QR code ideas for restaurants

Businesses in restaurants are increasingly using smarter tools to grow faster and track results more accurately.

In this guide, we’ll break down practical, real-world qr code ideas for restaurants, explain what actually works, and show how to implement it with modern tools.

What “good” looks like: a QR code or link that gives people a clear reason to act, at the exact moment they’re ready to decide.

Quick wins you can apply today:

• Pick one primary action (menu, booking, review, signup, offer).

• Place it where people naturally pause (counter, table, entrance, packaging, receipt).

• Track performance per placement so you can improve what matters.

If you do only one thing: make the destination match the context. A “Scan me” QR with no promise performs poorly. A QR that says “See today’s specials” performs far better.

Below is a practical idea library you can copy. Each idea includes what to link to, a CTA line, and a tracking tip so you can improve results over time.

Menu and ordering

• Today’s menu (fast + mobile-friendly)
• What to link to: A clean menu page or QR menu with sections and prices
• CTA: Scan for today’s menu
• Tracking tip: Make a separate QR for each table area so you can compare zones

• Lunch specials
• What to link to: A daily specials page that you can update without reprinting
• CTA: Scan for lunch specials
• Tracking tip: Track scans by placement (window vs tables) to see what drives decisions

• Order pickup
• What to link to: A pickup ordering page (with clear pickup instructions)
• CTA: Scan to order pickup
• Tracking tip: Use a unique QR for each flyer/packaging type

• Allergens and dietary options
• What to link to: A page that lists allergens and vegan/gluten-free options
• CTA: Scan for allergens and dietary info
• Tracking tip: Measure clicks to allergen section; expand what people actually look for

• Kids menu
• What to link to: A simple kids menu section with 5–10 items
• CTA: Scan for the kids menu
• Tracking tip: Put this near family seating and compare scans vs general tables

• Seasonal items
• What to link to: A rotating page for seasonal dishes
• CTA: Scan for seasonal dishes
• Tracking tip: Add a “seasonal” UTM tag so you can compare vs standard menu scans

Reviews and reputation

• One-tap review request
• What to link to: Your preferred review destination (Google, Yelp, etc.) or a Kompi page with buttons
• CTA: Enjoyed it? Leave a quick review
• Tracking tip: Use receipt-only QR so review requests don’t distract diners mid-meal

• Feedback first, review second
• What to link to: A short feedback form, then a follow-up ask for a review when sentiment is positive
• CTA: Tell us how we did (30 seconds)
• Tracking tip: Track completion rate; shorten questions until completion improves

• Photo + UGC prompt
• What to link to: A page that asks for a photo tag and shows your social handles
• CTA: Share a photo and tag us
• Tracking tip: Track taps to Instagram/TikTok links to estimate UGC intent

• Issue resolution form
• What to link to: A simple “problem with order?” form to catch issues before bad reviews
• CTA: Something off? Tell us and we’ll fix it
• Tracking tip: Track issue categories; fix recurring problems and watch bad-review rate drop

Reservations, waitlist, and in-store flow

• Join the waitlist
• What to link to: Waitlist page with phone/name field
• CTA: Scan to join the waitlist
• Tracking tip: Use entrance-only QR so it doesn’t compete with table content

• Book a table
• What to link to: Reservation booking page
• CTA: Scan to reserve a table
• Tracking tip: Make separate QRs for window, door, and social posts

• Pay at the table
• What to link to: Payment instructions page (or checkout link if you have it)
• CTA: Scan to pay
• Tracking tip: Track completion clicks; remove friction from steps people drop on

• Call your server (optional)
• What to link to: A simple page with one button: ‘Need help’ (or instructions)
• CTA: Need help? Scan here
• Tracking tip: Use it carefully—track volume so it doesn’t overwhelm staff

Promotions and loyalty

• Loyalty signup
• What to link to: A one-field signup page (email or phone), then a confirmation message
• CTA: Scan to join rewards
• Tracking tip: Compare signup rate by placement (table vs counter) and focus on winner

• Birthday club
• What to link to: Signup page collecting birthday month (optional) + email
• CTA: Scan to join the birthday club
• Tracking tip: Track conversions; keep the form minimal to increase completion

