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

In its fast food establishments in Germany it has installed large format NEC screens, in the sales area, based on MultiSync P484 models 48 inches and P404 of 40 Inch. Some equipment that is 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 it does it using the screens NEC Display Solutions integrated with the Raspberry Pi solution.

In the ranking of the largest companies in the catering industry, this chain started 2018, your jubilee year, with record sales in Germany. in 2017, were opened 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 attract a young audience and focus on the individual needs of its customers.

Traditionally, the presentation of the product has taken the form of rotating screens or interchangeable posters and menu cards. However, with more than 160 branches only in Germany, changing menu signs and cards is very costly and time-consuming. Consequently, to draw attention to any short-term promotions, there is little room for manoeuvre when it involves changing menu offerings over the course of the day.

This is why KFC, next to the advertising agency, M&r Kreativ, decided to integrate digital menu board. “Unlike the analog alternative, Digital menu panels emphasize KFC's modern brand presence. Enable a combination of flexible product presentation, information and entertainment and interaction with customers. You can provide your customers with better information and positively influence their purchasing decisions”, explains Lisa Probst, m IT Director&r Kreativ.

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

Thanks to its brightness of 700 cd/m² and the anti-reflective coating of the screens, the range of foods offered is optimally presented, legible even in bright ambient conditions. Modern and 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 displays can be used in continuous operation, a critical factor for fast food outlets. The administration and maintenance function, easy to use, ensures central control of displays, saving company time and resources.

Thanks to the OMi interface, the source 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 which 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 through a playlist.", probst continues.

Features include extended memory, a surveillance timer, a real-time clock and support for video codecs. 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 that it still has with digital systems., in addition to carrying out a remodeling of the external facilities.

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