Digital menu boards have transformed how restaurants communicate with customers. Dynamic content, easy updates, and modern aesthetics give digital menus significant advantages over static printed boards.

Here's everything you need to know about implementing digital menu boards in your restaurant.

What Are Digital Menu Boards?

Digital menu boards replace static printed menus with dynamic, updatable displays

Digital menu boards are electronic displays that show your menu, pricing, promotions, and other content. Unlike printed menus:

• Update instantly from anywhere
• Schedule content by time of day
• Display motion and video
• Showcase promotions dynamically
• A/B test different layouts

Common placements include behind the counter (QSR), at order kiosks, and in drive-thru lanes.

Benefits of Digital Menu Boards

1. Easy Updates

With printed boards, a price change means reprinting and reinstalling. With digital:

• Change prices in seconds
• Update when items sell out (86'd)
• Add limited-time offers instantly
• Remove unavailable items immediately

2. Daypart Menu Switching

Digital boards switch automatically between breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus

Program your boards to show different content by time:

• Breakfast menu: 6am-11am
• Lunch menu: 11am-4pm
• Dinner menu: 4pm-close
• Happy hour: 4pm-7pm

No staff intervention required — it happens automatically.

3. Dynamic Promotions

Highlight high-margin items, daily specials, or combo deals:

• Rotating featured items
• Countdown timers for limited offers
• "Today's Special" that updates automatically
• Upsell prompts at specific times

4. Modern Aesthetic

Static boards look dated. Digital displays:

• Create a modern, professional appearance
• Allow motion and visual interest
• Match contemporary restaurant design
• Impress customers

5. Data and Optimization

Track what works:

• A/B test different layouts
• Measure impact on sales
• Optimize item placement
• Improve conversion rates

Digital Menu Board Components

1. Displays (Hardware)

Commercial Displays:

• Designed for continuous operation (24/7)
• Higher brightness than consumer TVs
• Longer warranties
• Temperature-resistant
• Cost: $500-2,000 per screen

Consumer TVs:

• Cheaper upfront
• Not designed for continuous use
• Shorter lifespan
• Lower brightness
• Cost: $200-600 per screen

Recommendation: For restaurants, commercial displays are worth the investment. They last 3-5x longer and look better in bright environments.

2. Media Players

The device that drives your display:

Options:

• Built-in smart TV features: Free but limited
• Streaming sticks: $30-100 (Firestick, Roku)
• Dedicated media players: $100-500
• Embedded players: Built into commercial displays

Recommendation: Dedicated media players (like BrightSign) offer the best reliability for commercial use.

3. Content Management Software

Content management software lets you control what displays show

The software that controls your content:

Options range from:

• Free/basic (limited features)
• $10-50/month (mid-tier)
• $50-200/month (enterprise)

Key features to look for:

• Remote management
• Scheduling by time/day
• Template library
• Easy content updates
• POS integration (optional)
• Multi-location management

4. Mounting and Installation

• Wall mounts: $50-150 per display
• Ceiling mounts: $100-300
• Stand/kiosk: $200-500
• Professional installation: $200-500 per display

Popular Digital Menu Board Solutions

1. Square Digital Displays

Price: Free with Square for Restaurants
Best for: Square users wanting simple digital menus

If you use Square, their built-in digital display feature is free and syncs with your POS menu automatically.

Features:

• Auto-sync with Square menu
• Price updates automatic
• Item availability sync
• Basic templates
• Works with Smart TVs

Pros:

• Free
• Automatic POS sync
• Easy setup

Cons:

• Limited design options
• Requires Square POS
• Basic features only

2. Toast Digital Menu

Price: Included with Toast (hardware separate)
Best for: Toast POS users

Toast offers digital menu boards that integrate with their POS ecosystem.

Features:

• Menu sync from Toast
• 86'd item removal automatic
• Daypart scheduling
• Promotional content
• Drive-thru support

Pros:

• Tight Toast integration
• Professional templates
• Enterprise-ready

Cons:

• Toast POS required
• Proprietary approach
• Hardware costs

3. Mood Media

Price: Custom pricing
Best for: Enterprise and franchise operations

Major player in restaurant digital signage with comprehensive solutions.

Features:

• Professional design services
• Music integration
• Multi-location management
• Advanced scheduling
• Analytics

Pros:

• Full-service solution
• Enterprise scale
• Professional support

Cons:

• Higher cost
• May be overkill for small restaurants

4. DSMenu

Price: $10-35/month per screen
Best for: Independent restaurants wanting flexibility

Cloud-based digital menu software that works with any display.

