What are QR codes and how can I use them at my restaurant?

QR codes, also known as quick response codes, are small square barcodes, typically used to direct users to a certain website. QR codes have been around for a long time, but only until recently amidst this global pandemic have they been accepted into our everyday life.

There has been an exponential growth of QR codes since COVID-19. In this current pandemic we’re living in, a lot of businesses have had to adjust and pivot the way they operate to abide by health and safety regulations and rules. Measures have been put in place like booking limits, staying seated once inside the venue, physical distancing between tables and patrons, and customers signing in to adhere to contact tracing.

In some countries, contact tracing is mandatory to track and trace each individual and the places they’ve visited to make it a seamless process to track the spread of COVID cases and where it may have occurred. Health organisations strongly recommend all hospitality and entertainment venues to use QR code sign in technologies, as it prevents people from touching the same pen and paper during their visit. With an Eatsee digital menu and guest register, all information is stored digitally and securely and is accessible within a restaurant’s Eatsee dashboard.

Alongside these restrictions and guidelines, it’s also highly encouraged to avoid using or sharing items that are reusable - such as menus. One alternative to this is creating a digital menu for your restaurant. With the quick scan of a QR code, a venue’s digital menu can be viewed by any smartphone or mobile device, without having to download any apps or programs. Customers simply scan the QR code in-venue with their phone’s camera to access the digital menu and check in if required. Implementing a digital menu will reduce physical contact in your venue and shows customers you are taking their health and safety seriously.

If you’re considering a digital menu at your venue, the setup process is very simple and can be completed in less than 10 minutes. Head to our website [link here], sign up for a free account. From here, all you have to do is upload a PDF of your menu, or create a visual menu by adding photos of your menu items.

Once your digital menu is approved, you’ll be sent a QR code that customers can scan on arrival to access your digital menu and guest register. It’s that easy!