Digital Drive thru menu boards have become a staple feature for restaurants worldwide as the demand for fast and convenient food service continues to grow.
In this context, digital drive-thru menu boards have become an essential tool for increasing customer satisfaction, improving order accuracy, and streamlining service.
However, choosing the right menu board can be a challenging task for restaurant owners, as it requires careful consideration of various factors, such as visibility, durability, and customization options.
Therefore, in this article, we will delve into the benefits of outdoor drive-thru menu boards, provide insights into their different types and features, and offer practical tips to help you select the ideal digital drive thru menu boards for your business needs.
What Is An Outdoor Drive Thru Digital Menu Board
A drive-thru or drive-through digital menu board is an outdoor digital menu board. It’s a type of digital signage displays used in drive-thru lanes of restaurants or other businesses to display menu items and promotional content. These outdoor menu boards are typically large LCD or LED displays mounted outside the building and visible from the drive-thru lane.
Outdoor drive-thru digital menu boards typically feature high-resolution displays and advanced software that allows for dynamic menu content updates and scheduling. This means that businesses can easily change their menu items and promotions in real-time based on inventory, sales trends, and other factors.
Types of Digital Drive Thru menu boards
Freestanding Digital Drive Thru Menu Boards
These are electronic outdoor menu boards that display menus and pricing at a drive-thru restaurant. They are typically mounted on a stand or pole, rather than being attached to a building or other structure.
These digital menu boards are designed to be easily visible to customers as they approach the drive-thru, and can display a variety of information including menu items, pricing, promotions, and nutritional information.
They are often updated remotely, which allows restaurant operators to quickly and easily make changes to the menu design and content without the need for physical signage changes.
In addition to displaying menu items, freestanding drive-thru digital menu boards can also incorporate other features such as order confirmation screens, upsell messaging, and interactive elements like touchscreens.
Wall Mounted Digital Drive Thru Menu Boards
These are fully digital displays used to showcase menus, pricing, and promotional items at a drive-thru restaurant. Unlike freestanding digital menu boards, these displays are typically mounted directly on the exterior walls of the restaurant building.
Wall-mounted drive-thru digital menu boards are designed to provide clear visibility and easy readability to customers as they approach the drive-thru. They can display a wide range of information, including menu items, pricing, nutritional information, and promotional offers.
One of the advantages of wall-mounted drive-thru digital menu boards is that they can be integrated into the design of the building, creating a sleek and modern appearance. They can also be customized to match the branding and color scheme of the restaurant.
In addition, wall-mounted digital menu boards can be updated remotely. This makes it easy for restaurant operators to make real-time menu changes and updates without the need for physical signage changes. This can help to improve the efficiency and speed of service, and provide a better overall experience for customers
What factors should be considered when choosing a Digital drive-thru menu board that fits your needs?
Which type of drive-thru digital menu board to choose for you restaurant? There are several factors to keep in mind. However, it’s important to begin by closely examining your menu and the number of items you offer. To guide your decision-making, ask yourself the following questions:
- Will a single screen be sufficient to display your entire menu, including special offers?
- Where will you position the drive-thru menu board?
- Do you have adequate space to accommodate both a drive-thru lane and menu boards?
- What is the ideal size for your menu board? is it easily readable without being too big or too small?
It is recommended to limit the number of items displayed on a single screen to 15-20. Why? This should prevent overwhelming the customer. If you have a larger menu, consider utilizing multiple screens to ensure a clear and legible display.
Options for Digital Drive Thru Boards
Modern LED
Implementing a cutting-edge LED menu with superior brightness in your business can be a game-changing.
With the flexibility and convenience it offers, you can easily switch up the design and display of your products frequently. keeping your customers engaged and interested!
The dynamic nature of LED menus allows for easy modifications, reducing the need for costly printing and reinstallation expenses associated with traditional signage.
Classic Drive-Thru
The classic drive-thru menu remains a popular choice for businesses that prioritize customer convenience and ease of use. These menus feature a straightforward layout that allows customers to quickly and efficiently navigate through the menu. And Also, place their order from their car!
The simplicity of this design can enhance the overall drive-thru experience, as it eliminates confusion and ensures smooth operations.
LED Illuminated Add Ons
Do you want to stand out from the competition and grab the attention of potential customers? Consider adding an LED illuminated add-on to your outdoor drive-thru lane.
These visually striking displays can showcase sales, promotions, or featured products, capturing the attention of customers driving by.
With customizable designs and the ability to switch between displays easily, these illuminated add-ons offer a versatile marketing tool for your business.
