Static Menus are Cheap.
But Are They Costing You Sales?
Plastic posters from 2019 don't crash. They also can't run a "Rainy Day" special or upsell a high-margin combo.
Calculate your Breakeven Point. How little sales lift do you actually need to pay for digital?
Calculate ROI Now →
3-minute clear math. No email required.
Fact: A 3% lift in sales usually pays for a digital system in under 14 months.
The Math of Motion
This calculator isn't about hype. It's about math. We compare two futures for your business:
- 1. Stay Static: Lower upfront cost, but slow reaction time, expensive shipping, and continuous reprint fees.
- 2. Go Digital: Higher CapEx initially, but zero marginal cost for updates, increased ticket size, and operational agility.
Methodology
We analyze 5-year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) including:
- Hard Costs: Hardware, Installation, CMS Licenses, Electricity.
- Recurring Costs: Printing, Shipping, Maintenance.
- Hidden Costs: Labor hours for swapping posters (approx 15min/panel).
Benchmarks based on QSR Magazine and Industry Standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does digital make more financial sense than static?
Digital typically wins when you change menus more than 4 times per year, have 3+ locations, run daypart-specific menus, or need real-time price/availability updates.
What hidden costs do restaurants miss with static menu boards?
Commonly overlooked static costs include staff labor for swapping panels, rush printing fees, inconsistent pricing during transitions, inventory of outdated panels, and opportunity cost of not running time-sensitive promotions.
How is break-even point calculated?
Break-even = (Digital Initial Cost - Static Initial Cost) divided by (Annual Static Recurring - Annual Digital Recurring). For example, if digital costs $12,000 more upfront but saves $4,000/year, break-even is 3 years.
How much do menu reprints really cost?
Full reprint costs vary: single panel $100-200, backlit translucent $150-300, large-format vinyl $200-400. A 4-location restaurant with 4 panels each, updating 6 times per year at $150/panel = $14,400 annual reprint cost alone.