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The hospitality industry has gone through a lot of changes over the past few years. We’ve seen hotels, restaurants and bars go from simply adapting, trying to keep their heads above water while going through the changes and requirements of strict CDC guidelines.
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But after a year of reopening, they are finally able to thrive with the help of new technology.
One such technology is menu QR codes. What was considered simply a workaround during the height of the pandemic has evolved so quickly. From their original one-dimensional PDF copy to smart online menus that now allow payment and even advance order options.
To put it another way, QR codes have been around since 1994. Pandemic It exploded into the greatest life-saving and everyday non-contact tool. Since then, it has evolved from simply disseminating medical information to a portal for ordering and contactless transactions, and has even produced innovative viral ads.
The restaurant industry has taken full advantage of this innovation, making menu QR codes an essential tool for their business.
Let’s review how traditional menus transformed into smart menu QR codes and changed the course of the restaurant and bar industry.
Menu Evolution: From Traditional Menus to Smart Menus
no surprise to some Customers still prefer paper menus to digital ones. One reason is that it allows them to “unplug” from their smartphone devices.
On the other hand, more and more restaurant and bar owners see the importance of adding smart menus to their operations. These technologies allow them to reduce overhead costs and remain resilient to ups and downs in factors such as inflation and labor shortages.
As for customers, 58% of adults surveyed In a 2022 study by the National Restaurant Association, they concluded that they were more likely to use their phones to access menu QR codes. This only proves the efficiency of offering this option in restaurants and bars to meet the growing customer demand.
The Evolution of the Paper Menu
Let’s get this out of the way: QR code menus are not meant to replace traditional paperback menu.
In fact, they already co-exist with physical menus and provide a more convenient way to order for busier, tech-savvy customers.
Small and medium-sized restaurants and bars only need to select the QR code menu to get orders more conveniently, queue up for admission, and add, delete or update items in the list.
They are no longer subject to price fluctuations and staff shortages. Through menu QR codes, businesses are able to stay on top of their operations and even track their order data to continue providing the best food and service.
The Evolution of the QR Code Menu
Early in the pandemic, restaurants and bars were struggling to adapt to strict dine-in and ordering rules.
This is the beginning of the PDF QR code menu. They are a much-needed no-contact option for businesses to continue to provide services and follow changing CDC guidelines.
However, post-pandemic, PDF file QR code menus have been “deleted” because they are one-dimensional and still require zooming in to really see the entire selection clearly.
However, it didn’t take long for the developers to come up with a truly innovative version of a QR code menu that would direct customers to a restaurant or bar login page. Without zooming in, it already shows high-quality photos and videos, categorized as food, drink, and other accompaniments.
There are options to highlight deals at certain times of day and even direct customers to a secure payment page for a more immediate ordering and dining experience.
In fact, menu QR codes have come a long way since the beta phase of offering PDF menus. Restaurants and bars no longer rely on additional staff and separate physical menus. Depending on their budget, they can fully utilize menu QR codes and create more efficient and seamless restaurant and bar operations.
Interactive order form with smart QR code menu
Rising customer demand, looming inflation, tight labor markets, and commodity volatility have revolutionized the way restaurant and bar owners use Smart QR code menu.
These online menus provide an interactive ordering system within a restaurant or bar, helping to address labor shortages and maximize productivity.
Smart QR code menus not only solve the biggest restaurant problems, but also future-proof the business of restaurants and bars.
According to the CEO and founder of QRTIGER and the restaurant QR code menu MENU TIGER, SOFTWARE, Benjamin Claeys says: “By investing in self-pay technology and digital menu software, companies gain increased resilience. They are no longer dependent on staff availability and unforeseen price increases.”
Smart menu QR codes have advanced features that enable business owners to cater to customers and reduce ordering errors through mobile payments. This saves operators a lot of time and money as they can focus all their energy on the ‘hospitality’ side of the business.
Claeys further mentioned that ordering and paying for food in bars and restaurants is entirely at the discretion of the customer. Employees are freed to focus on more important activities than just taking orders, maximizing their productivity.
This McKinsey Global Institute states that data-driven organizations are 23 times more likely to attract customers, 6 times more likely to retain customers, and thus 19 times more likely to be profitable.
Smart menu QR codes allow restaurant and bar owners to track customers’ orders (from order history to preferences) and create a more strategic approach. This will help them track and use customer data to their advantage. This can be done by looking at their bestsellers or pairs and highlighting them at the top of the menu selection.
Businesses can easily edit and update their online menus, and even add high-quality photos themselves.
It’s been a long, hard road for restaurants to navigate these changes and eventually find a place to integrate technology into their operations. After all, it is by adding a digital dimension to their services that they can serve more customers and address their polarizing choices when it comes to ordering and paying.
