MenuBoard digital : why and how to equip

The digital menu board replaces traditional printed signs with digital screens that display your menu dynamically and attractively. In fast food, it has become a standard: McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC and almost all major chains have made the transition. For independent restaurants and small chains, the investment is now accessible and the benefits are measurable.

The advantages of a digital menu board are numerous. Firstly, flexibility: you can change your prices, add a daily special, highlight a promotion, or deactivate a sold-out product with just a few clicks, without having to reprint anything. For a restaurant that regularly changes its menu or offers daily specials, this speed is a considerable time saving.

Secondly, the impact on sales is proven. Studies conducted in fast food chains show a 10 to 25% increase in the average basket after the installation of digital menu boards. The reasons: animations attract attention to high-margin products, high-quality photos trigger desire, and scheduled programming allows for highlighting breakfast in the morning, lunch menus at noon, and desserts in the evening.

Thirdly, brand consistency. If you manage multiple establishments, the digital menu board ensures that all points of sale display the same prices, the same visuals, and the same promotions. A centralized modification is deployed instantly to all screens, eliminating human errors and discrepancies between sites. This is a strong argument for franchises and growing chains.

Equipment category, a digital menu board consists of three elements: the screen (LED or professional LCD, high brightness, designed for 16-18 hours of operation), the multimedia player (a box that distributes content to the screen) and the management software (which allows you to create, program and distribute content). Makseb Solutions offers professional screens suitable for the restaurant industry, with wall mounts or stands, anti-glare protectors and robustness adapted to kitchen environments.

The cost of a digital menu board depends on the size and quality of the screen. A 43-inch professional screen costs between €600 and €1,200, a 55-inch screen costs between €900 and €1,800. The multimedia player adds between €100 and €300. The management software is typically billed at between €10 and €30 per month per screen. For an independent restaurant with 2 screens, expect an initial investment of €1,500 to €3,000 and a monthly cost of €20 to €60.

Content creation is often underestimated. A digital menu board is only effective if the content is professional: high-resolution photos of your dishes, clear layout, readable typography at a distance, subtle animations (no aggressive flashing). Invest in a professional photoshoot of your dishes (between €300 and €800 for 20-30 dishes) and entrust the layout to a graphic designer or use the templates offered by your management software.

Integration with your existing ecosystem is a valuable bonus. Some menu board software connect to your POS to automatically update prices and availability. Others integrate with your order aggregator to display estimated wait times or order status. This integration creates a consistent experience for the customer, whether on-site or for delivery.

Our advice: start with one or two screens in the main command area. Measure the impact on the average basket over 3 months. If the results are positive (and they almost always are), gradually extend to other zones (drive-thru, waiting area, storefront). The digital menu board is one of the investments with the best return in the restaurant industry, especially when coupled with intelligent menu management via a tool like Fooderise.