Home | Customer Support 1-877-204-6679

username:   password:

Get the Most out of Lighted Menu Boards for Your Restaurant

Lighted menu boards are not exactly new, but they've seen several enhancements over the years. Whether you're opening a new restaurant or renovating an existing location, you probably already recognize the advantages of this technology. Yet, without understanding the different types and applications for these screens, you can't hope to get the most out of this critically important component.

Different Types of Lighted Menu Boards

• Back-Lit vs. Straight Digital
  Likely the most significant upgrade for lighted menu boards is the replacement of back-lit with digital versions. Back-lit versions use lights behind the panel to increase visibility. Yet, they must still be changed out manually, reducing versatility and operational efficiency. What's more, many of these back-lit units use inconsistent illumination and lights that burn out over time. Given the advent of this technology which can be controlled and changed with computer software and the click of a mouse, there's simply no reason to tolerate the hassles and drawbacks of these older back-lit types.


• Write-On Boards vs. Software Systems
  It's not just wall-mounted menu boards that are getting a digital makeover. Even write-on menu boards are now available in conjunction with digital screens. You can throw away the colored chalk. That said, while the tradition of write-on boards may feel authentic, the truth is that write-on menu boards have become largely antiquated. With a user-friendly software program, you can change your greeting message each day in just minutes without worrying about your employee's calligraphy skills.

Of course, there's nothing that says you have to go with only one option. Some coffee shops, bistros, delis, and other establishments may opt for write-on boards in their entryway and then use more practical software programs for their main panels. Likewise, if you're willing to make the investment in versatile hardware, you can devise a system in which your entrance display is convertible to either write-on or pre-designed options.

• Applications
  You can't know what type of design is right for you without understanding the various applications and benefits for your restaurant. Many restaurants upgrade to lighted menu boards as part of a larger overhaul. If you live in a state that requires restaurants to display nutritional information, you'll probably find that this format makes it easier to comply with these mandates. Other restaurants are simply modernizing their interior spaces and find these capabilities are a necessary fit for their refurbished image. Other places are expanding these applications to show bar drinks or even digitized food listings. The latest technology to hit the market even allows patrons to place orders from their tables directly to the back of house.

Implementing Your New Menu Boards
Rather than spending weeks trying to find the perfect setup and presentation of your menu, implementing lighted menu boards is more about finding the screens and software programs that create the best visual display and the most versatility. Four Winds Interactive is a software developer, but we can also help you find the right hardware through one of our many business partners. Meanwhile, we can show you what our software is capable of, including multiple content channels with seamless transitions and changeovers, superior reliability and performance, and a setup consultation and ongoing tech support that will alleviate any fears you may have about getting your system up and running.