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Managing Your Menu

Your menu is the core of your Ordery storefront. This guide covers creating categories, adding items, uploading images, setting prices, and managing availability.

Ordery menus are organised into categories containing items. For example:

  • Category: Pizzas

    • Item: Margherita
    • Item: Pepperoni
    • Item: Four Cheese

  • Category: Drinks

    • Item: Coca-Cola
    • Item: Orange Juice

Customers see categories as sections on your menu page, with items listed underneath.

Creating Categories

Categories help customers navigate your menu and find what they're looking for.

How to Add a Category

  1. Go to Menu in your admin panel
  2. Click Add Category
  3. Enter the category name (e.g., "Starters", "Mains", "Desserts")
  4. Click Save

Category tips:

  • Use clear, familiar names like "Mains", "Sides", "Drinks"
  • Order categories logically (starters before mains, food before drinks)
  • Keep category names short (one or two words)

💡 Tip: Create a "Specials" or "Chef's Recommendations" category to highlight seasonal or popular items.

Adding Menu Items

Each menu item includes details that help customers decide what to order.

How to Add an Item

  1. Navigate to Menu and select a category
  2. Click Add Item
  3. Fill in the item details (see below)
  4. Click Save Item

Item Details

Name

The item name as it appears on your menu.

Example: "Margherita Pizza" or "Classic Burger"

Description

A short, appetising description of the item.

Example: "Fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil on a hand-stretched base."

💡 Tip: Keep descriptions under 20 words. Focus on key ingredients and what makes it special.

Price

The price in pounds (e.g., 12.50 for £12.50).

How it affects your storefront: This is the base price customers see. Ordery handles VAT calculations automatically based on your VAT settings.

Image

Upload a photo of the item (optional but highly recommended).

Image guidelines:

  • Format: JPG or PNG
  • Size: Maximum 5MB
  • Dimensions: At least 800×800 pixels for best quality
  • Style: Clean, well-lit photos work best

How it affects your storefront: Items with images stand out on the menu and increase sales. Customers can see what to expect.

⚠️ Warning: Large images may slow down upload times. Compress images before uploading if they're over 2MB.

Availability Settings

Control which fulfilment types each item supports.

Available for Delivery

Toggle on if customers can order this item for delivery.

When to use: Disable for items that don't travel well (e.g., ice cream on hot days, fragile desserts).

Available for Pickup

Toggle on if customers can collect this item.

When to use: Disable for bulky items or special orders that require advance notice.

Available for Table Service

Toggle on if dine-in customers can order this item via QR code.

When to use: Disable for takeaway-only items or items that require special table setup.

How it affects your storefront: When a customer selects delivery, they only see items marked "Available for Delivery". The same applies to pickup and table service.

💡 Tip: Most items should be available for all fulfilment types unless there's a specific reason to restrict them.

VAT Settings

In the UK, most food and drink items are VAT-exempt, but some items (like hot takeaway food, soft drinks, and alcohol) may be subject to VAT.

Marking Items as VAT-Exempt

  1. When editing an item, find the VAT Exempt toggle
  2. Turn it on for items that are zero-rated for VAT
  3. Save the item

How it affects your storefront: VAT-exempt items show "(VAT exempt)" in the cart and checkout. Ordery calculates VAT only on non-exempt items.

ℹ️ Note: If you're unsure about VAT rules, consult your accountant or HMRC guidance. Incorrectly handling VAT can cause issues with tax returns.

Allergen Information and Dietary Tags

Customers need clear allergen information to make safe choices.

Adding Allergen Details

  1. When editing an item, scroll to Allergen Information
  2. Select all allergens present (e.g., gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs)
  3. Add a text note if needed (e.g., "May contain traces of nuts")
  4. Save the item

Common allergens:

  • Gluten
  • Dairy
  • Nuts (tree nuts, peanuts)
  • Eggs
  • Soy
  • Shellfish
  • Fish
  • Sesame

Dietary Tags

Mark items with dietary tags to help customers filter the menu:

  • Vegetarian — Contains no meat or fish
  • Vegan — Contains no animal products
  • Gluten-Free — Suitable for gluten-free diets
  • Halal — Prepared according to Halal standards
  • Spicy — Contains chilli or hot spices

How it affects your storefront: Allergen details appear on the item detail page. Customers can see dietary tags at a glance.

⚠️ Warning: Allergen information must be accurate. Incorrect information can cause serious harm. Review your allergen data regularly and train your kitchen team.

Nutrition Information

You can optionally add nutritional details for each item (calories, protein, carbs, fat).

When to add nutrition info:

  • If you cater to health-conscious customers
  • If you're required to display calories by law
  • If you want to promote low-calorie or high-protein options

How it affects your storefront: Nutrition details display on the item detail page alongside allergens.

ℹ️ Note: Nutrition info is optional. Only add it if you have accurate data.

Editing and Deleting Items

How to Edit an Item

  1. Go to Menu
  2. Find the item you want to change
  3. Click Edit
  4. Update the details
  5. Click Save Item

Changes appear on your storefront immediately.

How to Delete an Item

  1. Go to Menu
  2. Find the item
  3. Click Delete and confirm

⚠️ Warning: Deleted items can't be recovered. If you want to temporarily remove an item, turn off all availability toggles instead.

Reordering Categories and Items

TODO: Document how to reorder categories and items if drag-and-drop or ordering controls exist.

ℹ️ Note: This feature may be added in a future update.

Best Practices

Keep Your Menu Up to Date

  • Remove sold-out items or mark them unavailable
  • Update prices when your costs change
  • Refresh images seasonally

Use High-Quality Images

  • Invest in professional photos for your top sellers
  • Use consistent lighting and styling
  • Show the item clearly without too many props

Write Appetising Descriptions

  • Focus on taste and key ingredients
  • Use sensory words like "crispy", "tender", "rich"
  • Keep it short and scannable

Review Allergen Data Regularly

  • Update allergen info when you change suppliers
  • Train your kitchen team to understand allergen risks
  • Double-check accuracy before saving

Test the Customer View

  • Preview your storefront after making changes
  • Place a test order to see how items appear
  • Ask a friend or family member for feedback

Common Questions

Q: Can I add the same item to multiple categories? Not currently. Each item belongs to one category. If you need an item in multiple places, create duplicate entries.

Q: What if I run out of an item during service? Edit the item and toggle off all availability options. The item will disappear from the menu until you turn availability back on.

Q: How many items can I add? There's no fixed limit. Most stores have 20–100 items. Very large menus (200+ items) may load more slowly.

Q: Can I import a menu from a spreadsheet? Not currently. Items must be added one at a time through the admin panel.

Q: Do I need to upload images for every item? No, but it's highly recommended. Items with images typically sell better.

Q: Can customers customise items (e.g., toppings, modifiers)? Item modifiers and customization options are not currently available. Customers order items as listed on your menu without modifications.

What's Next?

Now that your menu is set up, consider:

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Managing Your Menu - Ordery Help