5 Reasons QR Dining with easyQO Beats the Kiosk Experience

By: Angel Mae Villarino

2025/06/23

Filipino’s Dining Experience

How did the pandemic affect Filipinos’ dining experience? 

In the Philippines, the pandemic affected fast food in the form of self-service kiosk machines in fast food chains and contactless transactions (registration, payment, and identification) via QR code. 

With social distancing becoming the norm, the dining industry had to pivot quickly. Two major tools emerged to meet this challenge: self-service kiosks and QR code-based systems.

What is a Self Service Kiosk?

Self Service Kiosks are touch screen kiosks where customers can punch their order. Self service kiosk examples are the interactive computers seen in fast food restaurants such as Jollibee, McDonalds, KFC. These kiosks serve as an alternative to the traditional way of taking orders where the waiting time is directly proportional to the influx of customers—especially during peak hours.

What is QR Code?

Quick Response or QR code is similar to barcode scanning wherein a two-dimensional photo is scanned via phone which redirects you to a site containing information. During the pandemic, QR codes were used to redirect people to websites for sign up purposes to limit physical contact between people.

Technological Advancements In The Food Industry

A study (Soriano et al, 2024) concluded that Self-Ordering Kiosks (SOK) or Self Service Kiosks (SSK) enhance the overall satisfaction of customers in a fast food and restaurants especially when organizations ensure that  self-ordering kiosks are well maintained,designed, and programmed to provide enjoyable experiences, secure/ error-prone/ reliable transactions, and efficient accomplishment of tasks. 

Susilo and Dizon (2023) traced the uptake of Quick Response or QR-based transactions due to multiple reasons such as the substantial surge in mobile phone usage, and governmental implementations. Although entirely focused on QR-based transactions in the payment aspect, Susilo and Dizon (2023) analyzed this shift as not mere inconvenience but essential tools. Furthermore, they predict QR-based transactions will continue to seep into day-to-day life and will even expand its scope. One of these expansions is the rising presence of QR code menus in restaurants.

These early innovations set the stage for the technological revolution we know today in the food and restaurant industry.

The Problem of Self Service Kiosks

Recently, a post gained traction. The user complained about the inefficiency of the touch screen self service kiosk because it makes them line up thrice. First is during the self-ordering process involving the kiosk, but after that, they will have to line the second time around for payment in the counter, and finally, another queue in claiming their order. This is the opposite of what self service kiosks are advertised because not only does the process inconvenience the customers, but this also lengthens the time spent in the ordering process alone.

QR-Dining Entering the Market

As of 2025, QR-based transactions are not limited to payment and registration. QR codes have transcended to the dining experience. Enter easyQO, a Philippine-based solution that brings QR dining to life.

easyQO: What Sets it Apart

easyQO is not just your common QR based dining experience. It is the future of every Filipino’s dining experience.

1. Generating – Restaurants generate and print unique QR codes linked to specific tables or zones through the EasyQO admin dashboard. Each QR connects customers directly to the digital menu.
2. Scanning – Customers scan the QR code using their smartphone camera — no app required — to instantly access the restaurant’s interactive menu.
3. Ordering – Customers browse the menu, add items to their cart, and submit orders directly from their phones. Orders are time stamped and linked to the correct table.
4. Printing – In the EasyQO system, staff can print the order ticket by clicking the “Print” button from the Orders tab. This step also updates the order’s status from Pending to Preparing within the system.
5. Delivery – Once prepared, the order is delivered to the correct table or customer, as identified by the QR code and order number.
6. Bill Out – Customers may request the bill via the system, then print the receipt and complete the transaction accordingly.

5 Reasons QR Code Menu Is The Best

Now that it’s finally available in the Philippines, here are the Top 5 Reasons that sets QR code menu dining experience apart from self service kiosks.

1. Streamlined Operational Efficiency 

QR-based dining experience aims to increase customer satisfaction. And customers love nothing but an efficient and smooth flow. 

In easyQO, customers are not required to line up to order. All they have to do is look for their desired seat where a QR code already awaits them. Scan from their phone, and finally, they will be redirected to the digital menu. Customers can order at their own pace, without pressure.

2. Lower Implementation Cost

They say if one thing’s too good, expect a bigger budget for it. Fortunately, easyQO is affordable for any MSMEs to utilize. 

It doesn’t only save you money for the tool itself but it also saves you the unnecessary operational costs brought about by traditional restaurant service and the time spent by your empowered staff in ensuring that your customer service is top-notch for your customers.

3. Sustainable Solution to Modern Dining 

Another criteria set by the generations now is when a certain brand follows a social cause—-one of them concerns environmental sustainability  . 

Having a QR-code system implementation demonstrates the said advocacy. Practicality-wise this does not only pull in potential customers with such social criteria but also it reduces paper waste and paper cost. 

Using easyQO is a win-win situation for both the restaurant and the customer.

4. Seamless Communication (between employees in different stations)

One of the pillars for an excellent customer experience is the smooth-sailing flow of the behind-the-scenes from the front desk to the kitchen and towards the customer’s table. 

In order to achieve this, a seamless but efficient communication system must be established. And this is where easyQO’s smooth notification system comes in! Whether the administrator or it’s the front desk that’s monitoring the progress of orders, they are updated real-time.

5. Real-time Menu Updates 

Limited time offers?

You don’t need to worry about regular changes for collaterals. With easyQO, menu updates are just 3 clicks away! And what’s better? Your customer’s end is updated ASAP too!

Make the Switch

Changes are inevitable—-from pandemic measures to technological advancements. And we don’t need to shake in fear thinking that these changes will cost us more. With easyQO, it adapts to change for a cheaper price.

Ready to streamline your restaurant operations and cut down costs? Experience how easyQO transforms dining with QR tech. 

Download our brochure or request a free demo today.

References:

Iswarya, V., & Swamydoss, Dr. D. (2024). QR Code Based Smart Dining System. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(4), 1103–1106. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.5.0424.0929

Marie, D., Soriano, A. E., & Immanuel, M. (2024). Customer choice of ordering touchpoints and its influence on overall customer satisfaction. University Knowledge Digital Repository. https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/journal-articles/6235/

Susilo, D., & Dizon, C. C. G. (2023). DIGITAL PAYMENT TRANSFORMATION IN THE PHILIPPINES: FROM CASH TO GCASH. Jurnal Ekonomi, 12(04), 2369–2376. https://ejournal.seaninstitute.or.id/index.php/Ekonomi/article/view/3366/2729

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