Almost every class of restaurant uses some type of menu sleeve to protect their dining lists. Whether grabbing some chow at a corner diner or enjoying the ambiance of an upscale restaurant, chances are the menus are protected with some sort of sleeve. Finding the right covers for your own establishment basically comes down to what type of restaurant you plan to run and the type of clientele you’re marketing toward.
There are a few different types of sleeves. For instance, you can purchase sleeves for you food menus, your wine lists, or to sit out on the bar for easy access. Most people don’t pay much attention to the types of sleeve used in these establishments, but they’d quickly notice if they had to order from paper menus. Once you’ve decided on which type of menu sleeve you need, it’s on to picking out a style.
Again, this comes down to the type of restaurant you’re wanting to run. If you are opening up a place for the kids to grab a burger at lunch, some basic vinyl sleeves are probably your best options. These are easy to clean and will give your place that homespun look. For something more elegant, you might want either leather menu sleeves or even Vienna covers. These are made from a suede like material, and will add a touch of class to any decor.
Now that you’ve got a rough idea of what types of sleeves you’re looking for, it’s time to find the best price options. One thing to keep in mind is that most companies only sell their menu sleeves in groupings of 10 or 25, and might require a minimum order. Because of this, look into buying your sleeves wholesale or at discounted rates. There are a lot of companies that specialize in making menu sleeves and will work to give you the best deals.
Another route you might consider is looking into used menu sleeves. If you’re just starting out, saving money is essential. And if you can purchase your sleeves at a fraction of the price, you’re already ahead of the game. In order to find used sleeves, talk to any of your food distributors. If they don’t know of someone wanting to sell their menu covers, they’ll know where else to look. You might try some of the online venues, but it’s best to talk to someone you trust first.
There’s more to think about when choosing the right menu sleeves than you might believe. There are hundreds of styles to choose from, including color and materials. Though it may sound like one of your easiest decisions, choosing the right sleeves is as important to the decor of your restaurant as picking out the salt and pepper shakers. Your customers may not think much about the sleeves, but it will be something they take in subconsciously. If you’re going to take the time to make your new restaurant stand out from the rest, make sure your menu sleeves do a little talking of their own.
