Trends with QR codes during the pandemic

By Allen Yang

November 12, 2025

About this collection

This collection examines how QR codes evolved from pandemic necessity to permanent fixture in use cases ranging from financial transactions to restaurant operations. It also reveals a significant disconnect between industry adoption and customer satisfaction. ## Key Insights **The Adoption Gap**: While 81% of diners prefer physical menus, restaurants have largely retained QR codes for operational benefits: real-time menu updates, cost savings, and data analytics capabilities. Only 1% of customers actually prefer QR codes, yet the technology persists because it serves business needs more than guest preferences. **Generational Divide**: Younger diners (18-34) show higher acceptance, but even they prioritize menu variety (42%) and price transparency (34%) over digital convenience. Women express more privacy concerns about data collection than men. **Beyond Hygiene**: What began as contactless safety has transformed into a strategic tool for loyalty programs, payment processing, and customer behavior tracking—capabilities restaurants are reluctant to abandon despite user friction. **Implementation Challenges**: Small text readability (26% complaint rate), technology reliability issues, and the requirement to use personal devices create persistent pain points. Success requires careful attention to security, error correction levels, and user experience design. **The Broader Shift**: QR codes represent just one element of pandemic-era changes that stuck—including self-service kiosks, takeout dominance, and visible cleaning protocols—fundamentally reshaping the dining experience.

Curated Sources

A brief history of QR codes – Microsoft 365

QR codes originated from the need for more efficient tracking systems beyond the limitations of UPC barcodes. In 1994, Masahiro Hara from Denso Wave invented QR codes, which could store more information and be scanned from multiple directions. Initially used in industrial settings, QR codes became widely adopted with the advent of smartphones equipped with cameras. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated their use for contactless transactions, making them ubiquitous in various aspects of life. QR codes are now used for menu access, payments, and information sharing, and their use is expected to continue beyond the pandemic.

Key Takeaways

The invention of QR codes addressed the limitations of UPC barcodes, such as limited storage capacity and directional scanning requirements.
Denso Wave's decision to make QR code technology freely available contributed to its widespread adoption.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the use of QR codes for contactless transactions, making them an integral part of daily life.
QR codes offer advantages such as ease of creation, maintenance, and versatility in various applications, from industrial tracking to consumer transactions.

How Guests Really Feel About QR Code Menus (Survey Data)

Toast conducted a survey of 850 U.S. adults to understand guest sentiments towards QR code menus, menu features, and surcharging in restaurants. Key findings include: 81% prefer physical menus, 66% prefer menus with photos, 42% value menu variety, and 60% want clear communication about service charges on menus. The survey also revealed mixed opinions on QR code usability, with 26% citing small text as a major issue. While 34% of respondents find large-party service charges acceptable, most are opposed to credit card processing fees and inflation-related surcharges.

Key Takeaways

Restaurants must balance digital convenience with customer satisfaction, as 81% of respondents still prefer physical menus over digital alternatives.
Clear communication about service charges is crucial, with 60% of diners preferring to see these fees clearly stated on the menu.
While QR code menus offer efficiency gains, they need improvement in user experience, particularly regarding text size and reliability.
Younger diners (18-24) are more accepting of delivery fees (40%) but strongly oppose inflation-related surcharges (0%).
Transparency in pricing and fees will be key to maintaining customer satisfaction as restaurants continue to evolve their service models.

The perceptions of the restaurants towards QR code menu adaptation in the restaurant service operation - ScienceDirect

This study examines restaurant managers' perceptions of QR code menu implementation, focusing on advantages and challenges. The qualitative analysis reveals benefits such as quick ordering and reduced menu publishing expenses, contributing to environmental and economic sustainability. However, technological issues like connectivity problems and outdated mobile phones pose challenges. The research contributes to understanding technology adaptation in restaurants, particularly in the post-pandemic era.

Key Takeaways

QR code menus enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency in restaurants.
Technological challenges, such as connectivity issues, can hinder QR code menu adoption.
The shift to digital menus contributes to environmental and economic sustainability by reducing printing costs.

QR codes in a post-pandemic world: New roles, new rules

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated QR code adoption across industries as they provided a safe, touch-free alternative for accessing information and services. Initially used for contact tracing, menu viewing, and contactless transactions, QR codes have evolved beyond their pandemic-era utility. They are now integral to long-term digital strategies in sectors like restaurants, retail, healthcare, and events. Businesses use QR codes for customer engagement, product storytelling, and data collection. The technology has become more sophisticated with features like customization, dynamic content, and analytics. QR codes are being linked with emerging technologies such as AR and IoT, and are being used for privacy-safe engagement and bridging digital services in areas with limited connectivity.

Key Takeaways

QR codes have transformed from temporary pandemic solutions to strategic business tools, enabling digital transformation across industries.
Advanced QR code features like customization, dynamic content, and analytics are enhancing customer engagement and providing valuable business insights.
The integration of QR codes with emerging technologies such as AR and IoT is creating new opportunities for immersive experiences and smart applications.
QR codes are becoming essential for privacy-safe engagement and bridging digital services in areas with limited connectivity, demonstrating their adaptability beyond pandemic-era uses.

