Static vs dynamic QR codes for restaurants — which should you use?

Short answer: use dynamic QR codes for your restaurant. A static code bakes the destination into the pattern, so changing your menu link means reprinting every table. A dynamic code keeps the printed pattern fixed while you change where it points — menu, promo, reservations — with zero reprinting. ## The core difference - Static QR code: the URL is encoded directly in the dots. Permanent. Change the link and every printed code is dead.

• Dynamic QR code: the dots encode a short, stable address you control. The destination is a setting — update it any time, and every code in the room follows. ## Why dynamic wins for restaurants Menus change. Prices change. You run a Sunday special, then pull it. Tables and frames don't change. A dynamic code matches that reality: print once, redirect forever. It also unlocks scan analytics — because scans route through a stable address, you can see which tables scan most and when. ## When static is fine Static codes make sense for truly permanent links: a code on a business card pointing at your homepage, or a one-off flyer you'll never update. For table menus, they're a trap. ## How to set it up 1. Generate a dynamic code per table (labeled by table number).

2. Point it at your live menu page.
3. Export print-ready files (SVG, 300 DPI PNG) and place them.
4. When the menu changes, update the destination once — never reprint. ## FAQ ### Are dynamic QR codes free? Generating them is cheap or free, but many "free" tools route through their own domain and later charge to keep the redirect alive — or break it. Use a tool where you own the destination, like Kitch QR. ### Do dynamic QR codes expire? A well-built dynamic code doesn't expire as long as the redirect is maintained. Avoid free generators with trial redirects that lapse. ### Can I track scans with a dynamic QR code? Yes. Because scans pass through a stable address, you can measure scans by table and time — something static codes can't do. ### Will I ever have to reprint? No. The printed pattern stays the same; only the destination changes. That's the whole point of dynamic codes. Kitch QR generates dynamic, table-labeled codes that point at a live page you update by message. Explore Kitch QR or read the full QR menu guide.