Getting Started with TypeMenu
Welcome to TypeMenu! This guide will walk you through setting up your restaurant for online ordering. Follow these steps to get your menu live and start accepting orders from customers.
Welcome to TypeMenu! This guide will walk you through setting up your restaurant for online ordering. Follow these steps to get your menu live and start accepting orders from customers.
Before You Begin
When you create a TypeMenu account, you’ll start with a 14-day free trial that gives you full access to all platform features. This allows you to explore and set up your restaurant without any commitment.
What You’ll Need
- Business information: Name, address, phone number
- Menu details: Categories, products, prices, and descriptions
- Opening hours: When your restaurant accepts orders
- Photos (optional but recommended): Images of your dishes
Setup Checklist
Follow these steps in order to get your restaurant ready for customers:
Step 1: Create Your Location
Your location is where customers will order from. This includes your address and opening hours.
- Go to Locations in the main navigation
- Click “Add Location”
- Enter your details:
- Location name (e.g., “Main Branch” or your restaurant name)
- Full address with postcode
- Phone number for this location
- Set your opening hours:
- Configure hours for each day of the week
- Set different hours for delivery vs. collection if needed
- Save your location
Tip: If you have multiple branches, you can add each one as a separate location. Multi-location support is available on Enterprise plans.
For more details, see the Locations Guide.
Step 2: Set Up Delivery Zones
If you offer delivery, you’ll need to define where you deliver to.
- Go to your Location and click “Manage Zones”
- Create a delivery zone by drawing on the map
- Set zone details:
- Zone name (e.g., “Local Area”, “Extended Zone”)
- Delivery fee
- Minimum order value
- Estimated delivery time
- Save your zone
You can create multiple zones with different fees and minimum orders for different areas.
For more details, see the Delivery Zones Guide.
Step 3: Create Categories
Categories organise your menu and help customers find what they’re looking for.
- Go to Menu > Categories
- Click “Add Category”
- Enter category details:
- Category name (e.g., “Starters”, “Main Courses”, “Desserts”, “Drinks”)
- Optional description
- Save and repeat for all your menu sections
Suggested categories:
- Starters / Appetisers
- Main Courses
- Sides
- Desserts
- Drinks
- Specials
For more details, see the Categories Guide.
Step 4: Create Modifiers (Optional)
Modifiers let customers customise their orders with options like sizes, toppings, or sides.
- Go to Menu > Modifiers
- Click “Add Modifier Group”
- Configure the group:
- Group name (e.g., “Size”, “Extra Toppings”, “Spice Level”)
- Selection rules (how many options can be chosen)
- Individual modifier options with prices
Common modifier examples:
- Size: Small, Medium, Large
- Extras: Extra cheese (+£1.50), Bacon (+£2.00)
- Sides: Chips, Rice, Salad
- Spice level: Mild, Medium, Hot
For more details, see the Modifiers Guide.
Step 5: Add Your Products
Now add your menu items with prices and descriptions.
- Go to Menu > Products
- Click “Add Product”
- Enter product details:
- Product name
- Description (what’s included, ingredients)
- Category assignment
- Price
- Photo (recommended)
- Attach modifiers if the product has customisation options
- Set allergen information if applicable
- Save and repeat for all menu items
Tips for great product listings:
- Write clear, appetising descriptions
- Include key ingredients
- Use high-quality photos
- Set competitive prices
For more details, see the Products Guide.
Step 6: Configure Ordering Settings
Set up how customers can order from you.
- Go to Settings → Ordering — all ordering settings are on a single page with collapsible sections:
- Store Status: Enable ordering and set store mode
- Fulfilment: Enable delivery, collection, or both; guest checkout; auto-confirm
- Timing & Scheduling: ASAP orders, scheduled orders, preparation times
- Order Numbers: Customise order number format (if available on your plan)
- Menu Display: Enable deals page, featured products, allergens page
- Save each section after making changes
For more details, see the Ordering Settings Guide.
Step 7: Set Up Payment Methods
Configure how customers can pay for their orders.
- Go to Payments
- Enable payment methods:
- Cash on delivery/collection: Accept cash payments
- Card payments: Connect your Stripe account for card payments
- Complete Stripe setup if accepting card payments:
- Click “Connect with Stripe”
- Follow the onboarding process
- Verify your business details
For more details, see the Payments Guide.
Step 8: Configure Notifications
Set up how you and your customers receive updates about orders.
- Go to Settings → Notifications
- Customer Notifications section: Configure order confirmation emails and SMS
- My Notifications section: Set up toast notifications, audible alerts, and browser notifications
For more details, see the Notifications Guide.
Step 9: Customise Your Storefront
Make your online menu reflect your brand.
- Go to Settings → Online Store — all storefront settings are on a single page with collapsible sections:
- Branding: Upload your logo, set colours, and choose typography
- Hero & Layout: Configure your hero image, menu layout, and promotional bar
- SEO & Social: Optimise for search engines and social sharing
- Domain: Set up your custom domain
- Legal Pages: Add privacy policy and terms of service
- Save each section and preview on your live storefront
For more details, see the Branding Guide.
Step 10: Go Live
When you’re ready to start accepting orders:
- Go to Settings → Ordering
- Open the Store Status section
- Enable “Store accepts Orders” to allow customers to place orders
- Set “Store Mode” to “Live” for real orders (use “Test” while trialling)
- Test your setup by placing a test order
- Share your ordering link with customers
Your storefront URL: yourbusiness.typemenu.com
For a custom domain, see the Domain Settings Guide.
After Going Live
Monitor Your Orders
- Dashboard: View real-time performance metrics
- Orders: Track and manage incoming orders
- Kitchen Display: Use the kitchen screen for order management
Choose a Plan
Your 14-day free trial includes all features. Before it expires:
- Go to Billing and click the Plans tab (or Subscription for current plan details)
- Compare available plans and features
- Select the plan that fits your needs
- Complete payment to continue using TypeMenu
For plan details, see the Plans & Subscription Guide.
Quick Reference
| Task | Where to Find It |
|---|---|
| Manage orders | Orders in main navigation |
| Update menu | Menu > Products |
| Change prices | Edit individual products |
| View performance | Dashboard |
| Manage team | Settings → Team |
| Update hours | Locations > Edit Location |
| Set holidays | Locations > Holidays |
| View customers | Customers in main navigation |
Quick Tip: Global Search
Use Cmd+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows/Linux) to open the global search. You can quickly jump to any page, setting, or feature—just type what you’re looking for. Handy when you need to find a specific setting without clicking through the menu.
Getting Help
Documentation
Browse our knowledge base articles for detailed guides on every feature.
Support
- Email: Contact our support team for assistance
- Setup help: We can help you migrate your menu or configure complex settings
Common Questions
How do I update my menu? Go to Menu > Products to add, edit, or remove items. Changes appear on your storefront immediately.
How do I change my opening hours? Go to Locations, edit your location, and update the opening hours section.
How do I set up a holiday closure? Go to Locations > Holidays and add your closure dates. See the Locations Guide for details.
How do I view my orders? Click Orders in the main navigation to see all incoming and past orders.
How do I add team members? Go to Settings → Team to invite staff with appropriate permissions. See the User Management Guide.
Remember: Start simple and expand over time. You can always add more categories, products, and features as your business grows. The most important thing is getting your core menu online so customers can start ordering!