Menu Management

LQD's menu management system helps you keep your food and beverage offerings organized, up-to-date, and accessible to your entire team in real-time.

Overview

The menu management feature allows you to:

• Create multiple menu types (food, cocktails, wine, beer)
• Add items with detailed descriptions and pricing
• Manage the 86 list for unavailable items
• Update menus in real-time with instant team notifications
• Track inventory and availability

Creating Menus

Menu Types

LQD supports several menu types to organize your offerings:

• Food Menu: Appetizers, entrees, desserts, and other food items
• Cocktail Menu: Mixed drinks, house specials, and craft cocktails
• Wine List: Wines by the glass or bottle, organized by type
• Beer Menu: Draft, bottled, and canned beer selections

Adding a New Menu

1. Navigate to Menus in the main navigation
2. Click Create Menu or New Menu
3. Choose your menu type from the dropdown
4. Enter a menu name (e.g., "Summer Cocktail Menu", "Dinner Menu")
5. Add an optional description
6. Click Create to save your new menu

Menu Organization

Organize your menus using categories:

Food Menu
├── Appetizers
├── Salads
├── Entrees
│   ├── Seafood
│   ├── Meat
│   └── Vegetarian
└── Desserts

Cocktail Menu
├── House Classics
├── Seasonal Specials
├── Wine-Based
└── Non-Alcoholic

Adding Menu Items

Basic Item Information

For each menu item, you can specify:

• Name: The item name as it appears to customers
• Description: Detailed description including ingredients
• Price: Cost per item (supports multiple pricing tiers)
• Category: Which section of the menu this belongs to
• Availability: Whether the item is currently available

Item Details

Food Items

**Pan-Seared Salmon**
Fresh Atlantic salmon with lemon herb butter, seasonal vegetables, and wild rice pilaf
Price: $28.00
Category: Entrees > Seafood
Allergens: Fish

Cocktail Items

**Old Fashioned**
Bourbon whiskey, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, orange peel
Price: $14.00
Category: House Classics
ABV: 35%
Glassware: Rocks glass

Adding Items

1. Open the menu you want to edit
2. Click Add Item or the + button
3. Fill in the item details:
   • Item name
   • Description
   • Price
   • Category
   • Any special notes or allergen information
4. Click Save to add the item to your menu

The 86 List

The 86 list is a critical feature for tracking items that are temporarily unavailable. When you "86" an item, it immediately notifies your entire team.

How to 86 an Item

1. Navigate to the menu containing the item
2. Find the item you need to mark unavailable
3. Click the 86 button or toggle next to the item
4. Add a reason for the unavailability:
   • "Out of stock"
   • "Prep issue"
   • "Equipment problem"
   • "Seasonal unavailable"
   • Custom reason
5. The item is immediately marked as unavailable for the team

86 List Dashboard

View all currently 86'd items in one place:

• Current 86 Items: See everything that's currently unavailable
• Reason for 86: Why each item was marked unavailable
• Time 86'd: When the item was marked unavailable
• Assigned To: Who marked the item as 86'd

Restoring Items

When items become available again:

1. Go to the 86 List or find the item in its menu
2. Click Restore or toggle the availability back on
3. Add a note about the restoration (optional)
4. Team gets notified that the item is available again

Real-Time Updates

Team Notifications

When you make menu changes, your team receives instant notifications about:

• New items added to menus
• Items marked as 86'd (unavailable)
• Items restored to availability
• Price changes or menu updates
• Special announcements about menu items

Notification Types

• Push Notifications: For mobile users
• Dashboard Alerts: Visible when staff log into LQD
• Message Wall Posts: Automatic posts about menu changes

Menu Analytics

Popular Items Tracking

LQD can help you track:

• Most frequently 86'd items (potential supply chain issues)
• Items that are never unavailable (reliable menu staples)
• Seasonal availability patterns
• Team feedback on menu items

Reports Available

• 86 History Report: Track which items get 86'd most often
• Menu Performance: See which sections of your menu need attention
• Team Engagement: How quickly team members respond to menu updates

Best Practices

For Managers

1. Regular Menu Reviews: Update menus weekly or as needed
2. Proactive 86 Management: Mark items unavailable before service starts
3. Clear Descriptions: Write detailed item descriptions for staff training
4. Consistent Pricing: Keep pricing updated and consistent across all platforms
5. Seasonal Updates: Regularly refresh menus with seasonal items

For Staff

1. Check 86 List: Review unavailable items before each shift
2. Report Issues: Immediately notify management of potential 86 items
3. Know the Menu: Study item descriptions and ingredients
4. Customer Communication: Use menu information to answer customer questions

Advanced Features

Menu Versioning

LQD maintains a history of your menu changes:

• Previous Versions: Access old menu versions
• Change Tracking: See what changed and when
• Rollback Options: Restore previous menu versions if needed

Import/Export

• Import Menus: Upload menu data from spreadsheets
• Export Options: Download menus in various formats (PDF, Excel, CSV)
• Backup Functionality: Automatic menu backups

Integration Options

Connect your LQD menus with:

• POS Systems: Sync menu data with your point-of-sale system
• Website Integration: Display menus on your restaurant website
• Social Media: Share menu updates on social platforms

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Items not showing as 86'd

• Check if you have the right permissions
• Ensure you clicked "Save" after marking the item
• Verify your internet connection for real-time updates

Team not receiving notifications

• Check notification settings in user profiles
• Verify team members have the app installed and notifications enabled
• Ensure team members are assigned to the correct organization

Menu formatting issues

• Use consistent formatting for all items
• Check for special characters that might break formatting
• Ensure prices are entered in the correct format

Need more help? Contact our support team at hi@lqd.rocks