Menu Design Trivia 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which famous restaurant chain pioneered the drive-through window concept in the 1970s?
- McDonald's
- Wendy's
- Jack in the Box (Correct answer)
- Burger King
Correct answer: Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box opened one of the first true drive-through windows in 1951, and the format was widely popularized through the 1970s.
Question 2: What term describes a menu that offers only a few carefully selected items rather than a large variety?
- Prix fixe menu
- Sparse menu
- Curated menu (Correct answer)
- Limited menu
Correct answer: Curated menu
A curated menu reflects intentional selection of dishes to showcase a restaurant's identity and strengths.
Question 3: In menu engineering, which quadrant contains high-popularity but low-profitability items?
- Stars
- Plowhorses (Correct answer)
- Puzzles
- Dogs
Correct answer: Plowhorses
Plowhorses are popular items that guests love but that generate lower profit margins for the restaurant.
Question 4: Which menu layout technique places the most profitable item in the upper-right corner of a page?
- The golden triangle (Correct answer)
- The sweet spot
- The prime real estate method
- Eye-tracking placement
Correct answer: The golden triangle
The golden triangle theory suggests eyes naturally move to the center, top-right, and top-left of a menu page.
Question 5: What is the term for a temporary menu offered alongside the regular menu, often featuring seasonal items?
- Supplemental menu
- Insert menu (Correct answer)
- Specials menu
- Feature menu
Correct answer: Insert menu
An insert menu is a separate sheet placed inside or with the main menu to highlight seasonal or rotating specials.
Question 6: Which color is most commonly avoided on restaurant menus because it can suppress appetite?
- Red
- Blue (Correct answer)
- Yellow
- Orange
Correct answer: Blue
Blue is rarely found in natural foods and is known to suppress appetite, making it a poor choice for food-related marketing.
Question 7: What did the Cheesecake Factory famously do that most menu design experts advise against?
- Used no photos
- Printed menus in black and white
- Created an extremely long menu (Correct answer)
- Removed prices from items
Correct answer: Created an extremely long menu
The Cheesecake Factory's menu famously exceeds 200 items, defying conventional wisdom that shorter menus improve quality and efficiency.
Menu Design Trivia 2
Which famous restaurant chain pioneered the drive-through window concept in the 1970s?