SWIPE QR SAMPLE -- This Bar/Restaurant Is Likely Killing it With Their QR Code...

NICE!! Thanks for sharing this with the group...I'm adding it to my swipe file.

Any idea on what landing page the QR code directs them to? I wonder if it's a special offer that speaks DIRECTLY to people that ate at the restaurant.

Hrmm I cant seem to scan the picture (maybe the angle) what does the QR code promote? A website URL or just contact info?

Nice share.
This is how QR codes should be promoted to business owners.
Make an mock-up and show them directly, use your phone if they don't have one

Wow, awesome idea. It's cool to see the different ways niches implement QR codes

That's pretty cool. Gives me a lot of cool ideas of how to use them.

That's a GREAT idea. I'm landing a new restaurant SMS client (and probably mobile website/QR codes) so this would be perfect for them.

A QR code on Bar coasters is a great idea, but I think this one needed more of a call to action - 'scan this code for special offers', or something. But it was working apparently,for people who scan codes.
A lot of Bars have coasters from the distributors that sell the beer brand - maybe a cross sell promotion with distributors or something...just an idea.

Thanks for sharing... that is a cool idea!

i would've never thought of putting a QR code on a coaster...

hell yeh, working like a charm with a couple local restaurant/ bar clients already linking to kimtag type site where they/we change the link to different relevant offers every few days

Damn, what a great idea! Simple, but clever.

And like someone else, it could be improved with a CTA. But this is a huge step for a business owner. Guessing adding a CTA would overwhelm him.

did a image search and came up with this...I feel like the captain missed the boat going to their .mobi site with small links to push rather than larger nav buttons. But a GREAT idea for capturing the numbers.If you don't want to scan it says come back for deals and more info.

Great idea, but if it were me I would laminate those things so you aren't wasting money replacing them as they will be useless to anyone trying to scan it once they get wet.

Many years ago, NFL Great Fran Tarkenton hit upon an idea while in the airport. He noticed that tickets were held in these little paper sleeves and people carried them around pretty much all day. He decided to go to companies and have them pay for his company to print the customer's ad on these sleeves. Then, he gave them to the various airlines. The airlines saved money by not having to print up the sleeves, Fran made money by selling the advertising, and the customer had their advertising travel all over the world. And THIS was before the explosion of the Internet.

I've been looking at this bar coaster idea for about a week, and doing some preliminary market research. The prospects are good. I think getting the right advertisers is key here. Sure, you could put an advertisement for Bob's Air Conditioning Service, but I'm not sure Bob would get targeted customers from this. If the advertiser is the bar itself, or some related business like, say a cab company or a DUI lawyer (LOL!) or, perhaps, a dating site, then this advertising would be LASER targeted for the market.

I absolutely LOVE this idea! Thank you for sharing.

IdeaFool

I recently saw something like this at a pub where all the waitresses were wearing t-shirts but with larger qr codes that directed them to their facebook page. Guess what... people were scanning like crazy in the 2 hours I was there. Of course the waitresses were very easy on the eyes which didn't hurt. :rolleyes:

Hey - I thought that looked familiar...they took my idea from another post about a scavenger hunt!

(I see Victoria's Secret is going "code" now too!)

In my area, the beer distributors used to give these to the bars for free. They get them from brewers such as Heineken for free. I talked to the owner of my favorite warering hole and he told me the distributors now sell them to the bars for 3.5 cents each. I priced these out locally, online and bulk orders of blanks from China. They can be printed on either paper or pulpboard which comes in 3 thicknesses.

Obviously, the higher numbered ordered, the lower the price buty I found the a 3.5" round pulpboard for an order of 5,000 run from around 12 cents and up and the paper ones from 7 cents (they don't last long at all though).

I am in the midst of structuring a SMS VIP club type campaign with the bar owner and having it underwritten by an attorney (DUI). One side will have text "XXXXX" here to receive a free "whatever" and to join on one side for the bar with an ad for the attorney on the other side for his business.

Looking ahead, I am planning to use this model in another area of the city and instead of a campaign for just one bar owner, I want to just provide that area bars and restaurants with free coasters with a VIP buyers club that I own and then take the list to that area businesses and sell just 1 SMS per day and only 4 to any merchant per month (got this idea from another thread here). If/when the list gets big, break it into groups and sell them individually, say four groups of 250 if 1000 opt in. The bar/reaturant owners get free coasters, the advertiser(s) get great exposure and I may just make a little bit for my efforts. By the way, laminating kinda defeats the purpose doesn't it? Love the T-shirt idea...scan here to see something REALLY special!!

This is an awesome way to handle QR codes. The proximity of a phone to a drink is more often than not easily recognizable-- a patron makes the connection visually by the juxtaposition of both, and scans away.

