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In the last few years, the restaurant industry has seen a whirlwind of changes. Technology has stepped in to streamline everything from booking tables to splitting bills. A standout innovation is QR code ordering, where diners scan a code, view the menu on their phone, and place their order without even waiting for a server. For customers, it’s fast and convenient. But what does it mean for restaurant employees, the people who keep our favourite eateries running smoothly?
Surprisingly, QR code ordering doesn’t just benefit guests—it can have a big impact on staff day-to-day operations and overall job satisfaction. Whether you run a buzzing city-centre bistro or a cosy suburban café, a well-implemented QR code ordering system can lift significant burdens off your team’s shoulders. According to a Statista (source) report, the UK continues to embrace contactless transactions, paving the way for employees to focus on more meaningful tasks. Let’s explore how going digital changes the daily grind—and why your staff might thank you for it.
A typical restaurant shift can feel like an endless loop for servers: greeting tables, delivering menus, coming back to take orders, keying them into a point-of-sale (POS) system, answering a million quick questions, and juggling the inevitable pile of receipts at closing time. Over time, these repetitive tasks can take a toll on morale. QR code ordering tackles these pain points head on, freeing staff to focus on what truly matters—connecting with customers on a personal level.
In a sense, QR code ordering returns staff to the heart of hospitality. Rather than acting like transaction processors, they can be gracious hosts—guiding diners through the experience, checking on them at the right moments, and ensuring comfort from start to finish. This shift can reignite the sense of pride and satisfaction that drew many into the restaurant industry in the first place.
Every restaurant employee knows the adrenaline rush of a busy Saturday night. Tables fill up in minutes, the queue for seats snakes out the door, and the sound of clinking dishes echoes through every corner. During these peak periods, staff often feel like they’re putting out fires—a table wants to order now, while another is ready to pay, and someone else just spilled a drink. By automating the ordering process, QR codes lower the pressure in key ways:
Less frantic chaos means fewer frayed nerves behind the scenes. When employees aren’t racing to address basic order-taking, they can handle urgent situations—or surprising curveballs—without meltdown. This leads to a calmer, more enjoyable work environment, boosting staff retention.
Even the most experienced servers can make mistakes when pressed for time. Mishearing a side order, mixing up table numbers, or hitting the wrong button on a POS system can cause confusion and leftover dishes nobody ordered. It also leads to extra work: apologising, fixing the order, and managing potential food waste. QR code ordering cuts down on these slip-ups by ensuring that diners themselves confirm exactly what they want:
When mistakes drop off dramatically, staff get fewer headaches. They also avoid awkward exchanges with diners who might suspect poor service. In other words, fewer miscommunications allow everyone to concentrate on positive, value-added interactions.
Training rookie servers can be time-consuming—teaching them the menu, the POS software, and the art of table management. But once a QR code system is in place, you remove one big learning curve: the intricacies of order entry. New recruits don’t have to memorise complex keystrokes on a sometimes glitchy touchscreen. They can trust the direct lines of communication from diner to kitchen.
That doesn’t mean all training is off the table, of course. A new hire still needs to know your restaurant’s style, how to welcome guests, and how to handle special cases, like allergies or complicated requests. But it’s simpler to get them up to speed when they’re not juggling multiple steps each time an order changes. A confident staffer is more likely to be a happy staffer—and a happy staffer is far more likely to stay long term, reducing churn in an industry where turnover can be as high as 70%, according to Big Hospitality (source).
If the pandemic taught the industry anything, it’s that contactless options have real benefits—particularly for employees who interact with numerous people daily. QR code ordering reduces the surfaces staff and customers need to touch. Instead of collecting menus or swapping cash, servers can limit direct contact to delivering dishes and checking on guests’ comfort.
While the extreme COVID-era caution has eased, many diners and staff remain conscious of hygiene. Some employees even say they feel more at ease focusing on table service rather than the constant exchange of physical menus or money. It’s an ongoing reassurance that fosters trust in your establishment’s health and safety protocols.
