What is the waiter app?
The waiter app is a mobile-friendly interface that lets your staff manage tables, take orders, and handle bill settlements directly from their phone or tablet. It's available on the Business plan and works alongside the main QuickMenu dashboard.
Waiters access the app at a dedicated URL and see only the tools they need — no access to your admin settings or menu management.
How do waiters log in?
Waiters log in using a QR code that you generate from the admin dashboard:
- Go to Settings > Waiters
- Create a new waiter profile (name and optional PIN)
- A unique login QR code is generated for each waiter
- The waiter scans the QR code with their phone to log in
This keeps authentication simple — no email or password required for staff.
How do I set up waiters?
To add and manage waiters:
- Go to Settings > Waiters
- Click Add Waiter
- Enter the waiter's name
- Optionally set a PIN for extra security
- The waiter appears in your list with a login QR code
You can edit, deactivate, or remove waiters at any time from the same page.
How are tables assigned to waiters?
Tables are organized into zones (e.g., "Terrace", "Main Hall", "Bar Area"). Each waiter can be assigned to one or more zones, and they'll only see the tables in their assigned zones.
This keeps things organized during busy shifts and ensures each section of the restaurant has clear ownership.
How do waiters create orders?
Waiters create orders through a step-by-step flow:
- Select a table from their assigned zone
- Open or continue an existing sitting for that table
- Browse the menu and add items to the order
- Optionally add notes for the kitchen
- Submit the order
Orders appear in real-time on the dashboard and can be tracked through their lifecycle.
What are order statuses?
Each order goes through these statuses:
- Pending — Order has been submitted and is waiting to be acknowledged
- Preparing — Kitchen or bar is working on the order
- Ready — Order is ready to be delivered to the table
- Delivered — Order has been brought to the customer
Waiters receive real-time notifications when orders change status, so they know exactly when food is ready.
How do I open and close a table sitting?
A sitting represents a group of customers at a table from arrival to departure:
- Opening: When a waiter selects an unoccupied table, a new sitting begins automatically with the first order
- Closing: When the guests are done, the waiter closes the sitting, which settles the bill and frees the table
All orders placed during a sitting are grouped together for billing purposes.
What real-time notifications does the waiter app provide?
The waiter app provides instant notifications for:
- New orders placed by guests from the digital menu
- Order status changes (e.g., an order is ready for delivery)
- Bill requests from customers
- New sittings opened at tables in the waiter's zone
Notifications arrive via WebSocket, so there's no need to refresh the page.
What is the notification hub?
The notification hub is a central place in the waiter app where all recent notifications are collected. Waiters can:
- See a list of all recent events
- Mark notifications as read
- Quickly navigate to the relevant table or order
This prevents missed events during busy service periods.
Can multiple waiters work at the same time?
Yes. Multiple waiters can be logged in simultaneously, each seeing their assigned zones. The system handles concurrent access, so two waiters won't conflict if they're working on different tables.
If two waiters are assigned to the same zone, they can both see and manage those tables.
Does the waiter app work on any device?
The waiter app is a responsive web application — it works on any device with a modern browser:
- Phones (iPhone, Android)
- Tablets (iPad, Android tablets)
- Laptops or desktops (for a host station)
No app store download is required. Waiters simply scan their QR code and start working.
Do I need the Business plan for the waiter app?
Yes. The waiter app, order management, and bill settlement features are all part of the Business plan. The Free and Professional plans do not include waiter functionality.
You can try Business features during your 30-day free trial.