You replaced paper menus with QR codes. But do customers actually scan them?

Most restaurants have no idea. They print QR codes, stick them on tables, and hope for the best. Without tracking, you're flying blind.

This guide shows you how to track QR menu scans and use that data to improve operations.

QR menus aren't just about going paperless. With tracking, they become a data source:

Insight	Business Impact
Scans per table	Identify high-traffic vs dead zones
Peak scan times	Optimize staffing schedules
Menu version performance	Test new items and layouts
Repeat scanners	Measure customer loyalty

Without tracking, a QR code is just a fancy link. With tracking, it tells you how customers interact with your restaurant.

What metrics matter for restaurants?

Scans by table

Not all tables perform equally:

Table Performance (Last 30 Days):
Table 1 (window)     234 scans
Table 2 (window)     221 scans
Table 3 (center)     189 scans
Table 4 (center)     145 scans
Table 5 (back)        67 scans
Table 6 (back)        52 scans

This data reveals:

Window tables get 3x more engagement than back tables
Center tables are middle performers
Back tables might need better lighting or signage

Scans by hour

When do customers scan?

Hourly Scan Distribution:
11am   ████             8%
12pm   ██████████████  22%
1pm    ████████████    19%
2pm    ██████           9%
5pm    ████             7%
6pm    ██████████████  21%
7pm    ████████        14%

Peak scanning happens at lunch (12pm) and dinner (6pm). Schedule your best servers during these windows.

Device breakdown

What are customers using?

Devices:
iPhone     58%
Android    38%
Other       4%

If most customers use iPhones, make sure your menu looks great in Safari. Test on the dominant platform first.

First scan vs repeat scan

Track new vs returning visitors:

This Month:
First-time scanners:  1,234
Repeat scanners:        456
Repeat rate:            27%

A 27% repeat rate suggests decent customer loyalty. Low repeat rates might indicate menu fatigue or poor food quality.

One QR code per table vs one for the whole restaurant

You have two options:

Option A: One code everywhere

Pros:

Simpler to set up
Easier to print
Less to manage

Cons:

Can't track table-level data
Can't A/B test by location
Aggregated data only

Option B: Unique code per table

Pros:

Track performance by table
Identify high and low performers
A/B test menu versions by section

Cons:

More codes to generate
Must label each carefully
Slightly more setup time

Recommendation: Use unique codes per table. The extra setup takes 30 minutes. The data you get is worth months of guessing.

Setting up table-level tracking

Step 1: Generate unique codes

Create one dynamic QR code per table with clear naming:

Table-01-Window-Left
Table-02-Window-Right
Table-03-Center-A
Table-04-Center-B
Table-05-Back-Corner
Table-06-Back-Wall

Include location details in the name. You'll thank yourself later when analyzing data.

Step 2: Print and place consistently

Place codes in the same position on every table:

Table tent (most visible)
Tucked under glass/acrylic (cleaner look)
Sticker on table edge (permanent)

Consistent placement means consistent data. If Table 5 has its code hidden under a napkin holder, low scans don't mean low traffic.

Step 3: Map your floor plan

Create a simple reference:

FLOOR PLAN:
┌─────────────────────────────┐
│  [1]  [2]          WINDOW   │
│                             │
│  [3]  [4]          CENTER   │
│                             │
│  [5]  [6]          BACK     │
│                             │
│      BAR      KITCHEN       │
└─────────────────────────────┘

When you see "Table 3 has 40% fewer scans," you'll know exactly where to look.

Comparing placement options

Test different QR code placements:

Table tent vs receipt

A/B Test: Table Tent vs Receipt
Duration: 2 weeks
Sample: 500 parties

Table Tent:
- Scans: 234
- Scan rate: 47%

Receipt (post-meal):
- Scans: 89
- Scan rate: 18%

Winner: Table tent (+161%)

Table tents win because customers see them immediately. Receipts come too late.

Window sticker vs table placement

A/B Test: Window vs Table
Duration: 1 week

Window Sticker:
- Visible from outside
- Scans: 45 (mostly walk-ins checking menu)
- Conversion to dine-in: 23%

Table Code:
- Visible when seated
- Scans: 312
- Already committed to dining

Use both: Window for acquisition, table for ordering.

Dynamic QR codes let you change the destination without reprinting. Use this to test menus:

Week 1: Standard menu (appetizers first)
- Appetizer orders: 23%

Week 2: Specials-first menu
- Appetizer orders: 31%

Result: Specials-first layout increased appetizer orders by 35%

Test 2: Photography

Version A: Text-only descriptions
- Average order value: $24

Version B: Photos with descriptions
- Average order value: $29

Result: Photos increased average order by 21%

Test 3: Pricing display

Version A: $12.99 pricing
Version B: $13 pricing (no cents)

Customer perception study showed no difference in orders.
Simplify to whole dollars.

Using data to optimize operations

Staffing decisions

Scan data reveals true busy periods:

Weekday Scan Volume:
Monday    ████████         312
Tuesday   ██████████       423
Wednesday ████████████████ 634
Thursday  ██████████████   567
Friday    ██████████████████ 712
Saturday  ████████████████████ 823
Sunday    ██████████       401

Wednesday is busier than Tuesday. Adjust staffing accordingly.

When scans drop, customers might be tired of your menu:

Menu Scan Trend (Same Menu):
Month 1:  2,345 scans
Month 2:  2,234 scans (-5%)
Month 3:  1,987 scans (-11%)
Month 4:  1,654 scans (-17%)

Declining scans can signal menu fatigue. Time for seasonal updates.

Table optimization

Data might reveal table problems:

Problem: Table 6 has 60% fewer scans than average.
Investigation: Poor lighting, near kitchen noise.
Solution: Add table lamp, move code to quieter table.
Result: Scans increased 45% after changes.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using static QR codes

Static codes can't be tracked. Use dynamic codes that route through a tracking server.

Printing codes too small

Minimum size: 1 inch (2.5 cm). Smaller codes fail to scan, especially in dim restaurants.

Forgetting to test

Scan every code after printing. Dead links destroy customer trust.

Ignoring the data

Collecting data means nothing if you don't act on it. Review weekly. Make changes monthly.

Privacy and customer experience

What you collect

Approximate location (city level)
Device type
Timestamp
Scan count

What you don't collect

Personal identity
Payment information
Browsing history

Best practices

Add a small note: "Menu scans are anonymous"
Don't require app downloads
Keep the scan-to-menu experience instant

Customers care about convenience. Fast, frictionless menu access beats privacy concerns.

Monthly reporting template

Track restaurant QR performance monthly:

RESTAURANT QR REPORT - January 2026

Total Scans: 4,567
vs Last Month: +12%

Scans by Section:
Window tables:  1,890 (41%)
Center tables:  1,567 (34%)
Back tables:    1,110 (25%)

Top Performing Table: Table 2 (window right) - 456 scans
Lowest Performing: Table 6 (back wall) - 234 scans

Peak Hours:
Lunch (12-1pm): 34%
Dinner (6-7pm): 41%

Device Split:
iOS: 61%
Android: 39%

Action Items:
- Add lighting to back section
- Test new dessert menu next week
- Reprint faded Table 4 code

Summary

QR menu tracking answers questions you didn't know you had:

Which tables get the most engagement?
When do customers look at the menu?
Is your new menu layout working?
Are customers coming back?

The setup takes an afternoon. The insights last as long as your restaurant operates.

Stop guessing which tables work. Start measuring.

Ready to track your restaurant's QR menus? Create your free account and get table-level analytics today.

Restaurant QR Menu Analytics: Know Which Tables Actually Scan

Why track menu QR codes?