As the most dominant coffeehouse chain in the world, our client has serviced customers since the 1970s, providing them with various forms of coffee as well as teas, beverages, desserts, and light snacks. Their exceptional reputation has made their name synonymous with not only high-quality coffee, but also comfortable spaces where the public can go to relax, enjoy food, and do a myriad of other activities with friends, family, or by themselves. On its way to the top, the chain has also put itself at the forefront of corporate social responsibility, pledging to do more in all aspects of its business, from employee benefits to eco-friendly practices, specifically seeking out sustainable solutions in the retail space.
Due to the explosion in demand for take-out services as a result of the pandemic, along with the desire to offer a more flexible retail experience in general, the client began bolstering its drive-thru services at select locations while also updating the in-store menu setups in the same region. These decisions created a need for state-of-the-art displays which would provide newer technology better suited to today’s tech-savvy customers and also be versatile enough to keep up with the ever-changing menu and promotions developed by one of the most dynamic retail brands in the world. Furthermore, the use of these digital displays would also need to reduce the waste produced by the traditional menu boards that had been used by the chain in both their drive-thru lanes and inside their store, in order to be in line with their commitment to sustainability.
With previous successes using their innovative digital displays to help revamp the look of a major chain of convenience stores, AUO had a proven track record of quality and reliability which allowed the coffeehouse chain to trust AUO to provide them with a comprehensive solution that fit their needs. By employing AUO displays embedded with tailor-made -CMS(Content Management System), the coffee chain was able to transform the drive-thrus at select locations into technologically smart yet user-friendly experiences. Similarly, the behind-the-counter displays at more and more locations were also switched to digital menu boards to complete the refresh.
In terms of specific models, AUO offeredthe 46-inch and 55-inch Window Facing Digital Signage for the coffeehouse chain’s drive-thru menu boards, while in-store menu boards were switched over to AUO’s 55-inch Super Slim-Signage.
![](/media/img/comp004/market/digital-display-menu-board/scene1.jpg)
By supporting visual content in multiple formats, both models allowed the client to present the customers with multi-faceted displays that incorporated dynamic images, videos, and – in the case of drive-thrus – real-time video-feeds. The ability to use eye-catching images and videos, optimized by the top-notch specs of the displays, gave each coffee house the ability to communicate relevant information efficiently in a way that reinforced the refined brand image that the coffeehouse has cultivated since day one. Similarly, the support for video feeds with the Window Facing Digital Signage used at the drive-thrus allowed the coffeehouse to add a personable touch to their service by letting customers see their server in real-time as they discuss their orders.
![](/media/img/figure001/successful-story/menu-board-drive-thru-retail/coffee-shop.jpg)
The integration of AUO’s content management software into each display gave the coffee chain full flexibility in designing relevant content for the displays that could also be changed at the drop of a hat. Thus, the chain could push out promotions using creative designs when needed and continually update their menus with new/seasonal items, all while ensuring a consistent visual language thanks to central management of each display.
![](/media/img/figure001/successful-story/menu-board-drive-thru-retail/digital-display.jpg)
The implementation of AUO’s comprehensive solution of displays effectively answered all the challenges in the client’s brief, particularly since the pilot program included a number of higher traffic concept cafes (many with drive-thru windows). This success has led the coffee chain to plan further roll outs of AUO Digital Display Menus Boards at 25 to 30 more locations, and Window Facing Digital Signage displays at 8 more drive-thrus.
As the client’s overarching plans to accommodate their customer’s increasingly diverse take-out preferences includes construction of more cafes with drive-thru windows, AUO will continue to work in tandem with them to ensure that these new locations are equipped with displays that will offer the consumer the most enjoyable experience in their busy day.