--- title: Order at Table: QR Code Ordering for UK Restaurants and Pubs description: How order at table works for UK pubs and restaurants: QR codes vs apps, what guests expect, tips, allergens and surcharge rules, costs and launch steps. canonical: https://menubeacon.com/blog/order-at-table-qr-code-ordering-uk author: MenuBeacon Team published: 2026-09-26 updated: 2026-09-26 category: United Kingdom tags: order at table, qr code ordering system uk, pub ordering, pay at table --- # Order at Table: QR Code Ordering for UK Restaurants and Pubs > Order at table without a custom app: how UK pubs and restaurants use QR code ordering, the rules to get right and how to launch. **Order at table** has become part of eating and drinking out in the UK. Big pub chains and restaurant groups have trained millions of guests to scan a code, order a round or a meal, and pay without queuing at the bar. For independent restaurants, cafés and pubs, the same technology is now affordable. This guide explains how order-at-table QR code ordering works, what UK guests expect, the rules to get right, and how to launch it in your venue. ## What "order at table" means Order at table lets guests order food and drinks from their own phone while they stay seated. There are two common approaches: - **A branded app** that guests must download — common with large chains, but a barrier for smaller venues because few guests will install an app for one visit. - **A QR code at each table** that opens a mobile menu in the browser — no app, no account. This is what most independents use. With a QR ordering system, each table has its own code. The guest scans it, orders, and the order arrives at the bar or kitchen already tagged with the table number, so staff know exactly where to take it. ## Why UK venues use order at table - **No bar queues.** Guests order the next round from their seat, which keeps them in the venue longer. - **Higher spend.** Photos, add-ons and easy repeat ordering make it simple to add sides, desserts and another drink. - **Better use of staff.** In a tight hospitality labour market, staff spend less time taking orders and more time serving and looking after guests. - **Fewer mistakes.** Orders — including allergies and modifiers — arrive exactly as entered. - **Instant menu changes.** Take a sold-out ale or special off the menu at every table in seconds. ## What guests expect Guests who are used to order at table in chain pubs expect a smooth experience: - **No app download** and no forced account creation - **A fast, readable menu** with photos and clear prices - **Allergen information** they can trust - **Easy payment** with Apple Pay, Google Pay or card, and the option to split - **A real person nearby** if they need help or would rather order at the bar Keep a few printed menus and let guests order at the bar if they prefer. Order at table should add choice, not remove hospitality. ## UK rules to get right ### Tips and service charges Under the **Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023**, in force since 1 October 2024, all tips, gratuities and service charges must go to workers without deductions, allocated fairly under a written policy. If guests can tip when paying at the table, make sure your system records tips separately so you can distribute them correctly. Our [restaurant EPOS guide](/blog/restaurant-epos-system-uk) covers the reporting side. ### Allergens Food businesses must be able to provide allergen information for the 14 major allergens. A digital menu that tags allergens on every dish and updates when recipes change is a strong way to do this. Remind guests to speak to staff about severe allergies. ### Pricing and surcharges UK businesses cannot surcharge consumer card payments. Show prices clearly, including VAT, and explain any service charge on the menu before the guest orders. ### Age-restricted drinks For alcohol, keep responsibility with your team: staff should still check ID where needed when delivering drinks, as they would at the bar. ## Pubs vs restaurants: set it up differently **Pubs and bars** benefit most from quick repeat ordering. Keep the drinks menu at the top, use modifiers for pint or half and mixers, and put the order screen where both bar and kitchen staff can see it — or check with your provider how drinks and food orders reach each station. **Restaurants** often use a hybrid: staff greet the table and take the first order, and guests use the QR code for extra drinks, desserts and paying the bill. That keeps the hospitality of table service while removing the wait at the end of the meal. ## What it costs Order-at-table systems range from free to a percentage of every order. Avoid per-order commissions, which grow with your success. With **MenuBeacon**, order at table, a live kitchen display and cash or pay-at-counter orders are included in the **Free plan** (3 menus with unlimited items, 20 table QR codes, 5,000 scans a month). **Pro is a flat $20 USD a month** and adds pay at table by card, Apple Pay and Google Pay with tips and split bills, loyalty, bookings, staff accounts and integrations. Menus can be priced in GBP, and there is no commission on your orders. See the [pricing page](/pricing). ## Launching order at table in your venue 1. **Build your menu** with photos, allergens, modifiers and clear prices — our guide to [creating a digital menu](/blog/how-to-create-a-digital-restaurant-menu) walks through it. 2. **Create a QR code per table** and print durable table talkers with the table number and "Scan to order". 3. **Set up the kitchen and bar** screens or printers, then test an order from every table. See our [kitchen display guide](/blog/kitchen-display-system-kds-for-qr-menus). 4. **Brief the team** on greeting guests, explaining the code, checking ID and helping anyone who prefers to order in person. 5. **Launch on a quiet session**, then review feedback after a week. ## Keep your codes safe Fake QR stickers placed over real ones are a known scam. Use tamper-resistant holders, check codes at opening and closing, and make sure your menu clearly shows your venue's name and branding. ## The bottom line Order at table is now expected in many UK pubs and restaurants, and independents no longer need a custom app to offer it. Choose a browser-based system with no commission, record tips properly, show allergens clearly, and keep people at the heart of service. [Start free with MenuBeacon](/pricing) and have order at table running tonight, or see [how it works](/how-it-works). ## Frequently asked questions **Do I need an app to offer order at table?** No. A QR code at each table can open your menu in the browser, so guests order without downloading anything. This suits independent pubs and restaurants far better than a custom app. **Can guests tip when they order at table?** Yes, if you offer pay at table. Under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, all tips must go to workers without deductions, so record them separately and distribute them fairly. **How do I handle alcohol with order at table?** Keep responsibility with your team. Staff should still check ID where needed when they deliver drinks, just as they would at the bar. **What does order at table cost with MenuBeacon?** Order at table and a kitchen display are included in the Free plan. Pro is a flat $20 USD a month for pay at table with tips and split bills, loyalty and bookings, with no commission on orders. --- Source: https://menubeacon.com/blog/order-at-table-qr-code-ordering-uk Publisher: MenuBeacon — https://menubeacon.com/