Checklist: Digital Menu Board Installations

Don’t underestimate the importance of the digital menu board: it’s more than a large screen for displaying menu items. It’s part of the customer’s brand experience, opening up a universe of options, facilitating the meeting of needs when customers are literally hungry for information. So when installing the digital menu boards in your restaurant or retail environment, make sure you create an experience befitting of today’s consumer. Use this handy checklist as a guide:

What software is powering your menu display? In this day and age, the software used to create the menu board’s content should be compatible with your hardware, but you’ll want to make sure before installing any components

Consider the fact that hardware might need to be drilled into the ceiling or wall holding up the display. Wood is easier to work with than cement, for example, and will allow more flexibility if the store configuration or display hardware eventually changes.

You’ll need to place display screens near a power source—and there are various safety risks associated with using technology (e.g. display screens, power cords) in a restaurant setting. Before mounting your screens, consult with an electrician to ensure you’re following best practices and keeping the environment safe.

If there are any cords hanging from your menu boards, they can pose a safety hazard and distract from the display, creating a negative impression of your establishment. Find solutions that help organise cords—preferably out of sight—and minimise the risk of disconnection.

You want to deliver an enjoyable experience for customers, making the ordering process both mouth-watering and user-friendly. Think “high visibility.” The menu board is the centrepiece of your food branding efforts—it’s where your in-store marketing happens—so make sure you’re using appropriately sized screens that display graphics and menu details clearly.