Vendors Lie about Price.
Here is the Real Cost.
They quote you the screen ($4k). They forget the mount, the installation, the permit, the trencher, and the media player.
Your "$15k project" is actually a $40k nightmare waiting to happen.
Calculate True TCO →
Don't get blind-sided. 2-minute check.
The "Hidden Cost" Revealer: Did you budget for wind load engineering? Or permit expediting? Our tool adds them automatically unless you uncheck them.
Budget Without the "Gotchas"
We break down your costs across 5 years, exposing what vendors bury in the fine print:
- Hardware: Screens, mounts, and weatherproof canopies.
- Construction: Trenching, electrical runs, concrete pads.
- Software: CMS licenses and content creation fees.
- Maintenance: Replacement parts and specialized labor.
Methodology
Our calculator uses 2024 industry pricing benchmarks from major manufacturers (Samsung, LG, Peerless-AV) and QSR deployment case studies.
We factor in volume discounts (10%+ for multi-location), installation complexity, and recurring operational costs like electricity (based on 500W/screen typical usage).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a drive-thru digital menu board cost?
A complete outdoor digital menu board system typically costs $8,000-$25,000 per lane point, including commercial-grade outdoor display, weatherproof enclosure, media player, installation, and first-year CMS licensing.
Why are outdoor displays more expensive than indoor?
Outdoor commercial displays require high-brightness panels (5-10x brighter than TVs), weatherproof IP65+ rated enclosures, industrial cooling/heating systems, anti-glare coatings, and commercial-grade components rated for 24/7 operation.
What is the 5-year TCO?
For a 3-location, 4-screens-per-location deployment, expect $120,000-$250,000 over 5 years when factoring in electricity, maintenance, and software fees.