Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) rely on high-quality outdoor digital menu boards to showcase their offerings and enable seamless transactions. But not only do menu boards need to provide a standout customer experience, they need to be cost-effective, easy to install and service, and durable enough to withstand harsh climates. However, for QSR groups and franchisees, finding a reliable supplier that addresses all of these considerations can be a tall order.
That’s why we designed our own line of single, double, and triple-panel outdoor digital menu boards from the ground up.
Now in their second generation, you can find Nu-Way Industries’ outdoor digital menu boards in the drive-thrus of global QSR brands, including Tim Hortons, White Castle, and Popeyes, as well as at many other local and regional QSR chains.
Leveraging Integrated Manufacturing for Cost-Effective Outdoor Digital Menu Boards
As a contract manufacturer, we know that costs are a key consideration for everyone in the supply chain. That’s why cost was a top-of-mind concern when we designed our outdoor digital menu boards. But achieving lower costs without compromising features or quality isn’t an easy task.
However, with our vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities, we have an advantage. By leveraging our in-house sheet metal fabrication capabilities, including laser cutting, sheet metal forming, welding, and finishing, we’re able to manufacture durable metal housings for outdoor digital menu boards entirely within our Chicago-based metal fabrication facility. Then, with our in-house assembly services, we integrate weather-proof Samsung or LG panels and optional high-quality audio systems into the housings, enabling QSRs to provide customers with a feature-rich drive-thru experience.
By performing all of this in-house instead of relying on outside vendors for assembly and finishing, we’re able to control the manufacturing process from start to finish, ensuring quality at every step and the lowest possible cost for our customers.
Essential Design Considerations for Reliability, Serviceability & Ease of Installation
When designing and manufacturing products, there are always challenges to overcome and opportunities to innovate. While manufacturing outdoor digital menu boards may seem fairly straightforward, there are actually many nuances that need to be considered. This is particularly true when it comes to ease of installation, serviceability, and the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
Streamlined Shipping and Installation
Outdoor digital menu boards are large, heavy sheet metal products that can present a logistical challenge. Often, these are shipped from various suppliers in different pieces and must be assembled on-site before installation. However, with our approach—and because of our extensive manufacturing capabilities—we’re able to manufacture outdoor digital menu boards that ship as a pre-configured system on a single pallet with an included installation kit.
Although you can technically install our outdoor digital menu boards yourself, we don’t recommend it; instead, we suggest leveraging our network of experienced technicians and site integrators to ensure reliable and hassle-free installation.
Designed with Serviceability In Mind
Serviceability is an important factor when investing in any piece of equipment, and outdoor digital menu boards are no exception. While many of these products require a full menu board replacement if one of the panels fails, we designed ours with replaceable screens and optional protective glass display covers. That means, should a board get damaged, a service technician can easily swap out a panel and quickly have the full menu board back in working order.
Additionally, to make the electronic components easy to service, we enclosed the electronics within a separate easily accessible locked compartment—a change based on in-the-field feedback from our first design iteration. Not only does this make servicing the electronic components much simpler, but it also enables restaurant owners and managers to prevent unauthorized service providers or employees from attempting to perform repairs.
Engineered to Withstand Hurricane-Force Winds
One of the biggest challenges we encountered when designing an outdoor digital menu board was creating a design that would withstand strong winds—this is a critical consideration for outdoor products like this with large, flat surface areas that act like a sail in high wind conditions. However, in addition to wind speed, we also had to consider the installation environment, specifically the soil classification and foundation.
To ensure this aspect of the design was absolutely correct, we worked with a professional engineering company to refine our designs to increase wind load resistance. Now we can confidently say that when installed properly, our outdoor digital menu boards are rated to withstand Category 5 hurricane-force winds of up to 170 miles per hour when installed on our recommended foundation.
Nu-Way Industries: Your Source for High-Quality Outdoor Digital Menu Boards
Whether you’re opening a new quick-service restaurant or remodeling an existing location, our outdoor digital menu boards provide a long-lasting, high-quality drive-thru experience. With one board for pre-orders and a three-board system as the main menu board, no matter where your customers are in line, they’ll be able to see your menu offerings, hear your promotions, and interact with your staff with ease.
While there are many other menu board solutions on the market, when you come to Nu-Way Industries for your outdoor digital menu boards, you can be sure you’re getting the highest-quality product available. Designed and fabricated with precision just outside of Chicago, we’ve carefully engineered our menu boards for reliability, serviceability, and ease of installation. But most importantly, we’ve designed them to provide an ideal customer experience. Interested in learning more about our outdoor digital menu boards or getting a quote for your quick-service restaurant? Contact us today and let’s discuss your needs!