Your customers spend a lot of time examining your menus closely, so it's important for you to take some time considering what menu holders best reflect your business. Are you trying to convey a sophisticated feeling or a casual one? Whimsical? Modern? Homespun? A quick and easy way to tell your customers about your business is to choose the right menu card holders.

Restaurant holders can be somewhat expensive, so it's also important to consider the pricing and costs of menu card holders. Expense is mostly determined by quantity and type of materials used in the holders. Generally, menu card holders may be broken down into three basic categories:

1. Wood and metal restaurant card holders, which are usually in the middle price range,

2. Acrylic menu card holders, which tend to be least expensive,

3. And miscellaneous novel menu card holders, which are often the most costly.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find wood and metal menu card holder suppliers

Wood frame menu holders can be difficult to find, but small to medium sized ones run about $7 to $9, depending on the type of wood used. Metal menu holders are easier to find and come in a much wider variety of styles. A simple, no-nonsense metal menu card clip holder runs about $0.75 to $1. A small spiral card or menu holder is about $3 to $5, while a fancier, larger menu holder runs about $5 to $7.

I recommend: The Menu Shoppe carries hickory-brown wooden menu holders. Central Products carries a wide variety of menu holders, including decorative and simple metal ones.

Purchase acrylic menu holders

Unobtrusive and practical, acrylic or plastic frames for menus are abundant. High quality, larger acrylic menu holders cost about $3 to $6 apiece. A spiral menu holder of acrylic, with small panels for six different menus runs about $6 to $8 apiece.

I recommend: Displays2Go carries spiral acrylic menu holders, as well as other multi-panel holders. Wholesale Store Fixtures.com carries a wide variety of cheap menu holders of acrylic, in nearly any size you could need.

Discover more novel menu card holders

Different options include a stainless steel restaurant card holder, which runs about $12 to $15 each, and chalkboard-style menus costing around $30 to $60 apiece, depending upon their size. You might also consider a menu folder; imitation leather tent-style menu holders run about $20 to $25 each.

I recommend: Food Service Supplies offers small stainless steel card holders, chalkboard menus and much more. Instawares Restaurant Supply has a large selection of menu holders, including those of faux-leather.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In addition to the cost and appearance of your restaurant card holders, consider how easy they are to clean. You only need to occasionally wipe down wood with a damp cloth and a de-greasing cleaner; stainless steel should be wiped daily with special stainless-steel cleaner; and acrylic should only be wiped down with very mild detergent and a soft, non-scratching cloth.

Menu card holders are a great way to creatively display menus, daily specials and drink options. Often the first thing customers will really look at and study when entering a dining establishment is the menu, so it's important to display it well. With such a wide variety available, you can find something to match any decor and budget.

Menu card holders all have one thing in common, to hold a menu whether it be a single sheet or a menu folder. The most popular styles are metal menu card clip holders and framed menu holders. Another option is to use plastic frames for menus. When choosing menu holders it is important to keep the following in mind:

1. Decide what size menu card holder will best suit the menu.

2. Determine if the menu card holder needs to fit within a set theme.

3. Set a budget to narrow down what type of menu card holder will work best.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose your menu card holder based on the menu size

The size of the menu is going to play a large role in determining the size of your menu card holder. Select a heftier menu card holder if your menu is especially tall or wide.

I recommend: The Menu Shoppe offers an attractive framed option. A two-sided menu card can be slipped through the top or either side. Azar Int’l Inc. offers an option in clear acrylic that is simple and cost effective. This 8 1/2" x 11" design is functional and sold in bulk for additional discounts. For smaller menus, consider this metal clip menu holder option from Kegworks. This stainless steel menu holder is 2 1/2" x 2”.

Evaluate the overall decor or theme that you want to achieve with the menu holders

Whether going for sleek and stylish or simple and classic, let your menu card holders coordinate with the surroundings. Menu card suppliers have multiple options available for purchase.

I recommend: This fun option from Central Restaurant Products features a spiral base and comes in a choice of black or chrome. American Metalcraft, Inc. has several unique options including a black iron swirl stand with a menu insert option or a surface to do a handwritten menu. A great low profile option is this silver wire 3 1/2" x 2” holder at Instawares.

Keep your budget in mind when selecting menu holders

There are many budget-friendly options that look great but won't break the bank. Buying in bulk is one of the easiest ways to save money and still walk away with a great product.

I recommend: Twin Supply Inc. offers this stainless menu card clip holder in a lot of 60. This is also a good option if you're using menu card folders. A loop clip design is available at KaTom Restaurant Supply, Inc. This economical holder measures 2 1/2" high, and features a nickel plated round base. Don’t rule out a multi-menu card option offered by Displays2Go that costs a little more but allows you to display six different menu cards in one unit.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing menu card holders, shop outside the box and keep in mind that you don't have to limit yourself to restaurant suppliers. Many different industries use signs to advertise and offer sign holders that work perfectly well as restaurant card holders.

If you own a restaurant or other food service establishment, your menu card holders are very important. The way your menu is presented is an important aspect of the first impression you have on new or potential customers.

This makes it important for you to choose a menu holder that is practical and suitable to your business. There are several menu card holders types and styles to choose from. They include:

1. The menu card clip holder, which lets you attach the card at the bottom;

2. The weatherproof outdoor frame that you can use to draw people into your business from outside;

3. The transparent display that keeps your menu cards from getting wet or soiled.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out clip style menu holders

The clip style menu holder is easy to use and is often the least expensive option. Just be aware that you have to have your menu cards printed on thick card stock to use these. If you don't, the cards will flop over.

I recommend: Go to Katom Restaurant Supply's site and check out the chrome-plated menu clips. They are good for a classy look, but can also work with casual decor. A weighted base helps them stay standing. Then look at Kitchen Supply Direct's stainless steel menu holders. They are of a similar style, but are thinner and not weighted.

Look at outdoor menu card holders

Menu card holders are also useful outside your establishment. The point of them is to draw in customers with your delectable menu options. It can also help people with certain food preferences decide if your business is right for them.

I recommend: Go to Next Level Custom Signs' web page and look at the plastic A-frame stand. You can set it on the ground in front of your business and easily bring it in at closing. Then visit Sam's Club's website and take a look at the outdoor/indoor menu holder. It easily mounts on the wall and can hold several menu cards to display a longer menu.

View transparent acrylic or plastic frames for menus

The plastic restaurant card holder is a good choice for you if your establishment is frequented by families. Even if children handle these holders, or you or your staff drop them on the floor, it is unlikely the holders will get messed up. Plus, your menu cards will stay intact.

I recommend: Visit Cal-Mil Plastic Products' website. Cal-Mil makes five varieties of acrylic card holders. Then go to Displays2Go. The site, which sells displays from many different menu card holder suppliers, has 10 types of transparent displays in lots of shapes and sizes. It also has a couple of variations of the menu folder, if you are looking for those as well.