Cloud-based digital menu boards have changed how restaurants run. Instead of printing new menus every time prices change, you update everything from your computer or phone. The screens in your store show the new info right away. This saves time, cuts costs, and keeps your menus looking fresh.
But which companies offer these services? And how do you know which one fits your business? This guide breaks down the top cloud-based digital menu board providers. We will look at what makes each one stand out.
What Makes a Digital Menu Board Cloud-Based?
A cloud-based system stores your content on the internet, not on a computer at your store. You log in from anywhere to make changes. Those changes go live on your screens in minutes. This is different from older systems where you had to be on-site to update anything.
Cloud systems also let you manage many locations at once. If you run ten stores, you can update all of them from one place. You can also set different menus for different times of day. This is called dayparting, and it helps you show breakfast items in the morning and dinner items at night.
To learn more about how digital menu boards work, check out our detailed guide.
SmarterSign: Built for Restaurants
SmarterSign is a digital signage company that focuses heavily on restaurants. Their platform is designed to be simple. You do not need to be a tech expert to use it. The drag-and-drop editor lets you build menus fast.
SmarterSign runs on the cloud, so you can update your menus from home, the office, or even your phone. Changes go live in seconds. This is helpful when you need to mark an item as sold out or change a price during a busy lunch rush.
One thing that sets SmarterSign apart is their focus on design. They offer templates that look clean and professional. They also have a team that can help you create custom designs if you want something unique. Good design matters because it helps customers read your menu faster and order more.
SmarterSign also integrates with popular POS systems. This means your menu can update automatically when you change prices in your point-of-sale system. You can learn more about their POS integrations on their website.
For restaurants with drive-thrus, SmarterSign offers drive-thru digital menu boards that are built to handle outdoor conditions. These screens are bright enough to see in direct sunlight and tough enough to last through rain and snow.
Raydiant: Focus on Customer Experience
Raydiant is another cloud-based option. They market themselves as an experience platform. This means they focus on more than just menus. They also offer tools for digital signage, music, and customer feedback.
Their menu board software is easy to use. You can schedule content to change at certain times. You can also show promotions alongside your menu items. Raydiant works well for businesses that want one platform to handle many things.
The downside is that Raydiant may have more features than a small restaurant needs. If you just want a simple menu board, you might pay for tools you never use.
Spectrio: All-in-One Marketing
Spectrio offers digital menu boards as part of a larger marketing suite. They also provide on-hold messaging, overhead music, and wifi marketing. This makes them a good fit for businesses that want to bundle services.
Their menu board software is cloud-based. You can update content from anywhere. They also offer design services to help you create menus that match your brand.
Spectrio works with many industries, not just restaurants. This broad focus can be a plus or a minus. Some restaurants prefer a company that specializes in food service.
Mood Media: Enterprise-Level Solutions
Mood Media is a large company that serves big brands. They offer digital menu boards along with music, scent marketing, and AV systems. Their clients include national chains with hundreds of locations.
For enterprise businesses, Mood Media provides strong support and reliability. They have teams that can handle large rollouts. But for smaller restaurants, their services may be more than you need. Pricing is often higher because of the scale they work at.
Menuboard Manager: Simple and Affordable
Menuboard Manager is a smaller player that focuses on keeping things simple. Their software is cloud-based and easy to learn. You can create menus using templates or upload your own designs.
They offer competitive pricing, which makes them a good choice for single-location restaurants or small chains. The trade-off is that they may not have the advanced features or support that larger companies provide.
What to Look for in a Cloud-Based Provider
When choosing a digital menu board company, think about these factors:
- Ease of use: Can you update your menu without calling tech support?
- Design quality: Do the templates look professional? Can you customize them?
- Reliability: Does the system stay online? What happens if there is an outage?
- Support: Can you reach someone when you have a problem?
- Integrations: Does it work with your POS system?
- Pricing: Is it clear and fair for what you get?
SmarterSign scores well on all these points. Their focus on restaurants means they understand what food service businesses need. You can explore their pricing page to see what fits your budget.
Why Cloud-Based Beats On-Premise
Some older systems store content on a local computer at your store. This can cause problems. If that computer breaks, your menus go down. If you want to update something, you have to be at the store.
Cloud-based systems avoid these issues. Your content lives on secure servers. Updates happen instantly from anywhere. Most cloud providers also back up your data, so you do not lose your work.
Cloud systems also make it easier to manage multiple locations. You can push the same menu to all your stores or create different menus for each one. This flexibility is hard to get with on-premise setups.
The Role of Design in Menu Boards
A digital menu board is only as good as its design. If customers cannot read it quickly, they get frustrated. If it looks cluttered, they might order less.
Good design uses clear fonts, simple layouts, and high-quality images. It groups items in a way that makes sense. It highlights specials without being too flashy.
SmarterSign offers resources to help you design better menus. Their article on 10 tips for designing an effective digital menu board is a great place to start.
Dayparting: Show the Right Menu at the Right Time
Dayparting means changing your menu based on the time of day. In the morning, you show breakfast items. At lunch, you switch to sandwiches. At night, you feature dinner specials.
Cloud-based systems make dayparting easy. You set a schedule once, and the system handles the rest. This helps you sell more by showing customers what they want when they want it.
To learn more, read about the power of dayparting and how it can boost your sales.
Making Your Choice
Every restaurant is different. A small coffee shop has different needs than a national burger chain. The right digital menu board company depends on your size, budget, and goals.
If you want a provider that understands restaurants and keeps things simple, SmarterSign is worth a close look. Their cloud-based platform, strong design tools, and helpful support make them a solid choice for food service businesses of all sizes.
Take time to compare your options. Ask for demos. Look at real examples of each company's work. The right digital menu board system will save you time, help you sell more, and make your restaurant look great.