What type of menu item possesses low profit and low popularity?

The term "Dog" in menu engineering refers to items that are characterized by both low profitability and low popularity. These items typically do not attract much customer interest, leading to low sales volumes, and they also generate minimal profit margins when they are sold.

In restaurant and menu management, identifying Dogs is crucial because they can take up valuable space on the menu and resources in the kitchen without contributing positively to the business's bottom line. The key to effective menu engineering is to identify these items and consider whether to eliminate them or to enhance their visibility or appeal in some way, potentially through promotional strategies or menu redesign.

Other terms like "Star" indicate high popularity and high profitability, which means they contribute positively to the restaurant's financial health. "Plowhorse" represents items with high popularity but lower profit margins, making them popular among customers but less lucrative. Understanding these categories helps restaurant managers to make informed decisions about menu design and pricing strategies.