Virtual, contactless ordering was already on the rise in the restaurant sector because of technological advancements. Still, with the devastating effects of the Covid-19 outbreak, it became essential for businesses to survive.
Customers nowadays are more careful while dining out and will only place an order if they have enough personal space. They can avoid touching common objects (such as restaurant menus) and are certain that their food will be prepared safely.
Having a digital menu that guests can purchase straight from their phone by scanning a QR code is an excellent approach to put them at ease when ordering from your restaurant and increase the likelihood of returning. Not only will this make your life easier, but it will also help you save money by eliminating the need for printed menus.
What is a QR code?
Quick Response (QR) codes are barcode images that a smartphone may scan and contain information such as websites, phone numbers and email addresses. QR codes are also known as two-dimensional barcodes. They eliminate the need for users to physically type letters and numbers into their phones, making it simple for them to go to a website, contact a company or email contact.
Why do you need a QR Code Menu?
QR Code menus are becoming increasingly popular in the food service industry due to their numerous benefits. They allow for a contactless dining experience, reducing the risk of transmitting germs and providing a safer environment for customers and employees. QR code digital menus are also cost-effective, easy to update, and provide a more interactive experience for diners. They can be customized to include nutritional information, pictures, and even videos.
The benefits of creating QR code menus for restaurants:
Improved response times
Customers may make their orders as soon as they are ready with contactless menus, eliminating the need to wait for a waiter or waitress to visit their table.
Better use of available staff time
Generally, servers can cover more tables at once when customers depend on contactless menus.
Improved guest experience
Consumers have much reduced waiting time due to faster service and more table coverage. It is particularly helpful when many people are around, such as Friday evenings. Customers hate waiting but offering them a contactless menu might help everyone avoid becoming upset. In addition, QR Code Menus provide a more individualized experience right at the dining table. In quick service restaurants (QSR), digital menus are the norm; however, in fast casual and casual dining establishments, diners are more likely to get up and move about to get a good glance at a digital menu, which leaves them in a more precarious position.
An increase in revenue
For two reasons, restaurants that provide contactless menu options often have greater check totals. Consider that, rather than waiting for a server to become available, you can push a button to place an order for something different rather than having to stand around and wait for them. It reduces the amount of friction involved in the ordering process. Second, rather than depending on a waitperson to orally explain upsell choices like more cheese or bacon, it is far simpler to advertise these items on a screen than it is to ask a waitperson to do so.
Keep menus up-to-date without any printing
With a QR code menu, you can easily make changes to your menu without the need for reprinting. This is especially helpful if you frequently update your offerings or make changes due to ingredient availability. You can simply update the digital menu, and customers will be able to access the latest version through the QR code.
Increase cost efficiency
By eliminating the need for printed menus, you can save on printing costs and reduce paper waste. Additionally, you can reduce labor costs by not needing staff to manually sanitize physical menus after each use. This makes QR code menus a more eco-friendly and cost-effective option for food service organizations.
Captures email addresses to enroll in email automation programs
When customers access the menu through the QR code, you can prompt them to enter their email address to enroll in email automation programs. This allows you to collect valuable customer data and send targeted marketing campaigns based on their preferences. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and higher revenue for your business.
How to create a contactless restaurant QR code menu
Publish your menu on the web
Your menu must be accessible online if you want customers to look at it that way. You're good to go if you already have a menu or online ordering setup for your business. If you don't have one now, you can quickly and easily add one using one of the many available design templates. Certain QR code makers let you post an online menu.
Create one or more QR codes
QR codes can be generated for each menu item or for the entire menu, depending on the preference of the food service organization, and for example, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is essential to ensure that the QR code is scannable and that the menu linked to it is mobile-friendly.
Make use of a QR code generator
A contactless menu may be made relatively easily using one of the internet's numerous free QR code generators. Add a link to your menu and the app will generate a QR code that smartphones can read. You may also customize the look of your QR code by changing its color and layout in certain apps.
Use the Look DS software
A QR code may be added to your design by selecting the QR icon from the toolbar or using the Q key in the Look Digital Signage Software. It’s a great option, when you want to combine digital menu or any ad content played on your digital signage with QR code menu display. Insert the URL and set the parameters for the external code in the proper places. In addition, the request parameters, which reveal the screen or scene from which a link was clicked, may be configured independently.
Remember that dynamic values allow you to track down the same screen on which a link was clicked. Any optional parameters may be supplied with fixed values.
Create a QR code using your POS / Ordering System.
Popular point-of-sale (POS) terminals and online food delivery services often include a QR code generator as an in-built feature. Using these integrations for contactless ordering is a great way to eliminate potential health hazards in your eatery. Clover, Square, and Toast are just systems that provide similar functionality. Depending on its structure, you may need to generate more than one QR code for your menu. By doing so, you can guide clients to the best possible choices.
Distribute your QR code for potential buyers to scan
Only if the contactless menus are well-placed and visible will they allow for a frictionless dining experience.
Where should you put your QR code?
Aside from having copies of the menu at each table, prominent displays should be made around the restaurant. Display them prominently in your shop's window, front door and host stand. The rationale for its inclusion is straightforward: you want your customers to be able to peruse your menu before they are seated.
How to Showcase Your QR Code
You've likely seen QR codes for the menu printed on inserts in tabletop signage. They may also be placed on a desk by sticking or taping them down. Some drawbacks are associated with each of these alternatives. Customers can no longer use the contactless menu since they must elevate the tabletop signage to scan them. Stickers on table tops are another common source of visitor contamination. Additionally, they have reached the end of their useful life and need replacement.
Posters throughout the eatery are another great way to get the word out about your QR code. Posters may be framed for a more finished effect or be hung directly on the wall using tape.
However, digital signage is the greatest solution to show QR codes for a truly cutting-edge, contactless dining experience. Digital LED billboards provide several advantages over traditional posters, such as glowing Yelp reviews and Instagram photos.
Contactless Menus: The Future
Although quick response (QR) codes have been available since 1994, they are now more affordable and accessible to every company owner. To safeguard their consumers and bottom lines, restaurants are becoming creative. Contactless menus will continue to gain popularity since they reassure clients that your company will properly meet their wants.
