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How To Market Your QR Code For Your Restaurant

QR codes were first introduced in 1994. However, there has been a lot of discussion in the marketing world as to just how efficient they are. However, with the rise of smart technology over the last ten years or so, the possibilities that QR codes present have been recognized by business owners and marketers alike.

The restaurant and hospitality industry, in particular, has benefited enormously from QR code menu technology. Instead of printing out updated menus every week, restaurants can simply update their menu digitally and provide their patrons with a QR code that will bring them directly to the most up-to-date version of their menus. 

With QR codes, you don’t need to worry about customers looking at outdated menu prices, week-old specials, or cocktails that you no longer serve. However, for your QR code to truly be effective, you need to ensure that you take the time to market your restaurant’s unique QR code or codes, effectively.

Let’s take a look at just a few ways that you can successfully market your QR code and maximize the ROI on your restaurant’s QR code.

Display On Your Tables

The first place you should start displaying your QR code is on the table in your restaurant. When your customers are directed to their table by your staff, be sure to highlight where the code is and how it works. 

Some restaurants have chosen to permanently fix their QR code on their tables on small plaques to ensure they are always accessible and that your staff doesn’t forget to bring the codes to your customers.

Other restaurants have placed a free-standing table tent, trifold, or other tabletop adverts on their tables that include the QR code and brief instructions on how to use it. Whichever way you choose to move forward,

it’s crucial that you display your QR codes on your restaurant tables where your customers can find them with ease.

Include In Posters And Flyers

Whether you are putting up posters around your neighborhood and delivering flyers locally, or you are embarking on a bigger print media marketing campaign, this is a great opportunity to market your QR codes. 

You can place small posters inside your restaurant windows with the QR code facing outwards, so passersby can easily scan the code and peruse your menu.

If you’re distributing menus locally, you can save a fortune on printing costs by creating a simple flyer that includes your QR code, instead of printing out your entire menu. 

What’s more, if you create a dynamic QR code for your restaurant, the menu they are directed to will always be up-to-date with your latest offerings, specials, and promotional offerings.  

Utilize Sandwich Boards

Sandwich boards have long been a favorite marketing tool for restaurant owners. However, because of their size, they are typically used to promote daily specials, promotional offers, or to display messages aimed at encouraging patrons to come inside. 

Displaying your entire menu on a sandwich board is very difficult. Even if you can pull it off, potential customers will need to stop to read the small font, and when you’re in a location with a lot of foot traffic, this is not always the wisest choice.

QR codes have completely changed the effectiveness of the sandwich board when it comes to marketing your offerings. Simply display your QR code clearly so that potential customers can scan it as they walk by and move away from your restaurant entrance to browse your menu in their own time. 

In a high-foot-traffic area, this allows multiple customers to view your menu at once, instead of having a crowd of people around your sandwich board trying to decipher your menu.

Loyalty Cards And Business Cards

If you’re busy networking, attending events, and trying to drum up more business for your restaurant, you are likely carrying around a large bunch of business cards. While including your contact details and website information on your card is always a good idea, taking the time to type those details into a browser is, unfortunately, too much effort for some people. 

Including your QR code makes accessing your menu a breeze as potential customers can simply scan the code and instantly be directed to your menus or other URL of choice.

For established restaurants that already have a large customer base, a loyalty card is always a great idea. Customers love to get something for free and loyalty cards with offers like “Buy five coffees get your sixth free” or “Get your meal for free every tenth visit” have proven to be highly effective in improving customer loyalty. 

Adding a QR code to your loyalty cards can be a great way to make customers aware of new promotions, menu items, or deals that you might be offering. QR codes that link to your menu are not the best option for loyalty cards as your existing customers will already know what’s on your menu, so you use this chance to direct them to another page on your website instead.

Generate New Leads And Build Interest In Your Restaurant With QR Codes

QR codes can be a highly effective tool for restaurant owners, allowing for faster ordering, easier access to menus, and an opportunity to save money on printing. To ensure that both you're existing, and potential customers know about your QR codes be sure to follow the tips outlined above. 

Creating your own QR codes is only the first step in utilizing this technology. To get the best results possible, you need to display your QR codes where they will get the attention required to drive your business forward.