Usual sections
- To share: nachos, wings, onion rings, mozzarella sticks.
- Burgers: the heart of the menu.
- Veggie: plant-based or vegan burgers, in their own section.
- Other: hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, salads.
- Sides and sauces.
- Desserts and shakes.
- Drinks.
On its own or as a meal: two columns
It’s the most common question at the counter. Answer it with two price columns:
| On its own | Meal | |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | 9.50 | 12.90 |
| Bacon cheeseburger | 11 | 14.40 |
| Veggie | 10.50 | 13.90 |
Example prices in pounds. Under the label, a note: “Meal: with fries and a drink”. If the side can be swapped (sweet potato fries, salad), say for how much.
Fillings in order
A burger’s description is its list of fillings. Always write them in the same order:
- Patty and weight: “170 g beef”.
- Cheese.
- Toppings: bacon, onion, pickles.
- Sauce.
- Bun, if you have several.
Smokehouse — 170 g beef patty, Cheddar, bacon, crispy onions and barbecue sauce. Brioche bun.
Extras and customisation
A note under the burger section covers everything:
Double patty +3 · Extra cheese +1 · Extra bacon +1.50 · Gluten-free bun +1.50
If you serve burgers pink, say so on the menu (“Cooked medium unless you ask otherwise”). In the UK, local authorities expect businesses serving rare burgers to have proper safety controls in place and to warn customers on the menu; in the US, the FDA Food Code’s consumer advisory applies to undercooked beef. If you offer gluten-free buns, remember the shared griddle and fryer.
Allergens: where they hide
- Bun: almost always gluten; often sesame, and in brioche, eggs and milk.
- Cheese: milk.
- Sauces: mayonnaise and aioli (eggs), mustard or house sauces (mustard, eggs), barbecue sauce (depending on the brand, mustard, celery or sulphites).
- Meat: some burger mixes contain sulphites or gluten (rusk). Ask your supplier for the spec sheet.
- Shakes: milk, and depending on the flavour, tree nuts, peanuts or gluten (cookies).
- Shared fryer: if you fry battered onion rings and fries in the same oil, the fries can carry traces of gluten.
Mark each allergen against your recipes and your suppliers’ spec sheets. The guide to allergens on menus explains how to show them.
Kids’ menu and combos
If you get a lot of families, a kids’ menu at a fixed price makes life much easier: a small burger or nuggets, fries, a drink and a simple dessert. Say what age it’s for; the kids’ menu guide has more ideas.
Sharing combos (two burgers, two sides and two drinks) work well as a section of their own, with a total price and a list of what’s included. And if you do a burger of the month, feature it with the “New” tag instead of changing the whole menu.
Design
- Block, the template’s style, with chunky lettering and yellow, made for burger joints.
- Diner, Taquería and Poster also suit street food venues.
- A3 poster or 16:9 screen behind the counter to order at a glance, A4 on the tables and a post or story to announce the burger of the month.
Make it in MenuDesign
Open the burger menu template or take a photo of your current menu. Adjust the columns, mark allergens and tags (vegan, spicy, new) and download the PDF or the image for your screen. Free, no account needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I price a burger on its own and as a meal?
With two price columns, ‘On its own’ and ‘Meal’ (or ‘Combo’ in the US), and a note explaining what the meal includes: ‘Meal: with fries and a drink’.
Should I give the weight of the patty?
It isn’t compulsory, but it helps a lot: customers compare and understand why one burger costs more than another. ‘170 g dry-aged beef’ (or ‘6 oz’) says more than ‘big burger’.
Which allergens does a burger usually contain?
The bun usually contains gluten and often sesame, egg or milk; the cheese, milk; and sauces such as mayonnaise or mustard sauce, egg and mustard. Check your suppliers’ spec sheets.