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A customer drives up to your restaurant, sees a vibrant, dynamic digital menu glowing in the daylight, and effortlessly orders their favorite meal. Sounds ideal. Well, this experience is becoming more of a standard than a luxury. Outdoor digital menu boards transform the way customers interact with your brand.
But how do you pick the right one? There are tons of options, and not all digital menu boards are created equal. Whether you’re running a busy drive-thru, a cozy café with outdoor seating, or something in between, there’s an outdoor digital menu board that’s just right for you. Let’s break down what you need to know.
Why Outdoor Digital Menu Boards are Crucial for Restaurants
You know the feeling—your customer pulls up to your restaurant, squints at a static, worn-out menu, and struggles to figure out what they want. You’re left with longer wait times, frustrated customers, and potentially lower sales.
But outdoor digital menu boards are built to engage, guide, and even sell for you. How?
- They let you update prices or promotions with just a few clicks.
- You can launch a new item in minutes without the hassle of reprinting.
- They create a seamless experience for outdoor dining or walk-up windows just like inside the restaurant.
But why should you care? Because your outdoor menu board is your customers’ first impression of your restaurant. It’s part of your customer service. A crisp, dynamic, easy-to-read digital menu says, “We’re professional, we care about your experience, and we’re ready to serve you.”
Types of Outdoor Digital Menu Boards
The best outdoor digital menu board for your restaurant depends on your specific needs. Here are a few options:
- Wall-Mounted Boards: These work well in outdoor dining areas where you want to conserve space. They’re sleek, out of the way, and perfect for patios or walk-up windows.
- Drive-Thru Menus: If your restaurant has a drive-thru, digital boards are practically a must. These come as flat-panel displays on stands or kiosks to make it easier for drivers to read and navigate.
- A-Stands: Portable and flexible A-stands are great for seasonal promotions or pop-up locations. You can move them around based on foot traffic, which is super handy for events or peak times.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Outdoor Digital Menu Boards
Now that you know why outdoor digital menu boards are important and the types available, how do you choose the right one? Let’s break it down by the factors that matter most.
Weather Resistance & Durability
It’s an outdoor menu, which means it’s going to face all kinds of weather—rain, wind, sun, and maybe even snow. The last thing you want is a board that fizzles out the first time it gets rained on.
Look for boards with a high IP rating (Ingress Protection), which tells you how well they can withstand the elements. For outdoor digital menus, you’ll want at least IP65—that means they’re well-protected from rain, dust, and extreme temperatures..
For more details, here's an in-depth guide on the best waterproof monitors.
Brightness & Sunlight Readability
You’ll need a high-brightness screen that’s visible in broad daylight, with 1,000 to 2,500 nits being the recommended range. To give you some context, the average indoor screen is around 300 nits, which would be utterly useless in direct sunlight. Anti-glare technology is another important feature, as it ensures that your menu is readable throughout the day, regardless of the sun’s position.
Energy Efficiency & Longevity
Running a digital board 24/7 can be costly if you’re not careful. Opt for energy-efficient displays, like those with LED-backlit screens, which not only cut down on your energy bill but also extend the lifespan of the board. A smart investment upfront means you won’t have to replace it as often, saving money in the long run.
Optimal Screen Size and Placement for Outdoor Menu Boards
Picking the Right Size for Different Setups
- For drive-thrus, bigger is better. A 49” or 55” screen ensures that drivers can see your menu from a distance without straining their eyes.
- For walk-up or patio areas, you might get away with a smaller screen, like 32”, since customers will be closer to the display. But even here, bigger screens can create more of an impact.
Menu Layout Optimization
One of the biggest advantages of a digital menu board is the flexibility to organize and display content based on what’s most relevant at the time. Instead of overwhelming customers with everything at once, you can section your screen into multiple layouts that focus on different categories.
For example, part of the screen can display your daily specials, while another section can highlight combo deals or best-selling items. You can even create dedicated areas for seasonal promotions or limited-time offers. This way, customers see the most important or enticing information without having to sift through a cluttered menu.
Placement for Maximum Visibility
Where you place your menu board is just as important as what’s on it. Make sure it’s at eye level and visible from various angles. For drive-thrus, this means placing it where drivers can read it as they approach, not just when they’re right in front of it.
More on picking the right size and placement? Check out this Guide on Menu Board Size.
High-Resolution Displays: Ensuring Crisp and Engaging Menus
Customers eat with their eyes first, so the sharper and more vivid your menu looks, the better.
Why Resolution Matters
A Full HD (1080p) or 4K display can make a huge difference. Clear, high-quality images of your food items can tempt customers into ordering more—whether it’s an extra dessert or a signature drink you’ve been promoting.
Impact on Visual Appeal
High-resolution displays don’t just make your menu easier to read—they also elevate your restaurant’s brand. A crisp, professional display suggests that your restaurant is well-run and your food is top-notch.
