Why QR codes are important
for hospitality and the retail industry?
Some restaurants have adopted QR codes since their mainstream introduction over the past decade, but it was truly in 2020 that this technology took off.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurant owners and customers raised concerns about the hygiene of sharing printed menus. To reduce the risks of cross-contamination in the dining area, individuals began using their phones to scan QR menus. This approach limited in-person interactions, thereby preserving the health of customers.
After the lifting of pandemic-related health restrictions, additional benefits of QR menus became evident. These menus were easier to distribute, could be produced inexpensively, were more environmentally friendly than their printed counterparts, and facilitated better kitchen management. As restaurants embraced new technologies, QR menus gradually became a natural component of digital solution suites. Data generated from these menus could be integrated into point-of-sale systems and online menus, providing technologically-enabled restaurants with better organization and greater productivity.
Here are 6 reasons to use QR codes in your establishments:
Contactless Menu/Product Viewing
Customers can simply scan the QR code with their smartphones to access the digital menu, avoiding the need to handle shared physical menus. This reduces the risks of cross-contamination by eliminating direct contact with printed menus.
Faster Ordering
By accessing the digital menu via the QR code, customers can place their orders directly from their phones. This eliminates the time needed to wait for a server, take the order, and relay it to the kitchen, thus speeding up the overall ordering process.
Ease of Customization
Digital menus via QR codes often allow customers to customize their orders by adding or removing ingredients, which can expedite the ordering process by avoiding communication errors between the customer and the server.
Contactless Payments
In some cases, QR codes can also be used for contactless payments at the restaurant table. Customers can pay for their meal directly from their phone, eliminating the need to wait for the bill and process a traditional payment.
Reduced Waiting Time
Through the automation of ordering and payment processes, QR codes help reduce overall customer waiting time at the restaurant. This enhances service efficiency and allows customers to enjoy a smoother experience.
Improved Hygiene
As mentioned earlier, the use of QR codes avoids frequent handling of physical menus, helping maintain a more hygienic environment by reducing the risk of germ and bacteria spread.
The increasing use of QR codes offers a dual public utility advantage by promoting hygiene and contributing to decarbonization, while also simplifying order management for businesses. This technological innovation, which gained prominence especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought significant changes to the way business transactions are conducted.
From a hygienic perspective, QR codes provide an evident and relevant solution to reduce the risks of cross-contamination in restaurants and businesses in general. Through QR codes, customers can now access menus, place orders, and make payments without having to handle physical menus or engage closely with staff. This significantly minimizes physical interactions and contributes to safeguarding public health by minimizing the spread of germs and diseases.
Concurrently, the increased use of QR codes also aligns with a decarbonization approach. By promoting a significant reduction in the use of physical screens, QR codes contribute to lower energy consumption associated with the manufacturing, maintenance, and use of these screens. Fewer screens mean reduced electricity demand, which can have a positive impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural resources.
Additionally, the adoption of QR codes streamlines operational processes for businesses, particularly in the realm of dining establishments. Digital menus accessible via QR codes eliminate the need for producing and distributing printed menus, reducing costs and the environmental footprint associated with paper and ink production. Moreover, online orders and payments via QR codes enable more efficient customer flow management, reducing queues and optimizing resources.
In conclusion, the growing use of QR codes proves highly beneficial in providing a more hygienic solution for business interactions while actively participating in decarbonization by reducing the reliance on physical screens. This transition to a more digital and sustainable approach represents a step forward towards responsible and environmentally-friendly business practices, all while ensuring an enhanced and safer experience for customers.
