Most people would've seen digital menu boards popping up in restaurants and fast food outlets in recent times. Apart from looking good, there are a number of reasons and advantages why food business owners should make the move to digital menu boards.
Digital signage is very versatile, and most quick serve restaurants are now taking advantage of this system by installing digital menu boards. The retail food industry is dependent on suggestive selling and up-selling. Digital menu boards offer a vehicle to effectively and suggestively sell higher margin items so as to increase profits and thus generate a better return on investments. Besides the clear benefit that digital has in contrast with the out-dated static versions, the following are other benefits:
Understanding the Up-selling Benefits
You do not need to keep asking your customers whether they "would like fries with their meal" - the digital menu boards effectively do that job instead by creatively catching the customer's eye and enticing them to purchase. Due to the high screen resolution, viewers also get a refined look at the food items, instead of looking at static images. In 2010 when Burger King first deployed digital menu boards in their Birmingham and London locations in the UK, their sales increased by 65% in less than a year.
Display Menu Prices and Change Prices Quickly
Out-dated static boards are quite cumbersome when it comes to updating the menu regularly. However, with digital menu boards, making changes to the menu, including modifying prices or adding new items is a lot simpler and quicker. The software can even be scheduled ahead of time to activate special promotions accurately, and also remotely managed so that head office has complete control over the whole network of screens.
Digital Signage Reduces Perceived Waiting
Adding some engaging content like menu facts, information, or various forms of entertainment helps to reduce a customer's perceived waiting time. This also gives customers a reason to keep looking at the screens and the restaurant can inform them about new promotions and products. Generally, customers are given something worthwhile to do as they either eat or wait, which ultimately leads to a better customer experience.
Promote Brand Consistency
There is always a likelihood of an employee forgetting, or even neglecting to make the appropriate changes to static menus. However, when you use digital menu boards, you are assured that all locations are consistent and correctly updated. A promotion can be launched at all restaurant locations at the exact same time and monitored remotely. Additionally, once digital menu boards are installed, maintenance and updating are very simple.
Summary
Digital menu boards are effective and efficient. They offer a dynamic way of communicating with customers, driving up sales with promotions and special offers, and providing an efficient platform to manage and monitor the restaurant's menu.
