How to make a QR code for a menu
Many restaurants are adopting QR codes for menus. With QR code menus, guests can use their phones to scan a QR code and view a clean, up-to-date menu on their phone — no reprinting, no smudged paper, and easy price and item updates. They’re fast to make, inexpensive to maintain, and flexible for restaurants, cafés, breweries, food trucks, and pop-ups. Adobe Express can help you design the menu, generate the QR, and brand your table signs.
This guide explains QR code menus in plain language and walks you through the setup — plus best practices, a checklist, and FAQs.
Key takeaways
- Decide where your QR sends people: a mobile menu page (best), a PDF, or an ordering page.
- Keep it frictionless: short URL, fast loading, legible text, and clear categories (Starters, Mains, Drinks).
- Brand your whole flow (QR, table tent, menu header) using Adobe Express templates.
- Print smart: use a high-contrast QR, correct size, and add a short fallback URL for guests without camera scan.
Summary/Overview
What is a QR code menu?
A QR code menu replaces (or complements) printed menus. Guests scan a QR code with their phone camera and are taken to a digital menu you control. You can point the code to a mobile-friendly web page, a PDF, or a third-party ordering tool. The big win: You update your restaurant QR code menu in one place; the same QR continues to work.
Why use a QR code menu?
- Easy updates: Change prices, delete items, or post specials without reprinting.
- Cleaner experience: Fewer sticky paper menus; reduce waste.
- Faster service: Guests can browse, reorder drinks, or see allergens without waiting.
- Marketing & insights: Track scans, time of day, and popular sections; collect emails (if you add a form).
- Accessibility: Support larger text, screen readers, and multiple languages with a well-built mobile page.
From taprooms to biergartens, QR-code menus have quietly become revenue engines. Below are four verified, real-world wins, each with the exact lift (think bigger checks, faster turns, more orders) for inspiration.
Anheuser-Busch Biergarten (St. Louis, MO) — +32% average order value
After introducing QR-code ordering at the Biergarten, average order value increased by 32%, while operations became more efficient (fewer order bottlenecks; staff time saved).
Bold Republic Brewing Company (Belton, TX) — 30% higher check sizes
Bold Republic says its taproom saw 30% higher check sizes with QR-code ordering — along with bigger tips and happier guests — by letting patrons order from the table without waiting at the bar.
Twisted Pin (entertainment venue with F&B) — +18.6% sales vs. kiosk system
Switching from kiosks to QR-code table ordering delivered an 18.6% increase in sales (weekend food & beverage spend) and improved menu-management efficiency.
Icicle Brewing Company (Leavenworth, WA) — exceeded “+1 beer per 4 guests” goal
After adding QR ordering and mobile POS, Icicle’s taproom manager reports they surpassed a concrete sales goal: “sell one more beer per every fourth customer.” They attribute the lift to easier re-orders from the table (no leaving conversations to stand in line).
Craft Beer & Brewing notes that most breweries see 25% higher check size after adopting QR-code ordering, helpful as a benchmark against your own results.
What are the components of a good QR code menu?
- Destination: A fast, mobile-friendly menu page or lightweight PDF.
- Information architecture: Clear sections (Starters, Mains, Sides, Desserts, Drinks), scannable item names, short descriptions, and allergen/vegan/gluten-free markers.
- Design system: Brand colors, type, banner, and imagery used consistently across the menu and table signage.
- QR code asset: High-contrast code with adequate quiet zone and error correction.
- Signage: Table tents, stickers, or coasters explaining “Scan to view menu.”
- Fallbacks: Short URL and one or two printed menus for guests who need them.
- Tracking: Short link or dynamic QR for scan analytics and campaign tags (e.g., patio vs. bar).
How do you make a QR code menu? Here are 7 essential steps
Step 1: Choose your destination (what opens after the scan)
Pick one:
- Mobile web page (best): A single, fast page with sections and anchors (e.g., /menu#drinks). This loads faster than a big PDF and works better with screen readers.
- PDF menu: Good if you already have a designed menu. Keep under ~2–3 MB and use large text.
- Ordering system page: If you offer table ordering/payment, link directly to that experience.
Tip: Use a short, memorable URL (yourdomain.com/menu). You can still track it with UTM tags behind the scenes.
Step 2: Design or tidy the menu (mobile first)
- Structure: Group items by meal part; cap descriptions at 1–2 concise sentences.
- Legibility: Minimum 16px body type on mobile; strong color contrast.
- Dietary icons: Use a tiny legend (V, GF, DF) and keep consistent.
- Photos (optional): Use sparingly; optimize for speed.
Adobe Express workflow:
Start from a restaurant menu template, apply your colors/logo, and export both a web-optimized PDF and social cuts for specials. If you’re hosting a web page, use the Express design as your header hero and keep the item list in your website/CMS.
