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How to Create a Restaurant QR Code
Tutorial10 min read

How to Create a Restaurant QR Code [Complete Step-by-Step Guide]

TheQRCode.io Team
January 28, 2025
10 min read

Restaurant QR codes have revolutionized the dining experience, enabling contactless menus, instant WiFi sharing, and seamless customer engagement. Whether you run a fine dining restaurant, fast-casual cafe, or food truck, QR codes can streamline operations and improve customer satisfaction. This comprehensive guide shows you how to create restaurant QR codes in minutes.

⚡ Quick Summary

  • Time needed: 5-10 minutes
  • What you need: Menu URL, WiFi details, or restaurant information
  • Cost: Free (with most QR code generators)
  • Best for: Digital menus, WiFi sharing, contactless ordering, customer reviews

Why Restaurants Need QR Codes

QR codes have become essential tools for modern restaurants. They offer numerous benefits that improve both customer experience and operational efficiency.

✅ Contactless Experience

Eliminate physical menu handling, reducing germ transmission and keeping customers safe. Especially important in the post-pandemic world.

💰 Cost Savings

No more printing costs for menus. Update prices, add specials, or change items instantly without reprinting anything.

📱 Better Customer Experience

Customers can view menus on their own devices with zoom, accessibility features, multiple languages, and high-quality food photos.

🔄 Easy Updates

Change prices, add daily specials, or update items instantly. No need to wait for new menus to be printed.

Types of Restaurant QR Codes

🍽️ Menu QR Codes

Link directly to your digital menu. Customers scan to view your full menu with prices, descriptions, and photos on their phones.

  • Link to your website menu page
  • Link to a PDF menu hosted online
  • Link to a Google Doc or Canva menu
  • Link to your online ordering platform

📶 WiFi QR Codes

Allow customers to connect to your WiFi instantly without typing passwords. Perfect for improving customer experience and reducing staff interruptions.

  • Automatic WiFi connection on scan
  • No password typing required
  • Works on all modern smartphones
  • Perfect for guest networks

📞 Contact QR Codes

Share your restaurant's contact information instantly. Customers can save your phone number, address, email, and website with one scan.

  • Save contact to phone instantly
  • Includes phone, address, email, website
  • Great for business cards and receipts
  • Improves customer retention

⭐ Review & Feedback QR Codes

Link directly to your Google Reviews, Yelp, or TripAdvisor page. Encourage customers to leave reviews while the experience is fresh.

  • Link to Google Business Profile
  • Link to Yelp or TripAdvisor
  • Link to custom feedback form
  • Boost online reputation

💳 Payment & Ordering QR Codes

Link to online ordering platforms, payment systems, or loyalty programs. Streamline the ordering and payment process.

  • Link to online ordering system
  • Link to payment portal
  • Link to loyalty program signup
  • Link to delivery apps

Step-by-Step: Create Your Restaurant QR Code

Step 1: Choose Your QR Code Type

Decide what you want your QR code to do:

  • Menu QR Code: Link to your digital menu (most common)
  • WiFi QR Code: Share WiFi access instantly
  • Contact QR Code: Share restaurant contact information
  • Review QR Code: Link to review platforms
  • Ordering QR Code: Link to online ordering system

Step 2: Prepare Your Content

Gather the information needed for your QR code:

1
For Menu QR Codes:

Create your digital menu and get the URL (website, Google Doc, PDF link)

2
For WiFi QR Codes:

Get your WiFi network name (SSID), password, and security type

3
For Contact QR Codes:

Prepare phone number, address, email, and website URL

Step 3: Use a QR Code Generator

Go to a reliable QR code generator. We recommend using a tool that offers restaurant-specific features and analytics.

Recommended tool: TheQRCode.io QR Generator

  • ✓ Free to use
  • ✓ No signup required
  • ✓ Multiple QR code types (URL, WiFi, Contact, etc.)
  • ✓ Customizable colors and logos
  • ✓ Analytics to track scans
  • ✓ High-quality downloads (PNG, SVG, PDF)
Create Restaurant QR Code →

Step 4: Enter Your Information

Fill in the form with your restaurant information:

For Menu QR Codes:

  1. Select "URL" as the QR code type
  2. Paste your menu URL (website, Google Doc, PDF link)
  3. Test the URL to ensure it works on mobile devices

For WiFi QR Codes:

  1. Select "WiFi" as the QR code type
  2. Enter your WiFi network name (SSID)
  3. Enter your WiFi password
  4. Select security type (usually WPA/WPA2)

For Contact QR Codes:

  1. Select "Contact" as the QR code type
  2. Enter restaurant name
  3. Enter phone number, address, email, website

Step 5: Customize Your QR Code

Make your QR code match your restaurant's branding:

  • Colors: Use your restaurant's brand colors
  • Logo: Add your restaurant logo in the center (with error correction)
  • Style: Choose rounded corners or square style
  • Frame: Add decorative frames or borders

Design Tip: Ensure high contrast between the QR code and background. Dark QR codes on light backgrounds scan best. Test your customized QR code before printing.

