Plain-English summary#
A zero-sale close is closing a register session that had no orders while it was open. It happens after an accidental open, a no-show shift, or a training session that was opened but never used. You close it exactly like a normal session — count the drawer, add Comments, tap Close Register — but the count usually equals the opening float and the session shows zero sales. The point is to leave a clean record instead of leaving the session open or trying to delete it.
When you'd use this#
- A cashier opens a register by mistake (wrong button, wrong outlet) and notices before taking any orders.
- A shift was scheduled but the cashier didn't turn up; another cashier opened the wrong register and needs to close it before opening the right one.
- A trainer shows the opening steps during onboarding and needs to close the practice session.
- A manager opens a session to check a screen or printer setup and needs to back out cleanly.
Key concepts#
- Zero-sale close — closing a session with no orders. Same steps as a normal close; the count just equals the opening float and there are zero orders.
- Opening Balance = Closing Balance — what you'd expect on a zero-sale close (if the float is untouched). The variance is zero.
- No deleting sessions — a session can't be deleted; closing it is how you retire it. (While a close is in Pending Close it can be cancelled, which puts the session back to Open and clears the counts — but the session itself is never removed.)
- Audit trail — opening and closing are recorded whether or not there were orders. A zero-sale session still appears on the Register Sessions list and in reports.
- Comments — especially important here: with nothing else to go on, your note is the only explanation of why the session exists.
Common questions#
Q: Can I delete a session I opened by mistake? A: No — sessions can't be deleted. Close it straight away as a zero-sale close, with a Comments note explaining the mistake.
Q: Does Foodops block the close if there are zero orders? A: No — the number of orders doesn't matter. The close is blocked by: (1) on-hold sales, (2) open sales orders (not completed and not cancelled), (3) — only if your organisation requires unique transfer references — transfer-reference problems, (4) sales still being posted, and (5) entries in the Discard bin waiting for review (if your outlet uses it). A zero-sale session has none of these, so it closes. The cashier sees "Register closed successfully", but the session goes to Pending Close, not straight to Closed, even when there is no variance. It stays in Pending Close until someone selects Approve Close on the session (in the back office under Sales, Register Sessions). If the count differs from Expected and you can see the Expected amount, a Balance Difference Warning offers Close Anyway or Cancel first.
Q: Will a zero-sale close affect daily reports? A: It appears on the Register Sessions list with zero amounts and shows in audit reports. It adds nothing to revenue. The Day Summary report lists every session opened in the date range, but a session with no sales adds nothing to the revenue figures.
Q: Can I skip the count if the drawer obviously holds only the opening float? A: The form doesn't force you to enter counts — every denomination starts at zero and Close Register will accept all zeros. But then the counted total reads 0.00 against the opening float, which creates a variance. To get a clean zero-variance close, enter the same counts you used when opening. Always count it.
Q: What if I skip a currency tab and submit zero counts on a multi-currency outlet? A: Your Closing Balance will be short by that currency's float, and it will show as a variance. Count and submit every currency tab; don't skip tabs to save time.