QR code menus have become standard in restaurants worldwide. But there's a difference between having a QR code menu and having one that actually works well. Here's everything you need to know to get it right.
Placement: Where to Put Your QR Codes
On the Table
The most common placement. Use table tents, stickers, or integrated table cards. Position them where they're visible but not in the way of food and drinks. The center of the table or near the edge closest to the customer works best.
At the Entrance
Give waiting customers something to do. A QR code at your entrance or waiting area lets customers browse your menu before they're seated, speeding up the ordering process once they sit down.
On the Window
For walk-by traffic, a QR code on your window lets potential customers check your menu before committing to come in. It's like a digital version of posting your menu outside.
Pro Tip
Always include a brief instruction near your QR code: "Scan for menu" or "Point your camera here." Not everyone is familiar with QR codes, and a simple prompt increases scan rates significantly.
Design: Making Your QR Code Work
Size Matters
Your QR code should be at least 2cm × 2cm (about 0.8 inches) for reliable scanning from a normal phone distance. For table placement, 3-4cm is ideal. Larger is generally better—phones have no trouble scanning large QR codes, but small ones can be problematic.
Contrast is Critical
QR codes need high contrast to scan reliably. Black on white is classic for a reason. If you customize colors, ensure there's strong contrast between the code and background. Avoid placing QR codes on busy or textured backgrounds.
Don't Over-customize
While custom QR codes with logos can look nice, over-customization can reduce scannability. If you add a logo, keep it small (under 30% of the QR code area) and maintain the code's structure. When in doubt, use a standard QR code—reliability beats aesthetics.
The Menu Experience
Mobile-First Design
99% of your QR scans will come from phones. Your menu must be designed for mobile screens first. This means readable fonts (16px minimum), touch-friendly buttons, and content that doesn't require horizontal scrolling.
Fast Loading
Your menu should load in under 3 seconds on a typical mobile connection. Optimize images, minimize code, and use a fast hosting provider. Every second of load time increases abandonment.
Clear Categories
Organize your menu into clear, logical categories. Customers should be able to find what they're looking for in 2-3 taps. Common categories include Appetizers, Mains, Desserts, and Drinks—but adapt to your restaurant's style.
Quality Photos
Menu items with photos get ordered more. But bad photos are worse than no photos. Use well-lit, appetizing images that accurately represent your dishes. If you can't get good photos, text descriptions can work well too.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Placing QR codes where they'll get wet or dirty
Use laminated or waterproof materials, or position codes away from high-splash areas
Using the same QR code for different tables
Use unique codes per table to track which tables are ready to order
Forgetting to test the QR code
Always scan your QR code from multiple phones before printing
Not having a backup
Keep a few physical menus for customers who can't or won't use QR codes
Linking to a PDF
Use a proper mobile menu, not a PDF. PDFs are hard to read on phones
Measuring Success
Track your QR code scans to understand customer behavior. Good metrics to watch include:
- Total scans per day/week
- Scans per table (which tables get more engagement?)
- Time spent browsing (longer usually means more engaged)
- Most viewed items (what draws attention?)
- Peak scanning times (when are customers most active?)
This data helps you optimize both your menu content and your operations.
The Hybrid Approach
While QR menus are powerful, not every customer wants to use their phone. The best restaurants offer both: QR codes for the tech-savvy and a few physical menus for those who prefer them. This isn't a failure of digital—it's good hospitality.
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