The digital menu board is not just a modern convenience; it’s a dynamic tool that’s reshaping the customer experience in the food service industry. As we look towards 2024, several key trends are emerging that restaurant owners and operators must be aware of to stay competitive. Here are some of the key trends we see as important to success in the coming year:
Deeper Integration with Back-Office Data and POS Systems
The integration of digital menu boards with back-office data and POS systems is becoming more sophisticated. This trend is crucial for ensuring that menu offerings, prices, and stock levels are updated in real-time, reflecting the most current information across all customer touch-points. In 2024, expect these integrations to be standard practice, streamlining operations and enhancing the accuracy of digital displays.
There are several key ways that POS integration can help restaurants be more effective and profitable. The most obvious way is to make sure your pricing is consistent across all platforms without the need to manage each one independently. POS integration allows real-time updates in your POS to be reflected on your digital menu boards. Some other ways these integrations can create value are through things like order confirmation for digital drive through and dynamic scheduling or menu presentation.
SmarterSign integrates with some of the most widely used POS systems such as Square, Clover and more. In the coming year we will continue to focus on integrations with the POS systems that are being used around the world. One of the keys to our approach is how easy we make it for the end-user to connect their digital menu board experience with their POS. Take a look at this video that demonstrates how SmarterSign integrates with the popular Square POS platform.
Strategic Use of Analytics to Optimize Menu Marketing
Analytics are becoming increasingly important in optimizing menu marketing. By understanding customer preferences and behavior patterns, restaurants can use their digital menu boards to strategically market items, leading to increased sales of promoted dishes and improved customer satisfaction. In 2024, analytics will be more deeply embedded in the digital menu board systems, allowing for even more targeted marketing campaigns.
One thing that businesses tend to forget is that digital menu boards are an important marketing platform. Many business operators see their menus as just a way to allow people to order their products. This idea overlooks the important marketing opportunity that digital menu boards can provide. Being able to direct patrons to the items that make your restaurant more effective and profitable can be easily achieved with a smarter approach to digital menu boards.
Lower Initial Investment Than Ever Before
The trend towards more affordable digital menu board displays is opening doors for many businesses. The reduction in costs for high-quality displays and other digital menu board technology means that even smaller establishments can now invest in this technology. In 2024 the initial investment for restaurants will continue to come down. In a time when everything seems to be getting more expensive, the lowering cost of digital menu board technology will provide some much needed financial relief. The market will see a wider adoption of digital menu boards as the initial investment becomes more manageable for a broader range of businesses.
One of the great ways SmarterSign is helping businesses lower initial investment is through smarter ways to control your displays. For example, with newer Samsung displays (consumer displays with the app store or commercial displays that have Samsung Smart Signage Platform “SSSP”), businesses can use the built in computing power of the display to provide digital menu board playback. This removes the need for an external media player and saves on initial investment. As always, SmarterSign makes the deployment of digital menu boards on Samsung displays extremely fast and easy.
Easier Operations with Smarter Management Tools
Managing digital menu boards is becoming easier than ever, thanks to systems like SmarterSign. Since 2006 (over 17 years) SmarterSIgn has been refining it’s applications to make it easier for restaurant operators to control their digital menu boards. With its latest release, SmarterSign is set to revolutionize the industry with advanced design tools that enable rapid and accurate menu creation. Even those without design experience can craft beautiful, engaging menus thanks to new animation tools that bring menus to life. Additionally, SmarterSign continues to add to its list of integrations with popular POS systems, ensuring that menu updates are synchronized across all platforms, reducing the margin for error and saving valuable time.
This latest release promises to be a game-changer for restaurants of all sizes, offering a level of simplicity and integration that was previously unavailable. With SmarterSign, creating a digital menu that captivates and informs customers will be easier than ever, allowing businesses to focus on what they do best – delivering delicious food and great service.
Dynamic Presentations with AI Integration
AI is set to take digital menu boards to new heights of personalization and engagement. With AI integration, menus can adapt in real-time to factors like customer demographics, purchase history, and even external data such as weather conditions. This trend towards more dynamic presentations means that by 2024, digital menu boards will not just display food options but will actively engage with customers, providing a tailored experience that can drive sales and enhance the dining experience.
In the SmarterSign labs our developers are looking at all of the ways that AI can help improve operations and performance for digital menu boards. Whether through the creation process or the day to day operations, AI will prove to be an important advantage for any business looking to accelerate growth and optimize their business.
In conclusion, the digital menu board industry is poised for exciting advancements in 2024. With smarter integrations, advanced analytics, more accessible pricing, user-friendly management systems like SmarterSign, and AI-driven presentations, digital menu boards are set to become an even more integral part of the dining experience. For restaurant owners, staying abreast of these trends is essential to remain competitive in a market that increasingly values technology and personalization.
If you are looking for some expert advice and a detailed plan for digital menu boards, schedule time with one of our experts today.
