Digital menu boards are dynamic displays that Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) utilize to effectively showcase their offerings. Unlike traditional printed menus, digital menu boards are visually engaging and captivating, often catching the attention of customers as they approach the restaurant. The popularity of digital menu boards has soared in the QSR industry, accounting for up to 20% of the digital signage industry in 2020.
One of the primary reasons for the widespread adoption of digital menu boards by QSRs is customer expectation. Studies have shown that 74% of restaurant customers prioritize an effective menu display. If the display fails to entice customers, they are less likely to explore further and may move on to other options.
Leading brands like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, and Krispy Kreme were among the early adopters of digital menu boards. If you’re considering implementing these displays in your business, continue reading to discover key insights about digital menu boards.
The hardware
The software
Dynamic content
Content updates
Strategic placement
1. The hardware
When it comes to maximizing the impact on potential customers, a standard TV won’t suffice for your digital menu board. QSRs require commercial-grade displays, such as the LED By Us Digital Window Displays, designed to operate continuously 24/7. This ensures uninterrupted communication with customers, minimizing missed sales opportunities.
Brightness is another crucial consideration. It enhances screen visibility and counteracts the adverse effects of sunlight. The location of your display determines the required brightness level. For window displays exposed to high sunlight, a digital menu board capable of around 1,500 nits is recommended. On the other hand, displays placed away from windows and near the point of purchase typically need a brightness level of around 500-2500 nits, striking a balance between clarity and brightness for customer engagement.
2. The software
To fully leverage the potential of your digital menu board, you’ll need a digital signage platform—a content management system that allows you to arrange and control the content displayed on the screen.
Scheduling is a particularly useful feature offered by digital signage software like LED By Us. It enables you to plan and automate changes to the display in advance. For instance, if your breakfast menu ends at 11:30 AM, you can schedule your menu board to transition to the lunch menu automatically at that time. This saves time and reduces costs compared to manually swapping out printed menus.
Opting for cloud-based software grants you the flexibility to access your content from anywhere using any device with a modern web browser. This enables you to make real-time adjustments and ensure that your screens always display the right content, without needing to be physically present at the location of your digital menu boards.
3. Dynamic content
One of the significant advantages of digital menu boards over traditional print menus is the ability to incorporate animations and dynamic elements. Adding motion to your menu is an excellent way to capture customers’ attention, as movement stands out while static images can blend into the background.
In 2020, consumer video consumption increased by 96%, with 9 out of 10 viewers expressing a desire for more videos from brands and businesses. This highlights the importance of incorporating movement and video content into your digital signage.
Consider the following animation possibilities for your digital menu board to harness its capabilities and cater to customer demands:
- Growing and shrinking items or prices
- Transitioning animations between screens or characters moving across screens
- Sliding new sections of the menu onto the screen
- Sequentially revealing different parts of a promoted item to construct the final image
4. Content updates
A significant drawback of traditional print menus and menu boards is the expense involved in making changes during a campaign. Printing costs and reliance on external parties such as designers and printing companies make alterations time-consuming and costly. However, with digital menu boards, you can make instant changes at any time, which are immediately reflected on your screens.
Digital signage software like LED By Us empowers you with the flexibility to modify your content design whenever necessary. This not only saves you the expense of external services but also allows you to respond quickly to campaign data. By analyzing customer responses, you can adjust your menu’s prominence on the screen, making timely changes to optimize sales. Nearly 30% of customers find digital menus influential in their purchase decisions.
By leveraging the agility provided by digital menu boards, you can react swiftly to your findings and capitalize on new sales opportunities that would otherwise be missed while waiting for new print versions of your menu.
5. Strategic placement
Digital menu boards offer the advantage of flexibility in placement within your restaurant, extending beyond the traditional location above the point of sale. Window displays, in particular, are effective at capturing the attention of passersby, as they are more likely to notice and engage with the displayed content.
Another benefit of using digital menu boards in multiple locations is the ability to tailor the content for each specific area. For example, your window display can promote an enticing offer to attract customers, while a menu board near the waiting area can focus on a particular item you wish to sell more of. This allows you to test the effectiveness of different campaigns in various locations and optimize your digital menu boards and content accordingly.
Ready to choose your digital menu board? With over 12 years of experience, LED By Us is a leading provider of digital display technology. Our solutions support various industries, including retail, military and defense, government and public sector, technology, hospitality, and education.
If you have any questions or are interested in implementing a digital menu board, please complete the form below or explore our window display options here.
