Learn practical strategies to help customers add more to their orders and grow your revenue.
Key takeaways
• Increasing average check size is one of the fastest ways to grow revenue without additional marketing spend.
• Menu design, personalization and incentives guide customers to choose more complete orders.
• Online ordering creates natural moments to recommend upgrades and add ons.
Why average check size matters
If every order in your restaurant were just a few dollars higher, you could significantly grow revenue without attracting a single new customer. That is the core benefit of increasing your average check size.
Restaurants usually focus on getting more traffic, but acquiring new customers is expensive and unpredictable. Increasing the value of each order is more reliable, and it improves the experience for customers who already love your food.
Online ordering gives you an advantage that in person service cannot match. Guests have time to read, browse and compare. They move through predictable steps, which allows you to showcase sides, upgrades and bundles at the perfect moment. These micro decisions drive meaningful revenue.
Below you will find ten strategies used by top performing restaurants to raise their online average check size consistently.
How to calculate your average check size
Average Check Size = Total Sales divided by Total Orders
If you made 16,000 dollars last month from 800 online orders, your average check size is 20 dollars.
This simple number helps you monitor trends, justify menu changes and track the impact of new promotions.
The principles behind higher check sizes
Before diving into tactics, keep these two ideas in mind.
1. Aim to increase your most common order size
A few very large orders can lift your average temporarily, but they do not create predictable revenue. You want hundreds of slightly larger tickets, not a handful of giant ones.
2. Customers appreciate curated choices
Suggesting upgrades and pairings is not pushy when it helps them get a better meal. People feel more satisfied when they receive clear and relevant options.
1. Build a strong online ordering experience
Everything starts with a smooth ordering journey. If your online experience is slow or confusing, customers rush through it and skip add ons. A clean layout, fast load time and simple customization options naturally encourage customers to explore.
Optimized online ordering increases the opportunity for recommendations, bundles and upgrades that raise the final ticket.
Pro tip: Place your highest margin categories near the top of each section.
2. Use recommendations for add ons
Suggestions at the right moments can increase the total by 10 to 25 percent. Drinks, sauces, toppings and desserts work especially well because customers see them as convenient additions.
The best results come from recommendations tied to the item selected. If someone adds a spicy burger, show a cooling drink or premium fries. These contextual prompts feel natural and increase acceptance rates.
Pro tip: Two options perform better than long lists. Keep it simple.
3. Promote your highest margin items
Not all add ons deliver the same profit. Many restaurants promote items that sell well but add very little margin. Instead, highlight items that cost little to produce and still feel valuable to customers.
Examples include seasoned fries, dips, extra proteins, premium toppings, small desserts or special drinks.
Pro tip: Add short descriptive text that highlights flavor or ingredients. Sensory descriptions can boost selection.
4. Let customers personalize their meals
Customization is one of the strongest drivers of average check size. When customers build their perfect version of a dish, they are more likely to add premium ingredients or extra toppings.
This works extremely well for pizzas, bowls, burritos, sandwiches, noodles and salads.
Pro tip: Show upgrades clearly with small price tags so customers instantly know their options.
5. Optimize your menu design for conversions
Your online menu is a sales tool. The layout, categories, photos and descriptions guide customers through your offerings and influence what they choose.
Effective menu design techniques include:
• Highlighting best selling and high profit items
• Using large, appetizing photos for items that lift check size
• Positioning premium or signature dishes in the first positions of each category
• Keeping each category short and clear
• Adding groups like Add something extra or Make it a combo
Pro tip: Use short, vivid descriptions to emphasize ingredients, textures or preparation styles.
See how your restaurant’s website stacks up against local competitors
6. Create bundles that offer clear value
Bundles and combos increase order size by offering a complete experience at a better perceived price. Customers enjoy convenience and feel they are maximizing value.
Popular bundle formats include:
• One main item plus two sides
• Dinner for two
• Family packs
• Premium bundles with specialty items
Bundles work especially well online because customers can see the savings compared to ordering items individually.
Pro tip: Always include at least one high margin item in each bundle.
7. Add premium versions of popular items
Offering a premium upgrade is a subtle way to increase average check size. Many guests gravitate toward the best possible version of something they already want.
Examples include:
• Double protein
• Special sauces
• Premium toppings
• Upgraded sides
• Add a dessert at a reduced price
Pro tip: Position premium items directly under the standard version.
8. Use loyalty rewards to encourage larger orders
Loyalty programs are powerful because they influence behavior over time. Members tend to spend more, return more frequently and try new items to earn points.
Effective reward structures include:
• Extra points for adding a side or dessert
• A bonus for hitting a minimum order value
• Double points on bundles
• A welcome reward that encourages a larger first purchase
Pro tip: Use high margin items as rewards to protect your profitability.
9. Offer promotions with minimum order thresholds
Setting a minimum amount for perks nudges customers to increase their order slightly. These promotions work because the goal feels reachable and the reward feels meaningful.
Common examples:
• Free delivery above 35 dollars
• Five percent off above 40 dollars
• A free appetizer above 45 dollars
Small order increases like adding one drink or one side are easy for customers and powerful for your revenue.
Pro tip: Set your threshold 10 to 20 percent above your current average.
10. Add limited time or seasonal offers
Limited time items create excitement and urgency, encouraging customers to explore more of the menu. Seasonal specials, rotating desserts or themed bundles increase the chance that customers add extra items they would not normally select.
Examples include:
• Holiday bundles
• Limited edition sauces
• Seasonal side dishes
• Monthly desserts
• Game day or event specials
Pro tip: Promote limited time items prominently at the top of the app or menu.
Unlock more revenue from every order
Increasing your average online check size is one of the most effective and sustainable ways to grow your restaurant. These ten strategies help customers discover more options, personalize their meals and enjoy a better experience.
Small improvements at each step of the digital journey add up quickly. Start with one or two tactics, track your results and keep optimizing.
