Two Approaches to Digital Ordering
Restaurants considering digital ordering face a fundamental choice: ask customers to download an app, or let them scan a QR code that opens in their browser. Both enable self-ordering, but the customer experience, adoption rate, and cost to the restaurant are vastly different.
This comparison helps you understand which approach works better for your restaurant.
The Friction Problem with Apps
App-based ordering requires customers to:
Total time: 3-8 minutes (if they bother at all)
Drop-off rate: 60-75%. Most customers abandon the process before completing an order.
QR ordering with Restrofi requires:
Total time: 15 seconds. No download, no signup, no friction.
Drop-off rate: Under 5%. Almost everyone who scans, orders.
Cost and Maintenance Comparison
App-based ordering costs:
QR ordering with Restrofi:
The cost difference is 100-200x in favor of QR ordering.
When does an app make sense? Only for large restaurant chains with millions of orders per month, existing brand loyalty, and the budget to acquire app users. For 99% of restaurants, QR ordering is the clear winner.
Restrofi also offers PWA (Progressive Web App) capability — customers can "install" your ordering page to their home screen with one tap, giving them an app-like experience without the App Store. Best of both worlds.