Features:

• Web-based management
• Template library
• Scheduling
• Remote updates
• Works with any screen

Pros:

• Affordable
• Flexible hardware
• Good template library

Cons:

• No POS integration
• Manual menu updates

5. Menuboard Manager

Price: $15-50/month per screen
Best for: QSR and fast casual

Restaurant-focused digital signage platform.

Features:

• QSR-optimized templates
• POS integration options
• Nutrition data display
• Drive-thru support
• Multi-location

Pros:

• Restaurant-specific
• Good integrations
• Drive-thru capable

Cons:

• Higher price tier
• Learning curve

Comparison Table

Implementation Guide

Step 1: Plan Your Layout

Plan screen placement based on customer flow and viewing angles

Before buying anything:

1. Measure your space — How many screens, what size?
2. Map customer flow — Where do customers look?
3. Consider viewing distance — Larger screens for far viewing
4. Plan content zones — Menu, promos, branding

Common layouts:

• Single screen: Small cafés, supplements printed menu
• Two screens: Main menu + promotions/combos
• Three screens: Categories split across boards
• Video wall: High-impact, premium installations

Step 2: Choose Hardware

For most restaurants:

• 43-55" commercial displays
• Dedicated media player (BrightSign or similar)
• Appropriate mounts for your space

Budget example (2-screen setup):

Step 3: Select Software

Match to your POS if possible:

• Using Square? → Square Digital Displays
• Using Toast? → Toast Digital Menu
• Other POS? → DSMenu or Menuboard Manager

Step 4: Design Your Content

Effective menu boards balance information density with readability

Design principles:

• Hierarchy: Most profitable items get prime placement
• Readability: Large fonts, high contrast
• Simplicity: Don't overwhelm — less is more
• Motion: Use sparingly — attract, don't distract
• Photography: High-quality food images increase sales

Step 5: Install and Configure

Professional installation recommended for:

• High/difficult mounting locations
• Electrical work required
• Multiple displays
• Video walls

DIY-able for:

• Single display on counter
• Simple wall mount
• Plug-and-play software

Step 6: Measure and Optimize

After launch:

• Track sales of featured items
• A/B test different layouts
• Adjust based on data
• Update content regularly

Best Practices

Content Guidelines

1. Update regularly — Stale content hurts engagement
2. Feature high-margin items — Use prime screen real estate strategically
3. Include prices — Transparency builds trust
4. Use motion sparingly — Attract attention, don't annoy
5. Consider accessibility — Large fonts, high contrast

Technical Best Practices

1. Use commercial displays — Consumer TVs fail faster
2. Hardwire internet — WiFi is less reliable
3. Backup power — UPS protects against surges
4. Cool environment — Heat shortens display life
5. Regular maintenance — Clean screens, check connections

Alternatives to Digital Menu Boards

If digital boards aren't right for you:

QR Code Menus

Point customers to your QR code menu from a simple sign. Benefits:

• Much lower cost
• Customer device = no hardware
• Works with Fuudey, Menu Tiger, etc.

iPad Kiosks

Tablets at counter or on tables for ordering:

• Interactive ordering
• Lower cost than large displays
• See our iPad POS guide

Traditional Printed Menus

For some concepts, printed menus remain appropriate:

• Fine dining
• Variable menus
• Limited-time restaurants

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do digital menu boards cost?

Budget $1,000-3,000 for a basic 2-screen setup including hardware, software, and installation. Enterprise deployments can exceed $10,000.

Should I use a regular TV or commercial display?

Commercial displays are recommended. They're designed for continuous operation and last 3-5x longer than consumer TVs in restaurant environments.

Can I update my digital menu boards remotely?

Yes, most modern systems allow cloud-based updates from anywhere. You can change prices, add items, or update promotions from your phone.

Do digital menu boards increase sales?

Studies suggest 3-5% sales increases from optimized digital menu boards, mainly from better promotion of high-margin items and upselling.

How long do commercial displays last?

Quality commercial displays typically last 50,000-100,000 hours of continuous operation (5-10+ years). Consumer TVs often fail within 2-3 years of continuous use.

Conclusion

Digital menu boards modernize your restaurant and improve operational efficiency

Digital menu boards represent a significant upgrade over static printed menus. The ability to update instantly, schedule by daypart, and promote dynamically makes them valuable for most counter-service and QSR operations.

Our recommendations:

• Square users: Use free Square Digital Displays
• Toast users: Toast Digital Menu (included)
• Budget priority: DSMenu ($10-35/month)
• Enterprise/QSR chains: Menuboard Manager or Mood Media

For restaurants not ready for digital boards, QR code menus offer a cost-effective alternative that provides many similar benefits through customers' own devices.