Best practices for showing specials on your digital menu

In the modern high-paced food service industry, attracting the attention of the customer and maximizing the average order value are more important than ever. Among the simplest means of doing the two is through the successful display of specials within your restaurant digital menu board​. Digital menus are not just items lists: they can be used strategically to promote products/services, limited time offers, and daily specials on a real-time basis. The following are some of the best practices to make your specials shine.

1. Motion as an Attention Getter

The digital menu board in your restaurant must use animation or slight movement to attract attention to your specials. This may incorporate a glowing frame, a smooth slide-in text or rotating banners that appear within a few seconds. Don t do it too much though, excessive movement may be distracting.

2. Putting Position Specials in Place

Location matters. Put place specials in a conspicuous place, and this is generally in the top or the middle of your screen. It is always better not to put them on the bottom where customers will not check them. In the case of longer digital menu boards that rotate or scroll, make sure the specials are put at the beginning of the loop.

3. Employ Quality Photos

A food that would otherwise taste rather mundane can become an insatiable temptation when it is presented in a bright, well-illuminated photograph. Add some mouth-watering images of your specials to assist customers in making quicker choices. Update the pictures frequently to reflect seasonal product or time-sensitive discounts.

4. Call Attention to Limited-Time Offers

Make it urgent by stating that your specials are available only today, or only a limited time, or it is the chef choice. When customers feel that they will miss the opportunity, they are likely to take action faster. Couple this messaging with a countdown or timer that the user can see, should your digital signage system permit it.

5. Time of Day Customization

The digital menu of your restaurant can be modified easily per time. Program the breakfast, lunch and dinner specials to be shown in the respective time. This makes your content current and the possibility of up selling with reference to what the customers desire at a certain point of time.

6. Easy Update Specials

Among the greatest benefits of a restaurant digital menu board is the possibility to update the content fast. Use this by rotating specials so that they are new and engaging. This can also assist you in clearing inventory on seasonal products or selling high-margin products.

7. Brand Colors and Fonts Use

Make sure your specials are in line with the general appearance of your menu. Use fonts and colors approved by the brand, so the promotion does not seem an abrupt addition to the customer experience.

8. Market Add-ons and Combos

You can promote upgrades in your specials section. As an illustration, you could write, e.g., not only Burger Special -7, but also Burger Special + Fries and Drink - 9.99. This bundling will be able to increase average ticket size and generate more value per transaction.

Final Tip

 Measure what counts. Monitor which specials are most successful and at what time, should your digital signage software contain analytics. This information will assist you in improving your marketing strategy in the long run.

When you use these best practices, your restaurant digital menu will become an effective marketing tool that can maximize customer engagement and increase sales and repeat purchases.