89 million Americans scanned a QR code in 2025, and that number is projected to exceed 100 million in 2026. What started as an emergency measure during COVID lockdowns has become one of the most widely adopted technologies in small business history. QR codes now drive menus, payments, queue management, loyalty programs, and customer feedback across every industry.
This post examines the data behind the QR code revolution, with a specific focus on how small businesses are using QR technology in 2026 and what the adoption curves tell us about the future. If you are considering implementing QR codes for queue management, payments, or customer engagement, these statistics will help you build the business case.
The QR Code Growth Trajectory: 2019 to 2026
To understand where QR codes are heading, it helps to look at where they have been. The adoption curve has been extraordinary, with the pandemic serving as an inflection point that permanently changed consumer behavior.
| Year | US QR Scanners (millions) | YoY Growth | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 36 | — | iOS camera integration |
| 2020 | 52 | +44% | COVID contactless mandates |
| 2021 | 75 | +44% | Restaurant menus, payments |
| 2022 | 83 | +11% | Marketing, loyalty programs |
| 2023 | 86 | +4% | Sustained habitual use |
| 2024 | 88 | +2% | Queue management, check-in |
| 2025 | 89 | +1% | Near-saturation, new use cases |
| 2026 (proj.) | 100+ | +12% | Payments, identity, queues |
Source: Statista QR Code Usage Report 2025; eMarketer US Mobile QR Code Scanner Forecast
The slowdown in 2023-2025 reflects market maturation, not decline. The users who adopted QR codes during COVID have continued using them. What is changing is the breadth of use cases. Consumers who first scanned a QR code to view a restaurant menu now routinely scan codes to join queues, make payments, access loyalty rewards, and provide feedback.
Consumer Scanning Behavior in 2026
Understanding how consumers interact with QR codes is essential for businesses deciding where and how to deploy them.
Key consumer behavior statistics:
- 57% of consumers have scanned a QR code at a restaurant in the past month (National Restaurant Association, 2025)
- 43% of smartphone users scan at least one QR code per week (Juniper Research, 2025)
- The average scan-to-action time is 4 seconds, meaning customers complete the intended interaction within seconds of scanning
- 72% of consumers prefer scanning a QR code to downloading a business-specific app (Bitly QR Code Trends 2025)
- Placement matters: QR codes at eye level (table tents, door signage) see 3x higher scan rates than those on receipts or floor stickers
Trust and Security Perceptions
One barrier to QR code adoption has been consumer trust. However, familiarity has significantly eroded this concern. A 2025 MobileIron survey found that 82% of consumers now feel comfortable scanning QR codes from businesses they recognize, up from 53% in 2021. For unknown businesses, the trust rate is lower at 47%, highlighting the importance of branded, well-placed QR codes with clear context about what scanning will do.
Small Business Adoption Rates
Small businesses have been among the most enthusiastic adopters of QR code technology, driven by low implementation costs and immediate customer-facing benefits.
| QR Code Use Case | % of Small Businesses Using | Growth Since 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Menus / product info | 64% | +8% |
| Payments | 52% | +19% |
| Customer feedback / reviews | 41% | +22% |
| Queue management / check-in | 28% | +156% |
| Loyalty programs | 35% | +31% |
| Social media links | 47% | +12% |
Source: Square Small Business Digital Adoption Survey 2025; ScanQueue internal data
The standout figure is queue management at +156% growth since 2022. This is the fastest-growing QR code use case for small businesses, as operators discover that the same technology customers already know from restaurant menus can be used to eliminate physical waiting lines. A customer who scans a QR code to view a menu is already trained on the exact interaction needed to join a digital queue.
QR Codes for Queue Management: Why It Works
QR code queue management leverages an existing consumer behavior (scanning) for a high-value operational improvement (eliminating physical lines). This combination makes it one of the most natural technology adoptions in small business.
Why QR queue management has such strong adoption:
- Zero learning curve for customers. Customers already know how to scan QR codes. There is no app to download, no account to create, no new behavior to learn.
- Minimal cost for businesses. A printed QR code costs virtually nothing. Cloud-based queue platforms like ScanQueue offer free tiers that handle basic needs without any upfront investment.
- Immediate operational benefit. From the first customer scan, staff spend less time managing lines and more time on service delivery.
- Data capture as a side effect. Every QR scan generates data: arrival times, wait duration, service patterns, peak hours. This data is valuable for operational optimization.
Pro Tip — Maximize Your QR Code Scan Rate: Place your queue QR code at eye level near the entrance, on a table tent or A-frame sign. Include a clear call-to-action like "Scan to Join the Queue" and an estimated wait time. Businesses that include context see 40% higher scan rates than those showing a bare QR code.
What the Data Tells Us About 2026 and Beyond
The QR code story in 2026 is no longer about whether consumers will scan. That question was answered in 2021. The question now is: which businesses will deploy QR codes across the broadest range of use cases?
Three trends shaping the next phase:
- Multi-function QR codes. Businesses are consolidating multiple functions into a single scan. One QR code might join a queue, display the menu, and offer a loyalty reward. This reduces signage clutter and increases value per scan.
- Dynamic QR codes with analytics. Static QR codes that link to a fixed URL are being replaced by dynamic codes that can be updated, tracked, and A/B tested. This gives small businesses enterprise-level insights into customer behavior.
- QR-first customer journeys. Forward-thinking businesses are designing their entire customer experience around the QR scan: arrive, scan, join queue, browse, get notified, be served. The physical and digital experiences merge seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people use QR codes in 2026?
Over 100 million Americans are projected to scan QR codes in 2026, according to eMarketer. Globally, QR code interactions exceed 5 billion annually.
What percentage of small businesses use QR codes?
Approximately 64% of small businesses use QR codes for at least one purpose (menus, payments, marketing). For queue management specifically, adoption is at 28% and growing rapidly at 156% since 2022.
Are QR codes still relevant after COVID?
Yes. Post-pandemic adoption has not only held but grown. The behaviors learned during COVID (contactless menus, mobile payments) have become permanent consumer preferences. 72% of consumers prefer scanning a QR code to downloading an app.
What is the best QR code use case for small business?
Menus and product information remain the most common use case, but queue management is the fastest-growing. For businesses that manage walk-in customers, QR code queue check-in offers the highest ROI because it directly reduces walkouts and frees staff time.
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