Getting started · 7 min read
QR ordering 101: setup, placement, and etiquette
Everything you need to launch QR ordering that guests actually use — where to put codes, what to write beside them, and how to handle the edge cases.
By Tablefllow Team · May 5, 2026
QR ordering is not a gimmick — it's the fastest way for a busy kitchen to serve more covers with the same staff. But a bad rollout looks like faded stickers, broken links, and confused guests. Do it right and it silently doubles table turns during peak.
The three QR codes you actually need
- Ordering QR — deep-links to /r/your-slug/menu, pre-tagged with the table number.
- Booking QR — for the door, storefront window, and to-go bags.
- Referral QR — a customer's unique link, printed on receipts and loyalty cards.
Placement checklist
- Table tent — front and back, tilted 45° toward the seat.
- Menu inside cover — first thing guests see when they open it.
- Receipt footer — for returning next time.
- Storefront window — for passers-by outside opening hours.
- Delivery bag sticker — for takeaway customers to reorder.
What to write beside the code
Never write 'Scan me'. Write the outcome: 'Order from your seat — no waiting.' or 'Book your next table in 20 seconds.' Guests scan verbs, not nouns.
Reprint every 90 days
QR posters fade, get stained, and grow greasy. Add 'Reprint QR posters' to your quarterly checklist. Tablefllow keeps your customized poster theme on file, so it's a two-tap job.
Common failure modes
- Code too small — minimum 3cm × 3cm at reading distance.
- No fallback — always print your short URL beside the code.
- No table number — orders without a table cause chaos; Tablefllow adds it automatically when the QR is per-table.