At Dunkin’, choosing from the many donut flavors, coffees and breakfast options can take a minute. That may be why a photo of a restaurant still using old-fashioned printed menu boards has struck such a nerve with customers tired of screens that change before they finish reading.
Shared October 13 on Reddit, the picture showed rows of choices displayed together above the counter rather than cycling through a digital presentation. “Theres such a thing as too many screens,” one commenter wrote, especially when those screens are animated. The post became a place for customers to vent about waiting for basic ordering information to reappear.
One popular reply summed up the appeal of a printed board: “Good, they won’t change right in the middle of indecision.” The original poster agreed and said the boards at their Dunkin’ show more items at once than digital menus they’ve encountered elsewhere. Some screens, they complained, direct customers to an app or kiosk to see the full selection.
Other commenters described standing at a counter, ready to order, only to have the menu switch to another slide. One said they wait through several rotations before deciding. Another remembered older plastic letterboard menus, where employees pressed individual letters into place. The conversation was part practical complaint, part trip down memory lane.
The discussion also produced some affection for the restaurant itself. One commenter admired the apparent donut selection, while the person who posted the photo said they visit regularly because it is only a short walk from home. For those customers, the familiar setup is part of the appeal.
Electronic signs do have advantages. Restaurants can change prices, display limited-time offers and highlight new items without replacing printed panels. Dunkin’ has promoted video-based menu boards in store designs since at least 2013, when the company said the displays would add color and excitement to ordering.
There is plenty for those signs to advertise right now. On October 14, Dunkin’ announced the return of its Spider Donut and the debut of the Berry Battie Daydream Refresher as part of its Halloween lineup. Both launched as limited-time offerings, the sort of products that fit naturally on screens built for frequent updates.
But flexibility for the restaurant isn’t always convenience for the person in line. A customer might appreciate a seasonal promotion and still want to see the coffee options, breakfast sandwiches and prices without waiting for the next slide.
The photo doesn’t mean Dunkin’ is returning to paper menus throughout the chain. It does show that, at least for some regulars, a good menu isn’t the flashiest one. It’s the one that makes ordering breakfast simple.
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