How to Use QR Codes for Restaurant Marketing Effectively

Do you remember the times when using cell phones at the dinner table was considered extremely impolite? QR codes for restaurant marketing have turned the tables, making smartphones our dining companions for all the right reasons.

From digital menus to online ordering and using QR codes, this innovative technology is transforming the hospitality industry today.  

If you are a restaurant owner, you might want to delve into the details of this easy, yet effective marketing tool. 

Let's see what QR codes offer restaurants, their marketing benefits and how to make a QR code for a restaurant menu with a Free QR code generator.

Table of Contents

    1. QR menus: Making dining experience digital
    2. How to make QR code for restaurant menu? 
    3. Why Partnering with a Free QR Code Generator is Crucial for Your QR Codes Strategy?
    4. 7 Ways to use QR codes for restaurant marketing
    5. Benefits of using QR codes for restaurant marketing 
    6. Create your own restaurant QR codes with a QR code generator
    7. FAQs

QR menus: Making dining experience digital

This type of QR code is often seen on restaurant or cafe table tents. When someone scans this barcode with a smartphone, it directs them to a link for online information. 

The traditional dining process involves a staff providing the menu and then taking orders manually, but with QR code—personalized approach,physical contact is no longer needed.

The restaurant QR codes were widely adapted during the pandemic to encourage contactless ordering and payments.

Apart from that, these QR codes have become the preferred choice of restaurants for digital menus, reservations or promotions due to their sustainable nature. 

How to make QR code for restaurant menu? 

Creating a QR code restaurant menu is a very simple task. Go to the Free QR Code Generator and follow these instructions 

  • Click the More button and choose Menu
  • Sign in for a free account by clicking Start my free trial. You will be redirected to a new website.
  • Provide the necessary data required and generate the code
  • Customize your QR code to match your brand image or design theme.
  • Download and print your QR code

Note: To create the best QR codes that provides your customers an easy access to information, you should do a detailed research on QR code for businesses and their best practices techniques.

Why Partnering with a Free QR Code Generator is Crucial for Your QR Codes Strategy?

One of the main reasons to partner with Free QR Code Generator is it’s free of cost. You can go to the website, add the details and create a workable digital link for your business.

Beyond the financial benefits, it has a user-friendly interface and a number of options to support your QR codes strategy. 

For example, as a business owner, you can follow your QR code strategy and create digital links for various purposes, like sharing your location, Wi-Fi, SMS, Facebook, YouTube, email, and text—all for free. 

If you want more advanced features, Free QR Code Generator has paid plans too. These include options like linking QR codes to surveys, sharing multiple URLs, and even tracking scans with detailed analytics.

In short, partnering with Free QR Code Generator not only saves you money but also gives you powerful tools to boost your business.

7 Ways to use QR codes for restaurant marketing

Don’t think that restaurant QR codes are only for digital menus. In fact, they have much more potential. Here, we have listed some practical ways how you can use QR codes in improving your customer experience. 

Printed menu alternative

Replace your paper printed menus with QR code Menus. Let the customers scan it and place their orders directly to the kitchen staff.

This digital approach has so many benefits. It reduces waiting time for customers and minimizes any communication errors.

Restaurants with QR code menus can update their prices digitally without spending money on reprinting. This can be really helpful for seasonal dishes on the menu.

In-house WiFi-sharing

Cafés and coffee shops have become the go-to workplace of freelance and remote professionals.

By 2025, 32.6 million people in the U.S. will shift to remote work, and a good majority prefer to work from quiet eateries. However, accessing the Internet in these setups often requires complex passwords or costly data plans. 

To make things easier, use a WIFI QR code to share WiFi or in-house data. By placing QR codes on different tables, you can help customers connect to the WiFi without any manual input.

This improves customer satisfaction, encourages longer stays, and positions your restaurant as tech-savvy and customer-centric. 

Food traceability

According to the CDC, at least 48 million people get sick because of foodborne illnesses in the United States. Start a food traceability system in your restaurant to improve customers' trust and familiarize them with your working process.

