The Cost of the Screen#
The screen is the biggest line item. Prices in Pakistan depend on size and whether it is a commercial-grade display:
| Screen Size | Typical Price (PKR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 32-inch consumer TV | PKR 45,000-70,000 | Cheapest, but not built for 24/7 use |
| 32-inch commercial display | PKR 80,000-120,000 | Bright enough for a counter |
| 43-inch commercial display | PKR 120,000-180,000 | Common size for a menu board |
| 55-inch commercial display | PKR 180,000-250,000 | Best for larger counters |
| Professional signage package | PKR 300,000-500,000 | Screen + player + mounting + software |
Commercial displays cost more than consumer TVs for a reason: they run 24/7, stay bright in daylight, and last years. A consumer TV will work but burns out faster under constant use. The prices above are typical street prices in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad — shop around and you may find better deals.
The Cost of the Media Player#
You need a small computer to run the menu software. Options:
- Android TV box: PKR 8,000-15,000 — the budget choice
- Dedicated digital signage player (BrightSign, etc.): PKR 25,000-60,000 — more reliable
- Built into a professional package: already included in the PKR 300,000+ price
The Cost of Mounting and Installation#
A proper wall mount plus installation runs PKR 5,000-15,000 depending on the wall and height. Add cabling and a surge protector if the location lacks clean power.
The Monthly Software Cost#
This is the ongoing bill people forget. Most menu board software charges a subscription:
- Basic single-screen plans: PKR 5,000-10,000 per month
- Multi-screen and premium plans: PKR 15,000-30,000+ per month
- Some Pakistani providers bundle hardware + software at a higher upfront price
The Total Cost of Ownership#
Let's add it up for a typical single-screen setup:
| Item | One-Time (PKR) |
|---|---|
| 43-inch commercial display | 150,000 |
| Media player | 15,000 |
| Mounting + install | 10,000 |
| Setup/content design | 10,000 |
| Total upfront | 185,000 |
| Software (PKR 8,000/month × 12) | 96,000/year |
| Year-one total | 281,000 |
That is a real number: around PKR 280,000 in year one for one screen — and you still cannot take orders with it. A menu board is a display, not an ordering system.
What You Are Really Paying For#
Break down the PKR 280,000 and you see the cost is not the screen — it is the ongoing operation. The screen is a one-time asset, but the media player, the software subscription, the content design, and the maintenance recur. You are paying a monthly fee for a display that cannot take an order, reach a customer outside your store, or share a menu link on WhatsApp. That recurring cost is the silent budget-killer: it shows up on your books every single month, long after the excitement of the new screen fades.
Compare that with what the same money could do elsewhere in your restaurant: a QR code menu for a full year, plus a real marketing budget, plus better ingredients. The opportunity cost of a menu board is not just its price tag — it is everything that money no longer buys.
Hidden Costs People Forget#
Three costs surprise most buyers:
- Electricity: a commercial display running 12-16 hours a day adds a noticeable monthly power bill, especially in summer when AC is already running
- Content design: someone has to design the menu layouts, update prices, and keep the screens accurate — that is hours of staff time every month
- Breakdowns and replacement: commercial screens fail, and consumer TVs used as menu boards fail faster; a replacement is another PKR 80,000-200,000
None of these appear on the sticker price, but all of them are real. A QR menu has none of them — customers bring their own screens and their own power.
