# Build the menu for a location

For the location manager or menu lead. **Console: Settings → Location settings →
Ordering → Menus.** Check the working location first. This page arranges
existing business catalogue items into the menus used at this location.

## Create and populate

1. Select **Add menu**, enter the menu name, and select **Create**.
2. Open it and check **Menu name**, guest-facing **Display name**, description,
   active state, and **Order types**.
3. Select **Add section**. Name it, add its description if needed, and check its
   order types. The item must also permit the same order type.
4. Select **Add item** in the section. Search for an existing catalogue item;
   use the create option only for a genuinely new product.
5. Arrange items and sections in the required order. Choose **List** for the
   item list or **POS** to review the till layout.
6. Select **Save changes**, wait for **Saved**, and reopen to verify the menu.

**Remove from this section** removes that placement, not the business catalogue
item. A **Missing or deleted item** needs review: remove the broken placement or
add the intended existing item. Do not recreate an entire menu to fix one link.

## Check time and ordering channel

Use **Custom schedule → Add schedule** on the menu or section when it should be
offered only at set times. Check its schedule together with the menu, section,
and item's order types. Test at the intended local service time and channel; an
active item can still be unavailable because another level excludes it.

**Build with CoPilot** can help draft a menu from images or text. Review the
resulting items, choices, prices, categories, schedules, and product information
before relying on it for service. A generated draft does not verify kitchen
facts.

## Arrange the till grid

In **POS**, check the displayed screen dimensions. **Add spacer** provides:

| Spacer      | Effect                                     |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Gap         | One empty button position                  |
| Row break   | Next item starts on a new row              |
| Push to end | Remaining items sit at the end of the grid |

A spacer may have no effect for a particular screen size. Inspect the preview
and adjust its position or type. Save the menu and check the actual device
layout before service; a phone and tablet may show different arrangements.

## Change availability during service

The location item row distinguishes **In stock**, **Sold out**, and whether the
restriction came from a countdown or a manual decision. The sold-out change
applies immediately to tills and kiosks; it does not need **Save changes** on
the menu. Menu structure and schedule edits do need saving.

Use [Menu countdowns](/guides/item-countdowns-auto-86) for portions left. Do not
clear a manual quality hold merely because a service count is positive. A zero
countdown needs replenishment or a checked count, not a cosmetic status change.
**Move sold-out items to the end** changes their till ordering within a section.

## Fix a missing or incorrect item

Check location, saved placement, active state, order types, schedule, staff-only
restriction, and countdown/manual availability. Check the business item for its
price and option groups. When the page says the referenced items could not load,
**Try again**; it states that the saved menu has not been changed. Preserve that
menu rather than replacing it with an empty one.

After an uncertain save, reopen the same menu before retrying. Escalate with
location, menu, section, item, device/channel, time, expected result, and error.