Nine in ten diners now scan QR codes weekly, making it a regular part of how they move through a meal. In that sense, QR codes have essentially become the new front door for most restaurants — the first real interaction guests have once they sit down. But the thing is, most of those scans don't do much beyond showing a menu. That's not necessarily anyone's fault. Most operators adopted QR codes quickly during the pandemic to solve an immediate problem, and they worked well. But now that scanning has become a habit, guest expectations are starting to shift. People are looking for something more useful on the other side of that scan, whether that's vital information or suggestions. In 2026, three specific shifts will help operators close that gap and take full advantage of all their QR codes have to offer. Scans Will Become Personalized First Impressions The first shift is that QR scans will become personalized interactions that adapt to individual guests, not just generic gateways to a menu. Right now, most scans deliver the same experience to everyone, such as a PDF menu or a static webpage. But diners expect access to more information from their scans, so they don't have to flag down a server for questions. They also want suggestions based on what they've ordered before, and to receive offers that make sense for the time of day or the season. Meeting guests where they're at builds repeat business. When a scan recognizes a returning customer…
