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      How to add a restaurant menu using the advanced catalog

      Last updated

      17 March 2025

      Overview

      You can add your restaurant’s menu to the CMS and display it in the app so guests can browse available dishes and beverages. Different catalog options are available depending on how you want to structure and present the content.

      Before getting started

      Before adding the menu, keep the following in mind:

      • You must have access to the CMS under Content > Facilities > Restaurants.
      • Decide whether to use a manual or external catalog.
      • Prepare product details in advance (names, prices, descriptions, images, and variations) to speed up setup.
      • Have files or links ready if using an external catalog.

      Options for adding a menu

      There are two main catalog types:

      • Manual catalogs: Add and manage products individually.
      • External catalogs: Upload a file or provide a URL; products cannot be edited in the CMS.

      1. Create a manual catalog

      1. Go to Content > Facilities > Restaurants.

      2. Select a restaurant and click Edit.

      3. Navigate to the Advanced catalog tab.

        How to add a restaurant menu using the advanced catalog 01EN

      4. Define the button text that guests will see to access the menu:

        • Use a short text such as “Our Menu” or “See menu” (max. 24 characters).
        • Click the flag icon to add translations.

      5. Click Add catalog.

      6. Select the type of manual catalog:

        • With categories (two levels: categories and products).

          How to add a restaurant menu using the advanced catalog 02EN

        • With categories and subcategories (three levels: categories, subcategories, and products).

          How to add a restaurant menu using the advanced catalog 03EN

        Note: The choice you make regarding the type of manual catalog cannot be undone later. Make sure to select the appropriate type.

      7. Assign an icon and a name to the catalog.

      2. Create an external catalog

      Option 1: PDF catalog

      1. Follow the steps above until Add catalog.
      2. Select PDF Catalog.
      3. Upload the file in all required languages. Keep it under 5 MB—Lighter files mean a smoother experience for guests when loading documents on their devices.
      4. Enable Open in browser if you want the menu to open in a new window.

      Option 2: Linked catalog

      1. Select Linked catalog.
      2. Enter the menu URL for each available language.
      3. Check Open URL in browser if needed.

      Step-by-step guide: Manual catalog setup

      When creating a manual catalog, you'll find two tabs:

      1. Products – Create and manage menu items.
      2. Layout – Customize the menu’s appearance.

      Step 1: Adding products to the catalog

      1. Add categories (name + image).
      2. If using subcategories, add them (no image needed).
      3. Create products by adding Name and Price.
      4. Configure product status:
        • Enabled: Visible in the menu.
        • Featured: Stands out in the catalog.

      How to add a restaurant menu using the advanced catalog 04EN

      Editing a product

      To edit a product, locate it under Products and use the action icons:

      • Arrow icon: Move the product to another category.
      • Pencil icon: Edit the product details.
      • Trash icon: Delete the product.

      Product editing options

      1. Product Information

      • Name
      • Description with details.
      • Image (max. 1 MB, recommended size: 400x400 px).
      • Ingredients and allergens (optional).
      • Tags to improve searchability.

      2. Pricing

      • Standard price. This is the price you enter in the Price field for the first time.
      • Different pricing based on portion size or presentation (e.g., "Half portion"). Click Add price and enter a distinguishing label in Title.
      • Segmented pricing (if your property uses customer segmentation). To enable this, first activate the Segmented pricing toggle (from the Products tab), and a price field will appear for each segment you have created at property level. You just need to enter a value for each one.
      • Create an offer: Enable Activate offer, then enter a title and discounted price.

      3. Product options (widgets)

      • Allow guests to choose product variations (e.g., bread type for a burger or salad dressing).
      • Options include single selection and multiple selection widgets.
      • Assign additional costs to extra ingredients if needed.

      How to add a restaurant menu using the advanced catalog 05EN

      Products per page

      You can set how many products are displayed per page in the CMS. Options: 5, 10, 20, or 50. This improves loading speed and makes editing more efficient.

      Free products

      Choose how you prefer to indicate to customers that a product has no cost. You can choose from three options: display custom text, show '0', or leave the field empty.

      Step 2: Catalog layout customization

      Under the Layout tab, you can personalize the catalog’s appearance.

      1. Menu header:

      • Add a restaurant logo (optional).
      • Select a background image or color.
      • Customize the menu description.
      • Choose a separator element between the header and the body of the catalog.

      Tip: If selecting a background color, remember to click OK to save changes.

      2. Catalog colors:

      • Define background and interface (buttons, boxes, etc.) colors.

      3. Font type:

      • Choose the font that will appear in the body of the catalog. The default font is Inter. If you want to use a different one, enable the Use a different font than the default toggle or simply click on your preferred option. You can choose from four options: Quicksand, Rubik, Poppins, and Arvo.

      4. Category dividers:

      • You can choose the type of separator that will be included between categories.
      • In this section, you can also define the text color for the catalog’s categories and subcategories, as well as the color of the divider.

      5. Product name and description:

      • Define the style of elements related to the catalog’s products: text color for the name, description, and price.
      • You can also set a custom text for the featured product label. Featured products are those that stand out from the rest in the menu.

      How to add a restaurant menu using the advanced catalog 06EN

      Activating and previewing the menu

      1. To activate the menu, switch the Enabled/Disabled toggle on the right side of the screen to Enabled (green).
      2. To preview how guests will see it, scan the QR code on the CMS home screen and navigate to the configured restaurant.

      How to add a restaurant menu using the advanced catalog 07EN

      Next steps

      Once you’ve added and configured your restaurant’s menu, here are some additional actions you may want to consider:

      • Preview the menu in the app to ensure it appears as expected and is easy to navigate.
      • Review product details regularly to keep prices, descriptions, and availability updated.
      • Use tags and featured products to highlight special dishes and make them easier to find.

      If you need to manage multiple menus (e.g., breakfast, lunch, dinner), remember you can create as many catalogs as needed.

      Need further assistance?

      If you have additional questions or require further assistance:

      • Contact us through live chat.
      • Send a ticket to our Support team.
      • Visit STAY Academy, our training platform.