Nowadays, everything is digitized. From what we see, how we write and communicate, how we buy and sell, and so on. Like any industry, the restaurant industry continuously finds new ways to improve the dining experience for customers, streamline operations, and boost sales.
One such innovation is using digital menus, which are becoming increasingly popular, and for a good reason. Since the pandemic, digital menus have become the norm for restaurants. They have since been developed and enhanced to benefit customers and restaurant owners in the best ways possible. In this article, we will explore the benefits of digital menus for restaurants and their impact on customer service and restaurants’ overall performance.
What is a Digital Menu?
A digital menu, also known as an electronic menu or e-menu, is a digital version of a restaurant menu. It is displayed on a screen instead of paper and accessed through a website, a mobile app, a tablet, or a display screen. Digital menus typically feature images, descriptions, and prices of the items served at the restaurant.
Digital menus are two-fold; some digital menus limit customers from browsing the menu and making informed decisions, but they still require the serving staff to make orders. Other menus allow customers to customize and place their orders themselves.
Fast food restaurants usually use large menu boards typically displayed behind the counter. These boards may also include visuals such as short videos featuring delicious shots of the dishes and even the preparation process of the restaurant’s best-selling dishes.
Now that we have gone through different digital menu types, let’s discuss their incredible benefits!
The Benefits of Digital Menus for Restaurants
Improve Customer Experience
Traditional menus are limited in what they can display, while digital menus are more engaging and interactive. The latter displays high-quality images and videos of the menu items, detailed descriptions, and nutritional information. Customers can use this information to make better choices and enjoy a better dining experience.
Moreover, digital menus can offer a more personalized experience. For example, the software can display recommendations based on your customers’ previous orders or reveal menu items that are popular among other customers. This will help customers find new options that align with their usual taste or discover items that are exciting and loved by many.
Boost Sales!
Digital food menu boards can boost sales significantly!
How?
By upselling and cross-selling: Digital menus can help promote a new item on the menu and suggest add-ons or complementary items, such as drinks or side dishes, which can increase the overall value of the sale.
By attracting attention: Digital menus help draw customers’ attention to certain items and increase the likelihood of purchase thanks to the use of bright colors, animations, and dynamic content.
By promoting specials: Digital menus help create a sense of urgency towards daily specials and limited-time offers, encouraging customers to try new items and take advantage of special deals.
Increase Efficiency
Waiting a long time to make an order can be very frustrating to many customers.
One of the biggest advantages of digital menus for restaurants is that they can improve the speed and efficiency of the ordering process. Menu software self-ordering kiosks, namely our Foodics Kiosk, allow customers to select their items and order from the digital menu. This technology significantly reduces wait times and improves the restaurant’s overall flow. Also, it can display wait times, giving customers an estimate of how long they will have to wait for their order.
Also read: 9 Reasons Why Self-Service Kiosks Are The Future Of Ordering
Cost-Effective
Say goodbye to printing menus!
Printing menus can be costly, especially if you make updates regularly. In addition to the cost of paper and ink, you are paying for the time it takes to complete the process.
In contrast, digital menus can be updated easily and quickly and customized to display promotional offers and specials. Restaurants operating in countries with a high propensity for currency fluctuations can greatly benefit by digitizing their menus, as it enables them to update prices regularly.
This will not only help restaurants save money on printing costs but also reduce waste.
Promote Flexibility and Creativity
Digital menus allow you to be more flexible when it comes to customization. For example, your restaurant may have a different menu for lunch and dinner or different offers every day. When the hassle of printing out new menus is gone, you will be less reluctant to make changes. You will find creative ways to spice up your menu and drive more sales through prompt promotions and offers.
This is especially true for digital menu boards, where you can display creative videos of your chef preparing one of your famous dishes or mouth-watering shots of your menu items. It will not only entertain customers while waiting for their food to arrive, but it will also influence their choices.
Eco-Friendly
Digital menus help restaurants reduce their carbon footprint and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. They are more environmentally friendly than traditional printed menus, as they eliminate the need for paper and ink. Moreover, they reduce the amount of waste generated by the restaurant.
Conclusion
Going digital with your menu is inevitable. Plus, it is more convenient for you and your customers. It elevates the customer experience and helps you reduce costs, boost sales, and promote your items in the best ways possible.
When it comes to the digital world, the sky is your limit, so get creative and make your menu more irresistible than ever!
