--- title: Are Digital Menu Boards Worth It? description: Digital menu boards boost revenue 3-5% and pay for themselves in months. See the data on why they're worth the investment. image: https://smartersign.com/hubfs/blog-headers/blog-header-1772453250886.png --- [Skip to content](https://smartersign.com/articles/are-digital-menu-boards-worth-it#main-content) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 888-907-6278 | [Talk with an Expert](https://smartersign.com/contact) [![SmarterSign-Logo-NoPill-Grey](https://smartersign.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SmarterSign-Logo-NoPill-Grey.png?width=250&height=25&name=SmarterSign-Logo-NoPill-Grey.png)](https://smartersign.com/) - Our Solutions RESTAURANT DIGITAL SIGNAGE [Digital Menu Boards](https://smartersign.com/digital-menu-boards)   [Enterprise Digital Menu Boards for Food Service Management](https://smartersign.com/digital-menu-boards-for-food-service-management)   [Digital Drive-Thru](https://smartersign.com/drive-thru-digital-menu-boards/) INTEGRATIONS [Square POS](https://smartersign.com/square) [Clover POS](https://smartersign.com/clover/) [Heartland POS](https://smartersign.com/heartland/) DIGITAL SIGNAGE BY INDUSTRY [Corporate Communications](https://smartersign.com/corporate-office-digital-signage) [Education (K-12/Higher Ed)](https://smartersign.com/education-digital-signage/) [Retail and Wholesale](https://smartersign.com/retail-digital-signage) [Hotels and Hospitality](https://smartersign.com/hotel-digital-signage/) [Hospitals and Healthcare](https://smartersign.com/hospital-digital-signage/) [Digital Out of Home (DooH)](https://smartersign.com/digital-billboards/) [Flight Information Displays](https://smartersign.com/smartersign-flightboard/) WHO WE SERVE Since 2006 SmarterSign has been providing digital signage and digital menu boards to a wide range of industries. 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Most restaurants see a full return on investment within 6-18 months. Additional benefits include a better customer experience and improved restaurant operations.   ### The Revenue Impact Is Real Studies show that digital displays capture more attention than static signs. When customers look longer, they order more. A well-designed [digital menu board](https://smartersign.com/digital-menu-boards) highlights high-margin items and promotes add-ons at the right moment. This leads to larger average tickets. One study by Nielsen found that digital signage captures 400% more views than static displays. More views mean more chances to influence what customers buy. That translates directly to revenue.   ### Cost Savings Add Up Fast Printing new menus costs money every time you change a price or add an item. With digital boards, updates happen instantly and cost nothing. A restaurant that changes its menu four times a year can save thousands in printing costs alone. There's also the time factor. Managers spend hours coordinating print orders and swapping out signs. Digital systems let you [update your menu boards remotely](https://smartersign.com/articles/how-update-digital-menu-boards-remotely-complete-guide) in minutes. That time goes back into running your business.   ### Dayparting Drives More Sales Digital boards let you show different menus at different times. Breakfast items in the morning. Lunch specials at noon. Happy hour deals in the evening. This is called dayparting, and it works. Restaurants using [dayparting strategies](https://smartersign.com/articles/the-power-of-dayparting-boost-sales-with-smart-digital-menu-board-strategies) report higher sales during slower periods. You're showing customers exactly what they want, when they want it. Static signs can't do that.   ### The Initial Investment Explained A complete digital menu board setup typically costs between $1,500 and $5,000 per screen, including hardware and software. That sounds like a lot until you do the math. A restaurant doing $500,000 in annual sales that sees a 3% revenue increase gains $15,000 per year. The system pays for itself quickly. Understanding [how much digital menu boards cost](https://smartersign.com/articles/how-much-do-digital-menu-boards-cost) helps you plan your budget. Most restaurants start with 2-4 screens and expand from there.   ### Customer Experience Improves Digital boards are easier to read. They're brighter, cleaner, and more organized. Customers make decisions faster, which speeds up your line. Faster lines mean happier customers and more transactions per hour. The modern look also matters. Customers associate digital displays with quality and professionalism. Your brand looks better, and that builds trust.   ### What Makes Digital Boards Worth It - Revenue increases of 3-5% on average - Elimination of ongoing printing costs - Instant menu updates from anywhere - Dayparting for targeted promotions - Faster customer decisions and shorter lines - Professional appearance that builds brand trust ### The Bottom Line Digital menu boards are an investment, not an expense. The data supports this. Revenue goes up. Costs go down. Operations get easier. Most restaurants see positive ROI within their first year. The question isn't whether digital menu boards are worth it. The question is how soon you can get started. Learn more about [the benefits of digital menu boards](https://smartersign.com/articles/five-benefits-digital-menu-boards) and see what they can do for your business. 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