Integrate QR codes on the menu that show customers how the food reached them from farm to table. 

These QR codes should contain detailed information about ingredients, their nutritional value, and possible allergens. They can also educate people about the origin of the food and the safety standards followed in the supply chain process. 

Interactive promotions and discounts

Engage your customers to promote your business with different promotional and discount offers. You can start by offering discounted QR code restaurant ordering on different products.

For instance, if you are launching a new coffee flavor, print a QR code on the glass that gives people a free cookie on their next visit. 

Encourage people to share your QR codes with their friends and family and get loyalty points on each scan.

The flexibility to track QR code scans provides valuable data on campaign performance. This data can be used to measure ROI and improve future marketing campaigns. 

Online orders and payment

QR codes for restaurant marketing are not limited to menus. People spend more when they order digitally. Therefore, you should also enable your customers to access a digital menu and order online with QR codes. 

Instead of using complex food-ordering apps, people should be able to scan, order, and receive food from the comfort of their homes.

Customers can browse the menu at their convenience, adding more items to the cart so they don't feel rushed.  

Additionally, contactless payment QR code offers a secure mode of payment without any chances of overcharging or faulty card systems. This provides your customers with a pleasant and enjoyable dining experience.  

Promote your social media presence

QR codes are a simple yet practical way to increase your social media presence and engagement. You can place table tent QR codes on different tables to encourage customers to check your social media profiles while waiting for their meals. 

To promote further engagement, offer exclusive discounts for customers who check-in or share their dining experience online.

Display QR codes on external signage and the Storefront to capture the attention of passersby and direct them to your online platforms.   

Customer feedback

Research shows that 75% of customers recommend a product or service to others on the basis of customer service.

You can add QR code restaurant ordering to the table tents, receipts, and review cards. These codes can link people to your social media handles or Google business page to share their reviews. 

Benefits of using QR codes for restaurant marketing 

Cost-effective solution

Once you move to QR codes there is no need for paper printed menus which helps you save money on design and printing cost.

You can easily update the prices, new dishes or chef’s specials whenever you want without any extra expenses. 

Collect guest data

Restaurants usually lack detailed information about their guests. QR code scans give you detailed information about customer behavior and preferences.

This information can be used to personalize menus, such as highlighting dairy-free or gluten-free options for certain customers. It will also help you identify top-performing menu items.  

Enhance customer experience

Using free QR code generator helps you entertain your guests with a self-dining experience. Guests can immediately access the menu and order themselves without waiting for a waiter and a printed menu.

This freedom of choice enhances and improves the overall dining experience.  

Faster table service

Restaurant owners often struggle to manage a large customer influx while providing the best hospitality experience.

This can be more challenging for small eateries that have a limited staff. QR codes offer a solution by simplifying the order taking and billing process. 

When customers place orders from their phones, the staff can focus on providing exceptional hospitality. This will help in reducing the waiting time and improving customer satisfaction. 

Create your own restaurant QR codes with a QR code generator

Using QR codes for restaurant marketing helps you create a digital menu, promote healthy eating, improve online business and engage your customers with discounts and promotions. 

However, it is important to understand your particular industry, client base, and service style before jumping into this. 

If the answer is positive, go for a platform that has the potential to facilitate your requirements in the best way. Free QR Code Generator helps you create trackable QR codes and monitor their real-time performance.

We have both free and paid QR code options. You can sign up for a free trial and create your first QR code for free. 

FAQs

Why are QR codes so effective?

QR codes offer several advantages that make them a powerful marketing tool. They are convenient and trackable, and they help businesses collect useful customer data. 

You can use them to create engaging marketing campaigns and increase customer satisfaction. 

Are QR codes good for restaurants?

QR codes are excellent for restaurants. They can be used for digital menus, online ordering, customer loyalty programs, and marketing campaigns.

They enable you to collect valuable customer data and contribute to the overall success of a restaurant.