Why Nigerian Restaurants Should Go All-In on QR Codes: Menus and Payments
So, you've been to a restaurant lately, right? You've seen those QR code menus that let you skip the awkward 10-minute stare-down with a paper menu. Nice, huh? But why stop there? According to TechCabal, digital payments are having their best year ever in Nigeria. Imagine you could scan, order, eat, and pay without waiting for anyone to bring you a bill. Sounds like a dream in a country where "African Time" is a thing, doesn't it?
Look, running a restaurant in Nigeria isn't cheap. Have you seen the price of paper and ink? It's like they're made of gold or something. So, if QR code menus are already saving restaurants some cash, why not go the full mile and cut out printed bills too? Plus, let's not forget the trees we'd be saving. Mother Earth would totally give you a high-five!
Now, some folks say QR payments are for the elite. It’s a valid point, but really? Have you been to Computer Village in Lagos lately? Smartphones are everywhere!
Here's the deal: Nigerian businesses are already on the digital payment train. POS terminals are as common as jollof rice at a party. Businesses are increasingly comfortable with digital transactions. So, what's stopping us from going full throttle with QR codes?
Here's how it could works: When you're ready to pay, you'll find a QR code printed on your receipt. Scanning this code opens up a payment app like Paystack or Flutterwave. From there, you can choose to pay using various options like your debit card, bank transfer, or even USSD codes. Once the payment is made, your ticket is closed on the restaurant’s system and you’re good to go. It's incredibly convenient. No more waiting for the waiter to bring the POS machine or fumbling with cash. Just scan, pay, and you're good to go!
If businesses are already comfortable with digital transactions, can’t you see how QR payments are just the next logical step.
But What About the Human Touch?
Ah, the good ol' "I miss talking to people" argument. Look, no one's saying we replace waiters with robots—although, how cool would that be? Waiters are still around to make sure your jollof rice is just the way you like it. The QR code just speeds up the boring stuff so you can get to the fun part: eating and socializing!
Okay, so maybe the Wi-Fi is as reliable as NEPA (that's a joke, by the way). But come on, these are teething problems. America had them, and look where they are now. We'll get there, trust me.
So here's the deal: QR code menus are great, but QR payments could be the game-changer we didn't know we needed. It's like jollof rice and fried plantains; good on their own but amazing together. Let's not be the ones who had gold and made earrings when we could've had a crown. Let's go all-in on this QR code thing.