• Limited-time coupon
• What to link to: A coupon page with an expiry and clear redemption instructions
• CTA: Scan for a limited-time deal
• Tracking tip: Use unique QR per campaign so you can attribute redemptions correctly

• Catering lead capture
• What to link to: Catering inquiry form with event size/date fields
• CTA: Scan for catering
• Tracking tip: Track which placement generates higher-value leads (menu page vs receipt)

Operations and hiring

• We’re hiring
• What to link to: A hiring page with open roles + simple apply form
• CTA: Scan to apply
• Tracking tip: Put this on receipts/exit—not on tables—so it doesn’t interrupt dining

• Supplier/contact page
• What to link to: A contact page for vendors and partnerships
• CTA: Scan for business inquiries
• Tracking tip: Track business inquiries separately so they don’t pollute customer analytics

• Scan for today’s menu
• Scan for lunch specials
• Scan to order pickup
• Scan to reserve a table
• Scan to join the waitlist
• Scan for dessert menu
• Scan for drink specials
• Scan for happy hour
• Scan for allergens and dietary info
• Scan for the kids menu
• Scan to join rewards
• Scan for catering
• Scan to leave feedback (30 seconds)
• Enjoyed it? Leave a quick review
• Scan to see today’s chef’s picks
• Scan for seasonal dishes
• Scan to get a limited-time deal
• Scan for directions and hours
• Scan for our Instagram
• Scan for private events

CTA tips that increase scans:

• Say what happens after scanning (menu, offer, booking, review).
• Keep it short (6–10 words).
• Make the destination match the promise.
• Add a reason when useful (e.g., “today’s specials”, “10% off”, “skip the line”).

Golden rule: one QR code per placement.
If you reuse the same QR everywhere, your analytics becomes useless because you can’t tell what worked.

Entrance / door

• Best for: Waitlist, reservations, hours, directions
• Link to: Waitlist or reservations page (or a simple landing page with buttons)
• CTA: Scan to join the waitlist
• Measurement: Track entrance scans separately from tables to measure intent before seating

Window signage

• Best for: Walk-ins, specials, first-time visitors
• Link to: Today’s specials or menu highlight page
• CTA: Scan for lunch specials
• Measurement: Use a unique window QR to measure how much foot traffic converts

Table tent / tabletop

• Best for: Menu access, upsells, desserts, drinks
• Link to: QR menu or menu sections (drinks, desserts, specials)
• CTA: Scan for today’s menu
• Measurement: Create separate QRs per section/zone to compare performance

Receipt

• Best for: Reviews, loyalty, repeat visits
• Link to: Review destination or loyalty signup
• CTA: Enjoyed it? Leave a quick review
• Measurement: Receipt is best for reviews; track review-link clicks vs scans

Packaging / takeout bag

• Best for: Reorders, loyalty, social follow
• Link to: Reorder page or loyalty signup + social links
• CTA: Scan to reorder
• Measurement: Track takeout packaging separately; it’s often a high-intent channel

Counter / checkout

• Best for: Promotions, loyalty signup, catering
• Link to: Rewards signup or catering inquiry
• CTA: Scan to join rewards
• Measurement: Compare counter scans vs receipt scans; double down on the winner

Use this decision table to choose the simplest setup that still produces the outcome you want.

Decision table (practical rules you can follow today):

• You want to change content after printing → Send scans to an editable destination (link page / menu page / landing page) instead of hard-coding details

• You want to measure which location performs best → Use one code per placement (window vs counter vs table vs receipt) so attribution is real

• You want the highest conversion rate → Use one primary action per destination; supporting actions are fine, competing actions are not

• You’re running a short campaign → Use a dedicated campaign destination with an expiry, clear redemption steps, and a “what happens next” line

• You’re collecting leads or feedback → Use the shortest possible form first (1–2 fields). Add fields only after you prove completion rates

• You’re worried about QR trust and scams → Use a readable short link + brand cues on the destination (logo/title). Don’t hide the intent

• You’re placing this in low-signal environments (glare, distance, movement) → Make scanning easy: bigger code, high contrast, and place where people pause

• You’re doing repeat campaigns → Optimize for iteration: tracking + versioning beats “set-and-forget”

Common forks (choose A vs B):

• Simple vs trackable: simple is faster today; trackable is easier to improve tomorrow.

