Menu Management for Restaurant
Introduction
Mastering Menu Management with eatOS: A Comprehensive Guide
Effective menu management plays a crucial role in a restaurant's success. With the advent of technology, restaurant owners now have access to comprehensive dashboard systems that simplify menu management. In this article, we will explore the best practices for dashboard menu management, using the example of eatOS, a popular restaurant management platform.
Dashboard menu management allows for instant updates across all customer-facing interfaces. Any changes made to menus, such as adding new items, modifying prices, or updating descriptions, are reflected in real-time on in-store digital menu boards, online ordering platforms, and mobile apps.
Table of Contents
- How to Access the Dashboard Menu Management
- How to Add or Create a New Default Modifier
- How to Add or Create New Modifiers
- How to Add or Create New Add-Ons
- How to Add or Create a New Modifier Group
- How to Add or Create a New Product
- How to Add or Create New Categories
- How to Add or Create New Menus
- How to Add or Create Taxes
- How to Add or Create a Service Charge
- How to Add or Create a Discount
- How to Add or Create New Categories
- How to Edit Items
- How to Archive an Item
- How to Unarchive an Item
- How to Permanently Delete an Item
The eatOS dashboard has 2 different workflows to create your menu.
Step 1: Upload multiple products using the menu template in the "Menus" section.
See the menu management article to learn how to build your menu using the menu template.
Step 2: Configure each menu section on the dashboard menu management.
Both workflows are designed to help you quickly create and manage your restaurant menu.
How to access the Dashboard Menu Management
Step 1: Log in to your eatOS dashboard account
Step 2: If you have multiple locations, select the location whose menu you want to configure (Access to the location is at the upper left of your screen).
Step 3: On the left nav bar, select “Menu Management.”
eatOS offers comprehensive solutions to simplify menu creation, customization, pricing, and scheduling. By effectively utilizing dashboard menu management, restaurant owners can streamline operations, enhance the dining experience, and remain competitive in today’s industry.
How to Add or Create a New Default Modifier
Step 1: Select Default Modifiers in the menu management section.
Step 2: Click the **“+ New Ingredients” **button
Step 3: Enter the required ingredients.
a. Enter the default modifier name – i.e., Bacon, Lettuce, Carrots
**b. **Select the default modifier type.
c. Click the Save button to save the new default modifier.
How to Add or Create New Modifiers
Step 1: Select Modifiers in the menu management section.
Step 2: Click + New Modifier
Step 3: Enter the required information and click the **save **button.
FIELD | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
*Modifier Name** | Name of the modifier, i.e., Ranch, Vinaigrette, Caesar |
Modifier Group Name | Name of the modifier group, i.e., Salad Dressing |
Can this modifier be served? | Checkmark if the modifier can be served (KDS responsive). For example, if a burger is served with sides like fries or onion rings, mark if the side can be served before the burger. |
Does this modifier have options? | If “Yes,” at least one option should be selected |
Can the customer choose multiple options? | If “Yes,” the customer can select one or more available modifier options |
Number of options to choose | Select the number of options a customer can choose a modifier |
Option Name
FIELD | ACTION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Add the modifier option name | Enter the option price | Edit icon – allows you to edit the option name and price. Delete icon – will enable you to delete the modifier option |
How to Add or Create New Add-Ons
Step 1: Select Add-on in the menu management section.
Step 2: Click “+ New Add-ons”
Step 3: Enter the required information and click the save button.
Field | Description |
|---|---|
*Add On Name** | Enter the add-on's name (e.g., extra cheese). |
*Add on Group** | Dropdown menu: Select a group to categorize the add-on. |
| Add icon (+): Option to create a new add-on group. |
*Select Order Type Applicable** | Choose the applicable order types (e.g., dine-in, takeout). |
86 this Add On? | Enable or disable the add-on, often used to indicate if an item is out of stock. |
Assigned KDS (Kitchen Display System) | Dropdown Menu: Select the kitchen display system for the add-on. |
| Add Icon (+): Option to add a new KDS. |
Assigned Printer | Dropdown Menu: Choose the printer assigned for the add-ons. |
| Add Icon (+): Option to add a new printer assignment. |
Option Availability | Indicate if the add-on has additional options. |
Multiple Options Selection | Allow customers to select various options for the add-on. |
Number of Options to Choose | Set the number of options a customer can select. |
Options List | Table Headers: Option Name, Price, Action. |
| Existing Options: Lists available options (e.g., Regular) with editable fields for price. |
How to Add or Create a New Modifier Group
Step 1: Select Groups on the menu management section.
