Happy hour is a fantastic way to draw in customers during off-peak times with special pricing and deals. However, managing a happy hour menu that needs to change back to the regular menu can be challenging without the right tools. Toast POS simplifies this process, allowing you to set up a happy hour menu that automatically disappears outside of happy hour hours. Here's how to do it:
Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Your Happy Hour Menu
1. Access the Toast Admin Dashboard
First, log in to your Toast account and navigate to the admin dashboard. This is where you'll set up and manage all your menus.
2. Create a New Menu Group
- Go to Menus in the dashboard.
- Click Add Menu Group to create a new menu specifically for your happy hour items.
- Name this menu group “Happy Hour.”
3. Add Menu Items to the Happy Hour Menu Group
- Within your Happy Hour menu group, click Add Menu Item.
- Enter the details for each item, including name, description, and special happy hour pricing.
- Make sure to save each item after entering the information.
4. Set Time-Specific Availability
- Once all your happy hour items are added, navigate to the Schedule tab.
- Click Add Schedule and set the days and times your happy hour will be active.
- For example, if your happy hour is from 4 PM to 6 PM, set these hours in the scheduler.
- Repeat for each day your happy hour is offered.
5. Assign the Happy Hour Menu to Your Restaurant’s Terminals
- Go to Device Setup in the admin dashboard.
- Select the terminals that will use the happy hour menu.
- Assign the Happy Hour menu group to these terminals during the scheduled hours.
6. Test Your Menu Setup
- It’s crucial to test the menu to ensure it appears and disappears at the correct times.
- Simulate the happy hour times to verify that the special menu items are available only during the designated hours.
- Check that the regular menu automatically reappears once happy hour ends.
7. Staff Training and Communication
- Inform your staff about the new happy hour setup.
- Train them on how to navigate the happy hour menu on the terminals.
- Ensure they know the happy hour times and any specific details about the menu items.
8. Monitor and Adjust as Needed
- After launching your happy hour menu, monitor its performance.
- Gather feedback from staff and customers.
- Make adjustments to the menu items, pricing, or availability schedule as necessary.
Benefits of Using Toast POS for Happy Hour Management
1. Increased Efficiency
With the automatic switching of menus, staff can focus more on customer service rather than manually changing menus.
2. Consistent Customer Experience
Customers will always see the correct menu for the time of day, enhancing their dining experience and reducing confusion.
3. Boosted Sales
Happy hour promotions can effectively draw in more customers during slow periods, increasing overall sales and profitability.
4. Easy Adjustments
Need to change a price or add a new item? Toast POS allows for quick updates that reflect immediately on your menus.
By leveraging Toast POS's capabilities, setting up and managing a happy hour menu becomes a seamless and hassle-free process. Enjoy the benefits of happy hour promotions without the usual operational headaches.
