QR Codes for Restaurants

A phone and a restaurant QR code on a cafe table to pay for coffee
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Implementing QR codes for restaurants is a practical and tidy way to have staff engage with customers as well as share any necessary information regarding food, ingredients, specials, events, discounts, and promotions. Create beautifully designed QR codes that customers are happy to scan with a clear call-to-action to make their dining experience better.

Benefits of Using Restaurant QR Codes

1. It saves editing costs 

Dynamic QR codes can be edited at any time. When you want to add new items or details to a paper menu or display, they have to be reprinted which is time-consuming and costly. Updating the information linked to a dynamic QR code is easy, only takes seconds and is the more sustainable option. Linking a dynamic QR code to daily specials can be changed quickly and easily. Change food, drinks, prices, as often as necessary, and offer promotions for scanning. 

2. Gaining new followers on social media

Get your restaurant known on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by adding a QR code for social media to your digital marketing campaign. Give restaurant guests incentives for scanning and giving you a like or a follow.

3. It's a value-added technology

Using resturant QR codes to invite people to download your app, order, avoid long lines, and see menu options in advance, is a fantastic value-added product to your restaurant.

4. It cuts waiting time

Many dining establishments offer ordering straight from mobile if the customer prefers, or picking up the food later with an app so they don't have to wait in long lines at restaurants with busy staff.

5. It works well for loyalty points

Restaurants and cafes that offer promotions such as, buy 9 coffees and the 10th is free, used to have cards with hole punches. Now, QR codes can be scanned for loyalty points for automatic saving in case little cards get lost.

Hands scanning a QR code on their mobile at a coffee shop register
Image source: Hospitality Technology

Applications for Restaurant QR Codes

1. Utilize contactless payment

Place QR codes at the front of the cash register or on tables for contactless payment with QR codes. Customers can scan the codes and pay with the credit and debit cards they already have set up in their mobile phones.

2. Send virtual gift cards

Instead of giving plastic cards for special occasions, choose an eco-friendly option that can be stored in the recipient's mobile phone. Sending a virtual gift card with a restaurant QR code is more convenient for storage and payment.

3. Collect valuable feedback

Supercode's QR code for feedback allows you to customize a fast star rating feedback survey regarding food, drink, wait staff, cleanliness, ambiance, take-out service, and any other categories you choose. Use Supercode's pre-written categories or choose your own. Place these QR codes on receipts, at the table, or on the guests' way out, with a message on the QR code with a clear call-to-action.

4. Suggest wine and food pairings

Add value by suggesting food and wine pairings when scanning a restaurant QR code. Either place ideas straight into the menu or make a specials QR code. Even place the suggestions in a QR code scanning to a restaurant app. When customers click on a food choice, a wine or beverage suggestion can arise for purchase.

Download QR code menu at Cafe Deli 
Image source: Cafe Deli Facebook post

5. Invite customers to events

Use restaurant QR codes to share events that will take place in your restaurant. If there is a band playing, a wine or food tasting, or a comedy show, let customers know by scanning a URL QR code to a calendar or a link where people can buy tickets. 

6. Display on patios for passersby

Place a QR code on a nice sign outside so people walking by can scan the QR code and get enticed by your delicious menu. Put an incentive for a scan on your sign, like 2x1 items or a discount.

How to Create a QR Code for Restaurants

Creating QR codes on Supercode is easy and takes seconds. Here is a quick guide on how to create a QR code or a few QR codes for restaurants to achieve your marketing goals.

1. Choose the right type of QR code. Here are some of our suggestions:

  • URL QR Codes - perfect for sharing website content or sending customers directly to a virtual experience with food and drink or even a menu or app. 
  • Social Media QR Codes - ideal for restaurants that share fun events and promotions on social media accounts. 
  • Feedback QR Codes - great for placing a QR code on receipts or on the way out of a restaurant to see how guests felt about their experience. 
  • Email QR Codes - fantastic for questions regarding customer service
  • Plain QR Codes - these codes are static and cannot be changed. Use these for coupons and limited-time specials.
  • Bulk QR Codes - amazing for one-time scans for coupons and discounts.
  • Image QR Codes - make people hungry before they come in with images of delicious foods you have to offer and s reservation button in addition to your website.
  • PDF QR Codes - perfect for longer information that can be stored in cell phones.
  • WhatsApp QR Codes - enable international tourists to text message you for free off foreign phone numbers to confirm reservations.
Supercode different types of QR codes

2. Create a code

Creating a code on Supercode is easy and takes seconds. Choose the type, the link or the content to include and click on save when you are ready.

Create a QR code on Supercode QR code generator platform

3. Modify the design 

Design the QR code to match your branding guidelines and make your code attractive for customers.

Modify design of a QR code on Supercode QR code generator platform

4. Add your QR code to a folder to organize your workspace

Add customizable categories for new folders in the Supercode dashboard. Or, add your new QR code to a preexisting folder, both of which you can share with your marketing and management teams.

Save QR codes to different folders on Supercode platform

5. Test the code 

Scan the code by directing your phone camera on it and check if all the content displayed is correct. To make changes, simply go back to the dashboard and edit the code.

Bright colourful QR codes generated on Supercode platform

6. Print the code

Print the code on tables, signs on your patio, and receipts.

Supercode QR code printed on a business card

7. Track analytics

Use Supercode's clean dashboard to track analytics of any scan.

Supercode analytics dashboard with QR code scans performance

Learn how to use our bulk QR code generator.

Best Practices for Using Restaurant QR Codes

1. Create a QR code for coupons, discounts, and limited-time offers

American restaurant food chain, Chili's made QR codes for limited-time coupons they were offering on various food items. This incentive makes customers excited and happy to try a new item that they may continue ordering in the future. It also persuades consumers to use the coupons since they are stored in their mobile phones instead of paper coupons that can be misplaced or forgotten about.

QR code coupons for a restaurant: free kid's meal, free appetizer, free dessert
Image source: KDH News

2. Allow customers to check out the menu before they arrive

TGI Friday's has placed a QR code to their menu on their Facebook page so dine-in guests can check out the menu before they arrive, or use it for having food delivered. Even enjoy contactless payment by mobile phone.

QR code TGI Friday's app advertisement leaflet
Image source: TGI Friday's Facebook post

3. Team up with a charity and share more information

Panera Bread teamed up with Addi's Faith Foundation, an organization dedicated to ending childhood cancer, to donate 25% of the sales of the Addi's Faith Gold Ribbon Cookie to the foundation. By clicking on the QR code, you can learn more about the foundation and the project than what can be written on a printed document.

QR code flyer for children cancer charity foundation
Image source: Addi's Faith Foundation

4. Contactless menus on display in-house

The Polite Pig at Disney World has set up a large, contactless menu at the front of the restaurant and has also given an option for a regular menu. It's a convenient way to view the menu close up in one's mobile phone and is a safer and more sustainable option.

A contactless QR code menu poster on the window
Image source: Katie V / WDW

5. Order through the app and scan the QR code when you are ready to receive your order

American restaurant franchise Chick-Fil-A offers a mobile app that people can use in-store or at home for pickup later. No more waiting in lines. Simply order the meals of your choice on the app, choose a location, and pay. When you scan the QR code at the restaurant, staff will bring your order to your table or out to your car so you can avoid waiting in lines and have quality contactless service.

Payment qr code scan at the counter
Image source: Estela Graphics


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