Plain-English summary#
Setting up a Foodops menu is a three-layer job: decide your categories (groups like Shawarmas, Beverages), create items inside each (Chicken Shawarma, Coca-Cola), and tick which outlets sell each item. Everything else — POS, kitchen, reports — reads from this catalogue. Miss the outlet checkbox and your item won't show up on the counter — the single most common setup mistake.
When you'd use this#
- First-time setup — building the menu from scratch
- Seasonal menu change — adding or retiring items
- Opening another outlet — giving the new location the same menu
- Price updates — bulk or individual price changes
- Showing kitchen or cashier staff how the menu is organised
Key concepts#
- Menu Groups: Top-level containers (e.g., "Main Menu", "Lunch Special"). One group is marked "Default" and shows on the POS and ordering page.
- Product Categories: Groupings within a menu group (e.g., Shawarmas, Beverages, Sides, Desserts). Each category can be assigned to specific outlets and switched on or off for online ordering.
- Menu Items: Individual products that appear on the POS and ordering page. Each item belongs to a category and has a selling price, tax rate, and outlet assignment.
- Product Types: Items can be Inventory (tracked in stock), Prepared (made to order, like food), Variant (has size/colour options), Batch (tracked by batch number), or Bundle (a combo of items).
Common questions#
Q: What's the difference between a Menu Group and a Category? A: A Menu Group is the top container — you might have "Main Menu" for full service and "Lunch Special" for a smaller weekday menu. Categories (Shawarmas, Sides) sit inside the Menu Group. The POS shows whichever Menu Group is marked Default.
Q: I created an item but it doesn't show up on the POS — why? A: 90% of the time it's the "Items sold at Outlets" checkbox — it must be ticked for each outlet when creating the item. Edit the item, scroll to that section, tick the outlet, save. Then click Reload Cache on the POS.
Q: Can I move an item between categories? A: Yes — edit the item, change its category, save. Past orders keep their original category so reports stay accurate.
Q: Can one item belong to multiple categories? A: No — each item is in exactly one category at a time. To show an item in two menu sections, duplicate it or use a Menu Group with custom category ordering.
Q: What if I need sizes or variants — small/medium/large? A: Two ways: (1) create separate items (Coke Small, Coke Large) for the cleanest reporting, or (2) create one base item and use a Modifier Group for size (see Modifiers). Modifiers keep the catalogue tidier.