13 Reasons Why Restaurants Should Offer Premade Meals 

Bustling city. Jampacked streets. Hustling people. 

Schedules are too packed to think about a hearty breakfast or go through the pleasantries of booking a place for a nice day-ender to start their day or have a scrumptious dinner for a nice day-ender. So, having premade meals that they can consume on the go is a great alternative for those who are trying to maneuver a jampacked day.

With this in mind, it’s an opportunity for your restaurant to expand its menu selections and cater to customers who have little to no time to plan ahead for meals. 

At the same time, offering such can improve efficiency, creativity, and promote sustainability for your business. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone! 

Not only that but with your cutting-edge QR code menu ordering tool, you’re providing your customers with a high level of convenience and quality service. 

If you’re still undecided, here’s a list of reasons why you should go for it. 

What are premade meals? 

A premade meal, also known as a ready-made meal, are dishes that are fully cooked and packaged, ready for consumption with little to no additional preparation required for the customers. 

These are typically prepared in advance by professional chefs or food manufacturers and then packaged for sale to consumers through various channels, such as restaurants and catering companies. 

These menu items come in a variety of forms, including frozen, shelf-stable, and kits, and are often served in a diverse range of cuisines, flavors, and dietary options. 

Why offer premade meals in your restaurant: 13 compelling reasons 

Improved efficiency 

Incorporating premade meals into your menu offerings can significantly improve your restaurant’s operation efficiency.

As you prepare certain components or entire dishes in advance, it reduces the cooking time and minimizes the need for customers to wait for their orders. 

This leads to faster table turnover and potentially increases your revenue, especially during peak hours. 

Consistent quality in prepared meals

This is one of the food trends that allows your business to maintain consistency in the quality of the food items you offer. 

By following standardized recipes and preparation methods, chefs can ensure that each serving meets the same high standards, regardless of factors such as staffing changes or fluctuating ingredient availability. 

Consistency builds trust and loyalty among customers, who can rely on their favorite dishes being consistently delicious every time they visit. 

Focus on creativity and innovation 

With the time saved on preparation, chefs have the freedom to focus on creativity and innovation in other aspects of their craft. 

Whether experimenting with unique flavor combinations, refining plating techniques, or exploring sustainable sourcing practices, meal kits provide chefs with the opportunity to elevate their culinary offerings. 

Expanded menu options 

Having dishes prepared in advance helps diversify the menu options of your customers and can be served quickly and conveniently. 

While traditionally prepared meals may be limited by the time and resources required to make each food item from scratch, premade ones allow your restaurant to offer a range of choices without sacrificing quality or efficiency. 

Premade meals can feature different cuisines, dietary preferences, and ingredients, catering to a broader customer base. 

Additionally, these can easily be customized or combined with other menu items to create unique flavor pairings. 

Cost savings in meal kits

Preassembled menus often involve bulk purchasing of ingredients, which can result in lower restaurant cost compared to purchasing individual ingredients for each food item. 

At the same time, it helps you reduce labor expenses associated with food preparation as it only requires less time to assemble. 

Catering to customers’ busy lifestyle

Your restaurant can accommodate the busy lifestyles of customers by providing them with convenient dining options that fit seamlessly into their hectic schedules. 

This ready-to-eat food eliminates the need for lengthy meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking, making it valuable for busy individuals who may not have the time or energy to cook meals but still prioritize healthy and delicious dining choices. 

Additionally,  this menu can be easily ordered for takeout or delivery, allowing customers to enjoy restaurant-quality food without the hassle of dining out. 

Increased flexibility using  a QR code menu 

Incorporating your preassembled menu offerings into a take out QR code menu provides increased flexibility for your business and customers alike. 

Your customers can easily access a wide array of preassembled meal choices in a quick QR scan that enhances their dining experience. 

These menus can be updated in real-time to reflect changes, such as seasonal offerings or special promotions, making sure that your customers have access to these updates. 

Adding to its streamlined feature, customers can also customize their orders by letting them choose what ingredients to add to their menu kits, making it a more interactive ordering process. 

Food safety assurance in frozen meals 

The importance of food safety is paramount in the restaurant industry.

Having prepared food items that are delivered or stored at a low temperature to retain their freshness and nutrients plays a crucial role in ensuring optimal food safety and hygiene practices. 

If you’re planning to collaborate with producers and manufacturers, expect that food items like these are under rigorous quality standards and food handling control measures to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure the safety of the final product. 

The process includes adherence to strict sanitation protocols, temperature control procedures, and comprehensive traceability systems. 

Each step of this process is carefully monitored and documented, with regular inspections and testing conducted to verify compliance with food safety regulations. 

Sustainability 

Your restaurant can significantly contribute to the environmental movement by promoting sustainability through minimizing food waste and optimizing ingredient usage. 

With ready-made food, chefs can precisely measure and portion ingredients, reducing the likelihood of excess food being prepared and ultimately wasted. 

Moreover, ingredients are used in their entirety, including parts that might otherwise be discarded, like vegetable scraps or leftover proteins. 

By maximizing your ingredients, you can potentially decrease your restaurant’s overall food waste, conserving valuable resources like water and energy that are used in food production. 

Brand consistency 

Maintaining consistent restaurant branding is crucial if you operate at multiple locations, as it ensures that customers receive the same high-quality experience no matter which establishment they visit. 

Precooked food kits play a crucial role in achieving this consistency by standardizing recipes, portion sizes, and cooking methods across all branches. 

Chefs can follow precise instructions for preparation, ensuring that each food item is replicated accurately, whether it’s in New York, Los Angeles, or anywhere in between.

This consistency extends beyond just taste; it encompasses the overall dining experience of your customers, including presentation, service, and ambiance. 

