Dine-In: Open Tabs

Summary

  • Open tabs is the ordering workflow where a customer does not need to pay upfront to create a dine-in order.  
  • Eaters can choose to select items and place an order, then iteratively continue to add items to the same order.  
  • Additionally, the operator/FOH staff can also choose to update the order if requested by the eater.  
  • At the end of the service, the customer can choose to pay and close the tab.

Features 

Merchants

  • Ability to enable or disable open tabs for dine-in orders
    Screen_Shot_2022-09-28_at_10.55.36_AM__1_.png

Process on how to enable Open Tabs:

Step Instructions Image
1. Log into the Otter Dashboard.  Screenshot 2024-05-30 015948.png
2. In the Apps menu, select Direct Orders.  Screenshot 2024-05-30 020055.png
3.

Go to the Direct Orders Settings. 

  • This will be in the top-right of the user's Direct Orders page, under the button labelled Settings and marked with a gear icon. 
 Screenshot 2024-05-30 020154.png
4. Go to the "Organization settings for all brands".  Screenshot 2024-05-30 020257.png
5. Under the section for Dine-in, go to Open tab.  Screenshot 2024-05-30 020325.png
6. Toggle Enable open tab to "On" and click "save". You're done! Screenshot 2024-05-30 020440.png

Eaters

  • As part of the Open Tabs ordering experience, eaters can:
  • Scan an ordering QR code to create a digital order
  • Create an open tab (order first, eat, pay later) workflow or pay first eat later workflow (as it is today)
  • View their open order and tab side by side
  • Add more items to their order
  • Submit additional orders to an existing tab
  • Close out their tab and pay online or in person, depending on merchant settings.
  • View any additional changes made by the operators/cooks

 

Operators/Cooks

  • As part of the Open Tabs ordering experience, OM operators and cooks can:
  • Get notified about open tab orders (created before payments)
  • Mark open orders ready/complete
  • Adjust open tab orders by adding/removing items and increasing item quantity.
  • Cancel an open tab
  • Mark open tab orders as closed (needed for offline payments)
  • View ordering timelines
  • Get alerted when a tab has been open for 2+ hours

Screen_Shot_2022-09-27_at_1.22.39_PM__1_.png

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can eaters order dine-in via QR codes? 


Yes! The dine-in fulfillment mode is divided by pickup & delivery and is only accessible by scanning a QR code. The URL of the QR code and merchant settings will determine the ordering flow. Below are the primary dine-in ordering flows:

1. Table-specific QR codes:

Screen Shot 2022-10-13 at 4.18.56 PM.png

2. Eater inputs table number:

  • Append ?fulfillment_mode=dinein or ?fulfillment_mode=dine_in and enable Table number tracking in the merchant app. Corresponding flagship here.

Screen Shot 2022-10-13 at 4.15.03 PM.png

Direct Orders (8).gif

3. No table:

  • Append ?fulfillment_mode=dinein or ?fulfillment_mode=dine_in and disable Table number tracking in the merchant app.

How do I configure payment methods per fulfillment modes?


For all brands & stores

Step Process Additional Information
1 Go to the Direct Orders page in Business Manager (manager.tryotter.com/direct-orders)  
2 Click Settings in the top-right corner  
3 In the Payment Methods section, you can choose to accept Online, In-person, or Both for Pickup, Delivery, and Dine-in Screen Shot 2022-07-07 at 3.27.55 PM.png

 

For specific brands & stores

Step Process Additional Information
1

Go to the Direct Orders page in Business Manager (manager.tryotter.com/direct-orders)

  
2 Under Brands, click View Stores to see the list of stores associated with the selected brand. Screen Shot 2022-07-07 at 3.33.31 PM (1).png
3

Click the ellipse/radio button and select Settings

 Screen Shot 2022-07-07 at 3.34.35 PM (1).png
4

Go to the Payment tab and toggle Override payment settings

  
5 In the Payment methods section, you can choose to accept Online, In-person, or Both for Pickup, Delivery, and Dine-in Screen Shot 2022-07-07 at 3.48.57 PM copy.png

 

How do I enable/disable Table Number Input for Dine-in Orders? 


For all brands & stores

Step Process Additional Information
1 Go to the Direct Orders page in Business Manager (manager.tryotter.com/direct-orders)  
2 Click Settings in the top-right corner Screen Shot 2022-07-07 at 3.23.52 PM.png
3 Click Dine-in and use the toggle to Enforce table number collection for dine-in orders for all brands & stores. Screen Shot 2022-10-19 at 2.43.07 PM.png

 

For all brands & stores

Step Process Additional Information
1 Go to the Direct Orders page in Business Manager (manager.tryotter.com/direct-orders)  
2

Under Brands, click View Stores to see the list of stores associated with the selected brand.

 Screen Shot 2022-07-07 at 3.33.31 PM (2).png
3

Click the ellipse/radio button and select Settings

 Screen Shot 2022-07-07 at 3.34.35 PM (2).png
4 Go to the Dine-in tab and toggle Override delivery settings  
5 Use the toggle to Enforce table number collection for dine-in orders for all brands & stores. Screen Shot 2022-10-19 at 2.44.24 PM.png

 

Once Open Tabs has been activated, can it be de-activated?


Yes! Simply switch the Open tab toggle to "Off", and Open Tabs will be disabled instantly. 

If you need additional help or information, you can contact support via the following:

  • Chat - Our live agents are available 24/7 to help you through your Otter device. Tap the chat button on the top right corner of the home screen.
  • SMS/Text or Telephone - Send us a text or give us a call anytime at 1-888-681-8837 for prompt service from our support experts.

Updated

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