Set up modifiers, sizes and sold out

Modifiers are the extras that change an order: add cheese, no onion, extra hot. Variations are versions of an item with their own price, like small and large. Sold out (what most kitchens call “86”) hides an item while you have none left. Getting these three right keeps the line moving and stops the online store taking orders you cannot fill.

Before you start

• Your menu is in. See Import your menu.
• A list of your common extras and what each costs. Free options, like “no onion”, cost zero.
• Decide which items really need sizes. Every extra tap at the window is a few seconds per customer.
• Admin access. Staff with a cashier role usually cannot edit products.

Steps

Add a modifier set (add-ons, spice level, no onion)

1. Open Products > Modifiers and tap Add modifier set.
2. Name it for what the customer is choosing, for example “Spice level” or “Add-ons”.
3. Add each option with its price: “Mild 0”, “Hot 0”, “Extra hot 0”, or “Extra cheese 1.50”. Prices use your account currency.
4. Save, then tap Manage products on the set and tick every menu item it applies to.
5. Open POS, tap one of those items, and check the modifier window pops up with your options.

Add sizes with their own price

1. Open Products > Variations and tap Add variation. Name it “Size” and add values such as “Small”, “Regular”, “Large”.
2. Open the item under Products > List products > Edit. Change Product type to Variable.
3. Pick the “Size” variation and enter a selling price for each size.
4. Save. On the POS, tapping the item now asks which size before it goes on the ticket.

Mark an item sold out

1. On the device, open Products > List products and find the item.
2. Use the Sold out or Not for selling toggle, or set stock to zero if you track stock on that item.
3. The item disappears from the POS quick menu and from the online store. When you restock, flip it back.
4. If you track stock, set a low stock alert under the item’s Alert quantity so you see it coming before you hit zero.

Check it worked

• On the POS, an item with a modifier set opens the options window; an item with sizes asks for a size.
• The ticket and receipt show the chosen options, so the cook sees “Hot, extra cheese” without shouting.
• A sold-out item is gone from the POS buttons and from your online store page within a minute or so of the change.
• Reports > Product sell report shows each size as its own line, which helps you see whether anyone buys the small.

Common problems

The modifier window does not pop up

The modifier set is not linked to that product. Open the set, tap Manage products, and tick the item. Also check the item is not a combo or variable product missing the link on one of its sizes.

Customers on the online store can still order a sold-out item

Refresh the store page. If it still shows, check that you changed the item in the correct location: with more than one truck, sold out is per location, so the blue truck may still have stock.

Modifier prices are not taxed

Modifiers follow the tax on the parent item. If the item is set to tax exempt by mistake, fix the item’s tax and the modifiers follow.

Too many pop-ups slow the line

Put options most people skip, like “no onion”, in a note instead of a forced choice, or make the modifier optional rather than required. Keep forced choices for things the cook must know, like spice level.

I need a combo or meal deal

Create it as its own product at the combo price, with a modifier set for the drink choice. That is simpler at the window than building a bundle out of separate items.

Related

• Quick menu buttons
• Stock and prep
• Speed up your food truck line