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Digitizing Restaurant Menus with Augmented Reality QR Codes

Writer's picture: Ashish SinghAshish Singh

Augmented Reality is a rapidly advancing technology that allows users to interact with three-dimensional content in real-time, within their environment.


Although often confused with Virtual Reality, today Augmented Reality does not require AR Glasses. It merely uses your smartphone's camera to overlay virtual items onto the real world, allowing interaction through the screen. Famous for its use in Pokémon Go, AR has also been used in industrial settings to add work instructions onto surfaces for assembly processes.


Market research firm ABI Research forecasts tremendous growth of the AR market, estimating it to reach +USD$170 billion by 2026.

AR QR Codes: Revolutionizing the Restaurant Industry

An AR Code is a specific type of QR Code, designed to house the crucial information needed to display a 3D Augmented Reality experience on devices like smartphones or AR glasses, such as the Apple Vision Pro Headset, bypassing the need for any specialized application.



Scanning an AR QR Code, an abbreviation for Augmented Reality Quick Response Code, allows users to seamlessly integrate interactive 3D content into their immediate environment.


This versatile technology can be imprinted on a wide range of materials and has seen a groundbreaking application in the gastronomy sector, revolutionizing dining experiences by embedding these codes directly onto restaurant menus.


Major chains have already started experimenting with AR QR Codes. For instance, Pizza Hut transformed special edition pizza packaging into an Augmented Reality experience for playing Pac-Man and other games using AR.


User scans Marker using AR with AR animations
3D animations over product packaging after scanning using phone camera

These implementations are just the beginning and are expected to grow as AR technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives.

How AR QR Codes are Shaping the Restaurant Industry

As more chains begin to incorporate AR menus and receive positive feedback, others will see the lack of such technologies as a competitive disadvantage.

AR menus can generate publicity and attract Gen Z diners who typically do not dine out as frequently as older generations. These factors will likely drive the adoption of AR at a faster pace, making AR menus less of a novelty and more of a standard offering in restaurants worldwide.


Personalized dining experiences

AR technology also has the potential to offer personalized dining experiences. By using AR QR codes, restaurants can cater to individual preferences, dietary restrictions, and allergens. As a result, customers can access customized information about the ingredients and nutritional content of the dishes they're considering.


AR QR Codes in Marketing and Loyalty Programs

Restaurants can use AR QR codes to boost customer engagement and loyalty. For instance, AR codes can be incorporated into promotional campaigns or loyalty programs, offering customers access to exclusive AR content, discounts, or rewards. This approach can help increase customer retention and encourage repeat visits.


Utilizing AR QR Codes for Restaurant Staff

AR QR codes can also be an effective tool for staff training and development. By scanning an AR code, staff members can access interactive 3D models of dishes, drinks, or equipment, helping them learn how to assemble and present menu items. This technology can also be used to demonstrate proper cleaning and maintenance procedures for restaurant equipment.


AR QR Codes and Contactless Dining

In a post-pandemic world, contactless dining has become increasingly important. AR QR codes can help restaurants adapt by offering contactless menu browsing and ordering. Customers can simply scan the AR code to view the menu and place their order, minimizing contact with physical menus and other touchpoints.

Embracing the Future of Dining with AR QR Codes

Augmented Reality QR codes have the potential to revolutionize the restaurant industry, offering a myriad of benefits to both customers and businesses. From enhancing dining experiences with mouthwatering 3D visuals to streamlining operations and boosting customer engagement, AR technology promises to reshape how we experience dining.


By embracing this technology, restaurants can stay ahead of the curve, attract a new generation of diners, and create unforgettable dining experiences.


If you are a brand or a creative agency looking to create augmented reality-led experiences, then, please get in touch with us by filling out the contact us form. We are happy to help.

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