Getting Started with OrderNow

This guide walks you through the essential steps to set up OrderNow for your restaurant. By the end, you'll have a working system ready to accept customer orders.

::: note Prerequisites: Before starting, ensure you have:

• A registered OrderNow account (see User Registration)
• Administrator access to your license
• Basic information about your restaurant (name, address, menu items) :::

Setup Overview

The setup process follows these stages:

1. Create your administrator account
2. Set up your restaurant location
3. Configure your menu
4. Add staff members
5. Set up tables and QR codes
6. Configure printers (optional but recommended)

Step 1: Create Your Administrator Account

The first user to set up OrderNow should be an administrator with full system access.

1. Go to the OrderNow login page
2. Click "Create an Account" or "Sign in with Google"
3. Complete the registration process
4. Verify your email address (if using email registration)

TIP

Tip: Using Google authentication is faster and eliminates the need to remember another password.

Detailed Guide: User Registration and Management

Step 2: Set Up Your Restaurant Location

Locations represent physical restaurant venues. Even if you have only one restaurant, you need to create it as a location in OrderNow.

1. Log in as an administrator
2. Navigate to Admin → Locations
3. Click the "+" (Add Location) button
4. Enter your restaurant details:

Field	What to Enter
Name	Your restaurant's display name
Address	Full street address
Phone	Contact number for this location
Email	Location contact email
Timezone	Select your local timezone

5. Assign a Configuration (menu setup) to your location
6. Click Save

::: note Configuration: A "configuration" defines your menu, pricing, and settings. You can use the default configuration or create a custom one for this location. :::

Detailed Guide: Managing Locations

Step 3: Configure Your Menu

Now it's time to add your food and drink items to the system.

1. Go to Admin → Configurations
2. Select your location's configuration
3. Click "Edit Items" to add individual menu items
4. For each item, specify:
   • Name and description
   • Price
   • Category/allergens
   • Image (optional but recommended)
5. Click "Edit Menu" to organize items into pages (categories)
6. Create pages like "Appetizers," "Main Courses," "Beverages"
7. Drag items to the appropriate pages

TIP

Time-Saver: Use the "Generate Pages with AI" feature to quickly create a menu structure based on your restaurant type.

Detailed Guide: Menu Management

Step 4: Add Staff Members

Add your team members and assign appropriate permissions.

1. Navigate to Admin → Users
2. Click "Add User"
3. Enter the staff member's email address
4. Assign a role:

Role	Access Level
Administrator	Full system access, can manage other users and settings
Manager	Can manage orders, view reports, limited settings access
Staff/Waiter	Can process orders, manage tables, view assigned locations

5. Assign to specific locations
6. The user will receive an invitation email

::: note Self-Registration: Staff can also register themselves at the login page. As an administrator, you'll then need to assign them to your license and location. :::

Detailed Guide: User Registration and Management

Step 5: Set Up Tables and QR Codes

Create tables and generate the QR codes customers will scan.

1. Go to the Tables view from the main menu
2. Click "Add Table"
3. Enter a table number (e.g., "1", "A5", "Patio-3")
4. Click the QR code icon next to the table
5. Print the QR code and place it on the table

WARNING

Important: Each QR code is unique to a specific table. Never reuse QR codes between tables or locations.

Detailed Guide: Table Setup & Session Management

Step 6: Configure Printers (Optional)

Set up kitchen and bar printers to automatically print incoming orders.

1. Ensure the Reference Client software is running
2. Go to Admin → Printer Management
3. Wait for printers to be discovered
4. Create printer groups (e.g., "Kitchen", "Bar")
5. Assign printers to groups
6. Test print to verify connectivity

Detailed Guide: Printer Setup & Management

First Day Checklist

Before going live with customers:

• All menu items added with correct prices
• Menu organized into logical categories
• Allergen information set for applicable items
• Tables created and QR codes printed
• QR codes tested with a smartphone
• Staff trained on basic operations
• Printers configured and tested (if using)
• Telegram notifications set up (optional)
• Backup plan in place (printed menus for tech failures)

Next Steps

After initial setup, explore these features to get the most from OrderNow:

• Banners & Promotions — Highlight specials and deals
• Telegram Integration — Get order notifications on your phone
• Customer Reviews — Collect and analyze feedback
• Dashboard & Analytics — Track your restaurant's performance

Getting Help

If you encounter issues during setup:

• Check the detailed guides linked in each step above
• Verify you're using the correct user role (administrator for setup)
• Contact your OrderNow support representative
• Join the OrderNow community forum for tips from other restaurant owners

TIP

Success Tip: Start with a simple menu and a few tables. You can always expand and refine your setup after going live. The goal is to get comfortable with the basic workflow first.