Digital outdoor menu board
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A digital outdoor menu board (DOMB) is a digital menu that displays marketing information, and can be changed quickly. DOMBs present menus in ways that a static board cannot, through bright, high-resolution display.
History
[edit]Early to mid 20th century
[edit]
Outdoor menu boards were first made in 1920s and 1930s. Back then, they were painted signs or chalkboards. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was development of backlit menu boards which were easier to use and could be seen better at night.[1] They listed items and prices on plastic or paper in a lightbox. The signs were small and making changes required human work on the board.[2]
Late 20th century to 21st century
[edit]In the 1980s, operators found that using photos boosted sales, but there was becoming limited space on the boards as restaurants' menus expanded. Later, during the 1990s, changing menus required manual adjustments or turning the panels around. When the 2000s came, digital menu boards were being used. Since they were digital, it expanded capabilities, increased shop revenues, and made the boards no longer have to be adjusted by hand.[2]
Build
[edit]Digital outdoor menu boards use LCD or LED screens, and have a Content Management System (CMS).[3] They are built from materials like aluminum, steel, and High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (HMWP).[4] They can be an average size of 43 – 55 inches.[5] They generally have the aspect ratio of 4:3 or 16:9.[6]
DOMBs are built to withstand strong weather conditions.[7] Some are protected from damage of rain, humidity, and dust.[8]
AI
[edit]Some DOMBs use AI to change the display on DOMB screens. AI can automatically cycle through the menus of different meals throughout the day[9] and recommend customers specific items.[10] Some DOMBs also use AI for voice recognition to try to improve accuracy for consumers.[11]
Usage
[edit]Digital outdoor menu boards can be used in drive-through pickups.[12] Sometimes they are placed right in front of a restaurant's entrance. Passing customers can browse through the menu, learn more information about the products, and see pictures of the food.[13] DOMBs also have become a large component to fast-food restaurants.[14] They are used to display information for advertising menus in a high-resolution display. DOMBs are also bright, so customers can see them.[15]
DOMBs can cost US $1,500 to over $7,000 depending on their size and features.[16] Some can be as expensive as $20,000.[17]
Downsides
[edit]The boards can be a big investment for some companies and are expensive to repair and maintain. However, the cost of DOMBs has gone down in recent years.[18] They can also consume large amounts of energy, while static signs don't. As technology advances, LED and LCD screens are becoming more power efficient. Ambient lights can cause the DOMBs to be harder to see. Increasing the brightness and using high-quality displays can counter these issues. Also, streaming delays can affect the way the boards look, making them appear to be lower quality. From this, using DOMBs at times requires good internet access.[19]
Benefits
[edit]Owners
[edit]The DOMB signs' displays can be changed quickly and remotely from a different location than the board. It can be done from a device that is connected to the internet.[20][21] 70% of companies that use digital outdoor menu boards have been able to make back the money that the boards cost in less than 18 months from using them.[22] The boards can help promote deals on items and support unplanned purchases from customers.[23] Restaurants use digital outdoor drive-through menu boards to display dynamic content that can change based on factors like time of day, customer preferences, or weather conditions. They can rise the average order price by 30%, since customers are willing to buy more.[21]
Customers
[edit]A study showed that using digital outdoor menu boards in drive-through lowered customer wait time by 15%.[13] DOMBs also improve ordering accuracy by reducing the chance of errors and miscommunication with integrated voice recognition, even if there are ambient sounds that would normally make communication through a talking system difficult.[24]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Menu Boards". Uni-Structures. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ^ a b "the mighty impact of digital menu boards". fusionsignage.com.au. 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2025-05-07.
- ^ Thomas, Elle (2024-02-23). "Digital Menu Board Guide: Boost Your Restaurant with Smart Choices". NENTO. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ "Best Outdoor Menu & Digital Drive Thru Menu Boards". The Display Shield. Retrieved 2025-05-05.
- ^ Thomas, Elle (2024-02-23). "Revolutionize Your Restaurant: Power of Digital Menu Boards". NENTO. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ Panagopoulos, Theo (2024-08-19). "Choosing the Best Aspect Ratio for Digital Signage [2025 Guide]". Yodeck. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
- ^ "Outdoor Digital Menu Board". Pelican. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ Taylor, Alex (2025-02-05). "The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Digital Signage: Weatherproof Displays That Last". Crown TV. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ "Best Digital Menu Boards for QSR 2025 | AIScreen". 2025-03-10. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ PublicisSapient. "Designing the Digital Menu Board of the Future | Publicis Sapient". www.publicissapient.com. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ "Enhance the Drive Thru Experience with Digital Outdoor Menu Boards | Hughes". www.hughes.com. 2025-01-20. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ The Howard Company. "Drive-Thru Solutions | The Howard Company". www.howardcompany.com. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ a b "3 Benefits of Outdoor Digital Menu Boards - The Official Kuusoft Blog". 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ Haynes, Dave (2024-08-16). "6 ways digital menu boards for restaurants enhance service — and profits". Samsung Business Insights. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ David, Michael (2024-07-16). "The Rise of Outdoor Digital Menu Boards: Revolutionizing the Dining Experience". NENTO. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
- ^ "Look Blog: How to Choose the Best Outdoor Digital Menu Boards for Your Restaurant". www.lookdigitalsignage.com. Retrieved 2025-05-10.
- ^ Chatterjee, Shivangi (2023-02-27). "What is the cost of digital menu boards in 2025-26?". Pickcel Digital Signage. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ "The Pros and Cons of Using Digital Signage Menu Boards in Your Restaurant - EKAA". EKAA TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ "Static vs Digital Signage: The Pros and Cons - ScreenCloud". screencloud.com. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ Singh, Prachi (2025-03-05). "Revolutionizing Communication with Digital Standee and Menu Boards". Sparsa Digital. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ a b "Digital Drive-Thru Menu Boards: How to Take Your QSR to the Next Level". www.deelmedia.com. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
- ^ Tie, Black (2018-01-18). "The Rise of the Outdoor Digital Menu Board". USSI Global. Retrieved 2025-05-04.
- ^ Theresa (2017-04-26). "How Digital Drive Thru Menu Boards Can Boost Qsr Sales up to 8 Percent". inVoke Digital Signage. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ^ "Enhance the Drive Thru Experience with Digital Outdoor Menu Boards | Hughes". www.hughes.com. 2025-01-20. Retrieved 2025-05-06.