Step 3: Generate the QR code
You can make a QR code menu for restaurants, food trucks, and the like, in seconds:
- Paste your final menu URL into a QR generator.
- Set error correction to M or H (helps scanning on slightly damaged/curved surfaces).
- Export as SVG (preferred for print), or high-res PNG (at least 1000×1000 px).
Branding tips: Keep the modules (squares) dark on a light background for maximum contrast. You can add your logo in the center sparingly — test thoroughly to ensure scan reliability.
Step 4: Brand your table signage and posters
Guests need a clear nudge to scan. Create:
- Table tents/coasters: “Scan to view menu” + QR + short URL.
- Door/window posters: “Contactless menu available — scan here.”
- Bar toppers/check presenters: Small stickers with QR + “Drinks & dessert menu.”
Adobe Express workflow:
Drop your QR SVG into table tent or coaster templates, add your logo and a simple headline, and export print-ready PDFs. Keep background light and uncluttered around the code.
Step 5: Test on real phones (and real tables)
Before printing:
- Scan with multiple phones (iOS/Android, old/new).
- Test across Wi-Fi and cellular.
- Check load speed (aim <3 seconds). Compress images; avoid auto-playing video.
- Verify accessibility (screen reader labels, alt text if using images).
- Try scanning under low light and with glare (glossy surfaces can be tricky).
Step 6: Print and deploy with the right specs
- Size guide: Minimum printed size around 1.25–1.5 in (3–4 cm) square for hand-held distance; larger (2–3 in) for standing distance. Simple rule: QR size ≈ scan distance ÷ 10 (e.g., 6 ft viewing → ~7 in code).
- Quiet zone: Leave at least 4 modules of clear space around the code (most generators handle this; don’t crop it).
- Material: Choose matte or satin finishes to reduce glare; waterproof stock for outdoor tables.
- Placement: Flat surfaces beat curves; keep codes off highly textured wood/stone.
- Durability: Laminate or use metal/acrylic plates for long-term placements.
Step 7: Measure, improve, and keep it fresh
- Use a short link or dynamic QR to see scan counts by day/time/location.
- Add UTM tags (e.g., utm_source=table&utm_medium=qr&utm_campaign=patio) to learn which areas drive orders.
- Keep a weekly update ritual: specials, deleted items, seasonal swaps.
- Ask servers what guests struggle to find, then reorganize your sections or add subheads (“NA Beverages,” “Kids,” “Gluten-Free”).
Dynamic QR code menus (when and how to use them)
When to use:
- You’ll run rotating menus (lunch/dinner/seasonal) and want to switch destinations without reprinting.
- You need placement-specific tracking (bar vs. patio vs. takeout window).
- You’re hosting events/pop-ups with temporary menus or order pages.
How to use (quick):
- Point the printed QR to a stable, branded short URL (e.g., yourdomain.com/menu).
- Behind the scenes, use a dynamic redirect (your CMS or a link shortener) to swap the live destination anytime.
- Add UTM tags per placement (e.g., utm_source=table&utm_medium=qr&utm_campaign=patio) for clean analytics.
- Keep a change log/owner so staff know who updates the redirect and when.
Notes:
- Dynamic services often require a subscription — budget for it and avoid vendor lock-in by owning the branded short domain.
- Always print a fallback short URL under the QR and use HTTPS for trust and speed.
QR code menu best practices
- Speed first. A pretty menu that loads slowly is a conversion killer; compress images and keep pages lightweight.
- Write for scanning. Ideal QR code restaurant menus include clear names, short descriptions, and price alignment to help quick decisions.
- Accessibility matters. Strong contrast, larger text, and meaningful link names (“View Drinks”) help everyone.
- Always include a fallback. Print a few standard menus and show a short URL under the QR for non-camera phones.
- One code per context. Consider separate codes for dine-in, takeout, and events to tailor content and tracking.
- Train the team. Host a 5-minute huddle: “If a guest asks, point to the table tent, explain the short URL, and offer a print menu on request.”
Quick setup checklist
✅ Choose your destination (mobile page, PDF, or ordering link).
✅ Design/clean your menu (mobile first); export a web-friendly version.
✅ Generate a high-contrast QR (SVG preferred) with error correction M/H.
✅ Create table tents/posters in Adobe Express; add QR + short URL + simple headline.
✅ Test on multiple phones, connections, and lighting situations.
✅ Print on matte/waterproof stock; place at tables, bar, door, and check presenters.
✅ Track scans (short link/dynamic QR + UTMs) and update menu weekly.
✅ Keep 1–2 print menus on hand; train staff on the flow.
QR code menus are simple to launch and powerful to run. Choose a fast, mobile destination, brand the experience with Adobe Express, print high-contrast codes at the right size, and always include a short fallback URL. With a little testing and weekly updates, you’ll have a clean, flexible menu that guests love and a service flow your team can sustain on your busiest days.