A First Impression Worth Making at 30,000 Feet
Walk through the concourse at Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport and the new Starbucks location commands attention before you even smell the espresso. Above the ordering counter, a crisp array of Samsung commercial displays presents the full Starbucks menu in vivid detail — coffeehouse classics, seasonal favorites, and limited-time promotional items rendered in unmistakable brand color and typography. To the right, a dedicated order status screen keeps the line moving. For the thousands of Gulf Coast travelers passing through SRQ each day, this is often their first — and sometimes only — impression of the airport’s food and beverage experience. The technology behind those screens is Menu Board Manager, the cloud-based digital signage platform developed by OSM Solutions.
Inside the New SRQ Starbucks
This location, which opened last year as part of ongoing terminal improvements at SRQ, reflects the modern design language Starbucks has been rolling out across its premium airport footprint. Warm wood accents frame the counter area. Tropical leaf wall art nods to the Gulf Coast setting. Terrazzo floors and clean sightlines give the space an upscale café feel that stands apart from the typical airport grab-and-go. It is a carefully considered environment, and the digital signage had to match that standard from day one.
Sarasota/Bradenton International has emerged as one of Florida’s fastest-growing regional airports, drawing increased carrier service and passenger volume year over year. For OSM Solutions, this is also familiar territory — the company has deep roots along the Gulf Coast, and the Sarasota market is one the team knows personally and professionally.
The Challenge of a New-Build Deployment
Opening a branded food and beverage location inside an airport leaves zero margin for error. Franchise operators and brand teams expect full menu accuracy, seamless LTO promotion scheduling, and order status visibility from the moment the doors open. Hardware must perform under continuous operation. Content must comply with corporate brand standards down to the pixel. And in an airport environment — where foot traffic is unpredictable and peak hours shift with flight schedules — downtime is simply not an option.
These requirements make new-build deployments a proving ground for any digital signage platform. Being selected before a location opens, rather than retrofitted after problems surface, signals genuine confidence from the operator and franchisor in the platform’s reliability and brand-readiness.
The Solution: Samsung Displays Powered by MBM
The SRQ Starbucks runs its digital menu boards on Samsung commercial-grade displays managed through the Menu Board Manager platform. The multi-panel menu board array above the counter is configured to present the full Starbucks menu with dynamic zones for featured items and seasonal promotions. Content updates are pushed remotely through MBM’s cloud dashboard, meaning menu changes, pricing adjustments, and LTO launches happen in real time without a service call or a ladder.
The separate order status display on the right side of the counter is an equally important piece of the deployment. It reduces counter congestion, improves the customer handoff experience, and gives baristas a smoother workflow during rush periods. Together, the menu boards and order status screen represent a full-service digital signage strategy — not just screens on a wall, but a coordinated system designed by the team at OSM Solutions with professional content design that reinforces brand identity at every glance.
For operators evaluating the financial impact of a deployment like this, MBM also offers a digital menu board ROI calculator to quantify the value of upgrading from static signage or legacy systems.
A Growing Footprint in Airport and Branded F&B Environments
The SRQ Starbucks deployment is part of a broader pattern. Menu Board Manager continues to expand its presence in airport concessions, branded quick-service restaurants, and hospitality dining environments across Florida and beyond. Each new-build installation reinforces the platform’s reputation for reliability, brand compliance, and operational simplicity — the qualities that matter most when a location has one chance to get it right on opening day.
Ready to Explore Digital Menu Boards for Your Location?
Whether you are planning a new-build deployment or upgrading an existing location, the team at Menu Board Manager can help you design a digital signage solution that meets your brand standards and operational demands. Start the conversation today to learn how MBM is powering menu boards for some of the most recognized brands in food and beverage.
