KFC continues to bet on digital signage with NEC and Raspberry Pi displays

In its fast-food outlets in Germany, it has installed large-format NEC screens, in the sales area, based on the MultiSync P484 models of 48 inches and P404 40 Inch. Some computers that are used as menu boards and incorporate Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3.

KFC continues to rely on new technologies to stay ahead of the competition. This time he does it using the screens NEC Display Solutions integrated with the Raspberry Pi solution.

In the ranking of the largest companies in the restaurant industry, This chain began 2018, Your Jubilee Year, with record sales in Germany. In 2017, They opened up 15 KFC restaurants in this country along with several new branches in Austria and a planned entry program for Switzerland.

KFC changes its menu more than six times a year. In addition, There are special offers and promotions that change daily. Established for a long time 50 years in Germany, KFC plans to appeal to a young audience and focus on the individual needs of its customers.

Traditionally, Product presentation has taken the form of rotating screens or interchangeable posters and menu cards. However, with more than 160 branches in Germany only, Changing posters and menu cards is very expensive and time-consuming. Consequently, to draw attention to any short-term promotions, There's little wiggle room when it involves changing menu offerings over the course of the day.

This is why KFC, together with the advertising agency, m&r Kreativ, decided to integrate digital menu boards. “Unlike the analog alternative, Digital Menu Boards Emphasize KFC's Modern Brand Presence. Enable a combination of flexible product presentation, Info & Entertainment & Customer Engagement. You can provide your customers with better information and positively influence their purchasing decisions”, explains Lisa Probst, IT Director of m&r Kreativ.

In cooperation with IT-Haus, large-format NEC professional displays have been installed in the sales area. These include MultiSync P484 models from 48 inches and P404 40 Inch, solutions that integrate Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3.

Thanks to its brightness of 700 cd/m² and anti-reflective coating on screens, The range of foods on offer is optimally presented, Readable even in bright ambient conditions. The modern, slim design fits into the brand's modern interior design. Brand recognition is also guaranteed as KFC's iconic colors, white on bright red, reproduce accurately.

High-quality components ensure that the displays can be used in continuous operation, A critical factor for fast food outings. The Function of Administration and Maintenance, Easy to use, Ensures central control of displays, which saves company time and resources.

Thanks to the OMi interface, The origin of the screen content is integrated into the screen, simplifying device installation, and reliability is assured as no wiring is required between the source and the display.

“A very special aspect is the innovative Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3. It is extremely robust and can withstand 24 use×7 without any problem. The NEC edition of the module impresses with its additional functionality that is specially designed for use in digital signage applications. The contents of the menu board in KFC can be updated over the network and centrally controlled via a playlist.", Probst continues.

Features include extended memory, A vigilance timer, a real-time clock and video codec support. Thanks to its modular functionality, Computing power can be flexibly upgraded according to future needs, which is a big plus.

NEC Display Solutions, m&r Kreativ and IT-Haus provided KFC with a full-service solution. Hardware and logistics, along with maintenance coordination, such as power supply and networking, are covered extensively along with content creation and delivery.

After the result obtained, this fast food chain plans to replace the traditional signage systems it still has with digital systems, in addition to carrying out a remodeling of the external facilities.