Did you know that 70% of consumers prefer ordering directly from a restaurant instead of using third-party apps? (Source). Yeah, that’s right. All that cash you’re losing to Uber Eats and DoorDash fees? It could be going straight into your pocket instead.
So why aren’t you getting more direct orders? Because your customers don’t even remember you exist when they’re hungry.
Printed menus and flyers fix that. They sit in your customers’ kitchens, taunting them when they’re too lazy to cook. They remind them exactly what they should be craving (your food). And yet, so many restaurants sleep on this easy, old-school marketing move.
Let’s change that.
Digital Marketing is Great, But Your Customers Need Reminders IRL
Look, we’re not saying you should ditch social media or stop running Google ads. But let’s be real: people scroll, they forget, and then they order from the place they remember first. If you’re not in their fridge, you’re not in their stomachs.
Here’s why printed menus still slap in 2025:
- They live in your customer’s home. A well-placed takeout menu on the fridge is free advertising, 24/7.
- They work for all generations. Grandma isn’t scanning a QR code to find your menu. But she is ordering for the whole family when she finds your flyer.
- They cut through the digital noise. People are overwhelmed by online ads. A physical menu? That’s real. That’s tangible. That’s effective.
- They reduce your reliance on third-party apps. Every DoorDash order cuts into your profits. Get more direct orders, keep more money.
The Secret Sauce: What to Put on Your Printed Menus & Flyers
Not all takeout menus are created equal. If your menu looks like it was made in Microsoft Word 2007, we have a problem. It needs to be sleek, mouthwatering, and built to convert. Here’s how:
1. Highlight the Favorites
- People get overwhelmed with too many choices. Feature your top five best-sellers right on the front.
- Add descriptions that don’t suck. “Juicy, hand-battered crispy chicken tenders with house-made spicy honey sauce” >>> “Chicken Tenders.”
- Consider a “staff picks” section. People love insider recommendations.
2. Make Your Contact Info Obnoxiously Easy to Find
- Your phone number and website should be big, bold, and impossible to miss.
- If you take online orders, use a short, easy-to-remember URL. If your online order link is “www.Bobspizzashop8542.webnode.restaurant/order-here-843,” just go home.
- Add a QR code (yes, we made fun of them earlier, but some people like them). Just make sure the QR actually works.
3. Throw in an Irresistible Offer
- “Show this flyer for 10% off your first takeout order.” Simple, effective, and trackable.
- A loyalty program that actually rewards people. (“Order 5 times, get a free [popular item].”)
- BOGO deals. They work. Enough said.
4. Make It Look Like a Million Bucks (Without Spending That Much)
- Invest in good design. No, you can’t just slap your logo at the top and call it a day.
- Use high-quality food photography. People order with their eyes. If your flyer is all text, you’re doing it wrong.
- Print on good paper. If it feels cheap, people will assume your food is, too.
Distribution: Getting Your Menus Into Hungry Hands
A stack of beautiful menus sitting in your storage room isn’t going to magically increase your takeout sales. You need to get them out into the world. Here’s how:
1. Drop One in Every Takeout Order
People who already order from you are the most likely to order again. Make sure they have your menu in hand when they’re thinking about their next meal.
2. Work the Neighborhood
- Partner with nearby businesses: Leave a stack at offices, gyms, and hotels.
- Go full old-school and do a targeted menu drop in residential areas nearby.
- Put them in apartment complexes. Those tiny kitchenettes mean takeout orders for days.
3. Hand Them Out at Events
- Farmers’ markets, local festivals, food fairs—if people are there to eat, they should know about you.
- Partner with local breweries or bars—people drinking need food.
4. Keep a Stack by the Register
- You’d be surprised how many people will grab one on the way out if it looks good.
Don’t Just Print Menus—Use Flyers to Push Specials & Limited-Time Deals
Printed menus are great for everyday orders, but flyers give you a chance to promote seasonal deals, limited-time specials, or new menu items.
Some ideas:
- Holiday specials: “Pre-order your Thanksgiving feast!”
- Weekend promos: “$5 off all takeout orders over $25 this Friday-Sunday.”
- New item launch: “Try our new [delicious item]—for a limited time only!”
Put these flyers inside every takeout order and pass them out to local businesses. People love a good deal, but they can’t take advantage of it if they don’t know about it.
The Bottom Line: Stop Sleeping on Printed Menus
If you’re relying only on social media and third-party apps to drive takeout sales, you’re leaving serious money on the table. A printed menu is a low-cost, high-impact marketing tool that keeps your restaurant top of mind.
So print them. Distribute them. And watch your takeout sales climb while your competitors wonder why their DoorDash fees keep eating their profits.
Want to take your printed menus to the next level? Boost your restaurant sales with takeout menus and exclusive offers.
