When it comes to food, one of the best advertising methods is to show it to prospective diners before they order. The world of digital menu boards takes temptation to a whole new level – after all, who can resist images or videos of scrumptious products or dishes that look so good you can almost smell and taste them?
Dynamic digital menus not only dial up the ‘want-factor’, but they also become a multi-faceted advertising medium. Savvy programming and great imagination turn what is essentially a simple tool into a powerhouse selling machine that can increase footfall, drive walk-in traffic, communicate updates, showcase specials and even increase upselling without you or your staff having to lift a finger.
The Power of Digital Signs in Restaurants, Cafes & Food Outlets
The foodie market – be it a simple independent mobile coffee stall selling to a Michelin-star restaurant – is a tough, crowded market. Even the largest chains with dedicated marketing teams have their work cut out – so smaller eateries need to use take advantage of every innovative advertising tool.
This is where one or more digital menu boards can make a massive difference. Strategic placement allows you to:
- Display images of specials or other select dishes: Who can resist an image or – even better – a video, of a steaming hot dish or gooey dessert? Or, when the mercury is rising, drool over the delights of an iced frappe, crispy salad or shrimp and avocado nachos… The magical ingredients are yours – the communication is courtesy of your full HD colour and video menu board.
- Plant the upsell seed so your staff don’t have to: Running a 2-course or 3-course promotion? Got a 2-for-1 deal or perhaps an all-you-can-eat buffet? It doesn’t matter what it is, an eye-catching digital menu does most of the upselling for you. Whether your customers order at the counter or it’s table service, the colours and vibe of a digital menu board can get your customers’ juices flowing long before they make their final decision.
- Display different menus depending on the time of day: There’s no point in displaying breakfast deals in the evening (and vice-versa). Simply programme your digital menu board to switch at the appropriate time and voila! Instantly changing displays with no effort on your behalf.
- Showcase today’s specials: Forget laborious chalkboard tasks of writing out today’s specials. A few taps on your connected device (laptop, computer, tablet, even your phone…) and the current delicious temptations are there to delight customers. Get creative with your wording, drag and drop images, upload videos… The cutting-edge digital menu screen technology is easy for anyone to use.
- Edit menu boards wherever you might be: Unlike static signage, a digital menu board can be changed remotely via your connected device. With an intuitive interface, even daily updates are completed in minutes – leaving you free to get on with the important work of dish creation and serving customers.
No matter how great you are with language, using the power of image and video can be the most lucrative advertising medium – especially when it comes to food.
Today, everyone is bombarded with information from all directions. Reading a chalkboard or static menu board takes conscious effort – yet a dreamy image or clip of a delicious platter can sneak into the subconscious without even trying. Plus, most customers enter a food establishment when hungry, meaning they’re already primed for targeted menu board connection.
Digital menus are also environmentally sound, reduce waste, are more hygienic and – crucially – can increase customer spending. They’re also much more cost-effective, doing away with printing and re-printing advertising signage whenever there’s a menu or promo change.
You can purchase digital screens outright, finance them or hire them – and no one offers a wider range or better value for money than iCatcher Digital Signs. You can also take advantage of outdoor signs to tempt even more customers across the threshold.
Ready to find out more? Contact our team today for a no-obligation chat.