How to Set up a Digital Menu Sign in 5 Easy Steps

Looking to modernize your restaurant's menu display?

Digital signage has become an essential tool for modern restaurants, cafes, and bars. One of the most practical and cost-effective ways to display your menu is by turning your smart TV into a digital menu board.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a digital menu sign using your smart TV with minimal hassle and maximum impact.

How to create a digital menu sign with your smart TV

Digital menus offer numerous advantages over traditional printed menus. They’re easy to update, visually engaging, and help reduce costs associated with reprinting. With the right software, you can switch between breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus automatically or showcase daily specials. Plus, digital menus grab customer attention and create a modern, professional vibe in your establishment.

The best part? You don’t need to invest in expensive hardware. A smart TV with a web browser and a reliable digital signage platform are all you need to get started.

Step 1: Choose the right digital menu software

Before you start designing your menu, you need to choose the right digital signage software. The platform you select will impact the design process, scheduling, and overall functionality of your menu.

If you’re looking for a browser-based solution that doesn’t require additional hardware, consider using Juuno. It’s an affordable option that works on any smart TV with a web browser. Simply log into Juuno via your TV’s browser, and your menu will be ready to display.

When selecting software, look for these essential features:

Works with modern web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
Offers Canva integration for easy menu design
Allows automated scheduling for different menus throughout the day
Provides remote access for real-time updates

Juuno costs around $20 per screen per month, making it a budget-friendly choice for small businesses.

Step 2: Design your digital menu

Next, it’s time to design your menu. If you don’t have graphic design skills, don’t worry—you can use Canva, a user-friendly platform with over 7,000 menu templates. Juuno integrates seamlessly with Canva, allowing you to upload your design directly to your digital signage platform.

Tips for designing an effective menu:

Use Large Fonts: Ensure the text is legible from a distance. Customers should be able to read the menu clearly from where they’re standing.
Incorporate Your Branding: Use your restaurant’s colors, logo, and theme to make the menu visually consistent with your brand.
Include High-Quality Images: Mouthwatering photos of your dishes can help boost sales and enhance customer experience.
Organize Content Clearly: Group items by categories (e.g., appetizers, mains, desserts) and avoid clutter to make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.

Once your design is complete, download it as a PNG, JPG, or PDF file, and upload it to your menu display software.

Step 3: Mount your smart TV

Now that you’ve designed your menu, it’s time to set up your smart TV. Here’s how:

Choose the Right Location: Place your TV where it’s easily visible to customers, such as behind the counter or near the entrance.
Secure the Mounting: Use the appropriate mounting hardware to ensure your TV is securely attached to the wall. The mounting brackets should be rated for the size and weight of your TV.
Connect to Wi-Fi: Ensure your smart TV is connected to a stable internet connection to access your digital signage platform.

Step 4: Launch your digital menu

With your TV mounted and your design uploaded, it’s time to go live.

Log In to Your Software: Use the TV’s browser to navigate to your digital signage platform’s website. For Juuno users, log in to your account and launch your menu.
Check the Display: Make sure the menu appears as expected on the screen. Check for any formatting issues, and ensure the text and images are clear and legible from a distance.
Make Adjustments: If needed, go back to Canva or your design tool to tweak the menu. Then, re-upload the updated version.

Step 5: Schedule and update your menu

One of the biggest benefits of digital menus is their flexibility. You can create different menus for different times of the day and schedule them to switch automatically. For example, you can set a breakfast menu from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM and a lunch menu from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

If you need to update your menu items, prices, or promotions, you can do so remotely from your computer. Simply log into your digital signage platform, make the changes, and they will reflect on your TV in real time.

Best practices for digital menus

Here are some best practices to ensure your digital menu is effective and engaging:

Keep It Simple: Avoid overwhelming customers with too much information on the screen.
Use Bright, Contrasting Colors: This makes your menu easier to read and more eye-catching.
Update Regularly: Keep your menu fresh by updating seasonal items, promotions, and specials.
Add Visuals and Animations: Subtle animations can make your menu more dynamic and engaging.

5 best tools for setting up a digital menu sign

Here are the best tools for creating your digital menu sign.

1. Juuno

Juuno is a user-friendly digital signage solution tailored for small businesses. It simplifies menu creation and allows you to schedule updates throughout the day or week without hassle. Unlike complex enterprise systems, Juuno is straightforward and budget-friendly.

Key Features:

Canva integration for quick menu creation
Social media content support
Compatible with any TV’s web browser
White-label option for seamless branding
No additional hardware required
Automated content scheduling

Pricing: At just $5 per screen per month, Juuno offers an affordable way to manage digital menus for businesses of all sizes.

2. Pickcel

Pickcel is a versatile cloud-based digital signage tool that’s great for more than just menus. It also lets you stream live events, making it a useful choice for businesses wanting to showcase real-time content alongside their digital displays.

Key Features:

Works on various devices
Supports live Zoom streaming
Offers customizable design templates
Integrates with multiple content apps

Pricing: Pickcel’s Business plan is the most popular option, available for $22.50 per month per screen.

3. YoDeck

YoDeck makes it easy to showcase different types of digital content on smart TVs, from menus to employee updates and customer reviews. It’s a flexible option for businesses looking to engage their audience through dynamic displays.

Key Features:

Playlist creation for scheduled content
Performance reports for playback
Tag-based content organization
Supports various media formats
Live streaming capabilities

Pricing: The Enterprise plan is available for $12.99 per screen per month, offering robust features for businesses of any size.

4. DoPublicity

If your internet connection is unreliable, browser-based signage may not be the best option. In that case, DoPublicity offers a hardware-based solution that doesn’t depend on wifi. This can be a smart choice for restaurants in remote areas, though it’s less suited for businesses needing automated menu updates throughout the day.

Key Features:

Access to 2,500+ design templates
Supports various multimedia formats
Operates without an internet connection
Allows for remote content updates
Requires dedicated hardware

Pricing: The initial cost includes a $399 media player, followed by an annual fee of $59 per screen to keep the software active.

5. truDigital

truDigital is a flexible digital signage solution designed to serve multiple industries, including hospitality, education, and retail. However, it’s important to note that using their platform requires purchasing a dedicated media player.

Key Features:

Customizable design templates
Integrates with social media and various content apps
Supports scheduled playlists for automated updates
Includes pre-made animated visuals to boost engagement
Requires proprietary hardware for optimal use

Pricing: Their Gold plan costs $49 per screen per month, and hardware pricing begins at $249, depending on your specific offline and security needs.

Examples of digital menu signs

Check out these examples of digital menu signs.

1. Cafe menu

In this example, we see a cafe menu that is prominently displayed high up so customers can easily see what is available.

2. Kiosk ordering

This example shows a kiosk ordering station for a restaurant.

3. McDonald's digital menu

MacDonald's switched to digital menus to increase efficiency and lower labor costs.

Creating a digital menu sign with your smart TV is easier than ever. With the right software like Juuno and a bit of creativity, you can design an eye-catching menu that enhances your customers’ experience and boosts your business. Follow this guide, and you’ll have your digital menu up and running in no time—without the need for expensive hardware or technical expertise.

Check out Juuno for the easiest, most affordable digital signage software.