Read Time: 5 minutes

As a meal prep operator, you know the importance of fresh ideas and creative offerings to keep customers engaged. But how much impact does changing your menu actually have on your sales?

In last week’s live session, we dove deep into data from 35 top merchants on Bottle to uncover the connection between menu changes and revenue growth. While some patterns confirmed what we’ve seen anecdotally, others opened the door to intriguing possibilities for boosting customer engagement and sales.

This is Part 1 of our Menu Change series, where we’re exploring the role of menu rotations in meal prep success. Today’s focus: uncovering the optimal frequency, scope, and strategy for menu changes.

Key Insights from the Data

Insight #1: Menu Changes Drive Revenue Spikes

Our analysis revealed a clear correlation between menu changes and revenue increases, especially during high-demand times like back-to-school and the holiday season. Merchants who updated their menus frequently—introducing seasonal or novel items—consistently saw a boost in orders.

“One of our vendors rolls out a new menu every six weeks, and the first three weeks of that new menu cycle usually have the highest order volume,” shared Chelsea, a member of our Bottle team.

Takeaway: Regular menu updates not only keep customers engaged but also align your offerings with seasonal demand and fresh trends.

Insight #2: Most Top Bottle Merchants Rotate Every 1 or 2 Weeks

When it comes to menu changes, frequency matters—but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Among the top 35 Bottle merchants, we found that a majority rotate their menus every one or two weeks, while others follow monthly, seasonal or annual cycles.

Chris, a Bottle merchant, shared his approach during the live session:

“Each week I offer five breakfasts and 10 entrees. I write a four-week menu with 20 breakfasts and 40 entrees and run through those menus three times, then create a new menu again. I write the menus for the seasons, using specific ingredients for all the seasons. To fill in some of the gaps, I run all-star menus, which are the top-selling items from the rotated menus.”

This balanced strategy keeps the menu fresh without overwhelming the team or customers, ensuring consistent quality while introducing novelty.

Takeaway: Experiment with different rotation frequencies—weekly, biweekly, or seasonal—and monitor how they impact customer engagement and sales. For example, if your audience responds well to frequent changes, consider a biweekly rotation. If they prefer stability, a seasonal approach might be more effective.

Insight #3: The Sweet Spot for Rotation

The data showed that 10 of the top 35 merchants on Bottle change 40% of their menu items with each rotation—retaining fan favorites while introducing enough novelty to spark excitement.

Takeaway: Experiment with changing 40-50% of your menu during each rotation. Test keeping fan favorites while cycling in seasonal specials and new recipes.

Insight #4: Seasonal Menus Are a Missed Opportunity

Despite the abundance of fresh produce in summer, many merchants reported fewer menu changes during the warmer months, citing operational challenges or lower customer demand. However, merchants who leaned into seasonal ingredients and lighter fare saw improved engagement.

“Summer is the season of amazing produce—tomatoes, peaches, fresh greens. Highlighting seasonal goodies could help counter the summer slump,” Chelsea added during the session.

Takeaway: Don’t let summer slow you down. Use it as an opportunity to introduce fresh, seasonal menus that excite your customers.

What’s Next? Part 2 Preview

We’re just getting started! In Part 2 of this series, we’ll dive deeper into actionable strategies to maximize revenue through menu changes. Here's what we’ll cover:

• What are the most popular menu items? Insights from our top merchants.
• How does menu change frequency impact growth? Weekly vs. monthly vs. quarterly strategies.
• What are the top-performing seasonal rotations? A closer look at ingredients and timing.
• Real case studies: Examples from merchants like Hannah and Chris to inspire your strategy.

Questions We’ll Answer:

• Should you rotate your entire menu or just parts of it?
• How often should you introduce new items to keep customers engaged?
• What are the risks and rewards of a high-novelty menu strategy?

Join the Replay and Don’t Miss Out

If you missed this week’s live session, catch the replay in our Facebook group! Every week, we go live with data-driven insights, How I Built This-style podcast conversations, and group coaching calls to help you grow your business.

👉 Watch the replay now.

This Thursday: Live Group Coaching with Andy

This Thursday, Andy, cofounder of Bottle, will lead another live group coaching session. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask questions, share your challenges, and get tailored advice from a seasoned meal prep entrepreneur.

📅 When: Thursday at 2 PM EST
📍 Where: Facebook Live Group

Let’s keep the conversation going! Email me at johnny@bottle.com with your ideas or join the Facebook group to connect with fellow meal prep operators.

See you Thursday!

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