How Restaurants & Bars from New York to Toronto Thrived Using QR Menus

In-door dining was never an option for Lulu’s due to COVID19 – they still only operate outdoor, curbside pick up, and delivery due to COVID19 restrictions. Leveraging their Instagram & Facebook following they added their menu link to their Instagram bio and Order Food button on Facebook. Guests were able to order in advance, pay, and pickup curbside having received an SMS when their order was ready. To quote Janine, the owner, “the Orderlina QR Menu was a game-changer for us.” Which such visual products and a large social media following they were able to put their menu in front of a large audience who could order directly from their mobiles.  Guests could access thee menu via their social media profile, via scan from QRs outside the store or from tables outside.

This family-run establishment is located just outside of Toronto. On emerging from lockdown they acknowledged that providing their standard level of service to their huge outdoor dining patio was going to be a challenge. With limited staff, they soon turned to hospitality technology to provide a QR Menu with ordering. Initially worried that their guests, many of whom are personal friends, would not appreciate this strange technology, they soon found the opposite to be true. The convenience of having a menu on hand at all times, as well as being able to order without waiting for a staff was a huge positive for guests.

Owner, Jennifer and her husband found she could focus on guest interactions without the back and forth of bringing menus and taking orders. Guests were doing this themselves. “With 95% adoption of our QR Menu our service levels improved dramatically,” says Jennifer. “With just two wait staff we could manage over 50 tables. Since we’ve introduced QR table ordering we’ve seen an increase in our 5-star reviews. Via our booking platform as guests appreciated they could order on demand. ”

Miami was devastated by the pandemic. Salt Cafe’s manager Adnan needed a contactless menu solution to get up and running fast. “As many restaurants devastated by the COVID pandemic, we were trying to get on our feet. Orderlina staff showed true dedication and commitment and helped us tremendously,” states Adnan. Guests seemed to feel at ease not having to touch menus; staff could safely social distance while explaining dishes from a distance.

With such a huge outdoor space, staff saved time as guests had already chosen their preferred items from the QR Menu. In no time Salt Cafe’s digital menu was getting over 5,000 views per month. Also, the technology provided a loyal audience to direct to their Instagram account. Additionally, they could later promote delivery and pick offers.

Digital QR based menus is the new staff member for high volume restaurants and bars. The digital menu can do a lot of the heavy lifting in menu display, and order management.

TAKEAWAYS FOR CITIES EMERGING FROM LOCKDOWN  

As Melbourne’s eclectic food scene emerges from lockdown (limited to outdoor dining), QR Menus provide an effective solution for outdoor tables. Table to kitchen distance is essentially reduced as guests are sending their orders from their phones, straight to the kitchen. The chic, high volume restaurants of Sydney can turn over tables faster. That allows more guests to enjoy the spring weather and amazing food. Areas that offer outdoor seating areas shared between a few restaurants can also employ QR Menus. As customers simply select the table number they are seated.

UPDATE: In response to the easing of restrictions of Outdoor Dining in Victoria and New South Wales Australia, Orderlina now offers QR SIGN IN / CHECK IN. The feature can be used with or without menu/ordering.

Click here to find out more about Orderlina or check out our demo and book a free consultation on how to set up a QR Menu for your restaurant. No commissions, ever!