How And Why Restaurants Are Switching to QR Code Ordering

The pandemic fundamentally changed the dining experience, accelerating the shift from paper menus to dynamic digital experiences. What began as a safety necessity for restaurant owners has evolved into a powerful tool to streamline restaurant operations. Today, QR Code ordering is the standard for quick service restaurants and full-service venues alike.

By simply scanning a restaurant QR Code with a smartphone, guests can access digital menus, place orders, and complete checkout via credit card in real-time. This contactless solution restaurants are using removes the hassle of waiting for servers, helping to optimize staffing and reduce labor costs. For the front-of-house, it means less time taking orders and more time focusing on the guest experience.

Integrating a QR Code ordering system with your POS system doesn’t just reduce printing costs; it improves order accuracy, allows for instant menu updates, and helps you upsell menu items effortlessly. From dine-in to takeout, using QR Codes is the smart way to automate the workflow and modernize your ordering system.

*Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.

Popular use cases for QR Codes in restaurants

QR Codes have become ubiquitous in the restaurant industry, evolving from a temporary fix to a permanent fixture in dining rooms worldwide. They are now an essential part of the modern guest experience, helping restaurant owners bridge the gap between physical service and digital convenience.

Beyond the table, restaurant operations leverage this technology to improve efficiency across the board. Common use cases include:

• Virtual waitlists: Allow guests to scan a code to join the queue and track their status in real-time, reducing congestion at the host stand.
  

• Multi-language and seasonal menus: Instantly update menu items and descriptions without reprinting, ensuring accuracy and inclusivity for all guests.
  

• Contactless payments: Enable secure checkout via credit card or mobile wallet directly from the table.
  

• Loyalty programs: Drive customer retention by linking scans to exclusive offers only available as part of a loyalty program through QR Codes.
  

• Coupons and discounts: Distribute dynamic promotions that you can track and update instantly.
  

• Marketing: Connect guests to social media pages or upcoming event calendars.
  

• Reviews and customer feedback: Capture sentiment while the dining experience is fresh.
  

• Internal use: Streamline back-of-house workflows with codes for inventory management, equipment maintenance logs, cleaning instructions, and staff training videos.

While these applications are powerful, QR Codes for restaurant menus remain the most popular use case. However, simply displaying a PDF is no longer enough. The true value lies in making these menus actionable through quick service ordering. By integrating online ordering capabilities directly into the scan, you empower guests to browse, place orders, and pay without waiting for a server. This contactless ordering model streamlines front-of-house operations, reduces wait times, and significantly enhances the overall customer experience.

5 benefits of using QR Code ordering

Restaurant owners are turning to QR Codes because they make life easier for customers and staff while helping keep budgets in line. Let’s break down how self-serve QR Code ordering is elevating the dining experience.

1. Improve customer experiences

Nobody likes waiting forever for their food. QR Code ordering speeds things up by letting customers order and pay directly from their smartphones. No more misheard orders or waiting for a server to swing by. A few taps handle everything, improving order accuracy and speed.

This ordering process removes the hassle from the guest experience. If a table wants to add a dessert or drink later, they can do so without flagging down a server, making the entire interaction smoother. Whether for dine-in or takeout, contactless ordering ensures customers get exactly what they want, when they want it, significantly reducing wait times.

2. Reduce demands on waitstaff

The average shift for waitstaff is six to twelve hours, with some working even longer. According to a survey by Deputy, 35% of front-of-house staff say their biggest problem is unpredictable customers.

QR Code ordering takes the pressure off. By allowing guests to place orders digitally, you reduce the manual workload on your team. Instead of running back and forth to punch items into a POS system, servers can focus on what really matters: Providing excellent customer service. This approach helps optimize staffing levels and allows you to manage labor costs more effectively while letting staff build friendly camaraderie with diners, a key factor in customer retention. When you get right down to it, QR Codes improve restaurant customer engagement.

3. Turn tables faster

Efficiency is the heartbeat of successful restaurant operations. Traditional payment methods, which involve dropping off the check, waiting for the credit card, running the card, and returning the receipt, create friction that slows down table turnover.

A digital payment QR Code allows guests to handle checkout the moment they are ready. This setup automates the payment workflow, clearing tables faster without making guests feel rushed. The result? You can serve more customers in less time, maximizing revenue during peak hours while keeping the flow of service smooth and steady.

4. Reduce overhead costs

With most restaurants operating on slim profit margins of 3-5%, every cent counts. QR Codes help you cut costs behind the scenes to streamline operations.

First, digital menus eliminate the need for paper menus, saving you significant printing costs. When you use a QR Code generator to create Dynamic QR Codes, you can make menu updates or change pricing in real-time without reprinting materials.

