How does a cycle menu typically function in a restaurant?

A cycle menu is specifically designed to rotate through a predetermined list of menu items over a set period, such as a week, two weeks, or even a month. This approach allows restaurants to offer a variety of dishes while managing inventory and food costs effectively. By reintroducing items after a specific timeframe, restaurants can keep customers interested without overwhelming the kitchen staff with a constantly changing menu.

This system also helps streamline purchasing and preparation processes, as the kitchen can predict and manage the ingredients needed for the upcoming cycles of the menu. Furthermore, a cycle menu is beneficial for institutions like schools or hospitals, where it can provide balanced nutrition over time while still appealing to diners with a range of options.

In contrast, options that suggest new items weekly or only featuring seasonal dishes do not align with the primary function of a cycle menu, which emphasizes a structured and repetitive rotation instead. Similarly, keeping items only for special events does not reflect the regularity and predictability that defines a cycle menu’s operation.