In an overcrowded fast food industry, outlets are looking for new, exciting and cost effective ways to market their products and digital signage displays are the answer.

Backlit menu boards traditionally used by most independent takeaway and fast food chains are being overshadowed by a new alluring means of displaying menus. Digital signage is now acknowledged as one of the most cost effective and stylish methods of displaying menus in food outlets all over the world. Digital displays, which are available in small and large sizes, offer numerous advantages over traditional static signage. Even when displaying static slides, digital displays attract more attention than traditional signage. This is combined with the facility to automatically show different menu slides at different times, on one screen, saving space and printing costs. Digital signage also has the capability to display movement on menu boards in the form of video files which are significantly more enticing than static images for customers.

Digital menu boards are being implemented by a wide range food outlets, from Burger King to Auntie Anne’s. Auntie Anne’s is a growing pretzel store franchise that are currently outfitting all they’re UK stores with 40” Digital Advertising Displays to upgrade from they’re current backlit menu board systems. So far they have found the digital signage solution to be extremely beneficial both in terms of usage and return. Not only have they seen improved sales and overall aesthetics of the locations, they have also been impressed with some of the features the digital displays provide. James MacIsaac, Operations Manager conveyed his delight with the scheduling software, included by Allsee Technologies, which allowed him to choose what he wanted to be displayed at what time of day, and for how long. The standalone units also have a plug and play function, this was requested so as the files can be easily loaded by staff. With the attention of the waiting customers fixed solely on the digital displays, he was able to manage what they were viewing, thus achieve his desired marketing impact.

With the advantages offered by digital signage to food outlets and the ever decreasing costs of LCD displays it is no surprise that more fast food chains, and independent retailers, are converting from backlit to digital menu boards.

Thomas Fraser-Bacon

Thomas Fraser-Bacon is the Marketing Director for Allsee Technologies. His background is in Digital Signage and Product Design.