Adding Menu Items On Admin Panel
      Back to home
      1. Next Order Support
      2. Menu Management
      3. Adding Menu Items On Admin Panel

      Adding Complex Menu Items - Online Guide

      Welcome to the guide for creating complex menu items!​ This part is for adding Complex Menu Items only. We suggest reading through our General Menu Guide (link), which covers creating menu categories, adding simple menu items, extras and much more..

      To begin adding complex items to your menu, it's essential to first configure some settings in the Admin Panel. But before diving into that, let’s start by understanding and defining a complex menu item.

      Complex Menu Item

      A complex menu item is a food or beverage menu item containing detailed setup information. Like the simple menu item, it includes the item's name, a brief description, an image, and a price.
      ​
      The key feature of a complex item is its modifiers, which offer customers various choices, such as selecting a type of protein (beef, chicken, lamb) for a curry.

       

      Complex items involve a 'Size (Base) Modifier' to set the item's size, along with other modifiers like "Protein Type" or "Pasta Type." These modifiers are divided into sub-modifiers, providing specific options such as beef, chicken, or lamb for the "Protein Type" and spaghetti or penne for the "Pasta Type."

       

      Important

      All of the above modifiers (including size modifiers) must first be entered in the Admin Panel under the "Modifiers" section. Once these are set up, you can proceed to create a complex menu item with these predefined options.

       

      Click below for key differences between Simple and Complex Menu Items. ⬇️

      Simple Menu Item

      Complex Menu Item

      Simple menu items include only size options, extras, and removable ingredients, making the upload process easier compared to complex items

      Complex menu items include size modifiers, custom modifiers, extras, and removable ingredients, offering extensive customization. Uploading complex items takes more steps because of their advanced options

      SIZE: includes an option for item sizes & quantity, for example, Small, Large or Family.

      (BASE) SIZE MODIFIER: Includes option for item sizes, for example Small, Large, or Family

      NO MODIFIERS: Simple menu items do not have modifiers or customization options beyond size, extras & removable ingredients.

      MODIFIERS: Supports modifiers with multiple options such as “Spice Level” (mild, medium, hot), “Protein Type” (chicken, lamb) or “Sauce” (no sauce, tomato, BBQ)
      ​
      ℹ️ Each sub-modifier can be chosen once

       

      ℹ️ All the modifiers must be entered previously on the Admin Panel under the “Modifiers” section before proceeding with creating complex menu items

      EXTRAS/ADD-ONS: Customers can select additional extras or add-ons to customize their order. For example, adding extra cheese to a pizza

      EXTRAS/ADD-ONS: Customers can select additional extras or add-ons to customize their order. For example, adding extra cheese to a pizza

      REMOVABLE INGREDIENTS:

      Enables customers the ability to remove ingredients from menu items

      REMOVABLE INGREDIENTS:

      Enables customers to remove ingredients from menu items.

      EXAMPLE: An example of a Simple Menu Item is “Margherita Pizza,” with options to choose the size (small, large, or family), extras, and removable ingredients.

       

      EXAMPLE: An example of a Complex Menu Item is “Carbonara Pasta” with a choice of pasta type (i.e. Spaghetti or Penne to choose from); another example could be a curry with a chance of protein (chicken, lamb or beef)

       

      Click below to view some examples of Complex Menu Items ⬇️

       
      If you're having trouble understanding the different components of a complex menu item, don't worry! Here's a simple dictionary to explain all the terms:
       

      Click below to view base modifier (size) & size modifier definitions ⬇️

      Base Modifier (Size) - When adding a complex menu item with various modifier options, it's crucial to first set up a size (base) modifier. This means that for items, for example, a Meat Lovers Pizza, you should initially select size choices such as “Small,” “Medium,” or “Large.” This step is key; the item won't be added to the order correctly on the POS without selecting a size first. After choosing the size, you can select additional modifiers. A good example is the “Pizza Base” modifier, where options might include “Tomato Base” or “BBQ Base.”

       

      SIZE MODIFIER

      The "Size" modifier can include sizes such as: Serve, 2pcs, Small, Medium, Large, and Family, Entree, Main.

