Upscale Menu Display Trends for 2025

In a post-pandemic hospitality landscape, presentation is more important than ever. From luxury resorts and fine dining restaurants to boutique hotels and high-end catering venues, how you present information is as critical as the information itself. Menus, directional signage, QR codes, welcome signs, and branded messages are not just tools for communication. They are part of the guest experience, and increasingly, part of what defines your brand.

Guests in 2025 are not simply dining or attending an event. They are looking for seamless service, curated details, and a level of polish that matches the quality of your food, décor, and environment. Upscale menu displays, including custom and imprinted frames, play a crucial role in meeting these expectations.

If you are still using plastic sign holders, temporary paper stands, or generic frames bought in bulk, it is time to reconsider. Here are the top display trends for 2025 and how you can upgrade your presentation to match what today’s guests expect.

1. Minimalist Design Using High-End Materials

A major shift has occurred in visual presentation across the hospitality industry. Venues are moving away from disposable or low-cost plastic displays in favor of more permanent materials. Our Aero Brushed Black, Architectural Stainless Steel, and Coconut White are all popular choices this year. Frames are no longer an afterthought; they are part of the visual design of the space.

Custom picture frames in minimalist styles are the new standard for upscale menus. The clean lines of Aero Brushed Black or Streamline allow the focus to stay on the content, while still elevating the perception of your venue. A beautifully printed menu in a custom frame communicates that every detail in the guest experience has been curated.

These materials reflect permanence and thoughtfulness. They suggest that you care about presentation and quality in all things, which translates directly into guest trust.

2. Branded and Imprinted Frames

Your brand identity is not just your logo on the front door. It should be reflected throughout the guest journey, including in your menu and signage displays. One of the most underused but powerful tools in 2025 is the imprinted frame, frames with your logo, monogram, or location name subtly printed or engraved.

Branded frames create visual cohesion across your property. A guest should see your identity at the host stand, on the bar, in a banquet room, or even in a spa lounge. Whether the frame holds a prix fixe menu, a poolside drink list, or a room service menu, the branding carries through.

This is a detail that makes an impression, especially in photographs. Guests posting photos on social media will often capture these subtle branded elements, giving you organic exposure with a polished look.

3. Framed QR Codes for a Better Digital Experience

QR codes are not going away, but the way they are presented has changed dramatically. Early adoption focused on convenience with laminated cards taped to a table or simple signs in plastic holders. In 2025, that is no longer acceptable in upscale venues. The trend now is to present QR codes as part of a styled display using framed signage.

By placing a QR code in a custom or imprinted frame, venues signal that digital access is still personal and refined. Guests no longer associate QR codes with quick fixes. Instead, they view them as integrated extensions of the brand experience.

This applies to digital menus, spa service lists, online event schedules, or loyalty program signups. The same attention you put into your print materials should now apply to how you frame and display digital access points.

Presentation affects perception. Framed QR codes show that even your digital services have been considered and curated.

4. Modular Framing for Multi-Purpose Spaces

One of the biggest operational shifts in recent years is the increasing use of flexible spaces. From banquet halls that double as meeting rooms to outdoor patios that become cocktail lounges, venues are now using the same square footage for multiple purposes throughout the day.

To keep signage aligned with each use, frames must be easy to update while still maintaining an upscale look. Our custom frames allow staff to quickly change out menus, event titles, or promotional content without sacrificing presentation. Matching sets of frames allow for a cohesive look across multiple touchpoints, whether tabletop or mounted.

This type of framing saves time and labor while preserving your aesthetic standards. It also helps avoid temporary or mismatched signage that undermines the luxury experience.

5. Detailed, Small-Scale Displays

Guests in 2025 are highly attuned to details. The days of treating small signs as throwaways are over. Buffet labels, place cards, cocktail menus, and tasting notes are now carefully designed and displayed in matching, scaled-down frames.

Custom small-format frames, available in 2x3, 4x6, or 5x7 sizes, are ideal for intimate events, private dining, or brand activations. They can be imprinted with your logo or have the same style as your larger frames, helping maintain brand consistency.

Small frames add polish. When your signage is unified in tone and style, it reinforces the care and quality of your overall presentation.

6. Sustainability with Style

Sustainability remains a core value for modern travelers and diners, but they are no longer satisfied with paper straws and recycled napkins. They expect environmental responsibility to be reflected in operational decisions, including how venues handle signage and menus.

Reusable, durable framing options reduce waste while maintaining an upscale image. Our wooden frames offer a responsible option without compromising on quality or aesthetics.

Sustainability and luxury are no longer at odds. A reusable frame system is both environmentally conscious and financially smart over time.

Your Menu Display Is Part of the Guest Experience!

What you frame, how you frame it, and where you place it all influence how your guests perceive your space. Menu and signage displays should never be an afterthought. In today’s competitive hospitality market, every detail counts, and custom frames help you make the most of every guest touchpoint.

If you are ready to elevate your visual presentation, consider custom frames and imprinted options that reflect your brand and enhance the guest experience. Whether you are refreshing a dining space, planning a new event rollout, or simply trying to bring more cohesion to your signage, investing in upscale frames is a step that brings immediate visual impact.

We specialize in beautifully made custom frames designed specifically for hospitality and event professionals. From classic styles to logo-imprinted designs, we offer solutions that are elegant, durable, and easy to implement across your property.