4 Tips for More Revenue from Your Restaurant Shared Plates

Shared plates are a hit with today’s guests. They offer variety, spark conversation, and create a social, engaging dining experience.

Beyond the atmosphere, shared plates also offer strong potential to boost your restaurant’s revenue. This article walks you through actionable tips to help you make the most of your shared plates menu and generate more cash flow for your restaurant. 

Strategic Menu Design for Shared Plates 

A well-thought-out menu guides your guests toward higher-spend items and makes it easy for them to order more. With shared plates, your menu is designed to highlight variety, value, and presentation. 

1. How To Design Your Shared Plates Menu 

Your shared plates section needs to be visually appealing and easy to navigate. Use headers to group dishes by category, such as seafood, vegetables, meats, or signature house specials. Add short, descriptive text to each item so guests can quickly understand what they're getting and feel confident ordering. 

2. Balancing Variety and Cost-Effectiveness 

Guests love having a variety of dishes to choose from, but offering too many options may reduce your profit margins. To manage this, build your menu around a few core ingredients that appear in multiple dishes. This strategy lets you create diverse shared plates while minimizing food waste and reducing inventory costs.  

3. Highlighting Profitable and Popular Dishes 

Spotlight your best-performing items with visual cues like boxes, stars, or chef’s picks. Place these items in prime spots on the menu, like the top-right corner or within the first few listings. Use compelling descriptions paired with approachable pricing to encourage guests to choose them. 

4. Pricing and Portion Control Tactics 

Maximizing profit from shared plates begins with strategic pricing and precise portion control. How you size, price, and present these dishes makes a big difference in your bottom line.

A. Menu Pricing Tweaks 

When pricing shared plates, consider both the cost of ingredients and the value guests perceive. Guests want to feel that the portion size and quality justify the price. To help them customize their experience, offer a range of portion sizes.  

For example, smaller plates serve as light starters or snacks, medium plates provide enough for a few people to share comfortably, and larger or premium plates feature higher-quality ingredients and generous portions suitable for big groups. This approach allows guests to build a meal that fits their appetite and budget while encouraging them to try mid- to higher-priced options.

B. Portion Control and Presentation 

Consistency is key. Serve the same portion size every time and use plating techniques that make dishes look abundant and shareable. This controls food costs and ensures a satisfying, professional presentation for your guests. 

Improving Customer Experience and Engagement 

Shared plates create an opportunity for interaction and discovery. The more fun and effortless you make the experience, the more likely guests are to linger, spend more, and come back. 

Create a Social and Engaging Atmosphere 

Set the tone for sharing by creating an environment that feels welcoming. Use larger tables or comfortable seating arrangements to encourage conversation. 

Make it easy for guests to pass dishes and try multiple items together. Be sure to provide small individual plates by default so everyone can easily serve themselves and share comfortably. 

Provide Recommendations and Pairing Suggestions 

Equip your team to suggest combinations of shared plates that work well together. Add a pairing icon or section to your menu that links dishes with wine, beer, or non-alcoholic drinks. These suggestions help guests order with confidence and build a more satisfying dining experience. 

Gather Customer Feedback and Adapting the Menu 

Ask guests for feedback, either directly or through quick comment cards and digital surveys. Listen to what they’re saying about portion sizes, flavors, and value. Use those insights to update your menu regularly and keep offerings aligned with customer preferences. 

Managing Food Costs and Inventory 

Behind the scenes, shared plates should be easy to prep, cost-effective, and sustainable to support consistent profits. A few smart habits can reduce waste and protect your margins. 

Implement Effective Inventory Management 

Track your shared plate ingredients carefully and monitor what sells and what lags behind. Use inventory software to maintain accurate counts and prevent over-ordering. Keeping a tight handle on what you have lets you control food costs more easily. 

Use Seasonal and Local Ingredients 

Seasonal and local ingredients often cost less and taste better. Incorporate them into rotating shared plates that reflect the time of year. Not only do these ingredients support your margins, they also give your guests something fresh and exciting to try. 

Maximize Ingredient Utilization 

Design shared plates with smart use of ingredients that might otherwise be wasted. Trim vegetables creatively, use bones or scraps for stocks and sauces, and repurpose cooked components in new ways.  

