Meyers

July 18, 2022

Digital buffet signs create overview in Meyer’s canteens

The Danish food company, Meyers, currently operates canteens and delivers lunch solutions to large parts of Denmark and wanted to optimize the time of their chefs and staff in the many kitchens. At the same time, the contents of the inviting dishes needed to be presented more visually to the diners.

With the mission to create joy through food, it was a good match when Meyers and Delfi Technologies started a collaboration a few months ago. A collaboration where the goal was to make everyday life easier, meet EU requirements regarding allergens and to give canteens a common thread.

-“We’ve had a test period in four of our largest canteens, where the buffet signs are a positive step in our digital journey. Our ambition is for the rest of our canteens to have the same solution, so we can maintain the common thread, while at the same time easing the chefs’ daily routine, says Johanna Leonard, Head of Digital at Meyers.

"The buffet signs are a positive step in our digital journey and our ambition is definitely for the rest of our canteens to have this solution"

Johanna Leonard, Head of Digital

A sign with many possibilities

Not only has Delfi’s dynamic solution with electronic shelf labels replaced paper and time consumption in canteens, the signs are equipped with the latest EPD display technology, which ensures that the menu is always visible on the buffet tables without any glare. This creates a neat and easy visual overview for visitors to the canteens.

There are many different ways to build the sign, but right now Meyers and Delfi have jointly created a simple design where their own logo, typography and not least the allergens appear.

– “I’m already toying with the idea of highlighting several different messages through the signs. It’s just a matter of creativity, but you could also communicate that the food is organic and/or provide information about the climate impact and carbon footprint of the dishes,” says Johanna.

Greater visibility of allergens

Throughout the EU, it has become mandatory to provide information about the allergens found in food. At Meyers, all allergens are therefore always visible on the digital signs, both because it is a requirement, but also to inform guests in the individual canteens, thereby providing increased safety.

Chefs can focus on cooking

– In addition to safety and high visibility among visitors to the canteens, this solution has made a big difference for the chefs in particular, says Johanna.

She continues, explaining that the staff in the canteens used to prepare the buffets by printing out the menus and then cutting them to fit the size of the signs. This could sometimes result in it either being forgotten in the canteens or simply not being visually appealing – which didn’t work for us or the guests in the canteens.

Now they have a ‘Plug & Play solution‘ where a simple antenna is connected to the internet socket in each canteen. This means that when the chefs register the day’s menu in their Excel sheets, it is sent directly to the buffet signs via a radio frequency and the chefs can start the day faster and do what they do best in the kitchen. In the long term, Meyers wants to integrate their menu planning software with Delfi’s buffet sign solution. This will make everyday life even easier for chefs across the company.

About Meyers

Founded by gastronomic entrepreneur Claus Meyer, Meyers has worked for 30 years to promote the qualities of Danish food culture. Meyers operates at all levels of the value chain from farm to fork. The main activities are within restaurant and canteen operations, catering, fruit farming, processing, trade, team building, research, communication, education and consulting.