Best Digital Menu Boards for Quick-Service Restaurants: WAND Digital vs NCR

Digital messaging and signage are essential for retail and food service establishments aiming to enhance customer experience and grow their business. However, with various options available, selecting the right digital platform can be challenging. This comparison outlines key differences between WAND Digital Software and NCR’s solutions, helping you make an informed decision.

WAND: A Cloud-Based Digital Menu Solution Designed for QSRs

Focus on Digital Menus: WAND specializes in cloud-based digital menu boards, seamlessly integrating with POS systems to create a centralized hub for managing, updating, and powering menus. Hosted on AWS, WAND ensures reliability through an offline automatic playback system.

Tailored for Growth: Designed specifically for QSRs and fast-casual restaurants, WAND’s platform supports revenue growth, operational efficiency, and enhanced customer engagement. Its dynamic displays and customizable menu tools are key assets for franchise operators looking to streamline their digital strategy.

Comprehensive Support: WAND offers 24/7/365 customer support from its headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Clients benefit from expert assistance, a collaborative partnership, and award-winning menu design services. Reviews consistently highlight WAND’s ease of use and excellent customer relationships.

NCR: POS Systems with Digital Menus as an Add-On

Primarily a POS Solution: NCR’s offerings for restaurants revolve around its Aloha POS system, with digital menu management as a secondary feature. The Aloha platform is available in two versions:

• Aloha Cloud: A cloud-based POS that excludes digital menu management features.
• Aloha Essentials: A non-cloud-based option that includes basic digital menu capabilities.

Broad Industry Focus: While NCR serves multiple industries, including banking and retail, its restaurant solutions are not specifically tailored to QSRs or fast-casual dining. This can lead to higher customization costs and longer implementation timelines for franchise operators in these sectors.

Customer Service Challenges: NCR offers global customer support but has faced criticism for inconsistent service quality. Merchant Maverick’s review highlights frequent complaints, and NCR holds a D- rating on the Better Business Bureau, with unresolved issues related to product performance and billing.

Conclusion

WAND is the ideal choice for QSRs and fast-casual restaurants seeking a dedicated, cost-effective digital menu platform to boost engagement, increase sales, and streamline operations. Its tailored approach, reliable support, and focus on the restaurant industry make it a standout option.

For those requiring a comprehensive POS overhaul with a larger budget and extended timelines, NCR’s Aloha system may be worth exploring. However, its less specialized focus on digital menus and potential service drawbacks should be considered carefully.

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Disclaimer: All information was obtained from public sources on or around the date of publishing this article and may have changed since then. References to NCR are for illustrative and educational purposes only. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by NCR.

15th Jul 2022 John Phillips