How to Select a Good QR Ordering Solution for Your Restaurant

The goal of technological advancements, regardless of the industry, is often to make work easier and faster. In the food and beverage (F&B) industry, success is closely linked to the efficiency of the team in providing a consistently good customer experience. However, even well-trained staff can make mistakes, and the risk of human error increases as the number of tasks each individual is responsible for grows.

While order-taking remains one of the most essential functions of wait staff, developments in restaurant management technology have introduced QR code ordering; a software system that empowers restaurant customers to start ordering after scanning a QR code at their table. As early as 2022, a restaurant technology study found that around 66% of restaurants were already providing table QR codes to access menus, and the number is only expected to grow year-on-year.

Today, the plethora of QR code restaurant ordering solutions can be quite overwhelming for restaurant owners looking to implement the option for their customers, which is why we’re here to guide you!

Read on to get familiar with the essential factors you need to consider before signing up for a QR code ordering solution for your restaurant.

1. Your restaurant’s needs
The first thing you need to consider is the type of restaurant you’re running. For example, fast-casual restaurants, e.g., pizza places or sub shops which allow customers to mix-and-match ingredients should prioritize a QR ordering solution that supports a high level of customization and personalization. Doing so will allow your customers to modify their orders based on personal preference and/or dietary restrictions.

If you’re running a fast food joint, then you should probably prioritize speed, efficiency, and simplicity. Additionally, you need to ensure that your QR code ordering solution can handle a high-volume of customers ordering at the same time to accommodate the higher turnover rates in these types of restaurants.

2. Ease of use, customization, and integration with existing systems.
An intuitive, user-friendly interface is a boon to both staff members and restaurant customers. As a rule of thumb, a well-designed QR code ordering solution should be immediately usable even to first-time users.

Customization options are also essential, since this allows you to tailor your QR code ordering system to fit your brand’s unique identity. Consider QR solutions that allow you to incorporate brand elements such as your logo and color schemes. This way, customers can associate the convenience and efficiency of your QR code ordering solution with your specific brand for extra customer experience points!

Lastly, you need to check for the QR solution’s integration capabilities with other restaurant management software. It’s important to ensure that your QR solution seamlessly integrates with POS systems, kitchen display systems, and CRM platforms, for a truly streamlined operation.

For example, if your POS system has built-in analytics and reporting for tracking sales, having a QR ordering solution that integrates with it gives you plenty of actionable data to inform and improve your overall operations. Each transaction through your QR solution gives you live insights into the behavior of your customers, so don’t let that data go to waste! 

3. Device compatibility, reliability, and security.
The QR code solution’s compatibility with a wide variety of devices is crucial because this ensures all of your customers, regardless of their preferred device, can easily access your menu and start placing orders. Consider QR solutions that work with both iOS and Android smartphones and tablets to maximize the reach and usability of your system.

Since your QR code solution is supposed to make things easier and faster for your staff and your customers, you need to ensure that it’s reliable. Do your research on potential QR solutions and look for user reviews that talk about loading times and downtime/uptime. Ideally, you want a QR solution that has fast loading times, and little to no downtime. This way, you can narrow your list down and get rid of buggy QR solutions that can cause more harm than good.

One of the most important considerations when selecting your QR solution is the software’s security. It’s even more crucial nowadays since most QR ordering solutions also allow customers to pay directly from their device, meaning their banking information is put at risk if your QR solution doesn’t have a robust security suite. Aside from risking customer complaints and lost business, virtually all countries also have data security laws that your restaurant must comply with, so selecting a QR solution that uses strong data encryption to protect customer information is paramount.

4. Built-in payment processing
For a truly seamless dining experience, instead of simply showing your menu, restaurant dine-in and takeaway customers should be able to order and pay through your QR solution.

Additionally, customers expect flexibility in their payment options, so you should consider a QR solution that provides multiple payment avenues e.g., credit and debit cards, as well as digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, to cater to diverse customer preferences and even increase your sales by making payments simple and easy for your customers.

5. Easy implementation and active customer support
The faster you’re able to set-up and implement your QR code ordering solution, the quicker you get to enjoy its operational benefits.When choosing your QR solution, check for systems that offer straightforward installation with clear, step-by-step instructions.

Once set-up is taken care of, you also want to make sure that you’ll be receiving good after sales support from your QR solution provider. Expert support delivered promptly can help resolve issues quickly, minimizing any negative impact to your operations. Before signing up, make sure to confirm that your QR solution provider gives you access to a dedicated support team (bonus points if they’re available 24/7!)

6. Reviews and recommendations from other restaurants
Aside from checking the websites of potential QR solution providers, it’s also good to check customer reviews from reputable review sites such as TrustPilot to get valuable insights from people who have actually used the software. By reading customer testimonials, you’ll start to notice common issues as well as standout features to aid in your decision-making.

You can also search for restaurant industry-specific forums or social media groups where you can ask for recommendations regarding a QR ordering solution based on what your restaurant needs. 

Restaurant owners and managers must carefully select the right QR ordering solution for operational success. A good QR ordering solution streamlines order-taking and payment processes, freeing up wait staff to focus on delivering exceptional customer service. This synergy reduces wait times, minimizes errors, and allows staff to attend to more complex customer needs.

Ready to enhance your customers’ mobile order and pay experience? Check out Sapaad Direct, our intuitive QR ordering solution fully integrated with the Sapaad POS system. With Sapaad Direct, your customers can scan, order, and pay all from the same QR code. They can also invite friends to join their table, with orders from multiple devices managed in a single tab. Customers can choose to pay for the group or split the bill, whichever they prefer.

Book a free demo today and experience the difference with Sapaad Direct!