How to Set Up QR Code Ordering at Restaurant Tables (2026 Guide)

What you'll need

✓ A Menually account (free at menually.com)
✓ A phone or computer to build your menu
✓ A printer (or a print shop order)
✓ Table tent cards, sticker paper, or coasters
✓ About 30 minutes

The most common mistake restaurants make is treating "setting up QR ordering" as a technology problem. It's not — it's an operational and training problem. The technology is the easy part. Getting guests to scan, and staff to support, is what determines whether it succeeds.

The 7-Step Setup Process

Choose a purpose-built platform (not a generic QR generator)

~5 minutes

This is the most important decision. A generic QR code that links to a PDF is not a QR ordering system. You need a platform built specifically for restaurants that can:

Display food photos
Handle modifiers and add-ons
Route orders to a kitchen display
Accept contactless payments
Update items in real time

Menually's free plan covers the first three. Paid plans add payments and analytics.

Build your digital menu with photos

~20–60 minutes

In Menually, create your menu categories (Starters, Mains, Sides, Desserts, Drinks) and add every item. For each item, include:

Name: Descriptive, not just "Burger"
Description: Sensory language that makes the item sound appealing
Price: Current price (easily changed later)
Photo: High-quality, well-lit image — this is your biggest sales driver
Allergens: Tag each item so dietary filters work correctly

Configure table numbers and QR codes

~5 minutes

In the Menually dashboard, set up each table as a separate ordering point. Menually generates a unique QR code per table. When a guest at Table 4 orders, the kitchen sees "Table 4 — Order #231" instantly. If you're running counter service or pickup, you can use a single shared QR instead.

Connect Stripe for contactless payments (paid plan)

~10 minutes

Go to Settings → Payments in Menually and connect your Stripe account. If you don't have a Stripe account, creating one takes about 10 minutes. Once connected, guests can pay via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card directly through the QR menu. Funds settle to your bank account within 2 business days.

Print your QR codes and choose placement

~10–30 minutes (including print time)

Download your print-ready QR codes from Menually. Each code is labelled with the table number. Choose your placement format:

Format	Best for	Recommended size
Table Tent (Recommended)	Full-service sit-down restaurants	A5 or 10cm × 15cm
Surface Sticker	Casual dining, fast-casual, bars	6–8cm × 6–8cm
Coaster	Bars, pubs, venues with drinks focus	9cm diameter
Laser-engraved stand	Premium restaurants, hotel dining	Any — custom made

Print tip: Always test-scan every printed QR code before placing it on tables. Ink smears, low contrast, or a QR code that's too small can make it unscannable. Print one test sheet first.

Train your team with a 10-minute briefing

~10 minutes

The single biggest factor in QR ordering adoption is how servers introduce it to guests. Run a quick team briefing before the first service:

The greeting script:

"Hi, welcome in! You can scan the QR code on the table to browse our full menu with photos and place your order. I'll be right over for your drinks — or you can order those through your phone too, whatever's easier for you."

Also brief staff on: how to help a guest who can't scan (open the camera app, point it at the code), how to accept a verbal order and enter it through the staff interface, and how to hide items that have sold out.

Launch and monitor your first service

~Ongoing

Run your first QR service with a manager or owner on the floor. Watch how guests interact with the code, listen for confusion, and fix issues in real time. Check the Menually dashboard after service: which items got the most orders? Which tables ordered the most add-ons? Use this data to refine your menu within 48 hours of launch.

Pre-Launch Checklist

All menu items have photos uploaded
Prices are correct and current
Allergens are tagged on every item
Modifiers configured for items that have options
Each QR code test-scanned and menu loads correctly
Table numbers match QR codes — Table 4 code goes on Table 4
Kitchen display or notification device is set up and tested
Payment account connected and a test payment processed
Every server has run through the guest greeting at least once
Sold-out items are hidden before service begins

Related guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I place QR codes in my restaurant?↓

Centre-table is the single most effective position. The QR code should be the first thing a guest sees when they sit down — not hidden under condiments or placed on the edge of the table. For bars, eye-level placement on bar menus or tent cards at the counter works well. For counter service, place the code facing the customer on the counter surface or on a stand.

What size should a restaurant QR code be?↓

For table use, a minimum of 3cm × 3cm (1.2in × 1.2in) is scannable from normal seating distance. We recommend 6–8cm (2.5–3in) for table tents and 4cm (1.6in) for stickers. Larger is always better — a QR code that can't be scanned reliably will frustrate guests and hurt adoption.

Do I need a different QR code for every table?↓

It depends on your setup. If you want table-specific order routing (so the kitchen knows which table ordered what), you need a unique QR code per table. If you're using QR codes purely to display the menu (without ordering), one universal code for the whole restaurant is fine.

Can I use a QR code sticker instead of a table tent?↓

Yes. Stickers on the table surface work well and are very durable. The trade-off is they can be harder to scan if the table is reflective or if the sticker has a glossy finish that creates glare. Matte laminate stickers and a slight angle to avoid direct light work best.

How do I stop guests from ignoring the QR code?↓

The server greeting is the most important factor. Train staff to actively point to the QR code when greeting a table: 'You can scan this code right here to browse our menu with photos.' A clear call-to-action printed on the tent card also helps — something like 'Scan to order' with an arrow pointing at the code.

Do I need wifi at every table for QR ordering?↓

Guests use their own mobile data — you don't need to provide wifi for the menu to work. However, offering complimentary wifi increases engagement because guests are more likely to browse, explore photos, and add items when they're not worrying about their data usage. A simple free wifi login QR code alongside the menu QR is a nice touch.

Ready to Set Up QR Ordering at Your Tables?

Build your interactive digital menu and generate your table QR codes in minutes — free.