Building customer trust and loyalty

With this quick and hassle-free option, guests with hectic schedules or limited time to dine out can enjoy their meal with minimal effort. 

This convenience can build trust and loyalty among customers who appreciate the hassle-free dining of knowing they can rely on their favorite restaurant for a satisfying meal whenever the cravings strike. 

Furthermore, it responds to your customers with specific dietary preferences or restrictions, offering tailored options such as vegetarian, gluten-free, or low-carb meals that meet their individual needs without compromising the taste or quality. 

Adaptability to trends

It’s a crucial advantage offered by pre-cooked menus, enabling your restaurant to swiftly respond to evolving culinary preferences and market demands, 

You can introduce innovative dishes inspired by current culinary trends that appeal to a diverse customer base seeking exciting food journeys. 

Also, you can maintain your relevance in this ever-changing landscape, ultimately enhancing competitiveness and driving business growth. 

Improved customer satisfaction 

Prompt service is a key factor in ensuring positive dining for customers. 

By minimizing wait times and delivering orders quickly and efficiently, enhancing the dining of your customers. 

By streamlining the preparation process and eliminating the need for extensive cooking times, you’ll be able to serve customers promptly during peak hours, reducing frustration and ensuring guests are accommodated. 

This fosters a sense of satisfaction and appreciation, leading customers to return to your restaurant and recommend it to others, driving repeat business, and generating positive word-of-mouth referrals. 

5 categories of prepared meals to add to your menu list 

We’ve listed these categories of premade food items to help you out in building your recipes. 

Protein-packed entrees 

This category features food components that prioritize protein sources, such as tender grilled chicken breast, succulent seared salmon fillet, or flavorful marinated tofu. 

It’s a good food choice for customers who are fitness enthusiasts or just seeking nutritious and satisfying meals. 

You can pair these with complementary sides, such as steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes, or quinoa pilaf, providing a well-balanced and fulfilling feast. 

Vegetarian and vegan premade meals 

This is to provide individuals following plant-based diets with a diverse selection of packed food crafted without meat, poultry, fish, and animal-derived ingredients. 

It showcases the versatility of plant-based proteins such as beans, lentils, tofu, and tempeh (fermented soybeans), which are creatively prepared to deliver satisfying and flavorful vegetarian or vegan dishes. 

Accompanied by an array of vibrant vegetables, whole grains, and aromatic herbs and spices, these options appeal to health-conscious individuals and those who seek delicious meat-free alternatives. 

Comfort classics 

The group of meal choices evokes a sense of nostalgia and warmth that offers customers familiar favorites, bringing comfort and satisfaction with every bite. 

You can have hearty beef lasagna, chicken pot pie, or creamy macaroni and cheese. These can surely provide a taste of home-cooked goodness without the hassle of lengthy preparation. 

These timeless dishes are crafted with care and attention to detail using quality ingredients and traditional recipes to ensure authentic flavor. 

Whether enjoyed on a cozy evening at home or as a nostalgic treat during a busy day, you can bring food memories and bring to customers in a pack. 

Quick and easy breakfasts 

This is tailored for those guests who have to go through busting mornings when time is of the essence. 

It presents a variety of pre-cooked menus for breakfast designed to streamline the morning routine while delivering essential nutrients to kickstart the day.

This category includes burritos, egg muffins, and overnight oats that are ready-to-eat and nutritious solutions for customers on the go. 

Snack packs and appetizers 

Premade snacks and finger food are perfect for casual indulgence or social gatherings. 

Featuring an assortment of tempting options such as cheese and charcuterie boards adorned with cured meats, and savory accompaniments, vibrant veggie crudites served with creamy dips or sliders, this category provides a convenient feast on any occasion. 

MENU TIGER: Innovatively offer your premade dishes using this  QR code menu software

You know now that having premade menu options is not just to boost sales but to provide convenient dining choices for your customers, as well. 

Incorporating these food items into a QR code menu software like MENU TIGER guarantees to advance the level of convenience you’re offering your customers. 

Not just that, your restaurant will also greatly benefit from this as it is designed to help you simplify your overall operations from order-taking to marketing. 

Here’s how you’re going to do it: 

Go to the website and create an account

Supply the necessary details to sign up. All you need is an active email and a phone number.

Click the Sign-up button to navigate through the software.

Choose the Menus icon on the left-hand side menu of the dashboard

Select the Default Menus and select Add to create a separate category for your premade meal menu. 

Click Add in the upper right corner of the panel 

Go to the category you created and proceed to input your food items. 

Input  add-ons on the Modifiers at the left corner of the dashboard

Add complementary items such as beverages, toppings, and other offered additional food or ingredients. 

Go to the Stores section on the menu dashboard

Click New to add restaurant information if you’re managing a number of branches. 

Select Customize QR on the far right corner of the panel 

Design, edit, and incorporate your logo in your food menu QR code for consistent branding, then add the number of tables on the far right corner of the panel. 

Conduct a test scan of your generated QR code 

Scan the digital menu QR code on your smartphone or any compatible device to know if it lands on the proper online menu page. 

Print  your QR code menus on table tents or include these  in your marketing materials

Make a physical copy of your QR codes and place these QR codes on table tents and countertops. You can also include them in your social media postings and other marketing materials to entice potential customers.

Let’s go for ready-to-eat dining with QR code menu software 

Having premade meals available in your restaurant gives your customers an opportunity to eat with ease without having to worry about the time ticking. 

However, it would be more helpful to them if they experience this comfort even before they start digging in, which MENU TIGER QR code software is designed for—to help your business and customers have simplified and fast processes. 

So, why not embrace the convenience and upgrade your customers’ dining experience today? 

Visit the website and create your account for a future filled with delicious, innovative, and easy-to-prepare culinary dishes. 

FAQs