How to create a digital menu board: A step-by-step guide for restaurants

In the fast-evolving restaurant industry, digital menu boards have become a game-changer, offering flexibility, improved customer engagement, and enhanced operational efficiency. A well-designed digital menu board can boost sales, streamline updates, and improve the overall dining experience.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about creating an effective digital menu board for your business.

What are digital menu boards?

Digital menu boards are electronic displays that showcase restaurant menus, promotions, and important updates. They replace traditional static menus with dynamic, visually appealing content that can be updated in real time.

Typically, digital menu boards are powered by LCD, LED, or projection screens and managed via cloud-based software, allowing restaurants to modify prices, add new items, and highlight special offers seamlessly.

Read more: How to have excellent menu pictures to grab your audience’s attention

Benefits of digital signage menu boards

Switching to digital menu boards offers numerous advantages for restaurants and food service businesses. Here are some key benefits:

1. Increased customer engagement

Digital menu boards use high-quality visuals, animations, and videos to attract customer attention and enhance the ordering experience.

2. Easy and instant updates

With cloud-based management, restaurant owners can quickly adjust menu items, pricing, and promotions without needing to print new menus.

3. Upselling and cross-selling opportunities

Dynamic content can strategically showcase high-margin items, combos, and limited-time offers, encouraging customers to make larger purchases.

4. Cost efficiency and sustainability

Eliminating the need for printed menus reduces long-term printing costs and supports environmentally friendly practices.

5. Enhanced order accuracy and speed

Clear, well-organized digital menus help customers make quicker decisions, reducing wait times and improving order accuracy.

6. Consistency across multiple locations

For restaurant chains, digital menu boards ensure brand consistency by synchronizing updates across all locations simultaneously.

Read more: Menu pricing tactics: Boosting restaurant profitability

How digital menu boards can work for your business

Digital menu boards are versatile and can be customized to suit different restaurant formats. Here’s how they can add value to your business:

Quick-service restaurants (QSRs)

• Highlight best-selling items and combos.
• Speed up ordering with clear categories and images.
• Display live promotions for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Cafes and bakeries

• Showcase seasonal specials and limited-time offers.
• Provide detailed descriptions and allergy information.
• Use animations to enhance menu aesthetics.

Fine dining restaurants

• Maintain a sophisticated, modern ambiance.
• Easily update daily specials and chef’s recommendations.
• Display wine pairings and gourmet dishes with high-quality visuals, for example.

Food trucks and ghost kitchens

• Offer QR code scanning for mobile ordering.
• Adapt menus based on real-time inventory and demand.
• Easily switch menus between different service hours.

Read more: 5 food truck menu ideas

Step by step: How to design a digital menu board

Creating a digital menu board requires careful planning and execution. Follow these steps to design an effective digital menu board for your restaurant:

Step 1: Define your menu objectives

Before designing your digital menu board, determine your goals:

• Are you looking to increase sales of specific items?
• Do you want to reduce ordering time?
• Is your focus on promoting new dishes?

Step 2: Choose the right hardware

Select high-quality screens and media players that suit your restaurant layout. Consider factors like:

• Screen size and placement (ensure visibility from all angles).
• Resolution and brightness (for indoor vs. outdoor use).
• Connectivity options (Wi-Fi or wired setup).

Step 3: Select a digital signage software

A reliable digital signage software will allow you to manage content remotely. Look for features such as:

• Cloud-based updates.
• User-friendly interface.
• Customizable templates.
• Integration with POS systems.

Read more: Restaurant Technology: Boost your business with the best technology trends

Step 4: Design an eye-catching layout

The success of your digital menu board depends on its visual appeal. Keep these design tips in mind:

• Use high-quality images and videos.
• Keep text concise and readable.
• Utilize contrasting colors for clarity.
• Highlight special deals with animations and motion effects.

Step 5: Organize your menu items strategically

Position your best-selling and high-margin items in prominent areas. Utilize:

• Category grouping for easy navigation.
• Limited-time offers in a separate section.
• Call-to-action (CTA) prompts like “Try our new combo today!”

Step 6: Test and optimize

Before launching your digital menu board, test it for:

• Legibility from different angles and distances.
• Ease of navigation for customers.
• Performance across various lighting conditions.

Step 7: Launch and monitor performance

After going live, monitor its impact by:

• Tracking sales performance before and after implementation.
• Gathering customer feedback on menu visibility and design.
• Making data-driven adjustments to optimize effectiveness.

How can CloudKitchens support your business

Investing in a digital menu board is a smart move for modern restaurants. It not only enhances the customer experience but also provides operational efficiency and increased sales opportunities.

By following this step-by-step guide, you can create an engaging and effective digital menu board tailored to your restaurant’s needs.

At CloudKitchens, we can help restaurant owners implement cutting-edge technology solutions to streamline operations and maximize profitability. Our kitchen spaces are designed for efficiency, making it easier than ever to manage your restaurant with the latest digital advancements.

Want to enhance your restaurant with a dynamic digital menu board? Explore CloudKitchens and how it can transform your business!

DISCLAIMER: This information is provided for general informational purposes only and the content does not constitute an endorsement. CloudKitchens does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information, text, images/graphics, links, or other content contained within the blog content. We recommend that you consult with financial, legal, and business professionals for advice specific to your situation.