Digital menu boards: what you need and what they cost
Short answer: a digital menu board is a commercial screen over your counter, a small player behind it, and software that lets you change a price from your phone. As a guide, one 43" board costs about £1,778 + VAT in the first year, fitted, and a set of three about £3,434 + VAT. Here's what goes into that.
By Shaun Davies, Director, Knightsoft Media
What a digital menu board is made of
Every menu board, whether it's one screen in a café or a row of three over a takeaway counter, has the same four parts.
- The screen. A commercial screen is built to run all day, every day, and is brighter than a domestic TV. Our wall screens are rated for 18 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a 3-year warranty.
- The player. A small box behind the screen that plays your menu. It keeps a copy of your content, so the board carries on if the internet drops. A player comes with every screen we supply.
- The software. Our own Knightsoft CMS runs in a web browser, so you change prices and dishes from your phone, tablet or computer. We set it up, show you how it works and keep an eye on your players.
- The menu itself. Either a Google Sheet that drives the board, or a designed menu made in your brand. You can make your own, or we can design it for you.
How many screens, and what size?
It depends on how much is on your menu and how far back people stand.
- One screen suits a café or a short menu. A 43" screen is the usual choice over a counter; a 32" fits a small counter or a spot by the door.
- A set of three is the classic takeaway layout: breakfast, mains and drinks each get their own screen, run as one menu. Our menu board set is three matching screens with brackets, players and set-up included.
- Keep the text big. We design menu boards to be read from the back of the queue, not from the till. Fewer items per screen, in bigger type, sells more than a crowded board.
Can I use the TV I've already got?
Yes. Any screen with an HDMI input can run one of our players, so you can start with the TV you have and swap it for a commercial screen later. Over a hot counter, running from open to close, a commercial screen tends to last longer and stays readable in bright light. More in our guide: can you use a normal TV for digital signage?
Changing the menu
This is the bit that saves you money every week. No reprinting, no stickers, no ladder.
- Prices from a spreadsheet. Keep your menu in a Google Sheet. Change a price in the sheet and every board updates.
- Menus by time of day. Schedules switch from breakfast to lunch to evening at the times you choose, every day, without anyone touching a thing.
- Sold out? Take the dish off the sheet from your phone and it comes off the board. Put it back when it's ready.
- Offers and QR codes. Push a meal deal on a quiet Tuesday, or add a QR code for ordering, bookings and reviews.
What digital menu boards cost
Our prices, all ex VAT. Screens, brackets, set-up and installation are one-off; the software is per screen per year.
| Item | Price | How often |
|---|---|---|
| 32" commercial screen | £299 | One-off |
| 43" commercial screen | £499 | One-off |
| 55" commercial screen | £649 | One-off |
| Wall bracket | £39 | One-off, per screen |
| Player | Included with each screen we supply | |
| Knightsoft CMS licence | £395 per screen for 1–2 screens, £325 for 3–5, £275 for 6–9, £249 for 10 or more | Per screen, per year |
| CMS set-up | £595, however many screens | One-off, per business |
| Installation | £250 per engineer, per day | One-off |
| Menu design | Free if you make it yourself; priced to your brief if we do | As needed |
Two worked examples
- One 43" board over a café counter: screen £499 + bracket £39 + CMS £395 + set-up £595 + installation £250 = £1,778 + VAT in the first year, then £395 a year.
- Three 43" boards over a takeaway counter: screens £1,497 + brackets £117 + CMS £975 (3 screens at £325) + set-up £595 + installation £250 = £3,434 + VAT in the first year, then £975 a year. Bought as our menu board set, it's quoted as one job.
Already got screens? Then it's the players, the CMS and set-up only. Put your own numbers into the quote calculator for a price in about a minute, or see the full breakdown in how much does digital signage cost in the UK?
Common questions
How do I change a price on a digital menu board?
Open your Google Sheet or Knightsoft CMS on your phone, change the price, and the board updates. There's nothing to install on your computer.
Can the menu change by time of day?
Yes. Set a schedule once and the board switches between breakfast, lunch and evening menus on its own, every day.
What happens if the internet goes down?
The board carries on showing your menu. Each player keeps a copy of your content and picks up any changes when the connection comes back.
Do I need a TV Licence for a menu board?
No. Screens that only show your own menus, offers and information don't need a TV Licence. You only need one if the screen shows live TV.
How long does it take to install?
Usually 1–2 weeks from order, depending on stock and the screens you choose. A player for a screen you already own can usually be set up sooner.
Will you design the menu for us?
Yes. Our design team makes menu boards and motion adverts in your brand, priced to your brief, or you can upload your own pictures and prices. See our content work.
What we'd suggest
Start with the screens you need today, not the biggest set you can imagine. One good 43" board with a clear menu does more than three cluttered ones. If you're not sure, book a free demo and we'll show you a menu board changing from a phone, or call us on 01772 757330. Menu boards for restaurants, takeaways and cafés are what we fit most.
See how easy it is
Book a free demo. We'll show you Knightsoft CMS live, by video call or in person, and answer your questions.