How to Use Digital Menu Displays

Author：Yoda . 10/20/2025

With the accelerating trend toward digitalization and intelligentization in today’s catering, retail, and service industries, traditional paper menus and static wall panels are gradually being replaced by a more visually impactful, easier to manage, and more interactive solution: digital menu displays. As a professional manufacturer of digital signage equipment for the Yoda brand, we are fortunate to witness and participate in this transformation. This article will systematically explain the meaning, advantages, operating principles, types, content update methods, and applications of “digital menu displays” from multiple perspectives, providing a reference guide before purchasing or implementing them.

What is Digital Menu Display?

Digital menu displays refer to the use of electronic displays or digital signage systems to replace traditional printed or manually updated menu boards or walls. They dynamically present information such as menu items, prices, promotions, images, and videos to customers on screen. Compared to traditional static menus, they offer greater flexibility, enhanced visual expression, and are easier to manage and update.

Furthermore, digital menu displays are often integrated with CMS (content management systems), media players, networked controls, and even connected to POS or inventory systems, enabling real-time content updates, remote management, and data tracking.

Benefits of Digital Menu Displays for Restaurants

Why are more and more restaurants, bars, food courts, and dessert shops choosing digital menu displays? The following are their key advantages:

1. Enhanced Visual Appeal and Stimulated Consumption

Using high-resolution images, dynamic videos, and animated transitions, digital menus are more likely to attract customers’ attention, stimulate their appetite, and encourage ordering. Studies have shown that digital displays can boost sales more than traditional static menus.

2. Fast, Real-Time Menu Updates

When items are out of stock, prices are adjusted, promotions are launched, or new seasonal items are introduced, digital menus can be modified instantly in the backend, eliminating the need for reprinting or manual replacement.

3. Improved Operational Efficiency and Reduced Costs

Traditional menus require frequent printing, posting, and replacement. Digital menus save on printing, design, and installation costs in the long run, and can also reduce menu errors caused by item changes or out-of-stock situations.

4. Improve Customer Experience and Reduce Wait Times

Digital menus allow customers to browse and decide while waiting in line or waiting, speeding up the ordering process and reducing unnecessary hesitation. Data indicates that using digital menus can significantly reduce customers’ perceived wait times.

5. Promote Marketing and Increase Average Order Value

Digital menus can proactively promote high-margin dishes, combo meals, and limited-time promotions. They can also leverage visual cues, animated recommendations, and carousels to achieve upsell and cross-selling.

6. Enhance Brand Image and Food Transparency

Displays can showcase brand stories, dish origins, nutritional information, and allergen warnings, fostering customer trust.

7. Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly

Reducing paper waste in printing, design, and discarded menus contributes to a company’s environmentally friendly image.

In summary, adopting digital menu displays is not just an upgrade to menu formats; it also enhances operations, branding, and marketing across multiple dimensions.

How Digital Menu Displays Work

1. Hardware Components

Display (LCD/touchscreen, etc.)

Media player or embedded system to drive the screen content

Mounting bracket, cabinet, power supply, network connection (wired or wireless)

For outdoor or bright environments, a high-brightness screen, anti-glare, and waterproof/dustproof enclosure may also be required.

2. Content Management System (CMS)

On a backend server or cloud platform, operators use the CMS to upload, edit, and arrange menu content (images, text, videos), create playlists, set switching logic, and schedule time slots.

3. Network Distribution and Synchronization

Multiple locations or screens can be connected via a network (LAN or the internet). Once content is updated in the backend, remote devices can receive and display it simultaneously in real time. This allows for unified management even for chain stores.

4. Display

The screens display menu items, promotional animations, price change information, and more according to the configured playback order and time slots. The system can automatically switch between “breakfast menu,” “lunch menu,” and “dinner menu” at different times.

5. Updates and Maintenance

When new products, price adjustments, promotions, or seasonal changes are announced, the front-end display can be updated through back-end editing via the CMS. Hardware also requires regular maintenance to ensure the proper functioning of screens and players.

Through the above process, the Digital Menu Display system provides a closed-loop process for the restaurant industry, from content creation, distribution, display, feedback, and optimization.

Types of Digital Menu Displays

In practice, Digital Menu Displays come in a variety of forms, allowing you to flexibly choose based on factors such as budget, space, usage, and user traffic. The following are common types:

1. Wall-mounted/Back-to-Wall Digital Menu Displays

In the ordering area or behind the counter, one or more displays serve as the main menu display. Suitable for restaurants, cafes, and other locations.

2. Vertical Digital Menu Columns/Touchscreen Self-Ordering Screens

Place these at the customer entrance or in the queue area, allowing customers to view the menu and place their orders via touchscreen.

3. Outdoor Digital Menu Displays

These are installed on exterior walls, doorways, or driveways (such as drive-thru fast food lanes). They must be waterproof, dustproof, and feature high-brightness.

4. Multi-Screen Combination/Linked Displays

Multiple screens are combined to form a large or split-screen layout, capable of scrolling menus, advertisements, videos, and more. Suitable for branded restaurants and shopping mall food courts.

5. Mobile Displays/Rotating Digital Menu Displays

Some venues use mobile digital signage and carousel display carts, suitable for pop-up restaurants, event restaurants, and temporary food stalls.

Different types of digital menu displays can be combined and deployed based on the scenario, budget, and user experience requirements. Yoda offers a complete solution from screens, media players, and CMS to help you choose the right solution.

How to Update Content on a Digital Menu Display

After implementing a digital menu display, the effectiveness of content management directly impacts its effectiveness. Below is Yoda’s recommended content update process and considerations:

1. Establish a unified content template and style guide.

Determine brand colors, fonts, image style, animation effects, and menu layout structure. Ensure each update aligns with the brand image.

