What Changes Have QR Codes Made to the Dining Experience?

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QR codes, or Quick Response codes, are small, square-shaped barcodes that can be scanned with a smartphone or other device to access information or link to a webpage. These codes have been around since the 1990s, but they have gained widespread popularity in recent years due to their versatility and ease of use. QR codes have changed the dining experience in a big way, both for customers and for businesses. 


In a short amount of time, the use of QR codes in the hospitality industry went through the roof. At this time, restaurants all over the world make use of QR codes to enhance both the customer experience and the growth of their businesses.


Even though the pandemic has (almost) been wiped out, restaurants with QR code menus offer more than just a touchless experience. They help restaurants give their customers a great dining experience and make their staff work more efficiently. As a result, you can expect to see an online restaurant ordering system in restaurants for the foreseeable future. Let's take a look at the changes that have occurred in the dining experience since the introduction of QR codes:


#1 Customers can order without interacting with the staff

One of the most significant changes QR codes have made to the dining experience is the ability for customers to place orders and make payments without interacting with a server or cashier. Many restaurants now offer QR code menus, which allow customers to scan a code at their table to access the menu and place an order directly from their phones. This can be especially useful for busy restaurants or those with limited staff, as it allows customers to order and pay without having to wait for a server to come to their table. QR code restaurant ordering can also be used to pay for a meal, eliminating the need for cash or card transactions.


They offer a service that does not require any physical contact, which gives the customers a sense of security. In addition, guests can immediately access the menu on their phones, check the selection of items that are available, and place an order for food. So, using QR codes to order food is a big part of making sure that your customers have a better time when they eat at your business.


#2 Customers can get better information on the menu without asking the staff

QR codes have made it easier for customers to access information about a restaurant or menu item. Many restaurants now have QR codes on their menus or placemats that give information about ingredients, allergens, or nutrition. This can be especially helpful for customers with food allergies or dietary restrictions, since they can quickly find this information without having to ask the chef.


#3 Restaurants Can Track The Preferences Of The Customers In A Better Way

QR codes have also made it easier for restaurants to track customer preferences and gather feedback. Many restaurants now use QR codes to create surveys or polls that customers can take after their meals. These surveys can help restaurants gather valuable insights into what customers like or dislike about their dining experience, allowing them to make improvements or changes as needed.


#4 Helps In Better Promotion Of THe Resturant

The use of QR codes on menus can also be an effective marketing tool. On the menu page, you have the option of including links to your website as well as mobile applications. People who want to can easily go to your website or download your app without having to look for it first. It is an efficient form of marketing that is completely free.


QR codes have also had an impact on the way restaurants market themselves to customers. QR codes are now used by a lot of restaurants on their menus, placemats, and signs to tell customers about special deals or discounts or to send them to their website or social media pages. This allows restaurants to easily update and change their promotions, and it can also help drive traffic to their online presence.


#5 Modify and update the items on the menu without reprinting

Restaurants often change their menus by adding new items, taking away old ones, changing prices, and other things. However, it can be expensive to continually update menus. Every time you make a change to the menu, you will need to reprint it. This might drive up the price of printing the menus and cut into your profits.


This problem is solved by menus that use QR codes. Since menu QR codes and other types of dynamic QR codes can be edited in real time, the items on the menu can be changed without having to print a new QR code. Consequently, you can alter the menu in any way you like, including by adding or removing items, changing their prices, and so on, while still using the same QR code.


Using QR codes on menus also lets you collect valuable customer information and learn more about your customers. You are able to learn the types of foods they order as well as the best time for them to come to the restaurant.


QR code menus are also helpful if a certain item on the menu is out of stock for a short time. On the digital menu, you can immediately strike through the items that aren't available to order. Because of this, guests will know ahead of time about any items that won't be available to them, which will make their experience better.


Wrapping Up

Overall, QR codes have made significant changes to the dining experience, both for customers and businesses. They have made it easier for customers to place orders, access information, and provide feedback, and they have also made it easier for restaurants to track customer preferences and market themselves. While there is always a risk of technology issues, the benefits of QR codes in the dining experience are clear.








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Why should a restaurant use digital menus instead of paper Menu?

The digital menu accessible to clients via their own smartphone are updatable in real time from any phone or laptop. This allows restaurant for real time price changes or to temporarily hide product which are out of stock. It also allows to add in few seconds new selling product. Having a menu on the table at all time, saves time! The client does not need to wait the server/waiter to bring him the menu to start reading it. As a result, the table turnover increases as well, bringing in more sales revenues to the restaurant. 

Clients, can filter the food by allergens and exclude the items to which they are allergic to. Also, they are able to see the items in 8 languages and with pictures. This reduces the number of misunderstandings and increases their experience and satisfaction. 

Having our digital menu increase on line and social media presence on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TripAdvisor. They have the option to add those links at the bottom of the menu. The client can be redirect there, so that he has the possibility to rate, follow or like your restaurant. The more people interact on line, the higher the number of people coming (assuming your offering is also good).

Last but not least, owners are able to run promotion in certain time ranges. For instance, if you have raw materials close to expiration day, you can reduce their stocks by offering a product discount before having to dispose them at a full loss. Or in case you have a bar and would like to schedule regular happy hours/discounts between certain working hours. Discounts lead to an increase the number of guests and sales volume.

There are always people who will continue preferring the old-fashioned paper menu. Especially elderly ones. It is good practice to have a couple of paper courtesy menus available for them to read. They could be edited and printed daily.

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What is a KDS and why is it better than paper tickets?

KDS stands as Kitchen Display System. Essentially, all orders are displayed digitally on a screen instead of been printed on a paper ticket. One screen fits up to 10 tables in one single view. Having a KDS solves practical issues such as changing the paper roll during the busy kitchen period times. Most importantly it allows for the kitchen staff to coordinate delivery to a table across different department by using the “Synchronization” functionality so that all people at the table eat at the same time. Currently in most of the restaurant such coordination across department is done physically by a manager (running between departments) or radio channels. Another big advantage of a KDS is to flag when the food is ready. The waiters who called the items will receive a notification on their phone/work device and will know it is time to pick up the food and “Deliver” it to the client. Once food is delivered by the waiter, the table will move at the back of the queue to that the next table can be start to be prepared. The last advantage of KDS are their environmental footprint. A heat laser printer consumes more energy than the average LED screen. On top also many Kilometers of high-quality printing paper per year! Such a waste ☹. For a well aired kitchen, you can use also a google smart tv as a KDS! What are you waiting for doing the switch?

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