Cost Considerations and ROI of Outdoor Digital Menu Boards
Initial Costs
There’s no way around it—outdoor digital menu boards are an investment. A high-quality outdoor digital display can range from $1,500 to $5,000 per screen, depending on size (e.g., 32” vs. 55”), brightness, and durability. Add that to mounts, protective enclosures, installation, and software, and the upfront costs and you’re looking at a sum total of $2,500 to $7,000 for a full equipped setup.
Subscription Fees
Most digital boards require a content management system (CMS) to handle updates and content management. Look Digital Signage Software excels in this regard because it not only gives you the tools to amplify the impact of your menu boards, but you also save significantly on your total recurring costs as you scale. Look CMS starts at $15 per screen per month with discounts for additional screens and annual payments, giving you the best value for your money.
Read also: Digital Signage Cost: What to Expect?
Long-Term Savings
The good news? Over time, these boards can save you money. You’ll eliminate the costs of printing new menus, and you’ll save on labor—no more sending staff out to change signs manually. Plus, digital menu boards have been shown to boost sales by 8-10% through upselling and promotions, making them a smart long-term investment.
Boost in Sales
Perhaps the most compelling reason to invest in outdoor digital menu boards is their ability to increase sales and improve customer retention.
Not only do these boards improve the customer experience by making it easier to navigate your offerings, but they also encourage repeat business by keeping your menu fresh and visually appealing. According to research, 74% of customers say an easy-to-read menu is a key factor in their decision to return to a restaurant, and digital menus are proven to enhance this readability compared to static signage.
Digital Signage Software Compatibility and Features
1. Cloud-Based Content Control
With cloud-based digital signage software, your menu board is connected to the internet. This means you can update it from anywhere – your office, your home, or even your phone while you're on the go. See a typo? Fix it instantly. Want to add a new special? Just type it in and it appears on the screen. No need to be physically at the restaurant or call someone to make changes for you.
2. Scheduling and Automation
This feature lets you put your menu updates on autopilot. You can schedule different menus to appear at different times of the day, like a breakfast menu in the morning and a dinner menu in the evening. You can also schedule promotions to run on specific days or times. Once you set it up, the software takes care of the rest, so you can focus on other things.
3. Multi-Location Control
If you have multiple restaurant locations, this feature is a lifesaver. You can update the menus at all your restaurants from one central location. This ensures consistency across your brand and saves you the hassle of updating each location individually.
4. Dynamic Content Management
Dynamic content management gives you the power to make changes to your menu in real-time. Sold out of a dish? Remove it from the menu instantly. Want to add a new seasonal item? Just type it in and it appears on the screen. This keeps your menu accurate and engaging.
5. Use of Animations and Video
Animations and videos can make your menu board more dynamic and attention-grabbing. You can use videos to showcase your food, highlight special offers, or even just add some visual interest to your menu.
6. Multi-Zone Display
This feature lets you divide your screen into different sections to show different types of content. For example, you could have one section for your main menu, another section for daily specials, and another section for upcoming events.
7. QR Code Integration
You can add QR codes to your menu board to link to online ordering, nutritional information, customer reviews, or anything else you want.
8. Seamless Sync with POS Systems
With API or Zapier you can connect your menu board to your point-of-sale (POS) system. This means that when you update prices or items in your POS system, the changes will automatically be reflected on your menu board. This saves you time and ensures that your menu is always accurate.
Additional Features for Outdoor Digital Menu Boards
- Touchscreen Capabilities: With touchscreen capabilities, customers can browse your menu, customize their orders, and even pay directly at the screen. This is a fantastic option for QSRs, cafes, or ice cream shops where speed and convenience are important.
- Multi-Language Support: Your digital menu board should switch between languages, making it more accessible for tourists and international visitors.
- AI and Beacons: AI-powered menus can personalize recommendations based on customer data, and beacon technology can trigger personalized messages on screens when nearby customers are detected.
For your outdoor digital menu board needs, choose Look DS
- Look DS Features for Outdoor Digital Menu Boards: With Look DS, your menu board content is stored securely online. You can access and manage it from any device with an internet connection. So any changes you make to your menu will instantly reflect on all your selected screens in multiple locations. Plus, Look DS’s dynamic features let you schedule promotions or switch between breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus automatically.
- Scalability for Any Restaurant: Look DS adapts to your needs, regardless of the size of your restaurant. You can ensure brand consistency across all your locations, effortlessly roll out new menu items or promotions, and even group screens together. For example, you could group all the screens at your downtown locations to display specific promotions targeted to that area.
- Robust and Easy-to-Use Software: Look DS is packed with powerful features, and it’s also incredibly easy to use. All the essential features are strategically aligned to the left for easy access, with drag-and-drop functionality and easily customizable professional board menu templates that.
Plus, it seamlessly integrates with your POS system, so you can automate price updates. And if you ever have any questions, Look’s support team is always ready to help.
Ready to give it a try? Start your free 14-day trial of Look DS today and see the difference it can make for your restaurant!
