Palmer Digital Group to Debut Voice AI and Advanced Audio at NRA Show 2026

Palmer Digital Group (PDG) returns to the National Restaurant Association Show (Booth 5659) to spotlight its latest innovations in outdoor drive-thru digital menu boards (ODMBs). This year, the Aurora-based manufacturer is emphasizing the integration of Voice AI technology through a partnership with VOX AI and the debut of the AI Connect Bar from URway Holdings.

The AI Connect Bar provides a high-performance speaker and microphone array specifically tuned for noisy drive-thru environments, enabling faster and more accurate automated ordering. By showcasing live field examples from brands like Burger King and Portillo's, PDG aims to demonstrate how its end-to-end manufacturing and in-house installation services provide a reliable foundation for the future of QSR automation.
 
This year's booth experience reflects a focused strategy built on PDG's core strength: outdoor drive-thru digital menu boards. Visitors will see PDG's single-, double- and triple-panel ODMB structures, engineered and manufactured in-house at the company's Aurora, Illinois facility, demonstrating proven performance across thousands of installations nationwide. The company will also shine a light on its in-house installation services — a differentiating factor from its competition.
 
"We've really refined our message based on what customers want to see," said Chuck Lewis, President of Palmer Digital Group. "Our outdoor drive-thru menu boards continue to drive the most interest, so we're doubling down on that. At the same time, we're demonstrating how integrating Voice AI and advanced audio technology can elevate the entire ordering experience. The growth we've seen since our first show reflects how strongly the market is moving in this direction." 
 
A key highlight will be PDG's integration of VoiceAI technology from partner VOX AI, enabling faster, more accurate, and more intuitive ordering experiences. By combining voice interaction with real-time visual confirmation on digital menu boards, QSR operators can improve throughput, increase upsell opportunities, and enhance overall customer satisfaction. 
 
PDG will also debut a new strategic partnership with Ed Crowley of URway Holdings, who will demonstrate his AI Connect Bar system, a compact, high-performance speaker and microphone array solution designed specifically for customer-facing Voice AI applications. The AI Connect Bar will be shown integrated with PDG's single-panel outdoor digital menu board, providing a seamless, real-world demonstration of next-generation drive-thru ordering.
 
"The AI Connect Bar was developed to solve a real-world problem customer facing voice interactions that simply didn't perform well in busy environments," said Crowley. "By combining high-quality, factory-tuned audio components with a simple, plug-and-play design, we're enabling Voice AI to work the way it's supposed to. For PDG and their customers, that means clearer communication, faster transactions, and a better overall drive-thru experience." 
  
Designed for QSR, retail and ticketing environments, AI Connect Bar streamlines hardware integration while improving audio clarity and reliability. When paired with Voice AI platforms and PDG's durable outdoor structures, the solution creates a powerful ecosystem that reduces order times and enhances operational efficiency.
 
In addition to technology innovation, PDG will emphasize its unique ability to deliver end-to-end solutions, including in-house installation services. As the only digital menu board manufacturer with a dedicated internal installation team, PDG ensures consistent quality and accountability from design through deployment.
 
"We do more than just build the systems, and installation is a critical part of the equation," Lewis added. "That gives our customers confidence that everything will perform as intended in the field."
 
The PDG booth will also feature branded content demonstrations from well-known regional QSR brands that are live in the field today, illustrating how operators can leverage digital menu boards and VoiceAI to create more engaging and efficient customer journeys. Highlights will include the PDG's single-panel QSRDMB155 system to demonstrate VOX AI and the AI Connect Bar, Portillo's menu highlights on their double-panel QSRDMB255 system, and PDG's new partnership with Burger King will feature on its triple-panel QSRDMB355 system.

www.palmerdigitalgroup.com