Samsung Electronics Canada and Tim Hortons are modernizing the guest experience with the installation of Samsung’s outdoor digital signage technology at Tim Hortons drive-thru locations across Canada in 2021.

With installations already completed at roughly 1,300 Tim Hortons drive-thru locations as of 2020, this partnership marks Samsung Canada’s largest outdoor digital signage deployment yet, with plans for a total of approximately 2,600 Tim Hortons drive-thru locations modernized with new outdoor digital signage technology by the end of the year.

“Increased digital signage adoption at drive-thru areas reflects a commitment among today’s quick-service restaurants to provide an improved customer experience,” said Mary Peterson, Vice President, IT & Enterprise Solutions, Samsung Electronics Canada. “We’re proud to partner with Tim Hortons to provide innovative outdoor digital signage at even more of its drive-thru locations this year, maximizing customer engagement through product durability, flexibility and 24/7 performance.”

A fully integrated, self-contained outdoor display, Samsung’s OH Series features an IP56 certification for use in heat, cold, rain, snow and dust – ideal for a variety of weather conditions throughout the year in Canada^[1]. Featuring an ultra-slim depth of 85mm with an embedded power box, the high brightness display is also optimized for visibility in bright ambient light, even viewable to those wearing polarized sunglasses^[2]. The product is fully equipped for outdoor placements and features an innovative cooling system, so there’s no need for a supplemental heating or air conditioning unit.

Additionally, Samsung’s digital signage technology provides advanced display protection through 5 mm (0.19 in.) tempered Magic Glass, which is certified durable through IK10-certification (a European-strength test) and demonstrates a robust level of strength that can endure external impacts^[3].

“The Tim Hortons drive-thru network is the largest in the country and offers Canadians a contactless, quick way to grab their favourite coffee and food on the go. Samsung’s technology is playing an important part in our vision to modernize the guest experience and we’re excited to be installing outdoor digital menu boards in our drive-thru restaurants,” said Chris Main, Vice President of Restaurant Technology for Tim Hortons.

Technology enclosures specialist, Melitron Corporation (www.melitron.com), designed and manufactured the outdoor digital signage and menu boards, including integration of Samsung’s display technology, which are further advancing the customer experience at Tim Hortons drive-thrus across Canada.

For more information on Samsung Digital Display solutions, please visit Samsung.com/ca/business.

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^[1]Each OHF Series display undergoes rigorous IP56 ingress defense testing* to ensure resistance to dust, heat, moisture and other environmental variables that can impede operations. IP ingress defense testing helps to determine a product’s susceptibility to solid particle (including dust) ingress and liquid (water) ingress. IP56: Protected from high-pressure water jets from any direction, limited ingress protection.

^[2]The OHF Series displays feature innovative Magic Glass, TUV-certified image quality and an Auto Brightness sensor to improve picture quality and optimize message delivery for any viewer. The OHF series displays have been verified and validated by TUV Rheinland, a leading international certification organization.

^[3]As tested by Korea Testing Laboratory on September 28, 2016, Report No. 16-047352-02-1. IK rating refers to the degree of resistance against external impacts on a scale of 0 to 10, where 10 indicates the highest level of protection.

Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chains across Canada are going digital at the drive-thru with the help of Melitron Corporation and Samsung Electronics Canada. Melitron, a Guelph-based manufacturer of integrated metal enclosure systems for technology products, partnered with Samsung Canada in 2017 to design and manufacture weatherproof, highly durable outdoor digital menu board and signage systems with fully integrated Samsung displays for one of the first large scale quick service restaurant chains in Canada to adopt digital at the drive-thru. Today, Melitron-manufactured outdoor digital menu boards and outdoor digital signage can be found at most of the top quick service restaurant chains across Canada.

“Samsung OHF series display technology with its extreme temperature tolerance and high visibility even in direct sunlight was first introduced to the market in 2016, presenting us with the opportunity to manufacture commercial grade digital signage and kiosks built for the outdoors,” said Mike Turner, President and CEO at Melitron. “Today, over 10,000 Samsung OHF series displays are lighting up drive-thrus across Canada in Melitron-manufactured outdoor digital menu boards and digital signage. Thousands more are planned for rollout through 2021.”

“Melitron has integrated Samsung’s innovative OHF series display technology into well-designed, highly durable outdoor digital menu boards and digital signage solutions,” said Mary Peterson, Vice President, IT & Enterprise Solutions, Samsung Canada. “Their in-house-manufacturing approach ensures a superior quality product, reliable production schedules, and well-executed rollout complete with fast and efficient on-site installation and setup. The speed of development, manufacturing and deployment combined with their commitment to quality and service excellence has been impressive, making them an ideal business partner for Samsung Canada and leading quick service restaurant clients.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, up to 70 per cent of restaurant revenues came from drive-thru orders, making a clear case for quick service restaurants to invest in digital technology. The digital approach has shown to increase sales by promoting the right products at the right time through automatic menu changes based on time of day, such as from breakfast to lunch to dinner, and according to the weather, like advertising ice cream during hot weather, for example.

Digital at the drive-thru has become even more essential to restaurant revenues during the COVID-19 pandemic as dining areas closed and order sizes at the drive-thru increased.

Looking ahead, quick service restaurants that have made the switch to digital are well positioned to quickly adopt new levels of service at the drive-thru, such as customized menus and promotions based on each unique visitor.

For more information about Melitron Outdoor Digital Signage and Kiosk Solutions, visit www.melitron.com/digital-signage. For more information on Samsung Digital Display solutions, visit Samsung.com/ca/business.