Whether you run a cozy coffee shop, a trendy pizza joint, or a bustling fast casual cafe, your menu board is more than just a list of items. Not only is it a powerful marketing and sales tool, it’s the only medium that’s guaranteed to be read by your guests.
In today's competitive dining marketplace, an attention-grabbing restaurant menu board can transform your establishment's interior design, enhance your restaurant’s ambiance, set you apart from the competition, and increase your average basket size.
Why Restaurant Menu Boards Matters
Provides a Solid First Impression: A menu board sign is one of the first things customers see, setting the tone for their entire dining experience.
Influences Customer Decision-Making: A well-designed menu board can influence customers to try high-margin food items and boost overall sales.
Bolsters Brand Identity: A menu board design should reinforce your restaurant's personality and bolster brand identity.
Improves Ordering Efficiency: Easy-to-read menu signage can help speed up the ordering process, reduce wait times, and improve the customer experience.
10 Creative Restaurant Menu Board Ideas
We’ve put together these 10 inspirational tips to help you optimize your menu board:
1. Digital Restaurant Menu Boards
Interactive Displays: Touchscreens allow customers to explore the menu, see ingredients, and customize orders.
Dynamic Content: Include videos of dishes being prepared to entice customers to order.
Easy Updates: Digital boards allow you to make quick price changes, add specials, and feature new items without printing new menus.
2. Projection Displays
Impactful Images: Project your menu onto a wall or the ceiling using animation and light to add dramatic effect and attract attention.
Unique Ambiance: Create a unique ambiance by changing the projection to match themed events.
Interactive Elements: Incorporate games or interactive elements that customers can engage with while they decide what to order.
3. Chalkboard Art
Original Designs: Hire local artists to create original, eye-catching designs that can change with your menu.
Daily Specials: Using a section of the board for daily or weekly specials makes it easy to update with a few simple strokes.
Engaging: Engage customers while they wait by adding quotes, fun facts, or food trivia.
4. Magnetic Restaurant Menu Boards
Modular: Using magnets for menu items allows you to rearrange and make updates easily.
Interactive: Allow customers to vote for their favorite dishes.
5. Augmented Reality (AR)
Virtual Menus: Customers can scan QR codes on the menu board to see a virtual version of the dish on their smartphone.
Visual Storytelling: Use AR to tell the story behind each dish, including sourcing, nutritional value, and chef insights.
Social Buzz: Encourage customers to share their experience on social media, creating a buzz-worthy moment for your restaurant.
6. Sustainable Restaurant Menu Boards
Eco-Friendly: Use reclaimed wood, recycled materials, or other sustainable options for a rustic, eco-conscious vibe.
Living Walls: Make your menu design both functional and conversational by incorporating an indoor vertical garden.
Zero-Waste Messages: Highlight your commitment to sustainability by featuring zero-waste dishes or tips on reducing food waste.
7. Illuminated Restaurant Menu Boards
LED or Neon Menus: Use lights to make your menu board stand out in low-light settings.
Color-Coded Categories: Differentiate menu sections such as dessert, beverages, and side dishes with different colors for more user-friendly navigation.
Set the Mood: To create a cozy, lively, or romantic vibe, adjust the board’s lighting temperature.
8. Nostalgic Charm
Split-Flap Displays: Create a nostalgic yet modern menu board by using a split-flap display, reminiscent of old train stations
Rotating Menus: To keep customers engaged, have sections of your menu rotate on a timed basis.
9. Customer Engagement
Highlight Reviews: Feature customer reviews or favorite dishes directly on the board.
Social Integration: Create a sense of community by adding a live feed of customer posts tagged at your restaurant,
Customizable Orders: Allow customers to submit custom menu item ideas that can be featured as specials.
10. Artistic Restaurant Menu Boards
Art Integration: Create rotating art displays that incorporate your menu by collaborating with local artists.
Seasonal Flavor: Add a festive touch by changing the board’s design to reflect the season or special holiday.
Cultural Elements: Incorporate art and design elements to reflect your cuisine’s cultural heritage
Take Away
Menu boards are both design elements and marketing tools. By strategically implementing these innovative ideas, you can help make your customer experience more engaging, unique, and memorable, and keep your guests coming back for more.
By Eileen Strauss