It may seem counterintuitive—wouldn’t automating part of the process reduce the chance for personal rapport that can lead to bigger tips? Surprisingly, many restaurants see tips go up, not down. Why? Because servers now have time to deliver a more personal touch at each table. Instead of scribbling orders or running to the POS, they can chat about daily specials, check in on how guests like their meal, or share recommendations for desserts.
In addition, digital tipping prompts can influence customers to be more generous, particularly when a pre-set tip percentage appears during checkout. They’re not fumbling for loose change or feeling pressured while the server stands by. They simply choose a tip with one tap. The result? More consistent, and often higher, gratuities. According to Hospitality Net (source), digital payment solutions have been linked to a bump in average tip percentage, boosting employee morale and overall earnings.
QR code ordering doesn’t just change individual roles; it can reshape the entire team dynamic. With fewer disputes over missing orders or confusion about who typed what, staff tension often diminishes. Kitchen crews see precisely what was ordered, while front-of-house employees can track table status without frantic guesswork. Everyone is literally on the same digital page.
In this environment, managers can step in as leaders rather than micromanagers. Instead of patrolling to ensure tasks are done, they can look for ways to improve the guest experience or motivate the team. Clear systems lead to smooth coordination, which fosters an atmosphere where employees support one another—covering a colleague’s table if needed, or helping out when the kitchen is in the weeds. This sense of unity enhances job satisfaction, which again reduces turnover, saving money on hiring and training new workers.
It’s not just the servers who benefit. Chefs and kitchen staff also get a more efficient workflow. Orders arrive digitally, often displaying modifications or cooking preferences in a structured format that’s easy to grasp at a glance. No more squinting at a scribbled note or deciphering a server’s shorthand.
Kitchen managers can monitor incoming orders in real time, allocating tasks as needed—sending the fryer station a heads-up if there’s a sudden surge in fish and chips requests, for example. This improved visibility can result in fewer logjams and better orchestrated meal preparation. When the cooking process is smoother, employees feel less stressed, and customers get their meals faster. It’s a recipe for success that underscores how one piece of tech can unify front and back of house.
The word “hospitality” conjures images of warm welcomes, knowledgeable recommendations, and a sense of care that lingers after the meal is over. Unfortunately, staff often struggle to deliver those cherished touches when they’re drowning in administrative tasks and inefficiencies. QR code ordering frees them to provide real hospitality—maybe they’ll notice a customer’s special occasion and bring out a surprise dessert, or chat about the local farm that supplies the fresh tomatoes for your popular bruschetta.
These are the gestures that build loyal customers and enthusiastic word-of-mouth. Instead of feeling like they’re perpetually playing catch-up, employees can anticipate customer needs, enhance the overall vibe, and find creative ways to add flair. And yes, that leads to better ratings and higher returns—not just financially, but in genuine job satisfaction for the staff driving your restaurant’s success.
While QR code ordering offers huge upsides, the transition may feel intimidating. Here are some tips to get your team on board and make it a smooth journey:
A well-thought-out rollout that listens to employee concerns and fosters a sense of ownership will see the best results. Over time, as staff see how it alleviates their workload, they’ll become your biggest advocates.
As QR code ordering continues to spread throughout the UK, restaurants that embrace this tech are finding it’s not just about pleasing smartphone-savvy customers. It’s also about redefining what front-of-house roles can be—less data entry, more genuine connection, fewer frantic nights, and more time for the little extras that make dining out special. That’s a win for restaurant owners and employees alike.
So if you’re weighing up the pros and cons, consider how these contactless solutions could reinvigorate your staff. Imagine them finishing a shift not exhausted from repetitive tasks, but energised by the quality interactions they had. Picture the relief of fewer order errors and a better-managed peak rush. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll have a team that looks forward to coming in each day—knowing their efforts matter and their environment has their back.
In a world where customer expectations are always on the rise, technology can help you meet—and exceed—those demands without burning out your biggest asset: your people. And that alone might be reason enough to give QR code ordering a closer look.
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Our mobile ordering solution allows your customers to order and pay whenever they are ready with an integrated QR code.
