One Recent Change At Restaurants That Boomers Hate - And Everyone Else Does, Too - Tasting Table

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, as the restaurant industry struggled to stay afloat under social distancing guidelines, QR code menus rose in popularity because they reduced the need to handle physical menus that could spread germs. It was a brilliant innovation for the time. But, by and large, customers hate them."

"Some people don't know how to scan a QR code with their phone, or have models that lack that capability. More to that point, Sauce reports that 62% of all QR scans are from customers aged 18 to 34. In 2024, a widespread backlash was already prompting many restaurants to abandon QR codes in favor of traditional paper menus."

"Many linked menus are poorly formatted PDF files. If you have ever scanned a code that led to a page requiring constant scrolling just to read the menu, you know how frustrating it can be. In an article from The Wall Street Journal, customers cited further issues like privacy concerns as well as the fact that it just feels like work."

Restaurants adopted QR code menus during the COVID-19 pandemic as a hygienic solution to reduce physical contact with shared surfaces. While the concept offered convenience through smartphone scanning, the implementation has faced significant backlash. Challenges include technology gaps affecting older generations, with only 62% of QR scans coming from customers aged 18-34. Many linked menus are poorly formatted PDFs requiring excessive scrolling. Additional concerns involve privacy issues and the perception that scanning codes feels like unnecessary work rather than convenience. By 2024, widespread customer dissatisfaction prompted many restaurants to abandon QR codes and return to traditional paper menus.

Read at Tasting Table