8 Ways to Get More Customers to Scan Your QR Menu
You have invested in a beautiful QR code menu for your restaurant. The design is stunning, the photos are mouthwatering, and your prices are up to date. But there is one problem: customers are not scanning it.
You are not alone. According to our data at MenuGo, the average restaurant sees only 40 to 60 percent of customers actually use their QR menu. The good news is that with the right strategies, you can push that number above 90 percent.
In this guide, we will share 8 proven ways to get more customers to scan your QR menu.
1. Use Compelling Calls-to-Action
The biggest mistake restaurants make is using boring text like "Scan for Menu" next to their QR code.
Why it fails: It gives customers no reason to feel excited about scanning. It is transactional, not experiential.
What works instead:
| Boring CTA | Compelling CTA | |------------|----------------| | Scan for Menu | Discover Today's Chef Specials | | Menu Here | See Our Secret Menu Items | | QR Code | Unlock Exclusive Deals Inside | | Digital Menu | See Stunning Photos of Every Dish |
Pro tip: Create urgency with time-sensitive CTAs like "Today Only: See Our Limited Edition Desserts" or "Scan to See What's Fresh Today."
The psychology is simple: people are naturally curious. Give them a reason to scan beyond just seeing the menu.
Related reading: Learn how to design eye-catching QR placards in our guide to 15 Creative QR Code Menu Design Ideas.
2. Train Staff to Be Digital Ambassadors
Your servers are the bridge between your physical restaurant and your digital menu. If they are not enthusiastic about it, customers will not be either.
The wrong approach:
- ★Pointing at the QR code silently
- ★Saying the menu is on your phone
- ★Offering paper menus immediately without mentioning digital
The right approach:
Train your staff to say something like:
Welcome! Our menu is on that QR code, and I would really recommend scanning it. You will see beautiful photos of every dish, and we have some specials today that are not on our regular menu. Can I get you started with drinks while you browse?
Key training points:
- ★Highlight the benefits: Photos, dietary filters, daily specials
- ★Make it a feature, not a fallback: Present it as premium, not budget
- ★Offer assistance: Let me know if you need help scanning
- ★Still provide hospitality: The QR code handles info while staff handles warmth
According to our research at TagNovate, restaurants that invest in staff training see 45 percent higher digital engagement than those that do not.
3. Optimize QR Code Placement and Visual Prominence
If customers have to hunt for your QR code, they will not scan it. Placement and visibility are everything.
Best placement locations:
| Location | Effectiveness | Notes | |----------|---------------|-------| | Table tent center of table | Excellent | Best visibility | | Menu stand at edge of table | Good | Can be overlooked | | Sticker on table surface | Average | Durable but less prominent | | Wall poster | Fair | Good for waiting areas | | Receipt or bill holder | Poor | Too late in the journey |
Design tips for maximum visibility:
- ★High contrast colors: Black QR code on white background or vice versa
- ★Minimum size: At least 2 inches by 2 inches
- ★Clear border: Leave white space around the code
- ★Branded frame: Add your logo but do not obscure the code
- ★Directional cues: Add a small arrow or Scan Me text
Avoid these mistakes:
- ★Printing on glossy or reflective surfaces which causes glare
- ★Placing in low-light areas
- ★Making the code too small
- ★Using low-contrast colors
Pro tip: Test your QR codes at different times of day. What is visible at lunch might be invisible at dinner when lighting changes.
4. Offer First-Scan Incentives
Nothing motivates action like a reward. Offering a small incentive for first-time scanners can dramatically increase adoption.
Incentive ideas that work:
| Incentive | Cost to You | Effectiveness | |-----------|-------------|---------------| | 10 percent off first order | Medium | Excellent | | Free appetizer or side | Medium | Excellent | | Free dessert with entree | Low to Medium | Very Good | | Free drink upgrade | Low | Very Good | | Entry into monthly prize draw | Very Low | Good | | Loyalty points bonus | Very Low | Good |
How to implement:
Your QR code landing page can show a welcome offer that is only visible to first-time visitors. With MenuGo, you can track unique visitors and display targeted promotions.
Example copy for your table tent:
First Time Scanning? Get a FREE appetizer on us! Just scan and show your server the welcome screen.
The goal is not just to get them to scan once. It is to create a habit. Once they see how much better the digital experience is, they will scan every time.
5. Highlight Exclusive Digital-Only Content
Give customers content they can only get by scanning. This creates a compelling reason to use the QR code every visit.