2. Develop an update plan.

Daily updates: Price adjustments, out-of-stock item annotations, and today’s recommendations.

Periodic updates: Seasonal menus, holiday specials, and new product releases.

Day-Parting: Different menus for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and supper.

3. Backend Editing and Previewing

Edit new item images, descriptions, prices, and animation effects in the CMS, preview, and confirm.

4. Push Updates

After confirmation, push the content to all screens. Supports “one-click synchronization” across multiple stores and screens.

5. Monitoring and Verification

After the update is complete, physically inspect the screens to ensure correct display, spelling errors, out-of-stock items, and pricing errors to ensure customers see the correct content.

6. Data Feedback and Optimization

Use data collected by the system (such as customer dwell time, click-through order distribution, and sales volume) to analyze which content performs well and optimize accordingly.

7. Hardware and System Maintenance

Regularly clean the screen, check the player, verify network connectivity, and perform antivirus and system patch updates to prevent content from freezing or freezing.

Through the above process, you can move your Digital Menu Display operations from the “installation” stage to the “refined operation” stage, fully realizing its marketing and operational value.

Applications of Digital Menu Display

1. Digital Menu Display for Restaurants and Bars

In restaurants and bars, Digital Menu Displays can dynamically display menus, specials, and limited-time offers. Compared to traditional menu boards, digital displays are more engaging and can automatically switch between breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus based on time of day, enhancing the customer ordering experience.

2. Digital Menu Display for Shopping Mall Food Courts

In shopping mall food courts, Digital Menu Displays can provide a unified style and centralized management, allowing multiple brands to quickly and synchronously update menus and prices. Its high-definition graphics and flexible layout allow customers to quickly make choices while waiting in line, improving ordering efficiency.

3. Digital Menu Display for Bakery and Dessert Shops

For bakeries and dessert shops, digital menu displays not only showcase new products and seasonal desserts, but also attract passersby with their high-brightness displays, thereby enhancing brand image and sales conversion.

Why Choose Yoda?

As a professional digital signage manufacturer, Yoda offers the following advantages, making it a top priority:

Focusing on digital menu applications: Yoda integrates hardware screens, media players, CMS software, and installation services, providing customized solutions for catering, retail, plazas, and other scenarios.

High-quality display hardware: Supports advanced specifications such as high brightness, anti-glare, dustproof, waterproof (outdoor), and narrow-bezel splicing, ensuring stable operation in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Flexible content management: Equipped with a user-friendly CMS system, you can centrally update menus, promotions, and video content from headquarters or store backends. Adaptable to Multiple Scenarios: Whether it’s restaurants and bars, shopping mall food courts, or bakeries and dessert shops, Yoda’s product portfolio accommodates a variety of screen sizes, installation methods, and usage requirements.

Global Service and Support: For the UK/European market, Yoda offers local certifications, multi-language support, compatibility with local power standards, and responsive after-sales support.

Cost-Effectiveness: While the initial investment may be slightly higher than traditional printed menus, the operational efficiency gains, marketing support, and cost savings offered by digital menu displays make the ROI very attractive.

Choosing Yoda means choosing a dedicated, reliable, and globally responsive digital menu display solutions partner.

Considerations and Recommendations for Implementing Digital Menu Displays

Before deciding to implement a digital menu display solution, we recommend focusing on the following to avoid common issues:

1. Viewing distance and screen position: During installation, consider customer viewing distance, viewing angle, screen height, ambient brightness, and other factors to ensure clear and readable menu content.

2. Brightness/Reflection Management: In bright environments or outdoor venues, a high-brightness screen (e.g., 700 cd/m² or higher) with reduced reflections is required, as otherwise the viewing experience may be affected.

3. Backend System Stability: It is recommended to choose a CMS with remote monitoring, automatic reconnection, and content rollback mechanisms to avoid screen blackouts, freezes, or inability to update after a network outage.

4. Professional Content Design: Menu content should not be static images; it should also consider clear layout, visual cues, promotional prompts, and animation rhythm. Collaboration with a professional designer or brand is recommended.

5. Content Update Frequency and Operational Mechanism: Digital menus are not “install and forget” solutions. An update mechanism, responsible personnel, cycle time, and review process should be established for continuous optimization.

6. Hardware Maintenance and Spare Parts: Displays, media players, and network equipment should all be regularly inspected. It is recommended to have backup equipment and a fault response mechanism in place.

7. Data and Privacy Compliance: If the system collects customer behavior or integrates with POS/membership systems, it must comply with local data protection regulations (such as the UK’s GDPR). 8. Budget and Return on Investment Analysis: While digital menus require significant investment, they offer significant returns in terms of long-term operations, marketing enhancement, brand image, and environmental savings.

By taking the above steps, you can maximize the value of your digital menu display project and avoid common pitfalls.

Summary

In today’s digital age, digital menu displays have become a crucial tool for the restaurant indu1stry to enhance brand image and optimize operational efficiency. They not only offer more flexible content updates but also attract customers’ attention through dynamic displays, enhancing the ordering experience.

As the Yoda brand, we not only provide high-quality hardware, a user-friendly backend, and global service, but also uphold the philosophy of “making digital signage simple, smart, and efficient” to help customers upgrade their menu displays.

If you are considering deploying a digital menu display system in the UK or European markets, please feel free to contact Yoda. We can provide customized equipment solutions, content operations support, and system services.

We look forward to working with you into the new era of digital menu displays.

—The Yoda Digital Signage Team