With the ease into post-pandemic living, some practices are kept while others, left behind. In the F&B industry, restaurants adopted digital solutions that allowed businesses to continue operations efficiently under a pandemic. A New York Times article says the QR-Code Menu is being shown the door — and we both agree and disagree.
We previously discussed the rise of mobile food activities, so QR Codes aren’t completely out of the picture for us just yet. Here are reasons listed in the article as to why restaurateurs said: “Diners just hate QR-code menus.”
1. Etiquette – “Everyone knows it’s rude to take a phone out at a table, but that’s what a digital menu demands.”
- Dine-in etiquette can extend to multiple scenarios. QR Menus save both customers and wait staff time — from the back and forth of asking and waiting for a menu, to ensuring customers get to explore menu options as soon as they sit down. It’s also rude to keep company waiting when you can’t decide on what to eat. QR Menus may keep you on your phones but when you’re done ordering, there’s plenty of time left to chat.
2. Its feel — “A QR code can kill the mood: phones up, blue lights on, conviviality off.”
- Turn on your charm after the order’s been made — QR Menus also leaves no room for error or miscommunication. Like your favorite dating app, QR Menus are guaranteed to come with pictures so you and your date don’t get catfished and know the correct portions to order.QR Menus only aims to satisfy one mood: hunger.
3. Dehumanizing — “Customers tend to stare at their phones and ‘pay less regard to you as the human in front of them.’”
- We hope no one’s so hungry that they stare at their phones while they wait for their order. There’s no excuse for rude behavior but QR Menus are a tool for quick browsing of menu options in order to avoid unfortunate incidents. Wait staff tend to be dehumanized because of the long wait, whether it’s simply for a copy of the menu or the order wait.
Embracing technology can still leave businesses feeling like all their problems aren’t solved. Whether it’s QR Menus or restaurant management softwares, these solutions have become indispensable tools for the F&B industry, offering advantages to businesses and customers alike.
From simplified ordering processes and efficient order management to the convenience of contactless payments, these digital solutions enhance operational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and provide a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market. QR Menus can be an aspect of the QR Code dine-in experience, but in order to make continued use of its convenience, it should have more to offer to earn its seat at the table.
While we agree that QR Menus are being shown the door, we aim to make way for more dynamic QR Codes that allow viewing of digital menus, online ordering, and payment.
Even better: a webshop, where businesses can sell directly to customers and save on commission fees, while providing QR code convenience. Customers can support restaurants directly, whether it’s for dine-in, delivery, or takeout.
Set up your own free online ordering platform with klikit Webshop today — get started in just seconds.