Changes Restaurants Made During the Pandemic That Have Stuck - Business Insider

The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in the restaurant industry, many of which have persisted. Restaurants adopted new health measures such as QR code menus, increased cleaning visibility, and self-service kiosks to minimize the spread of the virus. The pandemic also accelerated the shift towards takeout and delivery services, with many restaurants now relying heavily on these channels. Additionally, the industry faced staffing challenges as experienced workers left during the lockdowns. Some changes, like the use of disposable cups, may have reversed previous sustainability efforts. The hospitality industry's history of adopting health measures from past epidemics suggests that these changes may have a lasting impact.

Key Takeaways

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology like QR code menus and self-service kiosks, changing how customers interact with restaurants.
Increased visibility of cleaning practices has become a new standard in fine dining, reflecting a shift in customer expectations.
The shift towards takeout and delivery has become a significant portion of many restaurants' business, with some chains reporting up to 80% of their business coming from these channels.
Staffing remains a challenge for the industry, with restaurant staffing levels still below pre-pandemic levels and many experienced workers having left the industry.
The pandemic highlighted the tension between hygiene concerns and sustainability efforts, as seen in the continued use of disposable cups in many cafes.

QR Codes: will COVID-19 be the great global equaliser?

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of QR code payments globally, particularly in the UK and Europe. QR codes provide a touchless payment solution that is efficient, secure, and compliant with regulations like Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). The technology has been widely used in Asia, especially in China, where it has become ubiquitous. The pandemic has driven UK consumers to adopt QR code payments, with 80% of smartphone users having scanned a QR code at least once and 40% having done so in the last seven days. QR codes enable open banking-based payment solutions, providing benefits such as real-time fund transfers, reduced fraud risk, and improved cash flow for merchants.

Key Takeaways

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for QR code adoption in the UK and Europe, driving consumers towards contactless payment methods.
QR codes offer a secure and efficient payment solution that is compliant with regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of fraud and improving cash flow for merchants.
The technology has been widely adopted in Asia, particularly in China, where it has become a mainstream payment method.
Open banking-based payment solutions enabled by QR codes provide real-time, real-time fund transfers, and reduced fraud risk.
The adoption of QR code payments is expected to continue growing, with an estimated 10.1 million users in Europe by the end of 2020.

What's Next for QR Payments After COVID-19? | Blog

The document discusses the growth of QR code payments globally, driven by COVID-19 and the adoption of common QR standards in various markets. It highlights the increasing personalization options for retailers, new security features, and predicts global QR code payment spend to reach $3 trillion by 2025. The report also touches on the role of national QR schemes, the competitive landscape with leaders like Alipay, and the potential for combined loyalty and payment services.

Key Takeaways

The global QR code payment spend is predicted to reach $3 trillion by 2025, growing from $2.4 trillion in 2022.
National QR standards like UPI in India and SGQR in Singapore have stimulated growth and innovation in QR payments.
Dynamic QR codes enable personalized content and tracking of consumer behaviors, enhancing customer experience and merchant analytics.
Security concerns around QR payments are being addressed through measures like dynamic QR codes, biometrics, tokenization, and API tracking.

QR codes during the pandemic: Seamful quotidian placemaking - PMC

This article examines the role of QR codes in public placemaking practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Australia. The authors discuss the history of QR codes, their adoption in Australia, and the seamful/seamless findings from their study. They argue that QR codes create a sense of mindfulness and awareness about data privacy, and that their seamfulness makes participants more aware of the implications of datafication in everyday life. The study involved surveys and interviews with participants from across Australia, and the findings highlight the diverse experiences and perceptions around QR codes and contact tracing, influenced by factors such as age, gender, cultural background, and profession.

Key Takeaways

QR codes heightened awareness of data privacy and surveillance during the pandemic.
The seamful nature of QR codes made users more mindful of data sharing.
Diverse participant responses were influenced by age, gender, and cultural background.
QR codes were seen as both empowering and exploitative, depending on the user.
The study highlights the complex relationship between technology, placemaking, and social responsibility.

The_Adoption_of_QR_Code_Mobile_Payment_Technology_.pdf

This study examines the adoption of QR code mobile payment during the COVID-19 pandemic from a social learning theory perspective. It investigates how external interaction with the environment affects internal appraisal and behavioral intention to adopt QR code mobile payment. Empirical results from 248 respondents show that perceived severity and social influence positively affect the perception of utilitarian and health benefits, which in turn influence behavioral intention to use QR code mobile payment.

Key Takeaways

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of QR code mobile payment by increasing perceived severity and social influence.
Perceived severity and social influence positively affect the perceived utilitarian and health benefits of QR code mobile payment.
Utilitarian and health benefits are significant predictors of behavioral intention to adopt QR code mobile payment.
The study provides managerial implications for companies to promote QR code mobile payment by highlighting its health benefits and reminding consumers of the pandemic.

QR Code Adoption

This document provides an overview of QR code technology, its adoption, and implementation considerations. It covers QR code models and versions, error correction mechanisms, and EMV specifications for payment transactions. The document also discusses security considerations, QR code generation process, and reader considerations. It highlights the importance of careful planning and consideration of various factors for successful QR code implementation.

Key Takeaways

QR code technology has various applications beyond payments, including location sharing and WIFI network details.
EMV specifications provide a unified international payments framework for QR code-based transactions.
Security considerations are crucial for QR code implementation, including the risk of executable data and vulnerability exploitation.
QR code generation process requires optimal error correction levels and consideration of module size and image density.