Describe the menu product mix and menu engineering.

The menu product mix is a detailed analysis that shows the quantities sold of each menu item, their selling prices, and their standard portion costs. It is used to determine the composite (potential) food cost percentage for all items sold. It is this average, not each individual item, which must meet the operation's standard food cost percentage.

Menu engineering identifies the buying habits of customers, and how their choices affect profitability. Menu engineering places each of the menu items into one of four categories based on their sales volume and contribution to profits: stars, plow horses, Puzzles, and dogs. The process helps determine which items to feature more prominently on the menu, which items need repackaging, and which items may need to be removed from the menu.