Restaurant technology is shaping the way consumers order food. Digital menu ordering is a newer way that restaurants are displaying their menus. Digital menus allow the restaurant industry to save time, simplify processes for wait staff, and streamline restaurant operations.

New technology in restaurants comes with many benefits. But first, let’s uncover what it means to have a digital menu ordering system.

What Is A Digital Menu?

Digital menus are contactless menus that restaurant customers can retrieve by scanning a QR code. They allow digital menu ordering to take place, whether for pick-up or delivery (learn more: what is a QR code).

Digital restaurant menus eliminate the need for physical menus. They also offer valuable benefits to the restaurant industry. From increasing profits to boosting customer satisfaction, let’s learn about five tips digital menu ordering can provide.

1. Fast and Accurate Service

Restaurant servers can slow down processes if it’s a busy shift. Digital menu ordering can reduce their amount of tasks, which will result in customers receiving their food on time.

When customers use a digital menu ordering system to select their food items, the order goes straight to the kitchen. There’s little room for errors when the sous chef and other kitchen staff have digital orders to reference.

By avoiding wrong orders, customers will experience a great impression, while the owner can lessen restaurant expenses. The overhead expenses of a restaurant are pricey, so you want to avoid remaking dishes.

Accuracy and speed are key traits that consumers hope for when ordering food. In fact, kiosks have been successful self-serve options due to utilizing a touch screen menu ordering system. However, QR codes are most efficient in sit-down eateries.

2. Contactless Menus and Payments

Contactless menus and payment options help to meet health and safety standards. They also make the casual dining experience more enjoyable for customers. Instead of waiting to receive menus, consumers can hop on their phone, scan a code, and start browsing the menu.

It’s even more convenient than a touch screen menu ordering system and is compatible with all types of smartphones. Plus, it’s a safer option for both customers and servers.

Since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurant owners have become mindful of ways to make their businesses safer. When a restaurant is busy, menus circulate between customers and staff more than one might think. This is a chance for germs and viral bacteria to spread and increases the risk of cross-contamination across tables.

Whether people are trying not to get sick or have a severe allergy to a particular ingredient, the less contact customers have with menus, the better.

3. Edit Menus Anywhere, Anytime

Have you ever noticed a typo on the menu or come up with a fun drink recipe but didn’t have a way to quickly add it? With a digital menu ordering system, restaurant managers can edit the menu whenever they like.

Another instance when this technology comes in handy is when an eatery is super busy, and the kitchen runs out of specific ingredients. Instead of telling customers that they can’t serve their favorite dish, they can just sign into the software and remove it.

Frequent menu updates will prevent your restaurant from becoming stagnant. But if your menu is so extensive that some ingredients go to waste, removing them with a digital menu ordering platform will be a breeze.

If you use a restaurant inventory management system, you can accurately take inventory to see which menu items you should keep or remove. Not only will this save you money on restaurant expenses, but it will help organize your kitchen storage. In the meantime, use an inventory spreadsheet to track what you have in stock.

4. Integration With Food Delivery Apps

Since you can easily edit digital menus, they can stay cohesive with food delivery apps. Ensure that your in-person and online menus are the same, or else you’ll cause confusion regarding what you have available.

Boost mobile food ordering processes by clarifying that customers can get restaurant menu items from anywhere in the area. An online ordering platform is essential for increasing profits, so ensure that every menu features current offerings.

If customers want a dish they ordered online but don’t see it at your restaurant, that can cause disappointment. Make a habit of changing every digital menu ordering platform whenever there’s a change.

5. Up-sell Orders

Digital menu ordering can be customizable. Increase cart values by setting up proper integrations.

Set up the digital menu ordering systems so that when people add items to their cart, suggestions appear on the checkout page. Whether it’s items from the appetizer list to pair with entree food, or popular drink specials during happy hour, a digital platform is a way to up-sell orders.

When people get food from a restaurant, there’s a high chance that they either know what they want or have a good idea. In these cases, they skip right to a particular menu section and don’t give the rest a second glance.

By adding suggestions to the digital menu ordering system, viewing unique menu items will be inevitable. Plus, it’s a way for customers to try new things. Digital menu ordering platforms also allow bars and restaurants to keep up with food trends with frequent menu updates.

6. Flexible Payment Options

If your digital menu ordering system operates with pay-at-table devices, people will have payment methods to choose from. From credit cards to mobile payments, giving customers a choice will help simplify payment processes.

Offering various payment methods allows your restaurant to be inclusive while creating the freedom to accept every transaction. Whether or not an eatery accepts a particular payment method can deter customers or bring them to your restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Menu Ordering

Thinking about implementing digital menu ordering into your restaurant business plan? Reason on to learn more about the topic that’s taking over the hospitality industry.

How Does a Digital Menu Work?

A digital menu works by integrating a design link to a QR code. Then, print out enough copies of the QR code for the tables and bar area, laminate them, and display them across your restaurant.

For instance, a restaurant owner can keep a DIY design file on a site such as Canva, where they can constantly make updates to the menu. Then, they would save the uneditable link to create a QR code.

If you’re using a PDF file instead of a link, be sure to use a PDF accessibility checker to ensure that customers can view the menu.

Why Are Restaurants Using Digital Menus?

Restaurants are adopting digital menus for their convenience. Upon arriving at their table, customers can scan a QR code to retrieve their menu. It’s quick, simple, and eliminates the spread of germs. Restaurants opt for them since they can easily make edits, don’t have to have a specific number of menus on hand, and are sanitary.

How Do I Make A Digital Menu?

To make a digital menu even easier, utilize a platform that can consolidate menu items, QR codes, and any relevant links. A platform such as SproutQR makes it simple to create and update your menu–anywhere, anytime. Plus, it’s the best QR code generator to create a user-friendly and custom QR code for your business.

Do you find yourself wondering, “how do QR codes work?” If so, don’t fret! The SproutQR team will walk you through every step of the process. Book a demo today to learn how SproutQR can simplify your restaurant operations.