Digital-only content ideas:
- ★Secret menu items: Dishes that are not on paper menus
- ★Chef's daily specials: Updated in real-time
- ★Behind-the-scenes stories: Where ingredients come from
- ★Wine and beer pairing suggestions: Interactive recommendations
- ★Calorie and allergen information: Detailed nutritional data
- ★Customer reviews: Social proof for popular dishes
Marketing this exclusivity:
Add messaging to your physical materials:
Scan for Exclusive Access. See our secret menu, chef's specials, and dishes we are testing before anyone else.
This transforms the QR code from a utility into a VIP experience.
See also: Do Customers Actually Like QR Menus? where 78 percent of younger diners prefer QR menus for the convenience.
6. Solve the Connectivity Problem Proactively
One of the biggest barriers to QR menu adoption is poor internet connectivity. If customers cannot load your menu, they will ask for paper.
The solution: Make WiFi access effortless
- ★Display WiFi credentials prominently next to every QR code
- ★Use a simple network name like YourRestaurant-Guest
- ★Remove login walls with no email capture or terms checkboxes
- ★Test signal strength at every table
Your QR placard should include:
Free WiFi - Network: YourRestaurant-Guest - Password: welcome123
Alternative: Optimize for slow connections
If you cannot improve WiFi, optimize your menu for speed:
- ★Compress images
- ★Use lazy loading
- ★Keep the initial load under 1MB
- ★Show text first then images second
MenuGo menus are optimized to load in under 2 seconds even on 3G connections.
7. Create Instagram-Worthy QR Displays
In the age of social media, your QR code setup is part of your restaurant's aesthetic. Make it photo-worthy.
Design ideas:
| Style | Best For | Description | |-------|----------|-------------| | Minimalist acrylic | Fine dining | Clear stand with elegant typography | | Rustic wood | Cafes and bistros | Laser-engraved wooden blocks | | Neon sign | Bars and trendy spots | LED QR code that glows | | Branded tent card | Casual dining | Matches your menu design | | Plant holder combo | Cafes | QR integrated into succulent planter |
Pro tip: If customers photograph your QR display and share it, that is free marketing. Make it worth sharing.
Design inspiration: Check out 15 Creative QR Code Menu Design Ideas for more visual concepts.
8. Track, Analyze, and Iterate
You cannot improve what you do not measure. Use analytics to understand how customers interact with your QR menu.
Key metrics to track:
| Metric | What It Tells You | Target | |--------|-------------------|--------| | Scan rate | Percent of tables that scan | Above 80 percent | | Bounce rate | Percent who scan but leave immediately | Below 20 percent | | Time on menu | How long they browse | 2 to 4 minutes | | Popular sections | What customers look at most | Varies | | Device types | iOS vs Android split | Varies | | Peak scan times | When engagement is highest | Varies |
How to use this data:
- ★Low scan rate means improve placement, CTAs, or staff training
- ★High bounce rate means menu loads too slowly or is not mobile-friendly
- ★Short time on menu means content is not engaging enough
- ★One section dominates means reorder your menu to highlight other items
MenuGo provides a full analytics dashboard so you can see exactly how customers interact with your menu.
Learn more: 10 Benefits of QR Code Menus for Small Restaurants includes insights on using analytics to boost revenue.
Bonus: The 30-Second QR Menu Audit
Run through this quick checklist to evaluate your current setup:
- ★QR code is visible from sitting position
- ★High contrast with dark code on light background
- ★At least 2 inches by 2 inches in size
- ★CTA is compelling not boring
- ★WiFi info is displayed nearby
- ★Staff mention the QR menu to every table
- ★Menu loads in under 3 seconds
- ★Content is exclusive and valuable
- ★Analytics are being tracked
- ★Design fits restaurant aesthetic
If you checked fewer than 7 boxes, you have room to improve.
Conclusion: Make Scanning Irresistible
Getting customers to scan your QR menu is not about forcing adoption. It is about making the digital experience so valuable that customers want to use it.
Quick recap of the 8 strategies:
- ★Use compelling CTAs that spark curiosity
- ★Train staff to be digital ambassadors
- ★Optimize placement and visual prominence
- ★Offer first-scan incentives
- ★Highlight exclusive digital-only content
- ★Solve connectivity problems proactively
- ★Create Instagram-worthy QR displays
- ★Track, analyze, and iterate
The restaurants that succeed with QR menus are the ones that treat them as a feature, not a fallback. With the right approach, your QR code becomes a competitive advantage.
Ready to Boost Your QR Menu Engagement?
MenuGo makes it easy to create beautiful, fast-loading digital menus that customers actually want to use. With built-in analytics, instant updates, and AI-powered menu creation, you can go from paper to digital in under 5 minutes.
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