schedule a Culinary Consultation and let Ovention help you build your business.

Tip: Take our quick Oven Quiz to discover the ideal equipment for your specific menu and customer needs.

Keeping It Fresh, Keeping What Works

Feedback can come from various sources—whether through quick surveys, customer comment cards, or detailed sales analysis. By combining these insights, you can maintain the classic favorites that keep diners coming back while also introducing offerings that keep your menu fresh and exciting.

Track what’s selling, when, and why. Look for trends, from which dishes are most popular at certain times of the day to those that see seasonal spikes. Pay attention to customer preferences, such as which items are frequently ordered together or which new dishes or ingredients are generating buzz. Use this information to refine your menu, adjust recipes, and introduce specials. And don’t stop at what’s working—data offers a chance for informed experimentation. Leverage your insights to test new combinations or items that are likely to spark interest based on what you’ve observed.

Ovention supports your menu-refining efforts by helping you execute new and customized items with efficiency and consistency, allowing you to focus on what matters most: delivering a satisfying dining experience that turns customers into regulars.