Case Study: Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Samsung Smart Signage Displays Make National Burger Chain Sizzle

Customer NeedFreddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers wanted to upgrade its static menu boards with high-definition displays to better showcase its regular menu and seasonal offers. The solution needed to be reliable and easy to manage across its rapidly-growing system.

Samsung SolutionFreddy’s selected Samsung 55-inch smart signage displays for its new high-definition menu boards. The restaurant partnered with Axon Displays, LLC, a custom signage and environmental graphics company, to tie it all together. The solution includes three Samsung displays mounted horizontally, side by side. One display showcases the restaurant’s seasonal offerings, the second lists the custard selections, and the third display includes the combo meal menu.

ResultsThe Samsung smart signage displays deliver an impressive alternative to Freddy’s static menu boards by adding moving graphics and high-definition photos of the restaurant’s food and custard. Guest feedback has been very positive and the Samsung menu boards have been rolled out to almost every location. Menu changes are quick, easy, and can be done by the restaurant or by Axon Displays.

Overview

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Freddy’s is known for its signature frozen custard, cooked-to-order steakburgers and crispy shoestring fries. Freddy’s started as a single restaurant in Wichita, Kansas about 12 years ago and has rapidly grown to a 160-unit (and counting) national chain with a mix of corporate-owned and franchised restaurants.

In addition to custard and steakburgers, Freddy’s also serves a menu of Vienna Beef hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, and chili. The restaurant strives to serve generous portions of food made with premium ingredients.

Technology decisions at Freddy’s are based on how well the technology enhances the guest experience. New technologies are introduced at corporate-owned locations and are expanded to franchised operations once proven successful. For years, Freddy’s relied on traditional static signage to display its menu and prices. As the company grew, it began searching for new alternatives. Freddy’s wanted to rotate high-definition visuals, showcase seasonal offers, and make it easy for franchise owners to adjust the menu and prices.

“When we began looking at digital signage inside our restaurants, enhancing our guests’ experience was a main priority,” said Scott Redler, Freddy’s COO and co-founder. “We had static poster displays that looked good, but we wanted a display that truly represented the quality of our food.”A digital menu board solution to

meet these requirements would normally require multiple vendors for software, media players and displays. Freddy’s decided on a single display vendor and a single integrator to ensure quality, consistency and support.

Freddy’s turned to Axon Displays, LLC, a digital signage integrator based in Lawrence, Kansas, to develop a solution that tied everything together.

“Our challenge was to come up with a hardware solution that could run 18 hours a day and could remotely monitor the performance and content of each menu board,” said Axon Displays Principal Robert Terry. “We had to be able to know when a display was down and be able to restart it or remotely make changes anytime a restaurant wanted to alter its pricing or LTOs.”

Menu Board Solution that Showcases Food and Manages Content

The Customer Need:

“We had static poster displays that looked good, but we wanted a display that truly represented the quality of our food.”

– Scott Redler, COO and Co-founder,

Freddy’s

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After considering several options, Freddy’s selected Samsung 55-inch MD Series smart signage displays for its new high-definition menu boards. The solution includes three displays mounted horizontally, side by side. One display showcases the restaurant’s latest seasonal offerings, the second lists the custard selections, and the third shows Freddy’s combo menu. Each display involves movement, such as a rotation of products, to capture the guests’ attention.

Redler says he selected Samsung smart signage displays because of their quality and reliability. Although pricing was competitive among other options, Redler based the decision on visual quality and his experience using Samsung displays in his home. “We’re not trying to save pennies now to spend dollars later on resolving problems,” he says. “We wanted quality and something that we could have faith in. I’m a Samsung user and it’s my opinion that they have the lion’s share of home TVs because of their product quality.”

The Samsung smart signage displays serve as menu boards in nearly all of Freddy’s 160 (and counting) locations. Every new restaurant is equipped with the digital boards. Axon Displays manages the content and the display performance from a central location, but it can be managed locally by the restaurant, as well. “Menu prices can vary per individual franchise owner,” Redler says. “The ability to customize a menu to reflect current pricing or special promotions is essential.”

Quick Profile: Samsung’s latest offering

The Samsung Solution:Easy to Manage Displays That Whet Customers’ Appetites

Resolution: 1920 x 1080

Brightness: 450 nits

Response Time: 8ms

Viewing Angle: 178/178 degrees

Features: Slim & Light LFD with Built-in MagicInfo Player S2

Environment: Energy Star® 6.0 Compliant

Standard Warranty: 3-Year On-Site (Parts/Labor/Backlight)

Dimensions without Stand: 48.4” x 27.8” x 2.0”

DM Series Smart Signage Displays

160 Freddy’s locations feature Samsung smart signage displays.

Learn more: samsung.com/smartsignage | 1-800-SAMSUNG | 1-866-SAM4BIZ

Follow us: youtube.com/samsungbizusa | @SamsungBizUSA

© 2015 Samsung Electronics America, Inc. All rights reserved. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. All products, logos and brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Screen images simulated. This case study is for informational purposes only. Samsung makes no warranties, express or implied, in this case study.

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The Results:Successful Rollout Sets Stage for Innovations

The new digital menu displays provide a brilliant contrast to Freddy’s static menu boards. Redler says guests are now drawn to the menu, and restaurant managers have the ability to quickly customize menu items and pricing.

“When the digital boards went in, you could feel the excitement from our guests,” he says. “The digital screens and rotating images enhance our guests’ anticipation of the meal they’ve just ordered.”

With the boards managed by Axon Displays at a central location, restaurant managers have the ability to change content faster. Before the new displays, managers would draft

out changes, have them designed, and then wait for boards to be delivered.

“Switching to the digital menu screens was a win-win,” Redler says. “Our guests enjoy them, and they’re easy to use and efficient for our management teams.” The restaurant is also evaluating Samsung high-brightness displays to serve as drive-through menu boards. The displays have ultra-bright screens so they can be seen in sunlight. Redler says the outdoor menu boards will offer many of the same benefits as counter menu boards, like showcasing multiple combo meals and switching menus to promote seasonal offers.

“Switching to the digital menu screens was a win-win. Our guests enjoy them, and they’re easy to use and efficient for our management teams.”

– Scott Redler, COO and Co-founder,

Freddy’s