Which term refers to a tool that uses the menu as a whole to increase profitability?

The term that refers to a tool using the menu as a whole to increase profitability is known as menu engineering. This process involves analyzing the various items on a menu to identify which are the most profitable and most popular, as well as understanding the overall dynamics of how the items interact with each other in terms of customer preferences and pricing strategy.

Menu engineering goes beyond just pricing individual items; it takes into account factors like food cost, demand, and the contributions of each item to overall sales. This comprehensive approach enables restaurant managers to strategically design their menus to encourage customers to order higher-margin items while ensuring that the menu's layout and presentation effectively promote these products.

In contrast, while menu optimization, menu pricing, and menu analysis are all related concepts, they do not capture the holistic approach that menu engineering encompasses. Menu optimization typically focuses on refining specific elements for better performance, menu pricing centers on pricing strategies for individual items, and menu analysis usually involves examining metrics or data to assess menu effectiveness but may not necessarily encompass broader profitability strategies.