How Much Does Drive-Thru & Menu Board Installation Cost?

How Much Does Drive-Thru & Menu Board Installation Cost?

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Drive-Thru? (Indoor Menu Boards Too)

Most people land here for drive-thru — and that's where we'll start. But this guide covers everything we install: outdoor fixtures, digital menu boards, headset and communication systems, indoor menu boards, and graphics. All estimates are for installation labor only. Equipment costs are separate.

Who is responsible for what? See the Roles & Responsibilities Guide →

Site Surveys

A professional site survey ensures accurate quotes and identifies site-specific requirements before installation begins. Surveys assess electrical infrastructure, mounting locations, conduit paths, and foundation needs.

Service Estimated Cost What's Included
Outdoor Site Survey $450 – $600 Drive-thru lane assessment, fixture placement, electrical/foundation review
Indoor Site Survey $350 – $450 Menu board placement, mounting options, network/power requirements
Technology Survey $340 – $500 Headset, timer, OCS, and loop connection requirements

* Locations more than 50 miles outside a major metropolitan area will be higher due to travel time.

Outdoor Digital Menu Boards, Fixtures & Structures

Outdoor installations encompass menu boards, canopies, speaker posts, clearance bars, and directional signage. Costs vary significantly based on scope and site conditions. Pricing assumes conduit and footers are already in place.

Service Estimated Cost Notes
Outdoor Fixtures Package $4,000 – $6,000 Menu boards, canopies, clearance bars, speaker posts. Requires all items in scope.
Drive-Thru Menu Board $3,000 – $5,000 Pedestal-mount digital or static systems. Screens not included.
Foundation & Sweeps $4,000 – $8,000+ Concrete foundation, conduit sweeps for new builds. Handled by GC; Howard can provide guidance.
Outdoor Digital Monitor (fixture already set) $800 – $1,200 2-person job.
⚠ Site readiness matters. Pricing assumes conduit and footers are complete prior to arrival. If our team arrives and the site is not ready, a return-trip charge will apply. Permitting costs may also apply and are passed through at actual cost.

Headset & Communication Systems

Drive-thru communication systems are essential for efficient order-taking. Installation includes base-station setup, cable runs from speaker/mic to base station, and professional testing.

Service Typical Cost Notes
Headset System – Single Lane ~$1,100 Base station, cable runs, 3rd-party tech
Headset System – Dual Lane $1,400 – $1,800 For locations with two drive-thru lanes
Timer System $900 – $1,100 Speed-of-service timer installation
Vehicle Detector Loop (Saw Cut) $900 – $985 In-ground loop for vehicle detection

Site must provide conduit for cable runs and power outlets at base station and charging station locations.

Regional Price Variations

Installation costs vary by region due to differences in labor rates, permitting requirements, and local market conditions. The index below compares regional costs to the national average (100 = national average).

Service Northeast Southeast Midwest Southwest West
Headset Systems 100 100 100 100 100
Vehicle Detector Loops 109 100 100 100 106
Outdoor Fixtures 143 111 111 125 97
Digital Indoor Menu Boards 89 105 103 94 150
Site Surveys 100 100 100 96 117
Timer Systems — 90 106 90 93

Index: 100 = National Average  |  Green = Below Average  |  Yellow = Slightly Above  |  Red = Significantly Above

Key Regional Insights

  • Northeast: Outdoor fixtures run 43% above national average due to stricter permitting and higher labor costs. Digital indoor installations are 11% below average.
  • West (CA, CO, WA, etc.): Digital indoor menu boards are 50% above national average—the highest regional premium. Site surveys also run 17% higher. Outdoor fixtures are at or below average.
  • Southwest (TX, AZ, OK, NM): Outdoor fixtures are 25% above average, but digital indoor and timer systems are slightly below average—good value for interior upgrades.
  • Southeast & Midwest: Generally at or near national averages across most categories, offering predictable pricing.

Indoor Menu Board Systems & Graphics

We also install indoor digital and static menu boards, and handle interior graphics. Installation includes monitor mounting, CAT6 cable runs, network configuration, and system testing.

Service Estimated Cost Notes
Digital Indoor Menu Board System – Mounting & Hanging Screens $1,000 – $2,200 Wall/ceiling mount. Number of screens, placement, and wall material affect cost.
Digital Connections (per monitor) $250 – $400 per 100' run Low-voltage connection and network setup. Up to 100' of CAT6 or HDMI per monitor. Requires minimum one network port per monitor with open firewall.
Indoor Static Menu Boards $1,200 – $1,800 Wall/ceiling mount. Number of panels, placement, and wall material affect cost. Does not include any electrical work.
Interior Graphics Installation $2,000 – $3,750 Menu board graphics, window graphics, decals, branding signage, etc.

Factors That Affect Installation Cost

  • Site conditions — Existing infrastructure, accessibility, distance from electrical panels, weather

  • Geographic location — Labor rates and permitting requirements vary significantly by region

  • After-hours work — Typically adds $350–$500+ per technician

  • Permitting — Passed through at actual cost; some jurisdictions require 4–6 weeks for approval

  • Foundation work — New builds requiring concrete and conduit add $4,000–$8,000+

  • Multi-site projects — Volume pricing may be available for franchise rollouts

  • Return trips — If the site is not ready upon arrival, a return-trip charge will apply

What's Included vs. What You Provide

✓ Howard Company Provides

  • Professional 3rd-party technicians
  • Equipment mounting and placement per specifications
  • Cable runs and connections (up to 100' per monitor for digital)
  • System testing and verification (in-person and remote)
  • Coordination with site management and general contractors

△ You or Your GC Provides

  • Electrical outlets at installation points
  • Conduit for cable runs
  • Network ports with open firewall (digital systems)
  • Foundation/footers for new outdoor installations
  • Licensed electrician for final hook-up (not included in our price)
Not sure who handles what? Our Roles & Responsibilities guide breaks down every task across Howard, your team, your GC, the electrician, and the LV tech—so nothing falls through the cracks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the installation price include electrical work?

No. Final electrical hookup is not included in our installation pricing. You will need to contract a licensed electrician separately for final connections. We coordinate with your GC but do not supply or contract licensed electricians.

What happens if the site isn't ready when your team arrives?

A return-trip charge will apply. Before scheduling, we ask the customer to confirm that power, network, conduit, and site access are all ready. Completing a pre-install verification step prevents this.

Do you handle permits?

Permitting is typically the customer's or GC's responsibility. However, Howard Company can manage permitting upon request—costs are passed through at actual cost. Note that some jurisdictions require 4–6 weeks for permit approval, so start early.

How long after ordering will installation be scheduled?

Allow 1–2 weeks after order placement to be contacted by our Installation Team for scheduling and further instructions. Production begins after full payment is received.

Is there a warranty on installation?

Yes. A 30-day post-installation warranty applies to errors in the installation. Product warranties are separate and vary by manufacturer.

Are pricing estimates available for multi-site or franchise rollouts?

Yes. Volume pricing may be available for franchise rollouts and multi-site projects. Contact us for a custom quote tailored to your scope.