QR code ordering has gone from novelty to necessity in South African restaurants. Post-COVID, customers expect the option to browse menus, order, and pay from their phones — no app download required.

Restaurants that have adopted QR ordering report 15-25% higher average order values, faster table turnover, and significantly fewer order errors.

Why QR ordering works in South Africa

South Africa has one of the highest smartphone penetration rates in Africa at over 90%. Customers are already comfortable scanning QR codes for EFT payments, so the leap to ordering is natural.

For restaurants, the economics are compelling: fewer front-of-house staff needed, reduced order errors, and upsell prompts that actually work because customers browse at their own pace.

Getting started

Implementation is straightforward. Upload your menu to a platform like Tafura, print QR codes for each table, and you are live in under 15 minutes. No hardware investment required — customers use their own devices.

Start with dine-in only, then expand to takeaway and delivery as you refine the experience.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Do not remove physical menus entirely — some customers prefer them. Offer both options. Ensure your WiFi is reliable (a cheap access point dedicated to customer devices helps). And keep your menu photos high-quality — they are your biggest conversion driver.