Contactless digital take out menus are a great way to cut back on printed menus and encourage social distancing — as well as possibly drum up new business.
Printed menu alternative
Many restaurants offer brochure style printed menus for guests who come in, order and wait for their food. This is wasteful, however, because these menus, according to many local regulations, have to be thrown out after someone touches them (no more putting the menu back for someone else to use).
Printed laminated menus also have to be cleaned after each use — and during busy times it could be easy to forget to do this.
Instead, use a QR code near your entrance that lets customers bring up your takeout menu on their own mobile device and then approach the bar, counter or host stand to order.
Menu board alternatives
While customer never touch wall or ceiling mounted menu boards or digital menu screens, these setups can still pose a challenge because they encourage people to gather close together in order to see. Guests with poor eyesight will also need to come closer.
All of these make social distancing safety tough to maintain.
Social distancing
Moving away from printed, board or digital menus for takeout customers encourages social distancing and avoids having groups of people clustered around a single point in your restaurant.
Instead, users can scan a QR code from almost any distance and browse the menu on their device until they are ready to order.
As an added bonus, customers with poor vision will also appreciate not having to squint to read or try to sneak up toward the menu boards without making others think they’re cutting in line.
Curbside takeout
You can also put signs in front of parking spaces outside your restaurant with your menu QR code.
Customers can then scan the code, view the menu and either come inside to order or call to order and then wait in their vehicles.
Attract new business
Another strategy is to place a large banner or sign with your QR code outside your building in a prominent spot. This will help let passersby that you’re open and also give them a chance to explore the menu without having to come inside.