Menu Planning Groups can be created to categorize menus or events to assist cafeterias, caterers, and other operators that use the Menu Planning function. Creating menu groups and assigning menus to these groups is necessary to the Menu Planning process.
Here is an example of a Menu Group structure for an institutional feeder running cyclical menus: Each cycle is a Menu Department Group.
Under the cycle Department Group is a series of Master Groups for each week in the cycle, and under each Master Group is a subgroup for each day of the week.
Menus are then created and assigned to the meal group they represent. Menus that are used repeatedly can be assigned to multiple groups.
For example, if Menu X is served at Lunch on each Tuesday of the cycle, it is assigned to each Tuesday subgroup in the cycle.
Similarly, if Menu Y is served at Dinner every Tuesday, it is also assigned to every Tuesday subgroup in the cycle.
Another example of menu planning used to handle catering functions may involve setting up Departments as event types such as buffets, sit-down meals, off-site events, etc. Rather than create any subgroups, each event is associated with a Department and a menu may be created for each event.
For example, if the Johnson's are having an off-site event, a menu called the Johnson Party may be created and assigned to the Off-Site Menu Group.
It is important to keep in mind when creating Menu Groups that menu requirement reports can be created for entire Groups. Therefore, if you intend to create a production report for a number of menus, it is best to include those menus in a Group for easier selection and report production.