A restaurant can have several menus: one for first-party ordering in Direct Ordering, and a different one for third-party ordering platforms.

Menu Options

There are two main options:

1. Use one menu for all third-party partners and first-party ordering.
   This requires that all menu items, modifiers, specials, and menu hours stay the same across all platforms at all times.
2. Use one menu for third-party partners and a separate menu for first-party ordering.
   This allows full customization of menu items, modifiers, specials, and menu hours for first-party versus third-party. Both menu sets must exist separately in the POS system so that Checkmate can set up 1-to-1 mapping, sending one menu to the third-party partners and the other menu to the Direct Ordering portal.

Selecting and Reviewing the Menu

The specific menu synced with Direct Ordering is selected during the onboarding process. Both the dedicated Direct Ordering menu and the third-party ordering menu can be accessed in the restaurant's Checkmate Portal. Once the desired menu is synced with Direct Ordering, it can be reviewed in the Direct Ordering Admin Panel under the Menus tab.

Reasons to Use Separate Menus

A restaurant might use different menus for first-party ordering and third-party (delivery app) ordering for several reasons. The following are a few of the many considerations a restaurant operator takes into account:

• Pricing control: Third-party delivery apps often charge fees, and those fees may be passed on to customers through higher prices. A separate menu for third-party orders allows prices to be adjusted for those fees without affecting the prices for customers who order directly.
• Promotions and discounts: Separate promotions and specials can be offered to guests who order directly, which encourages first-party ordering.
• Menu optimization: Some menu items do not travel as well as others. A dedicated third-party ordering menu allows the menu to be optimized for the best guest experience.
• Hours: When Checkmate ingests the chosen first-party menu (from the POS system for stores using Direct Sync, or built manually by the Checkmate Onboarding Team), menu availability hours are set per menu, not per ordering partner. For first-party hours to differ from third-party partner hours, the menus must be unique.
• Branding: A specific branding can be used on the Direct Ordering platform that is cohesive across all channels and media, providing a unique experience for guests who order directly.
• Customer relationships and data collection: Direct orders build a direct relationship with customers, and the data collected from direct orders is valuable for marketing. A separate menu for first-party orders supports both.
• Profit margins: Third-party delivery commissions can be costly. Adjusting menu pricing and encouraging guests to use first-party ordering helps maintain profit margins.