As of October 2023, on monthly basis 36.7% of Australians regularly harness the benefits of QR codes, indicating that nearly one-third of mobile phone users in Australia rely on QR code technology for daily tasks. Previously, QR codes were primarily used for informational purposes, offering the best solutions for repetitive actions. For example, users could access websites by scanning QR codes on their mobile devices, thereby saving valuable time and effort in typing in web addresses. Additionally, QR codes can be used in creative ways to provide product information, display product details, or organize marketing/advertising campaigns after the coronavirus pandemic use cases and benefits offered by QR codes changed drastically. Businesses have realized that QR codes can offer way more benefits if used in creative ways, for example keeping track of products in stores and convenience-oriented applications like QR code ordering in restaurant. With just a simple scan, customers can access digital menus, place orders, and even make payments. Let’s explore how QR code systems are reshaping the restaurant business.

How QR code ordering works in a restaurant business?

A basic website provides information about the restaurant, for example address, contact nos, cuisine it offers and its business model, which doesn’t offer much advantages for the restaurant. On the other hand, a QR code ordering system acts as an online store for the restaurant, offering numerous benefits to both customers and owners . QR code ordering enables customers to browse, order, and pay for their orders, making it effective for use with any smart phone without the need to install any third-party apps. With platforms like Foodship, restaurants can effortlessly generate customized QR codes matching with their theme or interior, ensuring clarity and stability. This innovative approach offers the best-in-class dining experience for diners.

Working flow of QR Code Ordering:

1: Each table has a unique QR code prominently displayed, designated for that particular table. 2: Customer use their smart phone camera to scan the QR code, to access digital menu on their mobile device. 3: Customer explore various menu categories like appetizers, main courses, beverages, and desserts with detailed descriptions, prices, and images of food item. 4: Customer can securely pay for their order through various payment methods accepted by the restaurant, for example credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and digital platforms, ensuring secure transactions 5: Upon successful payment, the order is transmitted to the POS of the restaurant that is further dispatch to kitchen or bar for preparation by the restaurant staff.

How QR Ordering Boosts Your Bottom Line

1. Improved Table Turnover Rate: In today’s fast-paced world, wait time in restaurants is one of the biggest pain points for customers. QR code technology provides an efficient and effective process to reduce restaurant wait times. QR code ordering differs significantly from the traditional ordering process, QR code enables customers to easily browse the digital menu, place orders, and make payments directly from their smart phones zeroing the wait time for the waiter to take orders, resulting in a faster table turnover rate. Faster table turnover means serving more customers with the same resource, thus more revenue without additional investment.
2. Higher average order value (AOV): According to a study, it has been found that customers who order using QR code ordering often results in up to 30% higher average order values as they don’t feel rushed to make a decision and they explore the menu item with ease thus it helps to increase the average order value (AOV) of the restaurant. QR code ordering provides opportunities for up-selling and cross-selling through visually appealing menus, enticing descriptions, and suggestive prompts such as adding a side, a fountain drink, or dessert. Additionally, QR code ordering offers the option to modify the food menu using built-in modifiers. For example, Modifiers for a standard burger might include: extra cheese, no onions and a side of fries, which not only increases satisfaction but also helps the restaurant generate more revenue by customizing orders.This increase in ticket size with the same old footfall of customers impacts the profitability of the restaurant.
3. Lower FOH staff costs:    As per research, nearly 37% of customers prefer using QR codes to access menus and place orders from their tables. This indicates that more than one-third of restaurant guests opt for QR code ordering systems, and this number is increasing year by year. With QR code ordering, restaurant customers no longer require physical menus to place their orders. This means that restaurants no longer need waiters to take orders, allowing restaurant to operate with fewer front of house staff. For example, if a restaurant previously required 4 waiters to serve 40 tables, it can now serve the same number of tables or customers with just 2 waiters. The other two waiters can then be assigned to other productive tasks such as food delivery or housekeeping. This redistribution of labor not only optimizes staff productivity but also a great advantage as this results in saving in terms of dollars, making a significant impact on the profit and loss account.
4. Improved guest experience: This positive experience along with control and convenience for customer offered by QR code technology increases the likelihood of repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals, giving your restaurant a competitive advantage over others. In a PYMNTS’ Digital Divide study, over half (51%) of grab-and-go customers said that accessing the menu with a QR code has given them a positive satisfaction experience for several reasons. a. Customers can place orders at their own pace without feeling pressured by waiters hovering over them to take their orders, allowing them to take their sweet time to decide what they want to have, an advantage that enhances their overall dining experience. b. There is negligible scope for human error since no waiter is involved in the order-taking process. Customers place their orders themselves, and the orders are dispatched directly to the kitchen, assuring them that there will be no hidden surprises when their food is served. c. Zero wait time means customers can start ordering as soon as they are seated, without having to wait for a waiter to take their order, this is crucial during peak hours. Depending on the business model of the restaurant customers can pay the bills of their own without waiting for the waiter giving them a smoother checkout process.

Restaurants might not quantify the improved guest experience in terms of profit, but repeat customers in the long term will have a positive impact on your restaurant’s profitability. Displaying the best service and innovative ideas will effectively nurture customer loyalty for your restaurant, benefiting from increased repeat visits and driving business growth.

Benefits of QR Code Ordering for Customers

1. Main advantage of QR code ordering is contactless experience with fewer touch points promoting more hygienic dining environment. – Customer can place order of their own without touching the physical menu. – Restaurant staff no longer needs to carry a payment terminal to customer tables, as customers can conveniently pay for their orders themselves. This not only reduces the burden on staff but also enhances the overall efficiency of the dining experience.
2. Make bill splitting easy. In some countries, payments are made via QR codes using money wallets. Many wallets offer a bill-splitting option, where one person settles the bill and others pay their share to them.
3. Customizing menu on their own provides a sense of satisfaction for customers, offering the advantage of personalizing their meals to suit their preferences and dietary requirements.
4. QR code ordering, offers faster service for customers, providing the benefits of swift and efficient dining experiences for customer, especially during peak hours or busy periods.

Getting Started with QR Codes in Your Restaurant

QR code ordering has become the new norm for restaurants in Australia as modern day customers prefer a contactless dining experience. Running a QR code ordering system is easy with the platform like Foodship. Being one of best service provider “Foodship” offers QR code ordering system free of cost as a part of Point of Sale software or Online Food Ordering Software. Restaurant can choose either of them according to their business model. Here’s how to get started.

1. 1. Restaurant can register at the QR code service provider for example we have shared the link of Foodship: https://my.foodship.com.au/register.
   2. Fill in all the required information related to their restaurant.
   3. Restaurant will send its restaurant menu to Foodship.
   4. Foodship team will set up the Point of Sale or Online Food Ordering portal for your restaurant along with QR Code ordering system.
   5. In case restaurant want discount, gift card, loyalty card/loyalty program for their restaurant this can be implemented with Online Food Ordering System.
   6. Restaurant can download unlimited and unique QR code for each table; design the QR code using third party tool and place/paste it over the table.

QR code ordering offers numerous benefits for restaurants, including increased efficiency, reduced wait times, and enhanced customer experience. Restaurateurs can deploy Foodship’s QR code technology in their restaurants to optimize their restaurant operations and get google review with qr code to take their restaurant to new heights of success.