How to Make a QR Code Menu for Your Restaurant 

Every restaurant owner has faced this dilemma:

📝 Update the menu → Pay for new prints.

📉 Keep the old menu → Serve outdated pricing.

Neither option is ideal. Paper menus are eating into restaurant profits. But what if you could update your menu anytime – without printing costs, delays, or confusion?

With a QR code menu, you can. And in this guide, we’ll show you how to make a QR code menu in just a few minutes using the best free QR code menu generator for restaurant owners.

So let’s dive in! 

What is a QR Code Menu and How Does It Work?

A QR code menu lets customers see the restaurant’s menu on their phones by scanning a code. 

QR code menus are convenient, cost-effective, and easy to update. Restaurants can add new dishes, change prices, or highlight promotions without reprinting menus. Customers simply scan the code placed on tables, receipts, or signage to browse the online menu.

A QR code menu works in three simple steps:

1️⃣ Scan – Customers use their phone’s camera to scan the QR code.

2️⃣ View – The QR code opens a digital menu on their screen.

3️⃣ Order – Depending on the system, customers can browse, place an order, and even pay online.

How to Make a QR Code Menu: Step-by-Step Guide

There are tons of QR code menu generators out there. If you’re new to this, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Some platforms promise advanced features but come with a hefty price tag. Others offer free versions, only to limit the very features you actually need.

I wanted a solution that checked all the boxes—easy to use, feature-packed, and budget-friendly. That’s when I found Menumium. It has everything you need to create a professional QR code menu for free and without complicated setups.

To make things even easier, I’ll walk you through the exact steps you can follow to create free QR Code for restaurant menu using Menumium below.

Step 1: Sign Up for Menumium

The first thing you need to do is create an account to use QR. Go to Menumium’s website and sign up by providing your email and a password. You can also use the Gmail sign-up option for faster onboarding.

After that, provide your business details, like the name of your restaurant, your phone number, and the logo.

Step 2: Choose Your Template

Once you’re in, go to Home > QR Menu Setup. 

You can also click on the “Setup Your Menu” button under the Setup QR Code Menu section to go to the template section.

You’ll see different ready-made templates to choose from, including Default, Medium, and Standard. Pick one that fits your restaurant’s branding and vibe. Also, you will always have the option to switch templates anytime if you want to try a different look. 

Step 3: Customize Your Menu’s Look

Now comes the fun part. After selecting a template, it’s time to make it your own. 

Here you will get three sections to separately edit and customize. 

The Front Layout

This is your customer’s first impression. This is the QR code side they’ll scan. Here, you can choose a background color, add a logo, and write a title and sub-title to welcome customers depending on the template you choose. 

The Back Layout

Don’t leave the back of your menu blank, as it’s a valuable space. You can add a background image here, along with choosing a color theme, logo, and title. 

Menu Setup

This is an important part of the setup. This is what customers see after scanning. Menumium offers three different parts that you can choose from at your convenience: 

1. Quick PDF Upload: If you already have a menu file, simply upload it here. It’s quick and easy.
2. Use System-Generated PDF: If you don’t have a menu file but want a polished PDF, then Menumium will do the work for you. For this first, you will have to set the food category and food items for the PDF to be generated. 
3. Open as Website: This option lets customers view an interactive menu online. You can customize the website’s primary color to match your brand. No external hosting is needed, meaning there’s no extra cost. But remember to set up food categories and food items within the system for this option to work. 

Here, I have tried setting up the Menumium QR code menu to check how to create a pdf menu using the Standard theme – 

Now that you know how to set up your menu content, let’s take a closer look at which theme might work best for your restaurant. Menumium offers three distinct options, each with different customization capabilities.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison/feature highlights to help you choose the right one:

Step 4: Print Your QR Menu

Once you’re happy with the design, click “Print” to generate your QR code. You can:

🖨️ Print it immediately and place it on tables, menus, or takeaway packaging.

📁 Save it as a PDF for future use.

That’s it! Your QR code menu is now live and ready for customers to scan.

The Benefits of Using a QR Code Menu for Restaurants

After learning how to make a QR code for a menu, you might wonder if it’s worth the effort. Let me tell you – it absolutely is.

Here are some of the top benefits you’ll enjoy:

Faster and Contactless Ordering

As your customers can order with just a scan, you’re reducing the waiting time for them. Especially if you run a fast-paced restaurant, cafe, or takeout spot, this is a need not a want. Also, when your customers are scanning the QR code, they’re getting an interactive experience that paper can’t match. 

They can:

• Zoom in on text (perfect for customers who forgot their reading glasses)
• See high-quality photos of dishes
• Browse at their own pace

Save Money, Time, and Trees

Remember when you had to sprint to the printer to change a price or add a special? Those days of printed menus are over. Now, a QR code menu free of printing hassles lets you update everything online. A digital restaurant menu with QR Code appears instantly on every customer’s phone, making it cheaper and easier for every food business owner.

Easy to Update Anytime

Paper menus can quickly become outdated, especially in the fast-paced world of dining. When prices change or there are new seasonal dishes to showcase, it often means reprinting and wasting resources. 

With a contactless menu, you can easily make updates online. This allows you to keep everything current and fresh with just a few clicks. Customers appreciate having the latest options available through the scannable QR code, and it simplifies your workflow. Being able to make quick changes can really enhance the dining experience and keep your offerings appealing and accessible.

More Engagement & Upsells

Offering special promotions can really draw in more customers. Add special promotions, highlight bestsellers, or include a link to order directly from the menu. Using the best QR code for restaurant menus, you can personalize the experience for your customers and increase sales.

Hygienic and Safe

Gone are the days when diners would flip through physical menus that have been touched by countless hands. During the pandemic, the need for safer dining practices became increasingly evident. People began to seek out ways to feel secure while enjoying their meals, whether at a restaurant or a cafe. 

The introduction of digital menus, accessible via smartphones or tablets, has made it easier for customers to explore their food options without the worry of contamination. This adjustment may seem minor, but it plays a crucial role. 

Eco-Friendly Alternative

Going paperless brings numerous benefits, starting with reduced waste. Think about all the menus that often end up in the trash after just a few uses. By switching to a digital menu, restaurants can save resources and make a positive impact on the environment. 

Reduce Staff Contact

A QR code menu allows customers to browse, order, and even pay without needing constant interaction with staff. This way your staff can focus more on other tasks that need immediate attention and your customers can take their time to browse, select, and order as per their preferences. This not only speeds up service but also makes operations smoother during busy hours.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a QR Code Menu

Creating a QR code menu is simple, but there are some pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. These mistakes can frustrate customers or make your menu less effective: 

• Using Low-Quality QR Codes
• Not Updating the Menu Regularly
• Poor QR Code Placement
• Not Testing the QR Code Before Printing
• Linking to a Hard-to-Read Menu
• Missing Key Information
• Ignoring Mobile-Friendliness
• Using Low-Resolution Images

Final Words

Switching to a QR code menu is one of the smartest moves you can make for your restaurant. It’s cost-effective, eco-friendly, and loved by customers who value convenience.

Now that you know how to make a QR code menu, it’s time to take action. Start small, test it out, and make adjustments as you go. Tools like Menumium make the process simple and free, so there’s no reason to wait and wonder how to make a menu qr code. 

Set up your QR code for a restaurant menu today and give your customers the seamless experience they expect.

See you in the next blog! 

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