--- title: How to make people want to spend more at your restaurant description: People hate being tricked into spending more, but there's a way to raise menu prices without customers minding too much. image: https://blog.typsy.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/How_to_Make_People_Want_to_Spend_More_Money_at_Your_Restaurant.png --- [Turn guest feedback into action with ReviewLearn ![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/arrow-right.svg)](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/reviewlearn) ![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/user-profile-circle.svg) LOGIN [Member](https://member.typsy.com/) [Manager](https://manager.typsy.com/) | [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/headphones-white.svg) CONTACT US](https://www.typsy.com/contact) [![Typsy Brand](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/typsy-public-website/New_Typsy_Logo_Red_PMS.svg)](https://www.typsy.com/) [BOOK A DEMO](https://www.typsy.com/contact/demo) [![Typsy](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/typsy-public-website/New_Typsy_Logo_Red_PMS.svg)](https://www.typsy.com/) [Search courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses) - Platform Platform [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/trusted-content-at-scale.svg) Trusted content at scale The world's largest and fastest-growing hospitality library.](https://www.typsy.com/platform/hospitality-training-library) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/global-hospitalility-credentials.svg) Global hospitality credentials Industry-recognized Typsy credentials validating real-world hospitality capability.](https://www.typsy.com/platform/hospitality-certifications) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/performance-intellgience.svg) Performance intelligence AI-powered intelligence that connects learning to measurable operational performance.](https://www.typsy.com/platform/performance-intelligence) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/hospitality-learning-operations.svg) Hospitality learning operations Infrastructure that embeds workforce capability into daily hospitality operations at scale.](https://www.typsy.com/platform/learning-operations) Innovation & Tools [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/reviewlearn.svg) ReviewLearn](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/reviewlearn) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/smartcards.svg) SmartCards](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/smartcards) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/custom-content.svg) Custom content](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/custom-content) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/language-translations.svg) Language translations](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/language-translations) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/reporting.svg) Reporting](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/reporting) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/activities.svg) Activities](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/activities) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/assign-training.svg) Assign training](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/assign-training) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/nav_bar_svg_310x200/reviewlearn-pink.svg) ReviewLearn Turn guest reviews into targeted training automatically. TRY REVIEWLEARN](https://www.typsy.com/platform/features/reviewlearn) - Solutions By role [Owners](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/roles/hospitality-owners) [CEO](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/roles/ceo) [CFO](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/roles/cfo) [Hotel GMs & property leaders](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/roles/hotel-general-managers) [Group operations](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/roles/operations-leaders) [HR & talent](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/roles/hr-talent) [Learning & development](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/roles/learning-development) [Guest experience & quality assurance](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/roles/guest-experience-leaders) By business challenge [Accelerate onboarding](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/employee-onboarding) [Workforce engagement & retention](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/staff-engagement-retention) [Leadership development](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/leadership-development) [Compliance & risk management](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/compliance-training) [Brand consistency](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/brand-consistency) [Service quality & guest satisfaction](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/guest-experience) By organization type [Hotels, resorts & accommodation](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/industries/hotels-resorts) [Restaurant & F&B groups](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/industries/restaurants-food-service) [Hospitality operators](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/industries/hospitality-operators) [Hospitality education & training](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/industries/hospitality-schools) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/nav_bar_image_458x444/manager-on-mobile.png) Cut onboarding time in half See how leading hospitality brands get their teams floor-ready faster. EXPLORE ONBOARDING](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/employee-onboarding) - Resources Customer success [Customer stories](https://www.typsy.com/customer-stories) [ROI calculator](https://www.typsy.com/roi-calculator) Company & expertise [About us](https://www.typsy.com/about) [Partner ecosystem](https://www.typsy.com/partners) [Industry awards](https://www.typsy.com/awards) [Blog](https://www.typsy.com/learn/blog) Platform & trust [Security & Compliance](https://www.typsy.com/platform/security-compliance) [Global scalability](https://www.typsy.com/platform/global-scalability) [Implementation & Support](https://www.typsy.com/platform/implementation-support) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/nav_bar_svg_310x200/roi-calc.svg) Calculate Your ROI Discover exactly how much your business can save by reducing turnover and streamlining team training. TRY THE CALCULATOR](https://www.typsy.com/roi-calculator) - [Pricing](https://www.typsy.com/pricing) [SIGN UP](https://www.typsy.com/pricing) [BOOK A DEMO](https://www.typsy.com/contact/demo) [Help Center](https://intercom.help/typsy/en/)[Contact Us](https://www.typsy.com/contact) Hospitality operations # How to make people want to spend more at your restaurant [Tanya Timmers](https://blog.typsy.com/author/tanya-timmers) Dec 7, 2015 --- Do a search on Google for 'restaurant menu spend more', and you will get a heap of results with titles like 'tricks restaurants use to make you spend more'. People are well aware of the methods restaurants use to get a higher end figure on the bill. And people *hate* being sold to. They *hate* being manipulated. But there is a way to make people spend more *and* feel happier for it. It's actually really simple: ***Make people feel like they're getting value for their money.*** I really believe that people are willing to spend more if they feel like the items are worth it. Even McDonald's has realized this. In late 2014, it introduced the 'Create Your Taste' concept, which lets diners customize their burger with special ingredients like pineapple and avocado. As an author on [Lifehacker](http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/07/mcdonalds-fancy-create-your-taste-burgers-are-now-available-everywhere/) put it, "While it might be a bit pricey for fast food, it’s the best McDonald’s burger I’ve tasted by a significant margin." That's pretty much how you want guests to walk away when they purchase an expensive meal. They won't feel manipulated into spending a lot of money when they are happy with what they received.  ![How\_to\_Make\_People\_Want\_to\_Spend\_More\_Money\_at\_Your\_Restaurant.png](https://blog.typsy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/How_to_Make_People_Want_to_Spend_More_Money_at_Your_Restaurant.png?width=608&height=405&name=How_to_Make_People_Want_to_Spend_More_Money_at_Your_Restaurant.png "How_to_Make_People_Want_to_Spend_More_Money_at_Your_Restaurant.png") So how do you convince customers to spend money on something they'll love? Here are a few things you can incorporate into your menu that people really value.  --- ## Sustainability Sustainability has been climbing higher on people's every day agendas, and this trend is finding its way into the food and dining scene as well. Some restaurants have fully embraced it, like the [Greenhouse](http://greenhouseperth.com/) in Perth, which is built entirely out of recycled materials and grows its produce on the roof.   You don't have to go all out with it if that doesn't fit in with the type of restaurant you run. But there's hardly any menu on which an organic chicken or smoothie made of locally sourced fruit is out of place. And you can bump the profit margin a little for those ingredients.  --- ## Healthy options I'm fascinated by how big healthy food is now. It's not just for the fitness conscious anymore, and it has moved far beyond an obsession with low-fat products. People are throwing kale into their smoothies, buying gluten-free loafs, and taking up meat-free Mondays. ![Why\_You\_Should\_Offer\_Healthy\_Options\_on\_Your\_Menu.png](https://blog.typsy.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Why_You_Should_Offer_Healthy_Options_on_Your_Menu.png?width=608&height=342&name=Why_You_Should_Offer_Healthy_Options_on_Your_Menu.png "Why_You_Should_Offer_Healthy_Options_on_Your_Menu.png") It's great, especially for the food industry. If you're a pizza or burger restaurant and you don't yet offer gluten-free bases or buns, you're missing out on some revenue. You can usually increase the price a bit more on superfoods and healthy alternatives that customers might not find elsewhere. Plus you'll increase business if your competitors aren't offering those things.   **Bonus tip:** Don't forget about the pseudo-healthy either. [Vegan donuts anyone?](http://vegaprocity.com/2015/02/vegan-options-abound-growing-trend/) --- ## Quality Angus beef, wild Alaskan salmon, free range chicken, organic vegetables. People know that the quality of their food is affected by the origin of the ingredients, and a lot of people are willing to pay more for high-quality stuff. Sourcing quality ingredients will undoubtedly raise your food cost, but you can set your profit margin accordingly. People won't really protest if the description is clear on the menu. This relates back to the McDonald's example. 10 dollars for a Big Mac? No way! 15 dollars for a customized Angus beef burger? Why not? --- ## **Branded products** It doesn't matter where you are in the world. Customers will fork out for their favorite brands. It's an easy way to charge more for products, because people are used to them being more expensive. 8 dollars for a Corona is nothing shocking.  Drinks are really the easiest items to do this with. Think beyond your established soda and beer brands though. There is probably demand for certain lemonade or coffee brands in your area that you could start selling.  Another one that works really well: Nutella. Desserts with Nutella are always a hit. An ice-cream shop can easily charge a dollar for a little (hot!) Nutella drizzle.  --- ## **Technique-y dishes** Some say that diners are becoming less interested in the way a meal is prepared, and that they are focusing more on the ingredients instead. I don't fully agree with that. When I go to a restaurant I often opt for dishes that I can't make at home (or that are simply too much effort to make at home). I hardly think I'm alone there. People are becoming increasingly educated about the kitchen thanks to the popularity of cooking shows like *MasterChef*, so a poached chicken breast won't impress all of your guests. But if you take extra care with the preparation of some of your dishes, make sure you advertise that on the menu! Some simple ways of showing off technique on your menu: - Hand-cut chips - Slow-roasted pork - Chef Luke's special sticky ribs with slaw - Homemade lemonade (so simple, yet so popular!) - Lamb cooked sou vide (if you want to be a bit fancy) --- ## Exotic, rare or special ingredients and dishes Much like I'm willing to pay more for a dish that's a pain-in-the-ass to make myself, people are willing to spend more on things they won't be able to find in the supermarket.  