• One destination vs many: one is easier to manage; many is better for attribution and learning.

• Generic CTA vs specific CTA: specific CTAs lift scans when they match the destination instantly.

• Direct-to-platform vs landing page first: direct is fewer steps; landing pages convert better when you need context + trust.

• One QR everywhere vs one per placement: one is easy; per placement is how you find what actually works.

Quick decision rules (no overthinking):

• If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it → split placements when results matter.

• If your destination takes more than 1–2 seconds to feel useful, conversion drops → simplify.

• If your CTA promise isn’t fulfilled immediately, scans stop → align promise and page.

• If your audience is restaurants, your CTA should be written for that moment (not a generic “scan me”).

If you’re unsure: start with one placement + one destination, measure baseline performance, then split placements once you have data.

For restaurants specifically: prioritize “remove friction” destinations first (menu/service list, booking/contact, or a single offer).

Most qr code ideas for restaurants failures aren’t “QR codes don’t work” problems — they’re execution and context problems. These are the situations that reliably kill results, plus what to do instead.

When this does NOT work (and what to do instead):

• No clear promise: If the label only says “Scan me”, people don’t know why they should act. Fix: state the outcome (“See today’s menu”, “Get the discount”, “Join the waitlist”).

• The destination is slow or messy: If the page loads slowly or is painful on mobile, scans won’t convert. Fix: keep it lightweight with one primary action above the fold.

• Bad placement: If it’s where people are moving fast or can’t physically scan, it won’t get used. Fix: place it where people pause (counter, table, entrance, receipt, packaging).

• Wrong size/contrast: If the code is tiny, glossy, low-contrast, or in glare, scans fail. Fix: increase size, use high contrast, avoid reflective surfaces.

• Too many choices: If the destination has 10 options, people bounce. Fix: 1 primary action + 2–4 supporting actions max.

• No tracking: If you reuse one code everywhere, you can’t improve. Fix: create separate codes per placement so you can compare performance.

• Broken trust: If users fear scams or don’t recognize the brand, they won’t scan. Fix: use recognizable branding and a readable short link as a trust cue.

• Message mismatch: If the CTA doesn’t match the moment, it feels irrelevant. Fix: write the CTA for the situation (restaurants) and make the destination fulfill that promise immediately.

Tradeoffs to be aware of:

• More tracking usually means more setup — but it pays off once you run repeated campaigns or multiple placements.

• More “creative” CTAs can lift scans, but only if the destination delivers instantly (no bait-and-switch).

• Landing pages add a step, but they often increase conversion when users need context, trust, or multiple actions.

In restaurants, the most common failure is “QR to a cluttered page.” People want one fast action: menu/service list, booking, or a clear offer.

Checkpoint: choose your path

If you only do one thing after reading this guide: make the destination match the moment. A generic “scan me” qr code ideas for restaurants underperforms. A promise like “See today’s specials” wins because it answers “why should I scan?” in one second.

Choose your path (based on what you’re trying to achieve):

• If you need to update content without reprinting, use an editable destination (menu page / link page / landing page / dynamic destination).

• If you care about performance, separate placements so you can compare scans and clicks per location (window vs counter vs table vs receipt).

• If you’re doing this for restaurants, start with one primary action and get that working before you add supporting actions.

Quick decision rule:

• Low volume + one-off use → keep it simple (one code, one destination, one CTA).

• High volume + repeated use → optimize for tracking + iteration (separate placements, measure, refine).

One-step upgrade (most people skip this):

• Add one sentence of “what happens next” on the destination (e.g., “Show this screen to staff” / “You’ll get a confirmation email”). It reduces uncertainty and lifts conversion.

Make It Instantly Actionable
The best qr code ideas for restaurants are the ones people can use immediately. Give a clear next step, not a vague prompt.

Place It Where Decisions Happen
Put the QR code or link at the moment someone is deciding: on the table, on packaging, at the entrance, on receipts, or on signage.

Track And Iterate
Treat it like a campaign. Track scans/clicks, see what works, and update the destination without reprinting when possible.

