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QR code menu for restaurants: the free 10-minute setup

A QR menu saves printing costs, updates in real time and became the standard in bars and restaurants worldwide. Here is the complete setup — with the one decision most restaurants get wrong: choosing a static QR that dies at the first menu change.

Step 1 — put your menu online

Any URL works: a PDF uploaded to your website, a Google Drive file with public link, a page on your site, or your listing on a delivery platform. If you have nothing, even a well-formatted PDF on Drive is fine to start.

Step 2 — make the link DYNAMIC before printing

This is the crucial step. If you print a QR that encodes the menu URL directly, every future change (new PDF, new page, new platform) makes all printed codes obsolete. Create a free Link Us account, create a dynamic link pointing to your menu, and print the QR of THAT link: from then on you can change menu, format or platform whenever you want — the printed QR never changes.

Step 3 — print it right

• Minimum 3×3 cm on the table; test the scan from a seated position before mass printing.
• Dark code on light background, with white margin around it.
• Download the SVG from Link Us for the print shop: it scales without quality loss.
• Laminate or use table stands: greasy, scratched codes stop scanning.
• Add a one-line caption ("Menu — point your camera here"): older guests appreciate it.

Bonus: see how many guests actually open the menu

Because the dynamic QR routes through your short link, Link Us counts every scan per day and per device — no personal data of guests stored. You will know if the window QR works, whether lunch or dinner scans more, and how a new menu affects engagement.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Static QR printed directly with the PDF URL: unusable at the first update.
• Menu hosted on a page that requires login or an app: guests give up.
• Huge PDF files: keep it under 5 MB or it will be slow on mobile data.
• No paper fallback: keep a few printed menus for guests who prefer them (and it is required in some jurisdictions).

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