The new health care reform passed into law by Congress last Sunday sets a national standard for nutrition labeling on restaurant menus. The reform will affect all quick-service restaurants with 20 or more locations, regardless of ownership.
Franchisees who own only a few locations will still be affected if the total number of brand stores is 20 or greater. By setting one consistent national standard the National Restaurant Association says the new law will help consumers make better choices for themselves and their families. Since firm details may remain unclear until as late as the end of July, the versatility provided by digital displays justifies a solution to replace standard printed menuboards.
“This is a complex and industry changing event for the entire [quick-service] community,” says Greg Perrill, chief operating officer for WAND Corporation.
Caloric and nutrient information will be required on restaurant menus, menuboards, and drive-thru displays. WAND Corporation, a global provider in digital menuboard and point of sale technology for the quick-serve space, plans to be a part of the solution process. WAND Corporation’s Digital Menu Boards already handle nutritional information and their dynamic content can be changed or updated instantly.
“We foresaw the need for providing customers with nutritional information of menu items and built the feature into our Digital Menu Board technology,” Perrill says.