      When creating complex menu items, the size modifier should always be selected first, and then the other modifiers should be set up in the next step (otherwise, the item will not add to the order on the POS system)

      (Base) Modifier Name

      Example Of Sub-Modifier Names

      SIZE

      Serve, 1 Pc, 2 Pcs, Entree, Main, Small, Medium, Large, Family, Party

      If your complex menu item (i.e. Bolognese) only contains single-size such as "Serve" and a "Pasta Type" modifier (i.e. Penne, Spaghetti), the display order for that item should be as follows: 'Pasta Type modifier with its options will be visible as first, and then the size (serve) will be automatically applied to the order.

       

      If your complex menu item contains more than one size (i.e. Meat Lovers Pizza), for example, "Small", "Medium", and "Large", and A 'Base Sauce' modifier (i.e. Tomato Sauce, BBQ Sauce), the display order should be as follows: the size modifier will be shown first, so the customers will first select the size, and then they will need to choose one of the base sauces.

       

       

       

      📝 Always make sure to enter the “Size” modifier and its options in the “Modifiers” section on the Admin Panel first, before setting up a complex menu item

       

      Modifiers

       
      These selections let customers customise their orders with different options, such as desired side dishes or preferred cooking styles.
      Modifiers and their options (sub-modifiers) pop up after a menu item size is selected. A menu item such as "Steak" might include a “Cooking Preference” modifier, with sub-modifiers like "Rare" or "Medium" for you to choose from.
      For a menu item such as “Carbonara Pasta,” a “Pasta Type” modifier might be added, offering sub-modifiers such as “Spaghetti,” “Penne,” or “Fettuccine” to select from. Similarly, the “Chicken Parmigiana” could come with a “Sides” modifier, providing sub-modifiers including “No Side,” “Chips & Salad,” or “Chips & Veggies +$2” for an extra charge.
       

       

      Click below to learn about the most popular modifiers. ⬇️

        

      📝 Remember to always enter all the modifiers with their sub-options under the “Modifiers” section on the Admin Panel, or else you won’t be able to proceed with adding complex items.

       

      SUB-MODIFIERS – These are the specific options under a main modifier for customer selection. For instance, with a “Protein Type” modifier, the sub-modifiers would be choices like beef, chicken, or lamb. Please note that our system supports selecting only one option from these sub-modifiers for each main modifier.

       

      Click below to explore the 'Modifiers' section on our Admin Panel ⬇️

      The "Modifiers" section on our Admin Panel

      Located under the "Menu" section of the Admin Panel, the "Modifiers" section is where all of the following are entered: (base) size modifiers, modifiers, and sub-modifiers. Once these are set up, you can go ahead and add complex items to the admin panel.

       

      Click below for best practices on organizing your 'Modifiers section ⬇️

       

      Start by entering numbers (1,2,3) in the "Modifiers" section, then add names for all modifiers and sub-modifiers. This helps organize ingredients in your chosen order, such as alphabetically. Adding names directly without numbers can lead to a random arrangement.

      Here's how it works:

      • Go to the "Modifiers" section on the Admin Panel (Menu > Modifiers)

      • Click on the "+Add Modifier" button

      • Type in a random number

      • Click "Save"

      • 🔁 Repeat this step until you've entered enough numbers

      • Click on the "+Add" button on the right
      • Type in a random number
      • Click "Save"

      • 🔁 Repeat this step until you've entered enough numbers

      Great job! You're now set to organize your ingredients in your preferred order.

       

      Now, categorize modifiers easily: click "Edit Name" to change numbers to specific names, like "Base Sauce," and then click "Edit" in that section to rename sub-modifiers, such as "Tomato Sauce."

      After understanding complex menu items, let's add one, like Meat Lovers pizza, available in "Small," "Medium," and "Large," sizes, with a 'Base Sauce' modifier offering choices such as Tomato or BBQ.

       
      After understanding complex menu items, let's add one, like Meat Lovers pizza, available in "Small," "Medium," and "Large," sizes, with a 'Base Sauce' modifier offering choices such as Tomato or BBQ.
       

      Let's do it!

