What do you mean it didn't take off? QR code detection is implemented in native iOS camera and IIRC most android implementations too. Almost everyone can use it.
I feel like that has changed over the past few years. Many restaurants in my area started using them for menus, and I recently saw them used to setup wifi while on vacation.
The only places I see qr codes is on my phone to share the WiFi password and on products to scan for compitions and from time to time on advertising at bus stoos
