How to use QR code menus to improve restaurant service

But does contactless payment technology, such as QR codes, eliminate human touchpoints? On the contrary, they can help create even better ones. Dine-in customers, for instance, can use their smartphones and a QR code to control how and when they place an order or start a tab. That frees up your front-of-house staff to make recommendations or answer questions–creating an even better in-person experience for your customers. The power of a restaurant menu QR code can give your staff more time to focus on guests. Here are six ways your restaurant can use QR codes to create a more personal guest experience:

1. Give guests more control over their experience

Using QR codes can help you take your menu, orders, and payments digital, allowing guests more flexibility and control over their experience. For example, guests can scan a QR code restaurant menu with their smartphone to view the digital menu, see their tab, order from the bar, and split the check as they wish. When the meal’s over, your guests can sign up for your loyalty program and even a newsletter digitally. 

Plus, you can store information about a guests’ dining preferences and favorite dishes for their next visit right in your restaurant POS system with customer engagement software. A digital menu also allows for more flexibility in presenting daily specials, seasonal items, limited-time offers, as well as streamlining online ordering.

2. Improve operational efficiency

QR codes not only offer guests more control, they can also deliver time savings for everyone, including your restaurant staff. Since guests can review QR code menus, place orders, and pay with QR codes, employees can redirect time to delivering a quality product and experience to your guests. And that can also mean more tables served, more efficiently with fewer errors.

Even better, using QR code technology can help reduce supply costs, including fewer menus to update, less receipt paper, and less printer ink.

3. Synchronize front and back-of-house restaurant staff  

A QR code for restaurant menu ordering processes can improve course timing, preparation, and accuracy by connecting your front and back-of-house staff through a seamless, digital POS system. Even if you’re short-staffed, a Clover POS system with QR code ordering can keep your staff connected and your restaurant humming with contactless features such as Scan to Order and Scan to Pay.

Scan to Order lets guests place orders from their mobile devices using the restaurant QR code, and lets you update digital menus on the spot, assign table numbers to orders to help ensure food is delivered to the correct customers, and make certain servers receive the tips they’re due. And with Scan to Pay, guests can review and split the bill, add a tip, and pay from their smartphones. That means servers can spend less time on the bill and more time covering tables and creating a great guest experience.

4. Streamline job postings with QR code attachments

Hiring new talent in the restaurant industry can be time-consuming, but creative QR code uses can simplify the process. Rather than including lengthy job descriptions or application instructions, restaurants can attach QR codes to physical job postings. Scanning the QR code can redirect interested candidates to a dedicated webpage or online form, enabling them to quickly access detailed job information and submit their applications effortlessly. Including a QR code on your “We’re Hiring!” sign can increase the amount of applications you receive, as more passersby can take the moment to scan the code and learn more.

5. Marketing with QR codes to engage customers

QR codes offer a fun and interactive way to engage customers and boost brand awareness. By incorporating QR codes into your marketing materials, such as posters, flyers, business cards, or social media campaigns, you can invite customers to scan and enter into a drawing or receive a special offer. This not only generates excitement but also helps to build a loyal customer base and collect valuable customer data for future marketing initiatives.

One of the more unique QR code uses involves generating buzz and curiosity by posting unlabeled QR codes in places with high foot traffic, such as on street light poles or local bulletin boards. People who stumble upon the code and scan it may feel an instant connection to your restaurant due to the “treasure hunt” effect of discovering the QR code organically in their lives.

6. Drive customer loyalty with apps that use QR codes

Many restaurant businesses offer loyalty programs to reward repeat customers, and QR codes can enhance these programs significantly. By implementing a rewards program that is integrated with a restaurant POS system, restaurants can utilize QR codes as a part of their loyalty program strategy. Customers can scan QR codes at the point of purchase to accumulate rewards or receive personalized discounts. This not only helps strengthen customer loyalty, but it can also provide restaurants with valuable insights into customer preferences and behaviors.

Ready to use QR codes in your restaurant?

QR codes have evolved into powerful tools with endless possibilities for restaurants. By incorporating QR codes creatively, restaurant businesses can streamline operations, engage customers, and enhance marketing efforts. From creating a QR code menu to interactive marketing campaigns, QR codes offer convenience, engagement, and data collection that can help propel restaurants to new heights.

Interested in how to create a QR code for a restaurant menu? For restaurants small and large, Clover has payment processing solutions that help you work smarter. Explore our complete range of restaurant POS systems optimized for QR code ordering. Why wait? Get started with a Clover POS System today to elevate your business.

Editorial Team

Customer service, Full Service Restaurants (FSR), Loyalty, Payments & processing, Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)

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