Contactless Ordering

Contactless ordering is any system that allows your guests to view the menu and submit their order without handing anything to a server or interacting with a shared surface. The most common form is a QR code or NFC tag at the table that opens a digital menu on the guest's phone, where they can browse, select items, and send the order directly to the kitchen.

Why it matters for your restaurant

Contactless ordering reduces friction in the dining experience. Guests do not have to wait for a server to bring the menu, wait again to place their order, or flag someone down to add a drink. They can browse at their own pace and order when they are ready. This convenience often leads to higher check averages because guests are more likely to add an extra appetizer or dessert when the process is effortless.

For your operations, contactless ordering can significantly reduce the workload on your front-of-house staff. Servers spend less time taking orders and more time on hospitality, checking in on tables, refilling drinks, and ensuring guests are happy. In a tight labor market, this efficiency can help you maintain service quality even if you are short-staffed.

How it works in practice

A typical contactless ordering setup works like this. A guest scans a QR code at the table, the digital menu loads on their phone, they select their items, and they submit the order. The order goes directly to your POS system or kitchen display, just as if a server had entered it. Some systems also handle payment, letting the guest pay on their phone when they are finished.

Suppose your restaurant currently has six servers handling 30 tables during dinner. With contactless ordering, your servers no longer need to visit each table to take orders, saving roughly 3 to 5 minutes per table per course. That adds up to hours of saved labor per service. You might find you can operate the same dinner with five servers, saving $100 to $150 per night in wages.

The average check often increases too. Data from restaurants using contactless ordering platforms shows a 10% to 20% increase in average order value. When guests can see photos and add items with a tap, they tend to order more. A $2 increase in average check across 100 covers per night adds $200 in daily revenue.

Connecting the dots

Contactless ordering is a step beyond a digital menu. It actively streamlines the order flow, reduces labor dependency, and often boosts revenue. It works best in casual and fast-casual environments, though more upscale restaurants are adopting it for specific use cases like ordering additional drinks or desserts without interrupting the meal.