Stan’s Donuts, a beloved Chicago-based bakery chain, has been delighting customers with their artisanal donuts and coffee since 2014. Founded in partnership with Stan Berman of the original Stan’s Donuts in Los Angeles, this modern interpretation brings classic flavors and innovative creations to life through a vibrant, tech-savvy approach to the traditional donut shop experience. These digital menu boards are in the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL.

Creative Design (Score: 8/10)

Stan’s Donuts excels in creative design with their digital menu boards. The use of vibrant colors creates an inviting and energetic atmosphere that aligns well with their product offerings. Each section of the menu is color-coded, making it easy for customers to navigate different product categories at a glance.

The incorporation of product images, particularly for their “Stanwiches” and specialty drinks, adds visual appeal and helps customers visualize their options. I think the images could be larger as some of them are too small to provide any insight or motivation. The use of color and playful design elements significantly reinforce the brand identity.

However, there’s room for improvement in the use of space on some screens. The donut section, for instance, could benefit from more visual elements or larger text to fill the available area more effectively.

Organization (Score: 8/10)

The organization of Stan’s Donuts digital menu boards is particularly strong. The layout is logical and easy to follow, with clear sections for different product categories such as donuts, beverages, and sandwiches.

Information is presented in a hierarchical manner, with larger text for categories and smaller text for individual items and prices. This prioritization helps customers quickly find what they’re looking for.

The use of icons and symbols, especially in the beverage section, adds to the clarity and helps break up text-heavy areas. The “Stanwiches” section effectively uses both text and images to convey information about each sandwich option.

One minor improvement could be made in the consistency of information presentation across different sections. For example, the donut section could benefit from brief descriptions similar to those provided for the sandwiches.

Physical Setup (Score 8/10)

The physical installation of Stan’s Donuts digital menu boards appears professional and clean. The screens are aligned properly and seem to be securely mounted, creating a sleek appearance behind the counter.

Screen brightness appears consistent across all displays, which is crucial for readability and overall aesthetic appeal. The absence of visible cables or wiring adds to the polished look of the installation.The placement of the screens seems optimal for customer viewing, positioned at eye level and spanning the width of the service area. This allows for easy reading from various points in the queue.

One area for potential improvement is the integration of the screens with the surrounding decor. While the installation is neat, additional framing or design elements could help the screens blend more seamlessly with the shop’s overall interior design.

There is one thing I noticed on these menus. The lower right bottom corner of the left screen has a Microsoft Windows popup notification about fixing any blur. This can happen with Windows based implementations and should be not be over the menu.

Overall (Score 8/10)

Stan’s Donuts has implemented a highly effective digital menu board system that enhances the customer experience and showcases their brand. The creative design effectively uses color and imagery to create an appealing visual display. The organization of information is particularly strong, making it easy for customers to navigate the menu and make decisions. The physical setup is professional and clean, with only minor room for improvement in terms of integration with the shop’s decor.

These digital menu boards serve as an excellent example of how modern technology can be leveraged to improve communication with customers while reinforcing brand identity. For businesses considering the implementation of digital menu boards, Stan’s Donuts provides a solid model of effective design, organization, and installation practices.