Step 6: Download and Test

Download your QR code in high quality and test it:

  • Download as PNG (for digital use) or PDF (for printing)
  • Test scan with multiple devices (iPhone, Android)
  • Verify the link or action works correctly
  • Check that it scans from different angles and distances

Step 7: Print and Display

Print your QR code and place it strategically:

  • Table Tents: Place on each table with "Scan for Menu" text
  • Window Displays: Large QR codes in windows or at entrance
  • Counter Displays: Near the register or ordering area
  • Receipts: Include QR codes on receipts for reviews or loyalty programs
  • Business Cards: Add QR codes to staff business cards

Restaurant QR Code Best Practices

✅ Do This:

  • • Print at least 2x2 inches (5x5 cm) for table use
  • • Add clear instructions ("Scan for Menu")
  • • Ensure high contrast (dark code on light background)
  • • Test on multiple devices before mass printing
  • • Keep physical menus as backup
  • • Update menu URLs when content changes
  • • Use QR codes with analytics to track usage

❌ Avoid This:

  • • Printing too small (hard to scan)
  • • Low contrast colors
  • • Placing in hard-to-reach or poorly lit areas
  • • Using broken or outdated links
  • • Forgetting to test before printing
  • • Using QR codes without clear instructions
  • • Ignoring mobile optimization

Mobile Optimization Tips

Menu Optimization

  • • Ensure menus load quickly on mobile devices (under 3 seconds)
  • • Use large, readable fonts (minimum 14px)
  • • Include high-quality food photos
  • • Make buttons and links easy to tap
  • • Test on various screen sizes
  • • Use mobile-friendly formats (HTML, not just PDF)

User Experience

  • • Make navigation intuitive
  • • Include search functionality for large menus
  • • Add filters (dietary restrictions, price range)
  • • Enable easy sharing (social media, messaging)
  • • Support multiple languages if needed
  • • Include accessibility features

Common Restaurant QR Code Use Cases

🍽️ Fine Dining Restaurants

Use QR codes for wine lists, seasonal menus, and chef's specials. Update daily without reprinting. Include high-quality photos and detailed descriptions.

🍕 Fast Casual & Quick Service

Display QR codes at counters and tables. Customers can browse full menus, see nutritional information, and place orders online. Perfect for reducing wait times.

☕ Coffee Shops & Cafes

Show drink menus, food options, and seasonal specials. Customers can scan while waiting in line. Include WiFi QR codes for customer convenience.

🍺 Bars & Pubs

Display drink menus, food options, and daily specials. Great for happy hour promotions and seasonal drink menus. Update prices instantly.

🚚 Food Trucks

Perfect for mobile businesses. Display QR codes on the truck exterior. Customers can view menus, place orders, and follow your location. Update menus based on available ingredients.

Printing Specifications

QR Code Size Guidelines

  • Table Tents: Minimum 2" x 2" (5cm x 5cm), recommended 2.5" x 2.5" (6.5cm x 6.5cm)
  • Window Displays: Minimum 3" x 3" (7.5cm x 7.5cm), recommended 4" x 4" (10cm x 10cm)
  • Counter Displays: Minimum 2.5" x 2.5" (6.5cm x 6.5cm)
  • Receipts: Minimum 1" x 1" (2.5cm x 2.5cm)
  • Business Cards: Minimum 0.75" x 0.75" (2cm x 2cm)

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: QR code won't scan

  • • Check QR code size (minimum 2x2 inches for table use)
  • • Ensure high contrast (dark code on light background)
  • • Check for smudges, damage, or poor print quality
  • • Test with multiple devices and scanning apps
  • • Ensure good lighting when scanning

Problem: Menu not loading

  • • Verify the URL is correct and accessible
  • • Test the menu link directly in a browser
  • • Ensure mobile compatibility
  • • Check internet connection
  • • Verify the link hasn't expired or been moved

Problem: Low customer adoption

  • • Add clear instructions ("Scan for Menu")
  • • Train staff to explain the process
  • • Make QR codes highly visible
  • • Keep physical menus as backup
  • • Ensure the experience is smooth and fast

Advanced Tips

  • Use Dynamic QR Codes: Dynamic QR codes allow you to update the destination URL without reprinting. Perfect for restaurants that frequently update menus or specials.
  • Track Analytics: Use QR codes with analytics to see how many customers scan, when they scan, and from which locations. This data helps optimize placement and content.
  • Multiple QR Codes: Create different QR codes for different purposes (menu, WiFi, reviews, ordering) and place them strategically throughout your restaurant.
  • Seasonal Updates: Update your digital menu content for seasonal items, specials, and promotions without changing the QR code itself (if using dynamic codes).
  • Branded Materials: Design professional table tents, window displays, or counter cards with your QR code and restaurant branding for a polished, cohesive look.
  • Multi-Language Support: Create separate QR codes linking to menus in different languages, or use a single QR code that detects the user's language preference.

Cost Breakdown

💰 Total Setup Cost: $0 - $100

  • QR Code Generation: FREE (using free QR code generators)
  • Digital Menu Creation: FREE (Google Docs, Canva, website builders)
  • Printing: $10-50 (local print shop or home printer)
  • Table Tents/Displays: $20-100 (optional holders and stands)
  • Analytics (Optional): $0-20/month (for advanced tracking features)

Ongoing Savings: No more menu printing costs! Update menus digitally for free.

Conclusion

Creating restaurant QR codes is simple, cost-effective, and offers significant benefits for both restaurants and customers. Whether you're implementing contactless menus, sharing WiFi, or streamlining ordering, QR codes can transform your restaurant operations in minutes.

Quick Recap:

  1. Choose your QR code type (Menu, WiFi, Contact, etc.)
  2. Prepare your content (URL, WiFi details, contact info)
  3. Use a QR code generator
  4. Enter your information
  5. Customize with your branding
  6. Download and test
  7. Print and display strategically
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