Anasstasiia Rusakova
"That wall looks empty - let's put a screen there." It's a sentence we hear far too often in AV planning for restaurants and QSRs. But here’s the problem: screens don’t drive impact just because they light up a space. To actually move the needle - boosting order value, speeding decisions, or improving customer experience - AV technology must be placed strategically, guided by customer behavior and business goals.
In this article, we break down exactly where your AV should go to drive results - and what common mistakes to avoid when designing your tech footprint.
Understand the Customer Journey First
Before deciding where to mount your displays, ask: what does your customer do when they enter your space? Understanding behavioral flow is the first step to meaningful AV placement.
Key moments to map:
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Entry: First impressions, promotions, branding.
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Ordering: Decision-making, upsells.
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Dwell: Waiting periods, entertainment, cross-selling.
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Pickup: Confirmation, loyalty nudges, app reminders.
Every zone presents a different opportunity for engagement, and your AV should reflect that.
High-Impact AV Zones in Restaurants
Entry Points
- Use digital signage to welcome guests, promote high-margin menu items, or share LTOs (limited-time offers).
- Make it visually dynamic to capture attention immediately.
Order Zones
- Prioritize clarity and flow. Digital menu boards should support fast, informed decision-making.
- Highlight combo deals and featured products near eye level.
Dwell/Wait Areas
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- Customers waiting for food are primed for content. Use screens here for brand storytelling, entertainment, or app promotions.
- Keep it looped, time-aware, and engaging
Pickup Counters
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- Reinforce positive customer behavior: show order confirmations, promote loyalty programs, and invite app downloads.
Common Placement Mistakes
Even with good intentions, restaurants often miss the mark when it comes to AV placement, and these missteps can quietly undermine the customer experience and return on investment.
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Behind the Line: Screens placed behind customer sightlines are effectively invisible.
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Distractions at Decision Points: Don’t overload order zones with unrelated content.
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Content Misalignment: Showing breakfast promos during dinner rush reduces relevance and ROI.
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No Flow Analysis: Placing screens without heat mapping or movement tracking leads to poor performance.
AV Design Considerations for Each Zone
Effective AV design considers more than just hardware—it integrates how people see, hear, and interact within a space.
- Sightlines are critical; screens should be clearly visible from the most important decision points, not tucked away or blocked.
- Brightness and audio levels should be adapted to ambient conditions to avoid overwhelming or under-delivering on content.
- Compliance also matters: all installations must adhere to ADA and accessibility standards, including height and reach.
- Finally, AV should blend seamlessly with environmental elements like lighting, acoustics, and physical layout, ensuring the tech enhances rather than disrupts the dining experience.
How Strategic AV Drives Revenue and Experience
Restaurants that invest in behavior-based AV planning see:
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Higher attach rates on combo meals and upsells
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Shorter perceived wait times
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Stronger brand impressions
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Increased app adoption and loyalty engagement
Strategic AV isn’t about filling walls - it’s about designing meaningful customer moments. By placing tech where it actually supports the experience, you transform digital signage from a passive display into a revenue-generating tool.
Want to map your restaurant’s AV zones for maximum ROI?
Book a discovery call with our team at Onsite.