Showcase Tips
Food display
Guide
To make food and drink models work — attracting visitors and increasing sales — they must be positioned and arranged correctly. Location, lighting, decoration, plate angles, and dish grouping all affect results.
When you purchase food models from Nippon Dom, you receive expert guidance on display setup and decoration. Our consultations help you create an effective tool that maximizes sales.
Essential Information
1. The Perfect Showcase Placement to Attract Customers
Restaurants and Cafes
Food replicas are usually placed in display windows or showcases near the entrance to attract attention from outside. If the venue has no windows or limited space, attractive stands or a portable table with the most popular menu items can be used to present the replicas.
Fast Food Outlets
In fast food establishments, display cases with food replicas are often located close to the cash register. This allows visitors to view the assortment and make their choice while standing in line.
2. Bright lighting for the best color presentation of the dish
The attractive and appetizing appearance of food replicas largely depends on proper display window illumination. Bright lighting enhances the vividness of colors in food and drink replicas, making them look more delicious and stimulating the viewer’s appetite.
Moreover, a brightly lit display window in a café or restaurant is visible from afar, effortlessly drawing the attention of passersby.
Please note: in the photo shown here the showcase looks too dark. This is an example of incorrect display lighting, which reduces the appeal of the replicas.
3. Plate angle for comfortable viewing of the dish
The angle at which plates are displayed also affects sales. Dishes are more visible and appealing when placed at an angle of 45–60 degrees.
Ensure that all plates on the same shelf are positioned at the same angle for a neat and consistent appearance.
Please note: in the photo, the plates are placed flat without any angle. Because of this, the dishes are not clearly visible from a distance and the food presentation loses its effect.
4. Organized by category for convenient selection
A display window with food replicas grouped by category looks neat and appealing. This arrangement also makes it easier for visitors to find a specific dish within a large assortment.
Place meals on large plates on the lower shelves, and meals on small plates on the upper shelves.
Note: Dishes placed in the center of the display window are the most popular among visitors. That is why signature dishes are usually displayed in the center of the middle shelf.
5. Essential Info for Quick Decisions
Position a price tag with basic information about the dish in front of each food model.
Include:
- Meal name
- Meal price
For added appeal, you can also provide:
- Calorie count (to attract visitors who care about their health)
- Information about ingredients and the best characteristics of the dish
Note: The description should stimulate appetite. Use numbers and mouth-watering adjectives to make it more enticing.
6. Seasonal and themed décor for maximum display appeal
Decorate the Display Window with Seasonal or Event Accessories
Enhance your display window with decorations that match the current season or an upcoming event to create a festive mood. Add new decorations:
- For each holiday
- For a significant day in your city or restaurant
- For each season
Don’t forget to remove seasonal decorations on time. If they remain in the display window for too long after a holiday or season has passed, it may give the impression that the restaurant is not well maintained.
Ideas for maximizing profits
1. Showcase Set Meal Menus
Food replicas of set meals help increase the average bill and reduce customer service time.
Ready-made meal sets save visitors time when choosing, allow them to quickly enjoy a balanced lunch, and make the ordering process more convenient and enjoyable. This improves comfort, enhances customer satisfaction, and encourages repeat visits.
2. Place the Replica of Your Signature Dish in the Center of the Display
According to Japanese marketing statistics, a food replica placed in the center of the display attracts the most attention from visitors, making it the best-selling item.
That’s why it is recommended to position the most expensive and iconic dish from your menu in the center of the middle shelf to highlight it, spark interest, and boost its sales.
2. Enhance Showcase Appeal with Frozen-in-Motion Food Replicas
Food replicas can be created to look as if they capture a moment of motion. For example, pasta twirled on a fork, sauce pouring over a dish, or juice splashing in a glass. Such “frozen movement” makes the display more dramatic and instantly attracts attention.
Dynamic replicas look like a scene from real life, surprising customers and making the showcase unforgettable. They encourage visitors to stop, notice your menu, and feel tempted to try the dish.
3. Turn Discounts into Sales Drivers
Discounts can apply to:
- Specific dishes
- Drinks
- Certain hours (such as lunch time)
Discount information should be presented in large fonts using red and orange tones. The color scheme of the display and price tags has a significant impact on attracting customer attention and boosting sales.
4. Make Your Best-Selling Dishes Stand Out
People trust reviews and popularity. The very fact that your restaurant has best-selling dishes automatically increases potential visitors’ trust.
When customers are unsure about what to order, they often choose dishes with positive reviews or those marked as the most frequently ordered.
It is recommended to highlight these dishes with bright flags — red or orange — to draw attention and encourage orders.
5. Add Style and Appeal with Thematic Décor
Thematic elements make the display window more attractive, expressive, and unique.
These can include:
- Decorative items, souvenirs, and ornaments that emphasize the national style of the cuisine
- Large photographs of dishes
- Bottles with real beverages
6. Kids’ Menu Replicas to Attract Families
A kids’ menu display works best on the lower shelf, at the child’s eye level. This way, little guests immediately notice the replicas and feel involved in choosing.
To make the display more appealing, place toys or a glass with crayons next to it. Parents see that children will get a gift and can stay busy drawing if they finish eating earlier.
For the strongest effect, kids’ menu replicas should be presented in child-sized tableware, making the display realistic and attractive.
Free consultations for designing your showcase
Get unlimited free consultations and create a showcase that attracts the maximum number of guests! We will help you select the perfect set of food replicas and provide ideas for placement and design, ensuring your display works to boost sales.
To get a consultation, simply send us a photo of your restaurant’s facade and a copy of your menu.
P.S. The secret to a successful display window isn’t having a lot of models — it’s the right assortment, smart placement, and eye-catching design.