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

For quick-service restaurants (QSRs), dining halls, drive-thrus, and food service operators, digital menu boards are now table stakes in the competitive food service and restaurant industry. So, it’s important that your digital menu boards and everything it takes to run them well – like commercial-grade screens and software tailored to restaurant owners’ and operators’ needs – are optimized for scalability, growth in sales, and bottom lines.

For franchisors and franchisees who are ready to invest in digital menus for drive-thrus and indoor service, we’ve pulled together comparisons of the best platforms on the market for QSRs and fast casual restaurants. In this article, we’ll cover what makes WAND Digital the OptiSigns alternative digital menu platform for businesses in the QSR industry

WAND: A Digital Menu Platform Designed Specifically for QSRs

Focus on QSR Needs: WAND specializes in providing tailored digital menu board solutions for QSRs and fast-casual restaurants. Its platform integrates seamlessly with leading POS systems such as Revel, Toast, and PAR Technology’s Brink, creating a centralized hub for managing and updating menus efficiently. WAND’s industrial-grade hardware is designed to withstand the demands of drive-thru and indoor environments, offering unmatched durability and reliability.

Optimized for Performance and Growth: WAND Digital’s software is built to help restaurant operators get started quickly and scale effectively. Hosted on AWS and supported by an offline automatic playback system, WAND ensures reliability and smooth operation. Features such as dynamic displays, menu customization tools, day-parting capabilities, and award-winning menu design services empower operators to enhance customer engagement and streamline operations.

Comprehensive Support and Long-Term Solutions: With installation and onboarding services, content management resources, and ongoing customer support, WAND is dedicated to delivering a seamless experience for its clients. Whether you manage a single location or a franchise network, WAND provides the tools and expertise needed to grow your business with confidence.

OptiSigns: A General Digital Signage Solution

Broad Industry Focus: OptiSigns offers a versatile digital signage platform that serves a wide range of industries, including retail, healthcare, and corporate environments. While it provides basic digital menu capabilities, it is not specifically designed for QSRs or fast-casual dining. OptiSigns’ hardware recommendations include consumer-grade TVs and devices like Amazon Fire TV Sticks, which may not meet the durability and functionality requirements of a restaurant environment.

Limited QSR-Specific Features: OptiSigns does not include features like POS system integration in its base packages, making it less suitable for QSRs seeking a unified solution. Upgrading to their enterprise package for custom integrations adds to the overall cost, and the lack of focus on QSR-specific needs can result in a less tailored solution.

Short-Term Solutions: OptiSigns’ reliance on consumer-grade hardware may provide a lower upfront cost but often sacrifices longevity and reliability. Consumer-grade TVs are not designed for continuous commercial use, and their warranties typically exclude such applications. This can lead to higher replacement costs and operational disruptions over time.

Conclusion

WAND Digital is the superior choice for QSRs and fast-casual restaurants seeking a dedicated digital menu platform tailored to their unique needs. Its focus on reliability, growth, and industry-specific features ensures a scalable and long-term solution.

While OptiSigns may suit businesses with general signage needs, its lack of focus on QSRs and reliance on consumer-grade hardware makes it a less optimal choice for restaurants aiming to enhance operations and customer engagement.

Ready to get started with digital menu boards?

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 OptiSigns are for illustrative and educational purposes only. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by OptiSigns.

21st Dec 2022 John Phillips