Resources · QR ordering

QR code ordering that lands in one queue with your till and kitchen

Guests scan, browse, choose modifiers and pay from a compatible phone browser. Their order joins the connected kitchen queue. QR ordering is included on every plan; online processing fees and connectivity requirements still apply.

Ordering that is actually connected

QR orders use the same published menu and connected order workflow as the till, carrying the selected modifiers to the kitchen. Payments run through Stripe at the applicable online card rate. Single-station KDS is included; separate prep stations require the relevant plan or add-on. Read counter till, kitchen station.

Why it lifts a busy service

No guest app. The menu opens in a compatible phone browser. Another ordering route. Guests can choose QR while staff continue to serve those who prefer a person. Connected tickets. Selected choices travel with the order. A shared menu. Keep availability and prices managed in one place, then verify the published guest view. Read connected order handling, getting guests to order from their phone.

How it works in service

A guest scans the code, reviews the menu, chooses modifiers and pays through Stripe. Supported wallets depend on the device and payment setup. The resulting order reaches the connected kitchen workflow; tables and floor tools depend on your plan. Read kitchen station.

Staff and guest menus use the same managed source. After a price or availability change, check the published guest view and network connection; do not assume every screen has received an update instantly.

The questions operators actually ask

Staff service. Keep a staff ordering route available. QR offers another choice and can reduce repeated order transcription; it does not establish a staffing or sales outcome.

Will guests actually use it? Some will and some will not, and both need to work. Table service carries on exactly as before for anyone who prefers to order from a person, because both routes feed the same queue.

Tips. If tips are enabled for your checkout, confirm the displayed choices and how payment records are handled. Test the guest flow with your venue configuration.

Connectivity. QR ordering and payment need a working connection. If a guest cannot get online, staff can use the venue’s available ordering and payment workflow.

Where the code goes, and what the guest sees

Place codes where guests can scan them and match any table labels to the configured venue. Review the published menu, availability, prices and operator-verified allergens on a real guest device before printing the full set.

Card rates for QR and reader payments

Stripe lists 1.5% + 20p for standard UK online cards and 1.4% + 10p for EEA cards taken in person; non-EEA in-person cards are 2.9% + 10p. Other online card categories differ. Servio’s default platform fee is zero, but configured platform fees may apply. Confirm your account’s rates and compare fees at your own ticket size and channel mix. Read plan pricing.

Table-ready texts, tips, and when to leave it off

Guest SMS is an optional £29/month add-on on Starter and Growth: 500 messages per venue each month, then 6p each. Enterprise includes access, with usage limits. Receipts and supported payment methods depend on the configured workflow.

How a venue actually turns it on

Create your account, confirm your email and review your plan. Add your business details, then confirm your free trial in Stripe Checkout. Complete regional setup to open the dashboard. Menu import, Stripe payouts, tables and device registration can follow from Finish setup. Prepare the workflows you need and test them before taking live orders. A setup call is optional; timing depends on the menu, equipment and payment verification. Read prepare your first service, getting guests to order from their phone.

Keep availability in one managed menu.

Use one reviewed menu for staff and guests. Test price, modifier and availability changes in the published guest view, and confirm that the selected build appears correctly on the kitchen ticket.

No guest app to download.

Guests use a compatible browser without a Servio app download. Staff ordering remains available alongside QR. Wallet availability depends on the device, browser and Stripe configuration; verify the flow on the devices your guests use.

What QR is not

QR payments are online card payments. In-person reader payments use a different channel and fee schedule. Confirm the correct country, card type and currency when comparing rates. Direct marketplace feeds are not live first-party integrations; SMS is an optional service with usage limits.

Print one code before you print the room

Test one code with the actual menu and equipment before printing the full set. Keep a staff ordering route for guests who need help or cannot connect. Connected order data reduces repeated transcription, while accurate setup and staff checks remain essential. Read getting guests to order from their phone, one connected queue.

Common questions

How does QR table ordering work?

Guests scan a QR code on the table, browse your live menu in their phone browser (no app to download), and order and pay from their seat. The order lands in the same queue as your till and routes straight to the kitchen display. With Servio, QR ordering is part of the platform, so there is no separate app or extra login and no order re-keying.

Does QR ordering raise my card fees?

Stripe lists 1.5% + 20p for standard UK online cards and 1.4% + 10p for EEA cards taken in person; non-EEA in-person cards are 2.9% + 10p. Other online card categories differ. Servio’s default platform fee is zero, but configured platform fees may apply. Confirm your account’s rates and compare fees at your own ticket size and channel mix.

Do guests need to download an app?

No Servio app download is needed. Guests open the menu in a compatible browser and require a working connection to order and pay.

Is QR ordering worth it for a café or dessert lounge?

It can suit seated service when guests want to order from their phones. Keep staff ordering available, place codes clearly and test the menu and payment flow. Measure the result in your own venue rather than assuming higher covers or sales.

Do guests pay with Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Stripe checkout can offer supported cards and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Availability depends on the guest device, browser and account configuration, so test the published checkout.

Which card rate applies to QR ordering?

QR checkout uses online payment processing, even when the guest is inside your venue. Stripe’s published rate is 1.5% + 20p for standard UK online cards; other card categories differ. Reader payments use their own in-person fee schedule. Confirm the rates for your account and currency.