In India, accessibility isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s about smart business.
Consider this: 26.8 million Indians live with disabilities, 104 million are elderly (60+), and 88% prefer languages other than English. That’s a massive customer base most restaurants are unintentionally excluding.
When menus become accessible, restaurants typically see a 20-30% increase in customer base and 15% higher average order values.
Here are five practical ways to make your menu accessible for India’s diverse population.
1. Offer Multiple Languages
The reality: Only 10-12% of Indians speak English fluently. Hindi is spoken by 43%, with the rest preferring regional languages.
What this means: An English-only menu excludes 88% of potential customers.
Which Languages to Include
Minimum: Hindi + English
Based on location, add:
- Mumbai/Pune: Marathi
- Bangalore: Kannada
- Chennai: Tamil
- Kolkata: Bengali
- Ahmedabad/Surat: Gujarati
- Hyderabad: Telugu
The Traditional Problem
Printing separate menus for each language costs ₹12,000-18,000 annually and becomes outdated whenever prices change.
The Digital Solution
Digital menus offer unlimited languages at zero additional cost. Guests tap a button to switch languages, and all updates are reflected instantly across every language version.
Impact: Restaurants report 60% higher likelihood of premium orders when menus are available in customers’ preferred language (IIM study).
2. Add Dietary Filters and Clear Information
India’s dietary landscape is complex:
- 30-40% follow vegetarian diets
- 4-5 million practice Jain food restrictions (no onion, garlic, root vegetables)
- 14% require Halal options
- 6-8 million have celiac disease (gluten-free needed)
The Current Problem
Paper menus lack space for complete ingredient lists. Guests must ask staff, leading to:
- Inconsistent information
- Miscommunication in noisy environments
- Time wasted during busy hours
- Safety concerns for allergies
What Works
Essential filters:
- Vegetarian/Non-vegetarian (with standard green/red dots)
- Jain food
- Halal/Kosher
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Allergen warnings (dairy, nuts, shellfish)
Digital advantage: Unlimited space for complete ingredient lists, preparation methods, spice levels, and calorie information.
Real impact: A Delhi restaurant saw 35% increase in Jain customer visits after implementing proper dietary filters.
Learn more about digital menu benefits
3. Ensure Large, Readable Text
The aging population matters: India’s 60+ population is projected to reach 319 million by 2050 (UN data). Nearly 100% experience presbyopia (difficulty reading small text).
Common Menu Problems
- 8-10 point font (too small)
- Low contrast (gray text on white)
- Decorative fonts (hard to read)
- Glossy lamination (creates glare)
Accessibility Standards
- Minimum text size: 16px
- Contrast ratio: At least 4.5:1 (black on white is best)
- Font choice: Sans-serif (Arial, Helvetica) for readability
Digital Menu Advantages
- Guests can pinch-to-zoom on phones
- Text remains crisp (no pixelation)
- No glare from lamination
- Adjustable brightness
- Each person sets their preferred size
Result: A Mumbai restaurant chain saw 28% increase in orders from customers aged 60+ after implementing large-text digital menus.
See how QR menus improve guest experience
4. Organize Menus Logically
The problem: Research shows that menus with 40+ items cause decision fatigue, increasing ordering time and decreasing satisfaction.
What Doesn’t Work
- 80+ items without clear grouping
- Mixed cuisines without separation
- Vague categories (“Chef’s Special”)
- No logical flow
Simple Structure That Works
Clear hierarchy:
- Major categories: Starters, Main Course, Breads, Rice, Beverages, Desserts
- Sub-categories: Under Main Course → Vegetarian Curries, Non-Veg Curries, Tandoor
- Individual items: With brief descriptions
Digital Benefits
- Show categories first, expand when tapped
- Search function (“paneer” shows all paneer dishes)
- Filter by category + dietary preference simultaneously
- “Most Popular” highlighted
Impact: A Bangalore café reduced average ordering time from 9 minutes to 4 minutes after restructuring their 75-item menu digitally.
Discover operational improvements
Who Benefits Beyond Visual Impairment
- Elderly users: Prefer voice to typing
- Motor disabilities: Touchscreen may be difficult
- Busy situations: Hands-free ordering
Real Implementation
A Pune restaurant partnered with the National Association for the Blind to ensure full accessibility. Result: Regular visually impaired customers increased from 0 to 8 per month.
Legal note: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, requires equal access to public services.
The Business Case
Expanded Customer Base
Who you’re reaching:
- 104 million elderly (higher spending, group dining)
- 88% non-English speakers (massive untapped market)
- 26.8 million people with disabilities (often dining in groups)
- Millions with dietary restrictions (limited options = loyalty)
Real ROI Example
Delhi restaurant (6-month study):
Investment:
- Digital menu: 6 to 8K per year
Results:
- New customer segments: +18%
- Average order value: +15%
- Jain customers: +35%
- Media coverage: 2 local features
- Revenue increase: ₹2,85,000
ROI: 1,239% in first year
Cost Reality
Digital menu with all accessibility features Includes:
- Unlimited languages
- Dietary filters
- Adjustable text
- Regular updates
Compared with traditional menu costs of ₹80,000-1,75,000 annually.
Common Questions
“Won’t elderly guests struggle with digital menus?”
Reality: 78% of elderly guests successfully use QR menus with brief assistance. Once learned, many prefer digital due to larger text and better readability.
“Is this expensive?”
Digital menus cost less than printing multilingual paper menus (₹12,000-18,000/year for limited versions) while offering far more features.
“Will this really increase revenue?”
Yes. Accessible menus typically expand customer base by 20-30% and increase average orders by 15% due to better comprehension and confidence.
Key Takeaways
Five accessibility essentials:
- Multiple languages (Hindi, English, regional)
- Dietary filters (Jain, Halal, vegetarian, gluten-free)
- Large, readable text with high contrast
- Logical organization and search
Business impact:
- Customer base expansion: 20-30%
- Average order value increase: 15%
- ROI: Typically 1,000%+ in year one
- Implementation: Easier than expected
Most importantly: Accessibility creates inclusive spaces where every guest feels welcome and can order independently.
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