If you want to make your restaurant more modern and appealing to today's tech-savvy customers, using digital menus is a great option.
When you think about a digital menu you probably think of the electronic menus provided at fast-food restaurants or casual dining establishments.
However, there are many different ways to creatively incorporate digital menus into your restaurant, regardless of its style or cuisine.
In this article, we're going to go over the benefits of switching to interactive menus, along with the different options available to you.
Benefits Of Using Digital Menus
Using digital menus is more than just a show. Many different benefits come with using them in your restaurant.
Cost-Effective
Constantly printing and updating traditional menus can be costly and time-consuming.
Updates
When you make updates to printed menus, you have to throw away the old ones and print brand-new ones. When it comes to updating interactive digital menus, it should only take a couple of minutes to edit a dish, add a new one, or change pricing.
Decision Making
Being able to see pictures and detailed descriptions of dishes can help customers make informed decisions about what to order. Almost every version of a digital menu allows you to see the food item, along with a short description to further entice the buyer.
Upselling Options
You can easily add promotions, specials, or side dish options to your digital menu which will help with upselling. You won't need to print out a whole bunch of flyers or promotional menus when you have the ability to add them directly to your interactive menu.
More Sustainable Environmentally
A 2020 survey by McKinsey found that over 60% of consumers prioritize sustainable products and brands. By adding a digital menu or menus and limiting the use of paper menus, your restaurant can contribute to a more sustainable environment, which in return will appeal to a growing number of environmentally conscious customers.
Types Of Electronic Menus You Could Implement
If you're curious as to which types of digital menus are out there and suitable for your restaurant, here's a list of some popular options:
#1 3D Menus Via QR Codes (Augmented Reality Menus)
This is a very minimalistic way to display your restaurant's menu to customers. All you have to do is create a QR code that links to your online menu and place it on the table or in an easily accessible area for customers to scan (with their smartphone). Once scanned, they'll be able to view your menu and also be able to see each dish you have to offer in a 3D model.
What Types Of Restaurants Are 3D Menus Good For?
3D Menus are good for just about anybody. However, they are great for restaurants whose customers come in and sit down to order. Implementing 3D menus gets rid of the hassle of sitting and waiting for the waiter or waitress to bring menus to the table. As soon as your customers sit down, they can scan the QR code and begin browsing your menu. This saves time for both you and your customers.
What Are The Benefits Of 3D Menus?
- Efficiency when it comes to ordering
- Customers could better decide on a dish if they can see it in 3D form
- They help reduce paper waste and are environmentally friendly
- Can be easily updated.
- Most platforms that provide 3D menus have analytics.
- 3D menus could increase sales due to the fact that customers can see your dishes in more detail which may make them want to order more.
Best Way To Add a 3D Menu To Your Restaurant
At CSCONNECT, we believe we are the best option because we allow you to create high-quality 3D versions of your dish at the best price.
This is because our 3D Genie app makes it easy to create 3D models of your dishes by simply taking pictures. Our app then generates the 3D model and allows you to add them to CSCONNECT campaign.
Here are the steps to get your Virtual 3D Menu going:
- Read the directions we give you in order to prepare to take pictures. This includes making sure your photos are well-lit and you have the right angles (and more).
- Take 100 pictures of each dish.
- Upload the pictures to the 3D Genie app. The app will then verify which models are good and not good by marking them in green or yellow.
- Once the ones marked in yellow are retaken, your 3D models will be complete and ready to add to your CSCONNECT Virtual Menu.
- You can then customize your Virtual 3D menu using your brand colors, fonts, and other design elements.
- Finally, you can use the generated QR code to display at your restaurant for customers to scan and view your 3D menu.
This may sound overwhelming and most people do get extremely overwhelmed when trying to implement something like Virtual 3D Menus. However, with CSCONNECT, we make it simple by:
- Providing you with a no-code platform to add your 3D models.
- Having a team that will help you with troubleshooting, the creative process, and pretty much whatever you need.
- Providing you with a 30-day full-access free trial so you can test out our services before committing to a plan.
Click here to get started now!