If you can incorporate rare ingredients into your menu, you could charge a little more without your guests begruding you for it. You don't have to be an exotic restaurant to be able to pull that off. Just offer something that's a little bit different. When taking any of these tips into consideration, it's important to remember that the food should deliver on what the menu promises. Don't add any descriptions that aren't true! And yes, you'll still have customers who order the cheapest item on the menu. But those who don't might just leave with a little less cash in their pockets and wider smiles on their faces.       [Hospitality operations](https://blog.typsy.com/topic/hospitality-operations) [Restaurants & Bars](https://blog.typsy.com/topic/restaurants-bars) [Guest experience](https://blog.typsy.com/topic/guest-experience) ## Similar posts Hotels ### [Why your employees aren’t listening to your training](https://blog.typsy.com/why-your-employees-arent-listening-to-your-training) It's all because of something called the illusion of competence. But don't worry – there's a way to stop it. Emily Tatti Aug 18, 2017 Restaurants & Bars ### [How the Urbanspoon changes will affect your restaurant](https://blog.typsy.com/how-the-urbanspoon-changes-will-affect-your-restaurant) Zomato is taking over Urbanspoon. Know what it will mean for your restaurant. Emily Tatti Feb 26, 2015 Restaurants & Bars ### [The importance of storytelling in your restaurant](https://blog.typsy.com/why-storytelling-matters-in-your-restaurant-staff-tips-with-eli-feldman) We spoke to Eli Feldman, the founder of Clothbound, about creating a culture of storytelling in your restaurant. Emily Tatti Mar 23, 2016 ### Get notified on new marketing insights Be the first to know about new B2B SaaS Marketing insights to build or refine your marketing function with the tools and knowledge of today’s industry. [About us](https://www.typsy.com/about) [Courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses) [Pricing](https://www.typsy.com/pricing) [Contact us](https://www.typsy.com/contact) ###### Platform & Trust [Platform overview](https://www.typsy.com/platform) [Trusted hospitality content at scale](https://www.typsy.com/platform/hospitality-training-library) [Global hospitality credentials](https://www.typsy.com/platform/hospitality-certifications) [Performance intelligence](https://www.typsy.com/platform/performance-intelligence) [Hospitality learning operations](https://www.typsy.com/platform/learning-operations) [Language translations](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/training-translations) [Integrations & infrastructure](https://www.typsy.com/platform/integrations) ###### Solutions [Accelerate onboarding](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/employee-onboarding) [Workforce engagement & retention](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/staff-engagement-retention) [Leadership development](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/leadership-development) [Compliance & risk management](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/compliance-training) [Brand consistency](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/brand-consistency) [Service quality & guest satisfaction](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/challenges/guest-experience) ###### Hospitality segments [Hotels, resorts & accommodation](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/industries/hotels-resorts) [Restaurants & F&B groups](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/industries/restaurants-food-service) [Hospitality operators](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/industries/hospitality-operators) [Hospitality education](https://www.typsy.com/solutions/industries/hospitality-schools) ###### Hospitality courses [Courses overview](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses) [Beverage courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses/beverage) [Business courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses/business) [Compliance courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses/compliance) [Culinary courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses/culinary) [Hotel courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses/hotel) [Management courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses/management) [Service courses](https://www.typsy.com/discover/courses/service) ###### Company & resources [About us](https://www.typsy.com/about) [Contact us](https://www.typsy.com/contact) [Help Hub](https://intercom.help/typsy/en/) [Implementation & support](https://www.typsy.com/platform/implementation-support) [ROI calculator](https://www.typsy.com/roi-calculator) [Partner ecosystem](https://www.typsy.com/partners) [Security & compliance](https://www.typsy.com/platform/security-compliance) [Typsy shop](https://www.typsy.com/shop) [Become an instructor](https://www.typsy.com/company/become-an-instructor) [Blog](https://www.typsy.com/learn/blog) [![Typsy](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/logo-white.svg)](https://www.typsy.com/) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/typsy-linkin-icon.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/7953302/) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/typsy-instragram-icon.svg)](http://www.instagram.com/asktypsy) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/typsy-facebookicon.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/asktypsy) [![](https://orchardcore.typsy.com/media/svg-icons-2026/typsy-youtube-icon.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/@Typsy) Hospitality insights that turn operational challenges into better performance. By submitting this form, you agree to Typsy's [Terms](https://www.typsy.com/legal) and [Privacy Policy](https://www.typsy.com/legal/privacy-policy). © 2026 Typsy. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](https://www.typsy.com/legal/privacy-policy) [Terms](https://www.typsy.com/legal)