How to Create a New Menu Category

This guide will walk you through creating a new category (like "Appetizers," "Lunch Specials," or "Desserts") in your iMenu360 menu.

1. Log in to your Restaurant Manager Portal.

2. From the main navigation menu on the left, click the "Restaurant" dropdown.

3. Select "Menu Manager." This will display your restaurant's menus.

4. Find the menu you want to edit and click the blue "CATEGORIES" button associated with it.

5. On the top right corner of the Categories page, click the blue "+ CREATE CATEGORY" button.

A window titled "Create Category" will appear. Fill out the following fields:

• Category Name

  • What to enter: The name of your new category as you want it to appear to customers (e.g., "Lunch Specials," "Chef's Recommendations").

  • Note: This is a required field.

• Description

  • What to enter: An optional description for the category. This can help customers understand the theme of the items in this section.

  • Note: The field has a maximum of 255 characters.

• Select Portion Sizes

  • What it means: This allows you to set standard portion sizes (e.g., Small, Medium, Large) that will apply to all items you add to this category. This ensures consistency and simplifies item setup.

  • What to do: Use the dropdown menus to select existing sizes like "SML," "MED," and "LRG." You can add new custom portion sizes in the list settings if needed.

• Open Time & Close Time

  • What it means: This controls the specific hours when this category (and all items within it) will be available for ordering.

  • What to do:

    • For an all-day category (like "Appetizers"), leave the default times (12:00 AM to 12:00 AM).

    • For a time-specific category (like "Lunch" or "Breakfast"), set the specific window (e.g., Open: 10:00 AM, Close: 2:00 PM).

• Display Sequence

  • What it means: This number determines the order in which categories appear on your menu. A lower number appears first.

  • What to do: Enter a number (e.g., 1 for the top of the menu, 10 for the bottom where desserts and drinks often are).

• Status

  • What it means: This controls the visibility of the category.

  • What to do:

    • Active: Makes the category visible and live on your menu.

    • InActive: Hides the category from customers without deleting it.

    • Deleted: Permanently removes the category.

1. Once all settings are configured, click the blue "CREATE" button.

2. You can now begin adding menu items to your new category.

3. Crucially, after making any menu changes, you must click the blue "SAVE" button for the menu, and then click "UPDATE WEBSITE" on the main dashboard to publish all changes and make them live for your customers.