Walker Art Center Restaurant Cuts Front-of-House Staff as QR Codes Take Over

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The restaurant inside the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Cardamom, is eliminating its front-of-house staff and replacing traditional table service with QR code ordering. Sixteen hosts and servers are being laid off as part of the transition, though kitchen staff and bartenders will remain. The company cites uneven traffic and rising costs as the reason for the change, while workers and labor advocates suggest the layoffs may be retaliatory following recent organizing efforts.

Why it matters

This shift reflects a broader trend in the restaurant industry towards contactless technology and reduced front-of-house staff, a change that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. While some restaurants have brought back physical menus, many have stuck with QR systems, often expanding them into full ordering and payment platforms. The Cardamom decision highlights the tensions between business efficiency and worker livelihoods as the industry continues to evolve.

The details

Cardamom, the museum's in-house restaurant operated by DDP Restaurant Group, will shift to a counter-service model this week, with customers ordering via their phones rather than through servers. The company framed the change as a long-considered business decision tied to uneven traffic and rising costs, as Cardamom's crowds fluctuate with museum programming and seasons, making staffing inconsistent. However, workers and labor advocates tell a different story, suggesting the layoffs felt abrupt and may have been retaliatory following recent organizing efforts. They also note that the shift to a QR-based system would likely reduce tip income, which can make up a significant share of front-of-house pay.

• Cardamom will shift to the new QR code ordering system this week.