I was skeptical when we first introduced QR code ordering. I thought guests wanted a personal touch from servers, not another digital interaction—but curiosity won out.
We cautiously tested it by having servers warmly greet guests, take their initial orders, and then casually suggest scanning the QR code for anything extra they might need. To our amazement, more than half of our diners embraced it enthusiastically. Families discreetly ordered extra fries for kids, friends quickly added a second round of drinks without the embarrassment of flagging down their server, and couples impulsively ordered dessert after seeing how appealing it looked.
We added quick-select buttons like "extra ketchup," "side of dipping sauce," "need a spoon," and even "send server to table." Each selection printed directly at the relevant kitchen or service station, speeding up response time and making it effortless for guests to customize their meal without feeling intrusive.
Servers felt more available to attend personally to guests who required extra care, significantly improving guest satisfaction and boosting our average check size.
Have you tried QR codes in a way that surprised you with its effectiveness?
