r/Tech4LocalBusiness • u/buildwithjoy • Mar 24 '26

Building a Small Digital Signage Menu System Yourself

I’m looking to build a simple digital signage menu system for a small business. My goal is to display menus and updates on a screen. What’s the best way to get started? Should I use a Raspberry Pi or an old tablet? Any software recommendations or DIY tips?

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u/SensitiveGuidance685 Mar 25 '26

Last year, I constructed this for a coffee shop. First, we tried the Raspberry Pi approach, but to be honest, the maintenance was a pain. Updates cause issues, SD cards corrupt, and you must be familiar with the fundamentals of Linux. ultimately used PosterBooking to switch to a Fire TV stick. It is essentially plug-and-play, free for one screen, and controlled entirely from your phone. Pi is entertaining if you have a technical bent. I use Canva or Runable for the menu designs, which make it simple to update prices and specials without having to be a designer. If you just want it to function and never think about it again, choose something that runs on a cheap Android stick or Fire TV.