GUEST POST
Digital menu boards for restaurants are deemed to be the next wave in customer interaction at eating establishments of many different types. Indeed, an increasing number of dining establishments have begun to integrate digital menu boards into their overall operational schemes.
As is the case with any new technological innovation, including those associated with signage, there exist pros and cons with digital menu boards for dining establishments.
Enhanced Customer Engagement
One of the benefits being extolled by companies that manufacture restaurant digital menu boards is that these devices enhance overall customer engagement. The belief is that because these types of menu boards are more visually diverse by design, they attract and hold the attention of customers more significantly than is the case with more traditional restaurant signage options.
The enhanced customer engagement results in patrons spending more time perusing a greater amount of a digital menu board than would occur with a traditional option. Through this process, patrons become exposed to more of the menu offerings of a dining establishment than would otherwise occur with a traditional restaurant placard.
Increased Sales
The argument that digital menu boards enhance customer engagement carries forward to the contention that these sign options increase a venue's revenue. Because of the manner in which a particular digital menu board can be customized, patrons can be directed to a wider array of different offerings in an efficient manner -- a transition that is not always possible through static, traditional menu boards. Of course, the ultimate purpose of any type of restaurant menu -- in either a board or handheld derivation -- is to make if not increase overall purchases made by individuals patronizing a particular establishment.
Efficient Alterations
Another of the positive elements associated with digital restaurant menu boards is found in the fact that they can be altered readily and efficiently. Menu items and prices can be manually changes on these displays in a matter of seconds.
On a related note, another of the pros of this type of restaurant signage is found in the fact that these alterations can be programmed into the digital system. For example, a restaurant owner or manager can pre-program a digital menu board to change throughout the course of the day. Of course, obvious changes include moving from breakfast to lunch to dinner menus. However, a digital menu board is capable of more intuitive automatic adjustments and alterations throughout the course of any given day.
Some restaurants take advantage of the programming possibilities by adjusting menu items automatically when sales rise above or go below a certain predetermined level. In some instances, these displays can be tied into a venue's inventory control system. In such cases, a menu item is automatically removed when the inventory control system alerts that the particular dish is temporarily out of stock.
User Friendly Interfaces
The restaurant business is recognized for its hustle and bustle nature. Even tasks like addressing a menu board must be something undertaken without unnecessary complications. Another of the benefits associated with a digital menu board for these types establishments is found in user friendly interfaces.
The reality is that the typical digital menu board for the restaurant and hospitality industries is designed to be readily accessible to staff members with even a minimal amount of computer or tech experience. The typical interface is designed to be readily mastered in a very short period of time.
Menu Integration and Portability
Another of the plusses associated with a digital menu board is found in its potential for broader integration and portability. Many digital menus systems today are capable to being integrated with tablets that can be utilized by wait staff. This type of seamless design permits uniform changes to any aspect of a menu without any inconsistent information anywhere within the working structure of a dining establishment. In short, with an integrated digital menu board system connected with wait staff resources, the overall patron experience is once again capable of being significantly enhanced.
Menu Disruption
Very few cons or negative elements are associated with a good quality restaurant digital menu board. Perhaps the most significant negative aspect of this type of solution is found in the need to maintain a backup system in the event of menu disruption.
No technology is perfect. Even the most well constructed digital menu board can experience a blip of some sort that brings it down for what usually is a brief period of time. A thoughtful restaurant owner or manager is always prepared for these types of possibilities and maintains a more traditional menu board in reserve to be called into service on those likely rare occasions when it is needed.
Professional Sign Creation
A restaurant, or any other business enterprise, should turn to professionals when it comes to appropriate, compelling sign creation. IS Installationsis an example of a sign creation and placement enterprise that is adept at serving the unique needs of businesses of different types, including restaurants and bistros.