Benefits of Digital Drive-Thru Menu Boards
- Improved visibility:Digital menus provide better visibility, making it easier for customers to read and navigate menus. The vibrant displays and dynamic graphics catch customers’ attention and help to increase sales by anywhere from 10% to 60%.
- Faster service: Digital menus offer faster service. Customers can easily navigate the menu and place their order, reducing wait times and improving customer satisfaction.
- Increased efficiency: Digital menus can be easily updated and changed. This makes it easier for businesses to make adjustments to their menu offerings or prices, without having to reprint or update physical menus.
- Enhanced customization: Digital menus provide the ability to create and display targeted promotions and specials based on the time of day, weather conditions, or customer preferences.
- Cost savings: Digital menus eliminate the printing costs and the physical replacing costs of menus. Eventually, this makes it a more cost-effective option for businesses in the long run.
- Data tracking: Digital menus provide businesses with valuable data on customer orders and preferences, allowing them to adjust their menu offerings and promotions to meet the requirements and needs of their customers.
Key Features of Digital Drive-Thru Menu Boards
Customization options
Digital drive-thru menu boards offer a high level of customization, allowing restaurants to create visually appealing and brand-specific menus. This includes the ability to display images and videos, change font and color schemes, and create custom layouts.
Integration with other systems
Digital menu boards can integrate with other systems such as point-of-sale (POS) and inventory management software. This allows for real-time updates of pricing and menu items, as well as inventory tracking and management.
User-friendly interfaces
Digital menu boards should have a user-friendly interface that is easy for staff to navigate and update. This includes the ability to quickly add new items, change prices, and update promotions.
Maintenance and support
Digital menu boards require regular maintenance and support to ensure they are functioning properly. This includes software updates, hardware maintenance, and technical support.
Data analytics
Digital menu boards can collect data on customer behavior and preferences. This allows restaurants to optimize their menus and promotions based on data insights.
Remote management
Digital menu boards can be managed remotely. This means updates and maintenance can be done from anywhere with an internet connection.
What To Include In Digital Drive-Thru Menu Boards
Quality Imagery
Use high-quality images that represent your brand’s unique identity, rather than heavily filtered or stock images, to make your menu board stand out and look professional.
Color
When choosing menu colors, it’s essential to consider the restaurant’s decorations and the best way to capture customer attention without diverting it from your products.
Display.Stream can help you make exciting color choices that complement your brand while keeping the focus on your products.
Fonts
The fonts on your menu board should align with your brand’s voice and tone, be appropriately sized, and easy to read to help customers quickly understand your offerings.
The good thing about using digital signage is that they can assist you in selecting fonts that are consistent with your brand and enhance your menu’s readability.
Animation
Adding animated images and videos to your drive-thru menu can naturally attract the eye, increasing brand awareness and sales.
For instance, you can incorporate animation into your menu board design to make it more visually appealing and engaging for customers.
Call to Action
The primary goal of a drive-thru menu board is to encourage customers to act on the information they’re receiving. By adding a call to action to your digital signage, you can prompt customers to embrace the message and purchase from your business.
What is the price range for a Digital menu board?
Menu Board Cost
The price of a menu board varies based on its size and features. A standard printed menu board usually costs around $250-$300 and is more energy-efficient since it doesn’t require electricity or LED lighting.
However, the downside is that custom signs need to be updated as the menu changes.
On the other hand, advanced menu boards such as outdoor digital LED lighting drive-thru or digital in-store menu boards have a higher starting cost of $1,000, but they can be easily updated as the menu changes.
Our flexible pricing options for Digital menu boards cater to businesses of all sizes and individual requirements, allowing you to find the ideal plan.
How much does it cost to install A drive-thru Menu Board?
Drive-Thru Window
The cost of installing a drive-thru window can vary significantly based on factors like building design and the required features.
The installation cost can range anywhere between $25,000 to $250,000, which is determined by variables such as exterior refinishing, speaker set-up, foot lighting, labor, awning installation, and the installation of a channel for the menu board system and intercom system.
Willing to invest In a Digital Drive Thru menu board?
Display Stream is a digital signage company that provides an all-in-one solution for businesses. It offers businesses the possibility to create and display their digital signage content. Display. Stream offers a cloud-based platform that allows users to design, schedule, and publish content to their digital signage displays in real-time.
The company’s digital signage displays come in a range of sizes and configurations, including wall-mounted displays, freestanding kiosks, and interactive touchscreens. The displays are designed to be easy to install and manage, with features like remote monitoring and management capabilities.
Unlock the full potential of your digital signage with Display Stream’s top-notch customer support, training, and technical assistance. Don’t wait – reach out to us now and elevate your business!