Last week I gave you my thoughts on #1-25 of Daniel Smith’s article “100 Ways to Improve Your Drive Thru.” This week I’ll take a look at #25-50. Similar to the first batch, there are certain suggestions that I don’t agree with. However, my opinion is merely that. Going through each item and being able to think about how it would affect your given location is what is most important. So take a read and let me know your thoughts.
Ways to Improve Your Drive-thru – Part 2
November 28, 2012 By Origin Display Group
Filed Under: Drive-thru Menu Boards
Ways to Improve Your Drive-thru – Part 1
November 21, 2012 By Origin Display Group
Just over a year ago in October of 2011, QSR Magazine published an article by Daniel P. Smith titled “100 Ways to Improve Your Drive Thru.” For the most part he has some insights that, if instituted, will surely improve your drive-thru operation. On the other hand, there are some head scratchers as well. In this first part of a four-part series, I am going to delve into numbers 1-25 and give you my expanded take on each item.
Filed Under: Drive-thru Menu Boards
Menu Board Ordering Checklist
November 19, 2012 By Origin Display Group
As you embark on your menu board ordering journey there are certain measures you should take into consideration. Remember, you are not ordering napkin holders or air fresheners for your restaurant, you are ordering the engine that could drive sales positively or adversely. It still amazes me that a lot of restaurant owners will not give menu boards a second thought when it comes to their overall operation. Objective #1 should be getting people to your restaurant, followed closely by Objective #2 which is selling what you want to sell to your customers. Menu boards play an intricate role in this. Instead, many will go the sign company route or put up a Coke/Pepsi/Boar’s Head freebie, but what is that going to do for you? Now for those who have the foresight and who are in the market for a new menu board system, the following checklist should help the process go smoother and end up yielding what you want.
Filed Under: Digital Menu Boards, Menu Boards
Industry Trends
November 9, 2012 By Origin Display Group
With our corporate headquarters being located in Long Island, NY, it has been a trying time for everyone in this area over the course of the last 12 days. Here at Origin Displays, we consider ourselves some of the lucky ones. We were without power for a handful of days but each of our employees and their families made it out safely – with little to no damange. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for those in surrounding areas. Being surrounded by and seeing the devastation so closely is something I have never experienced. However, in the face of catastrophe, my spirit has once been lifted again by the outpour of good in so many people. New Yorkers are often seen as obnoxious, with a “nothing can get us down” attitude. They’re simply full of bravado! It has been a compelling dynamic to see vulnerability sneak in only to have it bridged by people donating, opening their houses, and volunteering. With that said, many are not out of the woods yet but hopefully the end result will be stronger communities and a more robust infrastructure around our coastlines.
Sandy reared her ugly head, which left us and many other businesses in catch-up mode. Because of this, we weren’t able to get last week’s blog out to you. Over the course of the next several days we will be sure to make up for it. As for today, we are going to pause from talking menu boards and drive-thrus and highlight some interesting “goings-on” in the restaurant industry. There is a lot that is going on out there and staying on top of this can be a daunting task. Fear not, Origin Displays has done the leg-work to bring you some of the latest trends.
Filed Under: Industry News, Menu Boards
Menu Board Terms From A to Z
October 25, 2012 By Origin Display Group
The restaurant industry isn’t the most technical, nor is it the most confusing when it comes to the verbiage that is used, however I get the sense that there are instances when people on the other end of the phone are left scratching their heads when I use certain terms. To help curb some of the confusion, I have created an A to Z list of menu board terms that I often use. As you make your way through the list you’ll notice that they aren’t all exactly “technical terms.” Some refer to feelings you may have along the menu board process. And to be frank, coming up with terms for some letters was tough!
Filed Under: Digital Menu Boards, Menu Boards
Sometimes ‘Less is More’ When it Comes to Menu Boards
October 18, 2012 By Origin Display Group
When it comes time to buy your menu boards or to revisit your existing ones a lot of thought has to be given to how you set your menu boards up and what is actually going to go on to the panels. As far as how to set the boards up, a lot depends on your location and how you can make things work in the most effective way. Different footprints and different concepts should lead you in the appropriate direction. As for what goes on the menu boards, that is a different story. We live in a world where it is becoming more and more difficult to carve out a niche in the restaurant industry. I see Chinese restaurants now offering sushi, Italian restaurants with burgers on the menu, convenience stores with fried chicken and the list goes on. As a result these types of restaurants are ending up with enormous menus in an attempt to be “everything to everyone” and are spending way more than they should on their menu board system. In an attempt to minimize this, you should entertain the following 5 suggestions.
Filed Under: Menu Boards
Your Menu Board Questions Answered!
October 12, 2012 By Origin Display Group
As the days go by, and conversations are had, I have taken notice of some of the common questions that I get asked. I thought it may be useful to address some of them this week. The reason is two-fold. For one, they are more eloquently answered in written form and two, it can provide as a soundboard for questions that others are asking but what you may have yet to think about. A couple of notes to consider before reading the Q&A:
- For the most part, the questions are written in a formal way than how they are actually asked.
- Some of the questions aren’t actually stated, but insinuated through conversations. Put another way, they are questions that people are asking themselves.
Filed Under: Digital Menu Boards, Display Fixtures, Drive-thru Menu Boards, Menu Boards
How Digital Menu Boards Differ From Digital Signage
September 28, 2012 By Origin Display Group
I should probably start off this blog by stating that I am going to be using some generalities when speaking about what is needed in each scenario. The truth is, only you would know what would work best for your given situation. With that said, the price is important but should not be the determining factor unless it is absolutely necessary. When it comes to digital menu boards, we have spelled out what makes a true solution in the past. As far as digital signage, typically this is made up of one of the two main components of digital menu boards. For the most part this is the main difference between the two; however there are other instances where one make more sense than the other.
Filed Under: Digital Menu Boards, Menu Boards
Menu Board Companies Versus Sign Companies
September 20, 2012 By Origin Display Group
So it happened again, and it won’t be the last time. I shared a couple of conversations with an individual who was looking for menu boards. She did a search on Google, and BAM, there we were. Similar to most chats, we talked about different options and of course, price. Personally, my objective is always to get an idea of how they are currently doing it, how they have handled it in the past and why they are looking for a change at this time. Further, budget is always an important factor so that we do not waste each other’s time discussing ideas and options that are not feasible. I also tend to briefly delve in to what we do in the way of more “consultative” services to make sure we are creating something that will have an impact.
Filed Under: Digital Menu Boards, Menu Boards
Your Quick-Service Restaurant – Do it the Right Way!
September 17, 2012 By Origin Display Group
Another week is upon us which means it is time for another blog. As for this week, I thought I would talk about something that donned on me after I strolled in to a couple of new quick-service places for lunch last week. Being that I come from the industry you are reading about, I tend to micro-focus on how different places do different things. As is with any new business, there is this age-old saying from “Field of Dreams” that people tend to agree or disagree with:
If you build it, they will come.
Some would argue that in business, “If they come, then you build it.” I personally think that the right approach lies somewhere in the middle.
Filed Under: Display Fixtures, Industry News, Menu Boards
