Starbucks Angola East on NY Thruway Deploys Digital Order Screen with Menuboard Manager
In March 2025, the newly rebuilt Angola Service Area on the New York State Thruway (I-90) reopened to the public with a host of upgraded amenities. Among the standout features of the modernized facility is the integration of a digital order status screen at the Starbucks located on the eastbound side of the Thruway. This new technology was deployed using Menuboard Manager, a digital signage and content management platform tailored for food service environments.
The Angola East Starbucks, now part of a sleek travel plaza with other top-tier offerings like Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, and Panda Express, benefits from this technology by offering travelers a faster, more transparent ordering experience. The digital screen—mounted prominently near the counter—displays real-time updates on order status, reducing confusion and improving traffic flow in the often-crowded location.
Menuboard Manager enables staff to sync orders with the screen seamlessly, providing a smooth operational experience. Designed with quick-service restaurants in mind, the system enhances both customer satisfaction and back-of-house efficiency by minimizing the need for verbal order calls and reducing congestion at the pickup counter.
The Angola Service Area’s renovation is part of a $450 million statewide redevelopment project led by the New York State Thruway Authority. In addition to its digital advancements, the facility features outdoor seating, dog walking areas, a private nursing room, and a digital tourism kiosk—bringing the travel stop fully into the 21st century.
As Starbucks continues to evolve its customer experience across the country, the successful deployment of Menuboard Manager at Angola East signals a promising direction for similar high-traffic locations throughout the Thruway system and beyond.