Step 2: Click the “+ New Groups (Modifiers/Add-Ons)”
Step 3: Enter the required information and click Save
FIELD | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
*Name** | Name of the modifier group |
*Position** | Set the position of modifier groups to determine their display order when ordering a product in the POS. |
*Type** | This field contains two values i.e., Add-ons or modifiers |
*Display Name** | Enter a group display name to be shown in the product customization screen |
Assigned KDS | Select the kitchen display system for the group |
Assigned Printer | Choose the printer assigned for the group |
Add-Ons | Select the modifiers that will be associated with the group modifier. |
Advanced Settings |
|
Are options mandatory | Choose "Yes" if it is mandatory and specify the number of selections to be implemented. |
*Minimum Number of Selections** ** | Enter the number of mandatory modifiers a customer must select before completing their order. |
Maximum Number of Selections | Enter a number of how many modifiers can the customer select |
How to Add or Create a New Product
Step 1: Select Products in the menu management section.
Step 2: Click the “+ New Products” button.
Step 3: Enter the required information and click Save
FIELD | ACTION |
|---|---|
*Product Name** | Add the product name. |
Maya AI Feature | Autogenerate details like pictures and descriptions using AI. |
Menu Name | Input Field: Name of the menu this product belongs to. |
| Add Icon (+): Option to add a new menu name. |
Price | Specify the product price. |
Product Image | Add a product image. |
Display name | Enter the product name that you want to display on the menu, you can name the same as the product name based on how you want to reflect. |
Printer name | Enter a product name that will be shown on the printers/kitchen printers. It can be the same as the product name or can create a custom product name. |
Assigned printer ** | Select a printer / assign a printer where you want the product to be routed. |
Category | Select the sub-category where the product will be assigned. |
Schedule | Select the schedule for the product. |
Calories | Enter calorie information. |
Product Description | Enter a product description to be displayed on all platforms. |
Prep time (in mins) | Enter preparation time in minutes. |
Active | The active button will set the product to be active at the point of sale. You can toggle it off to hide the product. |
OrderOS Active | Indicates if the product is active in OrderOS. |
86 this product? | Temporarily turn off a product. |
86 in OrderOS? | Disable in OrderOS. |
Product Variation | The product variation will enable inventory tracking and enable you to add variant details. |
Footer Sections | Default Modifiers, Groups, Tax, Discounts |
| Add New (+) Button: Option to create new entries for each category. |
Step 4: You can also add multiple products by importing the menu items created using the menu Excel template.
**4a. **To add products in bulk, click the 3-dot icon next to the New Product button.
**4b. **Import the file from your saved location and click the Upload button.
**4c. **If managing multiple locations, select the applicable location to apply the menu.
4d. **Click **Done to save the menu.
How to Add or Create New Categories
Step 1: Select Categories in the menu management section.
Step 2: Click “+ New Category"
Step 3: Enter the required information and click Save
FIELD | ACTION |
|---|---|
Category Image | Upload a category image |
Category Color | Select the category color |
*Category Name** | Upload a category image |
Category Position | Define the display order of the category within lists. |
Parent Category | Select the parent category where the sub-category will be assigned |
Schedule | Assign a schedule to the category for specific timings. |
Assigned Printer | Select the printer to route the category |
Modifier Group | Select the modifier group applicable to the category |
Products | Select the products to be assigned to the sub-category |
How to Add or Create New Menus
Step 1: Select Menus in the menu management section.
Step 2: Click “+ New Menu" and select from the following options to add your menu and click Continue.
2a. Upload a menu from your device using compatible formats:
i. Choose the "Upload from your device" option.
ii. Select Continue.
iii. Navigate to the file's location in your device and select Upload.
iv. Select the appropriate location and click Done to save the changes.
2b. Create menu manually.
i. Click continue.
ii. Enter the required information and click the Save button to save the menu.
FIELD | ACTION |
|---|---|
*Menu Name** | Enter a custom preferred menu name for your restaurant |
Button Color | Set the button color, the selected color here will reflect on your point-of-sale device |
*Active** | The active button allows you to keep the menu active. Select the no button to hide the menu |
Parent Category | Select the parent category associated with the menu |
Location(s) | Select the location for this menu to be available |
Applicable to the menu(s) | Select the platform for this menu to be available. All menu(s) – the menu will be available to all platforms including POS, KIOSK, POP, and Online Ordering |
**2c. **Create a menu using AI
i. Choose the "Create a menu using AI" option.
ii. Select the desired cuisine for the menu.
iii. Enter the name of the menu.
iv. Click "Submit" to initiate the menu creation process by the AI.