A QR code to opt-in would be especially good, since the offers would pour in and you wouldn't necessarily have to rescan.

I'd go a step further and offer a coupon, but in order to redeem it, you need to answer a daily riddle, or say some wild phrase to the server to get their attention and to get a discount. This would engage the customer to think, or at least to further interact with their waiter or waitress. The possibilities are endless. Encourage a fun atmosphere, or encourage the atmosphere you want... promote fun events, tell your customers to send pictures of their friends having a good time at the place to receive gift certificates, etc. POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS.

That is soooo cool. I would love to figure out a way to implement that in my business, like Mike Baker advised, I would need to laminate them lol. Still I see a long night of research headed my way.

The genius ideas in this forum are truly awesome!!!

From someone who worked in bars for years......it would have been great to have a special "breakfast" coupon at the local IHop

Now that just can't be true!

Google dropped QR Codes signifying their uselessness...

Nobody knows what they are...

People just dont get em...

WORD FOR THE DAY: FACETIOUS

I am not sure who designed their mobile site, but they broke just about every one of the cardinal rules! Anybody else take a look at it?

http://www.hirams.mobi

I saw that a recent Comscore white paper stated that only 6.2 or 6.4% can't remember which... of created QR codes ever get scanned. I also think that was global, and seeing as Japan is way more into QR codes then the little US, I don't think people are using them. It's too bad, you can really do some cool stuff with them.

I think the problem with the QR codes not being used, is that people are still carrying around old cell phones. I feel as the population switches over to smart phones, qr codes will become more and more popular.

In fact I just was speaking to a client on Monday that had never heard of QR codes until last week, but once someone introduced her to them she realized how many she actually sees in a daily basis.

This is great but my question is "how many people have the qr app on their phone?" do you have to download it first? Is this something we need to put in our marketing to the restaurants?

Many people don't take the time to compliment restaurants, and many don't like to complain, they remain silent, leave a small tip, never come back, and tell 5 friends about the crappy experience.

This info is invaluable to restaurant mgt/owners.

How about a coaster or table tent and/or QR on the receipt! to scan that says "How'd we do?" or "Rate our food and service". In return the customer could receive a mobile coupon for a discounted dessert (upselling) or whatever promotion/reward that may work. This makes it easy and convenient for patron to give feedback. Many times people may intend to notify restaurant later, but forget or decide not to look up website/email. Let them scan the QR and do it on the spot while waiting for check or during the meal, or as soon as they leave.

What a great way to get genuine testimonials. (reputation management upsell anyone? Live twitter feed or FB posts on all positive reviews? "the steak soup is freakin awesome today!"

What a great way for the owner to get negative feedback to correct any problems quickly w/ servers or food.

They'd want this service forever and pay a generous monthly fee. I'm sure you could get a nice setup fee of a few hundred bucks, sell them the coasters and get a couple hundred bucks a month if it works and generates feedback. Restaurants know the value of a repeat customer. Restaurants spend thousands on secret shopper services. That information is invaluable, especially it being timely, nearly instantaneous to correct any problems. They'd be checking the site or their email several times a day for your patron updates!

I think people would be more likely to give this info since it is so convenient and has relatively anonymous via smart phone and no face to face confrontations. Maybe you even give the patron an option to have their # anonymous if its a negative review, let them opt in for a coupon if they want.

How bout hitting national restaurant chains or convenience stores w/ a QR code by sink or above urinal to report dirty bathrooms. It gets relayed to corporate and to the store management. That'd create a revolution.

This has application to nearly any retail operation.

Thanks Guys for such a great thread !

I have experimented with a QR code that took restaurant users direct to a review site but the staff have to ask the diners if they would mind leaving a review.

The bar coasters and T shirts and the other ideas here are pure gold.

Take good care of those you love.

Robbie T

GENIOUS idea- but so simple!! I will certainly be pitching this to my bar and restaurant clients... Easy money I you KNOW they'll get a return... Just thinking- Even better:

'Got your free drink yet??'

A special offer that must be redeemed same day of text message.... :-D GOLD!

Hey, that is a cool idea. I'd been trying to figure out how to do those table tent things, but this coaster idea is cool. Seems like it would fit any restaurant or bar, from the casual type barbecue or catfish restaurant to the classy white tablecloth type place. Cool deal!

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go to print up some coasters at a reasonable price?

I like the coaster Idea. I think the best way to attack it is from a customer like the car wash first then go to the bar by letting them know that you have 'pre-sold' coasters that can help them build a customer list.

Cab companies should give free hand stampers to bars. The stamp would be the cab company click to call QR code

How bout a pizza company doing the same? Click your hand stamp QR code to order a pizza at bar close. It's at home by the time you get there.

Interesting thread, just one of these ideas could make a warrior some good money..