Menu And Ordering
Link to a QR menu, ordering page, or daily specials—then rotate weekly.

Reviews And Loyalty
Drive reviews or loyalty signups right after a good experience.

• Menu or price list: A QR code that opens a clean menu or service list tailored to restaurants. Keep it fast and scannable.
• Offer of the week: A rotating page for limited-time offers—great for repeat visits in restaurants. Make redemption obvious.
• Reviews at the right moment: A QR to reviews right after purchase (receipt/packaging). Ask for one platform only—don’t scatter.
• Contact or booking: A QR to booking/contact with prefilled context (service type, location, date). Fewer fields wins.
• Waitlist / queue: A QR to join the queue with a clear status promise (“We’ll text you when ready”).
• One destination, one primary action: Make the main action obvious (button/heading). Supporting actions are fine, but don’t compete.
• Short, readable destinations: If you must show a URL (posters/packaging), use a short link that’s easy to type and builds trust.
• One placement per code: Don’t reuse the same QR for the window, the table, and the receipt—track them separately so you learn.
• One sentence of certainty: Add “what happens next” on the destination to reduce doubt and increase completion.

A simple structure that works:
1) Hook: one-sentence value (“Get today’s specials”).
2) Primary action: the #1 action you want.
3) Backup actions: 2–4 secondary actions.
4) Trust: proof, reviews, or “what happens next”.
5) Tracking: measure scans/clicks and iterate.

Instead of guessing or using disconnected tools, Kompi helps you implement qr code ideas for restaurants properly: create, track, and improve performance in one place.

The winning pattern is simple: one clear action, the right placement, and tracking so you can iterate.

A good “Kompi flow” you can use:

1) Create a destination that matches the placement (menu, offer, booking, contact, review, or signup).

2) Generate a QR code or short link for that specific placement.

3) Track scans/clicks and compare placements.

4) Improve the destination or CTA based on what’s working.

What to use in Kompi:

• QR menus: /qr-menus (great for restaurants, cafes, and venues).

• QR codes: /qr-code/dynamic (editable + trackable) or /qr-code/static (fixed destination).

• QR codes with logos: /qr-code/with-logo (branding + better recall).

• Short links and tracking: /features/url-shortener and /links (for readable, trackable destinations).

Tip: don’t use one QR code everywhere. Create a separate QR code per placement (window, table, receipt, flyer). That way your analytics tells you what’s actually working.

Once you have 3–5 placements running, you’ll have enough data to double down on the top performer and cut what doesn’t convert.

• Q: What are the best qr code ideas for restaurants?
A: The best qr code ideas for restaurants are simple, measurable, and tied to one clear action. Start with 1–3 high-intent placements, track performance, then scale what works.

• Q: Should I use a static or dynamic QR code?
A: If you want to update the destination later or track results per placement, use a changeable destination (dynamic/editable). If you will never change the destination and tracking doesn’t matter, a static destination can work.

• Q: How do I track QR code performance?
A: Use a trackable destination (short link + analytics) and separate QR codes per placement so you can compare performance accurately instead of guessing.

• Q: What’s a good scan-to-action rate?
A: It depends on context, but the biggest driver is “clarity of promise”. A strong CTA + easy next step can outperform a generic “scan me” by multiples. Use your baseline, then improve placement and destination first.

• Q: What’s the biggest mistake people make with qr code ideas for restaurants?
A: Sending scans to a slow, messy page with too many choices. Fix it by using one primary action, fast load, and a clear “what happens next” line.

• Q: How many QR codes should I create?
A: Start with 1–3. If performance matters, split by placement (table vs counter vs window). If campaigns matter, split by campaign. Don’t split everything at once.

• Q: How can Kompi help with qr code ideas for restaurants?
A: Kompi helps you create trackable links and QR codes, measure clicks/scans, and iterate quickly. You can update destinations and improve performance over time.

• Q: What’s a great first QR code to add in restaurants?
A: Start with one code that removes friction: a menu/service list, booking/contact, or “today’s offer”. Place it where the customer already pauses (counter, table, receipt). Track it, then add the second placement.

The best results come from testing, tracking, and iterating. Focus on what delivers real engagement, and use tools that give you clear feedback instead of assumptions.