Seven out of ten customers visit your restaurant through the drive-thru. It's a crucial part of your business and one that probably hasn’t been optimized as much as it could. If you're thinking about upgrading to digital menu boards, here's what you need to know about the investment, benefits, and implementation.
Why Digital Menu Boards Are Worth Considering
Digital menu boards do more than display your menu. They give you control over how and when you present items to customers. They help reduce order mistakes and provide valuable data about what works in your drive-thru. Unlike traditional menu boards that have to be manually updated, digital menus can be changed automatically alongside your in-store menu updates.
Key Benefits for Restaurants
Better Customer Experience
- Real-time order confirmation screens connect with your POS to show customers their orders as they're entered
- Clear visuals help people make decisions faster, keeping lines moving
- Menu items and prices stay consistent across all your locations
- Smart technology can recognize returning customers by their license plates, letting you personalize their experience
Practical Operational Benefits
- Update menus instantly across one or all locations through a centralized management system
- Switch between breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus automatically on your schedule
- Remove sold-out items quickly to prevent customer disappointment
- Test different promotions with built-in A/B testing tools
- Connect directly with your menu management system to sync POS items automatically
- Access real-time dashboards to track promotion performance and testing results
Sales Opportunities
- Highlight profitable items and combos effectively
- Show different items based on the time of day or weather
- Use test results to optimize your menu layout and promotions
- Track which displays and promotions lead to more sales
Understanding the Costs and Returns
Direct Cost Savings
A typical 10-location restaurant spends this much annually on traditional menu boards:
- Printing menus: $24,000 ($200 per store monthly)
- Shipping: $9,000 ($75 per store monthly)
- Installation: $6,000 ($50 per store monthly)
This adds up to $39,000 in savings per year on traditional materials.
Additional Financial Benefits
- Most restaurants see 3-5% higher sales through better promotion of high-margin items
- Staff spend less time changing menus and fixing order mistakes
- Data helps you make better menu and pricing decisions
What to Consider Before Installing
Technical Needs
- Choose hardware that can handle your local weather
- Make sure screens are visible in bright sunlight
- Plan for regular maintenance and updates
- Pick systems that can grow with your business
Design Tips
- Keep it simple because cluttered menus slow down ordering
- Use good photos that actually look like your food
- Make prices and combos easy to spot
- Design for quick reading
Looking Ahead
Digital menu boards are more than a menu upgrade. They're a foundation for the next generation of drive-thru technology. As AI voice ordering systems mature, your digital menus should naturally integrate.
Payment is another opportunity. With 70% of restaurant sales now on credit cards, adding self-service payment points throughout the drive-thru line could significantly cut wait times. Modern systems should also support:
- Mobile app and loyalty program integration
- Customer recognition technology
- Automated personalization tools
- Quick payment processing options
When choosing a digital menu board provider, look beyond current features. Your technology partner should have a clear roadmap for incorporating new innovations as they become practical for everyday restaurant operations.
Ready to Transform Your Drive-Thru?
The combination of cost savings, increased sales, and better customer experience makes digital menu boards worth considering, especially if you're already planning to update your drive-thru equipment.
Want to see how digital menu boards could work for your restaurants? Our team at Checkmate can help you understand the costs and implementation process for your specific needs. Book a call, and our team will share a live demo of our digital menu board solutions.
