Free Menu Engineering Analysis Tool: Stars vs Dogs Matrix
Professional menu engineering analysis using the proven Stars, Plowhorses, Puzzles, and Dogs matrix. Optimize your restaurant menu profitability and increase sales with data-driven menu strategy. Free menu engineering calculator for restaurant owners.
Stars
High Sales + High Profit
Plowhorses
High Sales + Low Profit
Puzzles
Low Sales + High Profit
Dogs
Low Sales + Low Profit
Menu Engineering Matrix Analysis
Add your menu items with their sales data and profit margins. We'll categorize them using the proven Menu Engineering Matrix and provide actionable recommendations.
Add Menu Item for Analysis
💡Quick Tips
Menu Engineering Analysis Guide
Add Your Menu Items
Enter each dish with its monthly sales volume and profit margin percentage for menu engineering analysis.
Analyze the Menu Engineering Matrix
Your items will be automatically categorized into Stars, Plowhorses, Puzzles, and Dogs using menu engineering principles.
Get Menu Optimization Recommendations
Receive actionable menu engineering insights to optimize your restaurant menu for maximum profitability and sales performance.
Menu Items for Analysis (5)
Truffle Pasta
30 units • 25% profit
Caesar Salad
200 units • 35% profit
Chicken Wings
180 units • 45% profit
Grilled Salmon
150 units • 68% profit
Beef Wellington
25 units • 75% profit
Menu Engineering Analysis Matrix
PUZZLES
High Profit • Low Sales
DOGS
Low Profit • Low Sales
STARS
High Profit • High Sales
PLOWHORSES
Low Profit • High Sales
Recommendations
Stars (2 items)
Promote heavily! These are your money-makers.
- • Feature prominently on menu
- • Train staff to recommend
- • Consider slight price increases
- • Use in marketing
Plowhorses (1 items)
Optimize profitability! Popular but not profitable enough.
- • Reduce portion sizes slightly
- • Source cheaper ingredients
- • Increase prices gradually
- • Improve preparation efficiency
Puzzles (1 items)
Boost visibility! Profitable but underperforming in sales.
- • Reposition on menu
- • Create compelling descriptions
- • Offer samples or small plates
- • Bundle with popular items
Dogs (1 items)
Consider removal! Low sales and low profitability.
- • Remove from menu
- • Replace with potential stars
- • Move to bottom if keeping
- • Use ingredients elsewhere
Complete Guide to Menu Engineering Analysis
What is Menu Engineering Analysis?
Menu engineering analysis is a data-driven approach to restaurant menu optimization that categorizes dishes based on their profitability and popularity. This proven methodology helps restaurant owners make strategic decisions about pricing, promotion, and menu placement to maximize profitability.
Originally developed by Michael Kasavana and Donald Smith in the 1980s, this menu engineering framework has become the gold standard for restaurant menu optimization and menu strategy in the food service industry.
Menu Engineering Matrix Categories
Stars
High profit, high sales - your best menu performers for menu optimization
Plowhorses
Low profit, high sales - optimize for better menu profitability
Puzzles
High profit, low sales - promote better for menu engineering success
Dogs
Low profit, low sales - consider removing for menu optimization