How to Write a Menu Template

Print your menu templates and insert them into a leather bound menu folder.

Writing a menu template for your restaurant, which you can use and change as necessary, is fairly simple. There is no need to invest in expensive software, such as Adobe Photoshop, because you can create a simple menu template using Microsoft Word. Once you know your way around the program, you can create a menu template that has a colorful background and stylish font, and is embellished with clip art or appealing photographs of your restaurant and the food served.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word
• USB storage pen
• Printer
• Typing paper

Instructions

1. Research the standard layout design for menus, particularly with reference to businesses that are similar to your own. Do this by checking out the competition, going into other eating establishments and looking closely at their menu. Observe how the menu content is set in the template and what type of visual embellishments there are, if any.

2. Open a new Word document to start designing your menu template. Choose a suitable background color for your menu. Go to the "page layout" tab and click on "page color" to bring up your choices and select an appropriate color. Consider other color options if searching for a particular shade. Go into "fill effects" if you want to increase the color on the page from light to dark, or to access the texture and pattern menus. Opt for pale and delicate backgrounds in keeping with your establishment's decor, so the print can easily stand out against the background.

3. Upload your logo and business header to the top of your menu template. Alternatively, use the "word art" feature to type the title of your business.

4. Write your menu's list of dishes in a font of your choice. Pick a font that reflects your business image, but a font style that is easily readable. Select a colored font instead of a traditional black font, if preferred, but remember that a colored font has to be easily read by the customer. Decide how you are going to layout your menu sections -- Entree menu, Side Dishes, Mains, Desserts and Drinks menu -- and how many pages it may take. Use the text box tool to create your text sections, so you can insert images later, if required. Type your menu list of dishes from the left margin of each text box, or choose to center your text. Ensure you write a brief description of what ingredients are contained within each dish. Use a smaller-sized font to fit this information beneath the title of each dish. Include the price beside each dish.

5. Insert clip art images or upload your photographs that you have had taken especially for your menu. Arrange the images where you think they look best. Don't clutter the menu with too many images; one or two images can make your menu template look more appetizing.

6. Include a section for special meals or drink offers on your menu so it clearly stands out from the rest of your food menu.

7. Save your menu template on your USB storage pen so you can reuse it later to replace a damaged menu, or to update the menu information for a change in dishes. Print off your menu templates or take your USB storage pen to the printer.

Tips & Warnings

• You can change the color of the text sections to make each section stand out from the background. Also, you can choose to include borders to frame your menu template.

References

• Small Personal Biz: How To Create And Write A Restaurant Menu