      Step 1: Add (Base) Size Modifiers On The Admin Panel

      • Go to the "Modifiers" section on the Admin Panel

      • Click on the "+Add Modifier" button

      • Type in "Size" in the Modifier Name section

      • Click on "Save"

       

       

      • Click on the "+Add Size" button
      • Type in "Small" in the Sub-Modifier Name section
      • Click on "Save"
      • 🔁 Repeat the same steps for other remaining sizes (Medium, Large)

       

      Step 2: Enter Other Modifiers On The Admin Panel


      Next, add the remaining 'Base Sauce' modifier with its options (tomato, BBQ sauce) for the Meat Lovers pizza.
       
      • Click on the "+Add Modifier" button
      (If you've applied the numbering method in your Admin Panel, you can easily add modifiers by clicking on the existing numbers and then using the "Edit Name" button.)
      • Type in "Base Sauce" in the Modifier Name Section
      • Click on "Save"
       
       

      • Click on the "+Add Base Sauce" button

      • Type in "Tomato sauce" in the Sub-Modifier Name section

      • Click on "Save"

      • 🔁 Repeat the same steps for other remaining sauce (BBQ sauce)

       

      Well done! You can now start adding your complex menu item!

      Step 3: Adding Complex Menu Item

      Once menu categories and modifiers have been added to the Admin Panel, you can start adding your complex menu item.

      • From the Next Order Dashboard, select Menu > Menu Items

      • Press “Add Item” in the top right corner inside the chosen category

      •  Fill in the item details (Item Name; Item Description), then Click “Next Step”
       
      • Click “Choose File” and upload a photo of the menu item from the files on your computer, then click “Next Step”

      Choose File > Upload Photo > Next Step

       

      🖼️ The image size should be greater than 30Kb. Otherwise, you will not be able to proceed with the following steps. (The photo will reflect on the POS & website.)

      💡 The image can be easily adjusted to your preferences. You can use the slider to zoom in or out and the cursor to position the image so it centres in the middle and looks good on the website.

      ➕ Adding Complex Menu Item

      • Click "Add menu item with modifiers" under Item Types

      • Click on "Next Step"

       
      • Click on "Select Base Modifier"

      This step is only about selecting size modifier.

      • Select sizes: "Small", "Medium", and Large"

      • Click on "Save"

      • Press "Next Step"

       
       

      • Click on the "Configure prices" button for each pizza size

      • Enter the pricing

      • Click on "Save"

      • 🔁 Repeat this step for other remaining sizes (Medium, Large)

      • Press "Next Step"

       

      • Click on the "Select Other Modifiers" button

      • Tick the boxes for "Base Sauce" and sauce types (Tomato, BBQ)

      • Click on "Save"

       
       
       

      *Configure pricing for Sub-Modifiers

      (if applicable, if there's no extra pricing to be added, proceed to the Next Step)

      There's an option to include extra pricing for sub-modifiers, such as adding a $1 surcharge for selecting BBQ sauce as a base on the Meat Lovers pizza.

       

      • Click on "Configure Prices" for "BBQ sauce"

      • Enter the extra pricing

      • Click "Save"

      • Press "Next Step"

       

      Select "Extras/Add-Ons"

      Click below for the Extras article (can attach link) ⬇️

      • Choose the extras for your item by checking the boxes next to each extra's name.

      • Enter the pricing for each extra (if applicable). Different prices for extras can be set based on the size of the items

      • Click on "Next Step"

      Select extras > Enter pricing > Next Step

       

      Select (Removable) Ingredients

      • Tick all the ingredients that are part of the menu item

        This allows customers to remove them according to their preference

      • Finally, click on "Next Step"

       
      • Select Stores

      In the "Stores" section, you'll find the store location where menu items will be available after adding them inside categories.

      Select Stores > Next Step

      • Select Order Types

      Click below to learn about different Order Types (paste the link to the other article here) ⬇️

      • Tick the "Is Published" box and click "Next Step"

      Is Published – for menu items to appear on the website & POS system, the “Is Published” box always needs to be ticked.

      • Preview

      In the 'Preview' section, you can review your menu item details, adjust sizes or edit item descriptions if needed, and finalise your changes before saving.

      • Review your menu item

      • Click on "Save"

      • Refresh the customer website

      • All done!

      Congratulations!
      You've successfully added your first complex menu item to the system 🎉 !

      Admin Panel View

      Website View