How to manage menu items, categories, and modifiers

Overview

A well-structured digital menu drives higher ticket values and minimizes order confusion. This guide explains how to organize categories, configure mandatory and optional modifier groups, and handle sold-out items instantly.

Step 1: Structuring Categories

1. Go to Menu → Categories in the admin console.
2. Recommended category structure:
   • Group items logically (e.g., Appetizers, Karahi & Handi, Rice Dishes, Beverages, Desserts).
   • Use drag-and-drop to place your highest-margin categories near the top.
   • You can toggle whole categories active or inactive according to meal times (e.g., Breakfast vs. Dinner).

Step 2: Adding Items & Variations

1. Click Items → Add Item.
2. Fill in:
   • Item Name: Clear, recognizable dish title.
   • Base Price: Value in PKR.
   • Description: 1–2 sentences highlighting key ingredients or spice profiles.
   • Image: High-contrast, appetizing photo.
3. If an item has size variations (e.g., Half vs. Full Karahi, Regular vs. Large Pizza), check Has Variations and enter the pricing for each tier.

Step 3: Configuring Modifiers (Add-ons & Options)

Modifiers allow diners to customize their meals and prevent kitchen errors:

1. Go to Menu → Modifier Groups → click Create Group.
2. Name the group (e.g., Spice Preference, Choose Your Side, Extra Toppings).
3. Set the rules:
   • Selection Type: Single Choice (e.g., Mild, Medium, Spicy) or Multiple Choice (e.g., Extra Cheese, Extra Sauce).
   • Required / Optional: Mark as required if the kitchen cannot prepare the dish without the choice.
   • Additional Price: Add +PKR 50, +PKR 100, etc. where applicable.
4. Link the modifier group to the corresponding dishes.

Step 4: Toggling 86'd / Out-of-Stock Items

When an ingredient runs out during a busy service:

1. Open Live Menu or Inventory Quick Toggle.
2. Locate the dish and toggle the status to Out of Stock.
3. The item immediately shows a sold-out badge on all customer QR menus and cannot be added to new orders.

Troubleshooting

• Image upload failing: Ensure image size is under 5MB and format is JPG, PNG, or WebP.
• Modifiers not appearing on customer menu: Ensure the modifier group is attached to the specific item and the group status is active.