Furthermore, these tools provide valuable data. You can track scan analytics to identify busy periods and monitor which dishes are crowd favorites. This insight helps you optimize your inventory and refine your online menu to boost profitability.

5. Increased average ticket value

Online ordering isn’t just about efficiency; it’s a powerful tool to upsell menu items. Unlike busy servers who might forget to suggest a premium side or drink pairing, a digital ordering page never misses an opportunity.

You can configure your online ordering system to prompt guests with automated suggestions at checkout, such as “Add avocado?” or “Make it a double?” High-quality photos and well-placed modifiers on digital menus can entice customers to order more than they would with a text-based physical menu, effectively increasing the average ticket value and driving revenue growth.

How to set up quick-service ordering with QR Codes

Setting up new tech can feel like a hassle, but once it’s in place, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. QR Codes simplify the ordering process for your staff and customers, but first, you need the right tools to start.

Set up an online ordering system

To make quick-service ordering work, you’ll need an online ordering system that can handle your restaurant menu and process payments in real time. Thankfully, plenty of great options exist, so you can pick what works best for your restaurant.

Here are a few popular solutions to consider:

• Toast: A full-service app that manages reservations, waitlists, tables, and even takeout orders using contactless payment without extra commission fees.
  
  
• Popmenu: Perfect for both front- and back-of-house tasks, including real-time menu edits, order management, and handling customer reviews.
  
  
• Eat App: Handles reservations, orders, and customer reviews in one place. Its best feature is the guest database, which makes it easy to run targeted marketing campaigns and keep track of your regulars.
  
  
• Upmenu: A simple, straightforward online ordering system for apps or websites, with free set-up if you’re short on time. 

Be prepared to invest some time up front when setting up the ordering system. Along with a comprehensive menu and price list, you’ll need details like the number of tables and your restaurant’s layout. 

Depending on how extensively you plan to use the tools, you may want to integrate them with your social media profiles, review platforms, and vendor systems for a seamless guest experience. 

Generate unique QR Codes for each table

Once the app is set up, it’s time for the fun part: Creating a unique QR Code for each table. This step is crucial to ensure staff don’t mix up orders. You’ll likely also need separate QR Codes for delivery and pick-up orders. 

Creating each QR Code is as simple as entering a URL into a QR Code Generator. From there, you can customize the code to match your brand. Change the color, add a logo, frame it, or include a call to action frame so customers know how to use it or what to expect on the other end of the code.

When displaying the codes, you can get creative and show off your restaurant’s unique personality. Because they work on print and digital surfaces, you can place QR Codes almost anywhere. You can print them on signs, screw them onto tables, or even put them in quirky places like on your restaurant mascot’s collar.

Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

• Print them on restaurant flyers and display them in place of menus.
  
  
• Use individual stickers on tables or walls beside each table.
  
  
• Create 3D-printed discs that you can attach to tables.
  
  
• Consider a QR Code engraving for a sleek, permanent touch on wooden tables.

No matter how you choose to display them, the QR Codes should be easy to spot. Be sure to test each one on different devices to ensure they scan appropriately.

Your ordering system is only as good as your QR Code generator

There’s one catch with using QR Codes for quick-service ordering: The entire system relies on them functioning as intended. An outdated, inaccurate, or impossible-to-scan code will cost you the operational efficiency and convenience you hope to gain. 

This is where Static vs. Dynamic QR Codes come into play. Static QR Codes use fixed URLs, meaning once they’re generated, you can’t change the destination. If you need to update your menu or switch ordering systems, you’d need to reprint all your codes, which can be time-consuming and costly. On the other hand, Dynamic QR Codes allow you to edit the destination at any time, keeping them functional no matter what changes you make.

It’s worth investing in a professional QR Code generator that supports Dynamic QR Codes. While free tools may be tempting, they sometimes only offer Static QR Codes or have limited advanced features. They may also cap the number of times users can scan each code, meaning you could limit your success before you even realize it. 

Streamline dining experiences with QR Code Generator PRO

QR Codes reduce costs, improve the customer experience, and make life easier for your front-of-house staff. By speeding up ordering and reducing wait times, these codes free up your team to focus on quality service. To get the most out of them, you’ll need a reliable QR Code generator. 

QR Code Generator PRO helps you create eye-catching, Dynamic QR Codes with no limits on scans. You’ll gain valuable insights through analytics that track peak times and customer behavior (like browsers and devices used), allowing you to optimize staffing and tailor your offerings based on demand. Plus, with the ability to edit Dynamic QR Codes, you never have to worry about broken or outdated links or the hassle of replacing menus or table cards.  

Cut costs and keep customers happy with accurate, efficient, quick-service ordering. Get started with QR Code Generator PRO today!