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Ask a digital signage expert about the true cost of menu boards and they’ll tell you it depends. The fact that only the screen is visible often leads to the assumption that a digital menu board is a single product but it’s not. It’s a combination of technologies that include hardware, software, services, and many others. It’s correct to assume that these technologies influence the cost of installation.
We will look at each of these aspects in detail assuming that you’re running a small to medium-sized QSR business with a single to multiple locations. Your priority is an easy-to-use affordable solution that provides customers with clean and easily digestible visuals they can quickly process to make their order.
Initial Investment: Hardware Costs
Displays and Screens
You can repurpose or purchase a standard consumer-grade TV, there’s no problem with that. But it should have the fundamentals, that is, the standard full HD (1920x1080) resolution or more, 16/7 operating hours, and high brightness (at least 400 nits). From brands, such as Samsung or LG, you can get a 43-inch starting from $400. When it comes to size, 43 to 55 inches is often suitable for most QSRs.
But if your restaurant has a larger seating area, you could opt for a 65-inch LED display with exceptional brightness and clarity. A model like the commercial-grade Samsung QM43R at $1600 is a good starting point.
Media Players and Mounting Equipment
The most important features in a media player are 4k support, ample storage, a powerful processor for content playback, and smooth transitions between menus. You can get these features and more in entry-level media players for under $150. These include home streaming devices like Google’s Chromecast, the Amazon Firestick or applicable mini pcs, all of which you may already own. Entry-level professional media players such as the Look HD 2222-lite are more reliable and start at $129.
For mounting equipment, a fixed wall mount if you have a smaller display will do the trick. These usually run you anywhere from $30 - $50. If you need a little more flexibility with viewing angles in areas with varying customer heights or seating arrangements, you can opt for titling mounts typically priced between $50 and $100.
To learn more about displays and media players explore our Digital Signage Hardware Buyer Guide
Software Costs: Choosing the Right Solution
Digital Signage Software Licensing
Software licensing specifies the terms under which the software can be installed, the number of devices it can be used on, and the duration of use. It comes in three types:
Perpetual Licenses: You incur a one-time fee of anywhere from $500 - $1500 per screen that gives you lifetime access to the software, though you may need to pay extra for future updates or support.
Subscription Licenses: Most digital signage software operates on a subscription basis and spreads costs over time. The Look service offers a free plan to get you started, then you can move to a paid plan after 14 days. Our subscription model starts at $15 per month per screen, but you can save 10% with an annual plan at $13.50 monthly per screen.
The more screens you have in your network, the more Look becomes a cost-effective scalability partner. You can use our online calculator to get the actual cost and see how much you can save once you add more screens.
Enterprise Licenses: These are meant for larger businesses and cover multiple screens or locations but at a higher cost. They might start at $5,000 and go up depending on the number of screens and features included.
Content Creation and Management
Especially if you’re operating on a monthly/annual subscription, you need to ensure your software has all the features that make your life easier when creating and managing your menu. Look CMS comes with pre-designed templates you can easily customize with your own menu items, prices, and branding.
If you've already decided on your weekly or even monthly menu promotions and offers, Look has a smart scheduling feature that lets you plan your playlists to ensure your menu stays dynamic throughout the day. You can easily highlight breakfast specials in the morning, promotional lunch combos at noon, and dinner specials in the evening, all with automated scheduling.
If you or your team is creating the content, then the only expense in this aspect falls under software licensing. For ongoing management, you might hire a service to update your content regularly, which could add another $100 to $300 per month to your expenses.
Installation and Setup Costs
If your deployment involves multiple screens in different locations, it makes sense to use professional installation services. Depending on the complexity, most vendors can charge upwards of $200 per screen.
Additionally, network setup and configuration, especially if you’re integrating multiple screens, can add another $300 to $1,000 to your initial costs. These expenses are necessary to ensure that your system runs smoothly from day one.
Ongoing Costs: Maintenance and Updates
Maintenance and Support
Even the most robust digital signage systems may encounter occasional glitches or technical hiccups. It's wise to budget for potential maintenance costs, whether through extended warranties or service contracts. Additionally, consider the availability and responsiveness of technical support from your provider, as prompt assistance can minimize downtime and keep your menus running smoothly.