For example, if you serve roasted chicken as a main, you can shred leftover meat to create a pulled chicken flatbread or slider for your shared plate menu. This approach reduces waste and food costs and helps you build a more thoughtful, cohesive menu. 

Using Technology for Efficiency and Profitability 

Digital tools help you streamline operations and uncover hidden profit opportunities within your shared plates program. By tracking sales data, portion costs, and guest preferences, you can make smarter decisions about pricing, menu placement, and inventory. 

POS Systems for Menu Analysis and Reporting 

Use your point of sale (POS) system to analyze which shared plates are ordered most often, how often they’re modified, and their profitability. This data helps you decide which items to keep, adjust, or remove. It also uncovers patterns and customer preferences that might not be obvious during day-to-day service, giving you valuable insights to improve your offerings.

Online Ordering and Delivery for Shared Plates 

Shared plates can work well for delivery when thoughtfully packaged. Offer curated bundles or a “build your own spread” option designed for groups. Use clear online descriptions and appealing photos to encourage larger orders.  

You can also capture a niche market of customers hosting friends or family who want something more interesting or upscale than the usual pizza or take-out. With the right approach, shared plates more easily become the go-to option for at-home gatherings. 

Drive Repeat Business with Thoughtfully Designed Loyalty Programs 

Loyalty programs encourage guests to come back, especially when you tie rewards to popular shared plate items. Offer points, discounts, or freebies for trying new dishes or bringing in friends. These programs help turn occasional diners into regular guests. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Shared Plates Profitability 

Shared plates offer unique opportunities to increase revenue and guest satisfaction, but many restaurant owners still have questions about how to make the most of them. Here are some commonly asked questions that can help guide your strategy. 

What are shared plates in a restaurant? 

Shared plates are small- to medium-sized dishes designed to be enjoyed by multiple guests at the table. Unlike traditional entrées, shared plates encourage guests to sample a variety of items, creating a more social dining experience. They are often served as part of a group of dishes that arrive together or are staggered throughout the meal.  

Popular in both casual and upscale settings, shared plates work well with menus that feature bold flavors, seasonal ingredients, or global cuisines. This format also drives higher check averages, as guests tend to order more dishes than they would individual entrées. 

How do shared plates increase restaurant revenue? 

Shared plates encourage guests to order multiple dishes to share, which often leads to larger overall orders compared to traditional individual entrées. Because guests can try a variety of flavors and combinations, they tend to order more items, increasing the average check size.  

Additionally, shared plates promote a social dining experience that can attract groups celebrating special occasions or casual gatherings. Both of these types of events typically result in higher spending. This translates into high revenue for your restaurant.  

What’s the best way to price shared plates? 

To price shared plates effectively, consider the food cost, perceived value, and the role each dish plays on your menu. Many restaurants adopt a tiered pricing model, where light bites are priced low, and heartier dishes are priced higher. Keep portions consistent and price items to encourage guests to order multiple plates.  

You should also monitor sales data to identify best-sellers and underperformers. High-margin ingredients like vegetables or grains can be combined with proteins to create balanced, profitable dishes. The goal is to find a sweet spot where the price feels fair to guests while still supporting healthy margins. 

How do you make shared plates work for takeout and delivery? 

To make shared plates work for takeout and delivery, package them in a way that keeps items fresh and presentable. Use compartmentalized containers for dishes with multiple parts and label each item.

Offer curated bundles or themed sets that group complementary dishes together. This makes ordering easier for customers and increases average order value.  

Online menus should include clear descriptions, serving size guidance, and pairing suggestions. Promote group-friendly options for families or small gatherings, especially during holidays or special events. With the right packaging and messaging, shared plates can be just as popular outside the restaurant. 

Improving Your Cash Flow Through Shared Plates 

Shared plates are a smart revenue generation opportunity for your brand. By designing a strategic menu, controlling costs, pricing wisely, and creating a great guest experience, you can take profits up a notch with shared plates. 

When you’re ready to expand, first party online ordering is the most effective way to boost your restaurant’s topline revenue. To see how online ordering simplifies reaching more guests and increasing sales, book a free demo with our team.