QR Code on Table: Setting Up Table-Side QR Ordering

Putting a QR code on every table in your restaurant is the unlock that makes "scan-to-order" actually work. The QR carries the table number, so when an order arrives, the kitchen knows exactly where to send the food. Here is how to roll it out without making a mess of it.

Why one QR per table beats one QR for the whole restaurant

• Table-aware orders. No need for the customer to type their table number — the QR carries it.
• Cleaner analytics. See which tables get the most reorders, which sit longest, which need the most staff attention.
• Better dispute handling. When something goes wrong, you can trace exactly which table placed which order at what time.
• Multi-party support. Diners at one table can split the bill or order rounds without the system getting confused.

Numbering your tables

If you don't already have a table-numbering scheme, set one before you print QRs. The pattern most operators settle on:

• Indoor tables: T01, T02, T03…
• Outdoor / patio: P01, P02…
• Bar seats: B01, B02…
• Private rooms: R01, R02…

Two-letter prefixes give you obvious zones on the kitchen display. Avoid renumbering later — your historical data will get confusing.

What format should the QR code on table take?

Three common formats, each with trade-offs:

1. Acrylic table tent (5 cm × 7 cm). Premium look, easy to wipe down, hardest to lose. Best for sit-down restaurants.
2. Vinyl sticker on the table edge. Doesn't get knocked over, can't be stolen, but feels less premium. Best for casual cafés and food courts.
3. Laminated card under a glass top. Permanent, protected, but requires you to lift the glass to change anything.

Kitchen flow with table-aware orders

When orders arrive tagged with table numbers, your kitchen display can group orders intelligently:

• By table, so all dishes for one table go out together
• By section, so the cold station, hot station, and fryer see only their relevant items
• By time, so your team prioritises the order that's been waiting longest

The best kitchen displays let you switch views with one tap depending on the rush.

Edge cases to plan for

• Table swap. Sometimes guests move tables mid-meal. Either let them re-scan the new QR (which moves the order) or have staff trigger a "transfer" in the dashboard.
• Lost stickers. Always keep a few spare QRs printed. A missing T07 sticker on a Friday night is not the time to be at the printer.
• Outdoor tables in sunlight. Direct sun on a glossy QR can cause reflections that confuse phone cameras. Use matte materials outdoors.
• Wet tables. Pick laminate or acrylic. Paper QRs will not survive a single spilt cocktail.

How long the rollout takes

For a 30-table restaurant, expect about a half day:

• ~1 hour to define table numbers and generate per-table QRs
• ~2 hours to print, cut, and assemble physical stands
• ~1 hour to install and test each one

Need per-table QR codes for your restaurant? Start a free trial — generate as many as you need, ready to print.