Energy Consumption
While modern displays are designed to be energy-efficient, running multiple screens throughout the day will inevitably impact your electricity bill. Be sure to factor in the estimated power consumption of your chosen displays and explore strategies to optimize energy usage. Simple measures like scheduling on/off times during non-business hours or utilizing energy-saving settings can contribute to long-term cost savings.
Additional Costs: Hidden and Overlooked Expenses
Licensing and Compliance Fees
In some regions, displaying certain types of content, such as copyrighted music or videos, may require additional licensing fees. These fees can range from $50 to $500 annually, depending on the content and the licensing agency. Compliance with local regulations, such as accessibility requirements for digital signage, might also necessitate additional costs.
Content Updates and Refreshes
If you frequently change menu items or run seasonal promotions, you’ll need to update your digital menu boards accordingly. While some software solutions include basic content management tools, Look's layout editor lets you publish content easily and for free. With the drag-and-drop functionality, you can add and rearrange menu items, use the text editor to change prices, and swap out images in a matter of minutes.
Professional templates are at your disposal for quick customization, but if you're feeling creative, you can start from a blank canvas and let your creativity and design skills shine.
ROI Considerations: Is it Worth the Investment?
Revenue Generation
Think of digital menu boards as an extension of your sales team. They subtly nudge customers towards high-profit items, suggest complementary side dishes, and even create enticing visuals that make those desserts irresistible. Studies have shown that digital menus can increase sales by up to 30%, with QSRs seeing a significant average increase in their check size thanks to effective upselling and cross-selling.
Customer Experience
First impressions matter, and digital menu boards make a statement. Crisp, vibrant displays and mouthwatering images create an ambiance that's both modern and inviting. Plus, you can showcase nutritional information and allergen warnings, showing you care about your customers' well-being. With eye-catching animations and entertaining content, perceived wait times fly by, leaving customers happy and more likely to return - after all, 74% of customers find digital menus easier to read and more engaging than traditional static menus.
Cost-Effective Solutions with Look Digital Signage
Why Choose Look?
Let's be honest, not every business has a budget for outsourcing content management. That's where Look Digital Signage comes in. It’s a platform that's both powerful and affordable, perfect for businesses of all sizes. Our cloud-based system lets you manage all your menu boards from anywhere with an internet connection. That means big savings, especially if you're just starting out or running a smaller operation.
Explore our guide How to set up a Digital Menu Board with Look Digital Signage software
Scalability and Flexibility
With Look, you're not locked into a rigid system. Whether you're starting small with a single screen or dreaming big with multiple locations, the cloud-based setup makes it easy to scale up as needed. You can add new screens and bring them to life using eye-catching displays with videos, images, social media feeds, real-time data, and schedule everything in advance. So your screens are always fresh, always relevant, and always grabbing attention.
Lafontaine Gourmet, a restaurant chain in Saudi Arabia, was looking for a simple way to keep their digital menu boards fresh without breaking the bank. With Look Digital Signage, they found the perfect solution. By using affordable Xiaomi hardware and the Look app, which they easily installed from the Google Play Store, Lafontaine was able to update menus remotely across all locations with just a few clicks. This not only saved time but also cut costs since there was no need for expensive servers or complicated systems. The result? A hassle-free way to manage menus that grows effortlessly as their business expands
How to Create Digital Menu Board Content with Look for Free?
Creating captivating digital menu boards doesn’t have to use up your time. With Looks AI Wizard, you just need to answer a few questions about your business, industry, and desired features, and let the AI do the heavy lifting. It generates unique, engaging layouts tailored to your needs. What’s left on your part is some minor editing that involves replacing placeholders with your images and text.
Alternatively, the Look layout designer has dozens of professionally designed QSR templates in the “Cafes and Restaurants” and “QSR (Board Menu)” categories. All the tools you need for customization are right there including a drag-and-drop functionality for adding your own images, a text editor for adding compelling descriptions, and design elements for changing backgrounds, colors, and fonts.
Conclusion
Although transitioning to digital menu boards requires a high initial investment, it helps to break down the costs and explore budget-friendly options. You can repurpose existing TVs, utilizing free content creation tools, and opt for cost-effective media players and mounting solutions.
All factors considered, Look Digital Signage software is the ideal cost-saving solution. Even if you use free designer tools, you still need a platform to manage and schedule your content. With Look, you can kill both birds with one stone and keep within budget. Try Look today with a 14-day trial period at no cost to you and experience all the features without limitation.