#2 Digital Menu Boards
As mentioned above, digital menu boards are probably the most common type of digital menu used in restaurants. You'll see them in fast food restaurants like McDonald's, Starbucks, Wendy's, and more.
What Types Of Restaurants Are Digital Menu Boards Good For?
These types of electronic menus are good for a couple of different types of restaurants. Basically, any place where customers have to stand in line to order is a good spot for a digital menu board. Some examples are:
- Fast food restaurants
- Cafes and coffee shops
- Ice cream parlors
- Sandwich shops
- Bars and Pubs
Benefits Of Using Digital Menu Boards
Here are the benefits of using digital menu boards in your restaurant:
- Customer awareness and efficiency: When customers are forced to look down at a printed menu, they are less aware of the people around them. When they are looking up to view the digital menu, they are more likely to be aware of their surroundings and move through the line more efficiently. This is good for both the customer and the restaurant, as it will potentially speed up the ordering process. Picture Starbucks without digital menu boards, with three people in line looking down at the printed menus. It would be a disaster.
- Fast food restaurants often add new food items by the season. Coffee shops tend to come out with new drink flavors on a regular basis. Digital menu boards allow these types of businesses to easily change their menus as often as they want.
- Lastly, digital menu boards allow restaurants to save money in the long run. While they are an upfront cost, over time they will save money on printing costs for physical menus.
#3 Kiosks/Tablets
Another way to provide an electronic menu experience is by using kiosks and tablets. These devices can be placed on tables or at designated stations within the restaurant for customers to browse and place their orders.
Who Are They Best For?
Kiosks or tablets are diverse in the way they could help restaurants. They could be used to speed up the process for busy restaurants in two ways.
- For restaurants that have long lines, kiosks or tablets can be placed in the waiting area to allow customers to browse and place their orders while they wait.
- For sit-down restaurants, kiosks or tablets can be placed at tables for customers to use throughout their dining experience. This allows them to place orders, request refills, and even pay their bill without having to wait for a server. It's great for restaurants that are backed up during rush hours and for customers who are in a hurry.
Benefits of Using Kiosks/Tablets
- They speed up the process when restaurants are busy.
- They have other experiences than just placing orders like playing games.
- A lot of them have the option to call your waiter or waitress so you don't have to wait for them to pass by.
- They are good for keeping kids busy.
#4 Interactive Table Menus
Much like tablets or kiosks, interactive table menus are another way to provide a unique and efficient dining experience. These menus are basically like big tablets that cover the whole table surface.
With interactive table menus, customers can browse the menu, place their orders, and even pay their bill. They can also play games and get entertained by additional features while they wait for their food.
Who Are They Best For?
Interactive table menus are for restaurants that want to provide an experience that's talked about long after the meal. They're great for themed restaurants and those looking to attract a younger crowd.
Everyone knows about tablets and kiosks, so going one step further with interactive table menus can really make your restaurant stand out.
Benefits Of Interactive Table Menus
There are a couple of specific benefits when it comes to interactive table menus.
- They are great for keeping kids busy.
- They increase word-of-mouth marketing because there's a high chance customers will talk about the experience.
- Customers won't have to wait as long to place their orders.
- Like digital menu boards, you could easily edit the menu.
#5 Voice Activated Menus
Natural Language Processing and machine learning have come a long way in the last couple of years.
Because of this, restaurants are now able to use voice-activated menus that allow customers to place their orders using just their voice.
These voice systems connect with your POS system, which allows for a seamless ordering experience.
Who Are They Best For?
Voice-activated menus are perfect for restaurants that offer a drive-thru experience. Customers can simply drive up, place their orders using natural language, and then pay.
Benefits Of Voice Activated Menus
- They are great for limiting mistakes in the ordering process. Humans can easily mishear or misunderstand orders, but technology is less likely to make these errors.
- They may speed up the process of taking orders, which can lead to faster service and happier customers. For the restaurant, this will increase sales and efficiency.
- Fewer people will drop out of the drive-thru line because the line will move much faster.
Takeaways
No matter what type of restaurant you are, there is an electronic menu option for you that will enhance the experience for both you and your customers.