2d. Import from a third-party menu like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub
i. Click Continue
ii. Select the desired third-party platform to import from and click Next.
iii. Enter the URL associated with the menu.
iv. Enter the name of the imported menu.
v. Select the appropriate location.
vi. Click Continue to proceed. You will receive a notification once the menu has been successfully created.
How to Add or Create Taxes
Step 1: Select Taxes on the menu management section.
Step 2: Click the **“+ New Tax” **button
Step 3: Enter the required information and click Save
FIELD | ACTION |
|---|---|
Sales Tax |
|
Fetch Rates Button | Retrieves applicable tax rates. |
*Tax Name** | State and local tax name. i.e., Sales Tax, Value Added Tax |
*Tax Value** | The tax percentage to be applied – enter the percentage value. |
*Tax Type** | Option to select percentage-based tax. |
Additional Information |
|
Exclusive | Determines if the tax is exclusive or inclusive. |
*Apply Tax To** | Select the items or categories the tax applies to. |
Applicable to Products |
|
Add Product | A drop-down menu allows users to apply the tax to a specific product on their menu. |
How to Add or Create a Service Charge
Step 1: Select Service Charge on the menu management section
Step 2: Click “+ New Service Charge”
Step 3: Enter the required information and click Save
FIELD | ACTION |
|---|---|
*Service Charge Name** | Name of the service charge i.e., Delivery, Banquet, etc. |
*Service Charge Value** | Enter the service charge percentage or amount |
*Service Charge Type** | Percentage: Select if the charge is a percentage of the total. Fixed Rate: Select a fixed amount of charge. |
Exclusive | Determines if the service charge is exclusive or inclusive. |
*Order type** | Select applicable order types (e.g., dine-in, takeout). |
*Payment type** | Choose the payment methods the charge applies to. |
Tax applicable | Select applicable taxes for the service charge. |
|
|
Note: Tax applicable to the service charge. Once the selected order type and tax are applicable, the service charge will automatically apply to the transaction.
How to Add or Create a Discount
Step 1: Select Discount in the menu management section.
Step 2: Click the **“+ New Discount” **button
Step 3: Enter the required information and click Save
FIELD | ACTION |
|---|---|
*Discount Name** | Name of the discount (i.e., Employee discount, Promotional discount, Happy hour). |
*Discount Value** | Value or amount of the discount to be applied. |
*Discount Type** | Percentage: Choose for a percentage discount. Fixed Rate: Select for a fixed amount discount. |
Require PIN? | Enable to require employees to enter their PIN to apply the discount. |
Apply auto discount? | Automatically apply the discount during a set duration. |
Applicable products | Select the applicable products to the discount. |
How to Add or Create a New Course
Step 1: Select Course on the menu management section.
Step 2: Click the **“+ New Course” **button
Step 3: Enter the required information and click Save
FIELD | ACTION |
|---|---|
Course Name | Enter the course name. |
Position | Select the course position – the course position will determine the sequence of the course to be served. |
Course Color Selection | Select a course color. |
Auto Fire Time Interval | This sets the time when to fire the course after the previous course is fired. |
How to Edit Items
Dashboard menu management allows for instant updates across all customer-facing interfaces. Any changes made to menus, such as adding new items, modifying prices, or updating descriptions, are reflected in real-time on in-store digital menu boards, online ordering platforms, and mobile apps.
Step 1: To edit an item on your menu, select the item you wish to edit.
Step 2: Hover to the "Date Created" column and select "Edit"
Step 3: Update the required information.
How to Archive an Item
Step 1: Select the item you wish to archive.
Step 2: Hover to the "Date Created" column and select "Archive"
Step 3: Select “Yes, archive it!” to confirm the selection, or select “Cancel” to go back without deleting the item.
How to Unarchive an Item
Step 1: Go to the “Archive” tab.
Step 2: Click the 3-dot icon and select “Unarchive.”
Step 3: Click “Yes, unarchive" it!” to restore the item or click “Cancel” to cancel the action.
How to Permanently Delete an Item
Step 1: Go to the “Archive” tab.
Step 2: Click the 3-dot icon and select “Permanently Delete.”
Step 3: Click “Yes, permanently delete it!” to confirm the selection, or select “Cancel” to go back to the archive.
Updated on: 05/12/2025
Thank you!