PUZZLE

These items yield high contribution margins but are low in popularity. The appropriate decision actions suggested for puzzles are:

Limit the total number of puzzles allowed on the menu.
Reposition and feature these items in a more popular place on the menu board or serving line.
Enhance an item's MM% by promoting the item through merchandising. Increase visual presentation, have your staff recommend it, and/or offer it as a "specialty" item.
Rename the item. Often food item popularity can be affected by the assignment of a familiar name, or a trendy phrase.
Decrease the price. A menu item that has too high a contribution margin may be overpriced and should be repriced in such a manner that its demand level is enhanced.
Take the item off this menu, particularly if it is very low in the menu mix, is labor intensive, is difficult to portion control, or has a poor shelf life.