How do I know if I need a preview board?
A preview board pays off fastest in drive-thrus that have line backups at peak times, frequently changing daily specials or limited-time offers that customers do not notice, and average ticket sizes that should be higher than they are.
If customers reach the speaker still asking "what are the specials?" or ordering the same default item every visit, a preview board is doing the work your main menu cannot, which is helping the customer decide before they pull up. It also gives your kitchen a head start on the order and keeps the line moving.
Presell Board with a wing graphic
Are digital menu boards better than static menu boards for drive-thrus?
Both work. Static menu boards have a lower upfront cost and no power or network requirements.
Digital menu boards let operators update promotions, prices, and dayparts instantly with no downtime, no printed graphic swaps, and no tools. Operators planning frequent menu changes typically see faster ROI from digital.
DT-FLEX-DD-AIO
Should I choose a static, digital, or hybrid menu board?
It depends on how often your menu changes, your power and network setup, and your upfront budget.
Static menu boards are a strong fit when prices and items stay stable for long stretches and you want the lowest install cost.
Digital menu boards make sense when you change promos, prices, or dayparts often enough that printed graphic swaps are slowing you down.
A hybrid menu board combines printed graphics and digital screens in the same cabinet, which lets you keep stable items static while running specials, prices, and dayparts on the digital portion.
The Howard Company DT-FLEX line takes that one step further: you can start with a static or hybrid cabinet today and upgrade the same hardware to fully digital later without ripping out the foundation, so you can phase the investment as your menu strategy evolves.
DT-FLEX-SDS-AIO (Hybrid)
What are wind load requirements for outdoor menu boards?
Outdoor drive-thru menu boards must be engineered to withstand the wind speeds defined by their local building code, typically referencing ASCE 7.
The required rating depends on geographic wind zone, exposure category, and mounting height. The Howard Company spec sheets list wind load ratings for every cabinet and digital display.
You are going to have to spend a little time researching your local code. The engineer will provide a drawing and calculation documentation meeting state requirements with a certified Engineering stamp. Additional requirements can be added at the local municipality level. Certified Structural Engineers may not know the unique nuances of each municipal code, so it is essential that anything beyond state and IBC requirements be part of the initial request. Failing to do this research at the outset could result in denied permits, additional costs, and construction delays.
Read the blog to learn more: https://www.howardcompany.com/blog/wind-load-impact-on-drive-thrus
How do I know if I need a drive-thru canopy?
A drive-thru canopy makes sense when weather, lighting, or equipment exposure is regularly affecting your lane.
The clearest signals are customers getting soaked in rain or snow before they reach the speaker, glare or sun fade washing out your menu board during certain hours, the order point being too dark at night for comfortable ordering, or digital displays degrading faster than expected from constant sun and moisture.
If your lane slows down or backs up every time the weather turns, that is a canopy decision waiting to be made. Operators in high-rain, high-snow, or high-sun regions tend to see the fastest payback.
Flat Top Canopy with speaker & DT-Choice Drive Thru Menu System
Meet the Artist
Tosia Xiong
As one of The Howard Company's in-house designers, Tosia works with operators every day, and that experience gives him a clear picture of what they actually deal with out in the field.
So he created this series as a different kind of conversation starter. No spec sheet, no jargon. Just a cast of characters facing a unique situation and finding a solution, in a way that is fun to read and gets you thinking about what the right drive-thru setup looks like for you.
"My favorite part about turning a drive-thru topic into a comic is coming up with silly situations for these characters to thrive in. Whether that's plopping them into a rainy day or introducing them to new and unique problems, it's always fun to come up with how they will handle the situation."
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