Your menu is what customers see first, so setting it up clearly and completely helps you get found and get ordered from. This guide walks you through creating categories, adding items, packs, and options in the Chowdeck Business app.
Where do I find my menu items?
Open the Chowdeck Business app.
Tap Products.
Tap Manage inventory.
This opens your Menu. Your menu items are on the Items tab, with each item's photo, name, price, and whether it's In stock or Out of stock. The other tabs at the top are Categories, Chowsmart, Option Groups, Option Items and Packs. Swipe the tabs sideways to see all of them.
How do I create menu items
Step 1: Create menu categories
Before adding items, organize them into categories (e.g. Rice, Drinks, Mains).
In the app, tap Products, then tap Manage inventory to open your Menu.
Tap the Categories tab.
Tap the + button at the top of the screen to add a new category.
Enter a category name and save.
Repeat for all the categories you need.
Step 2: Add menu items
Once your categories are ready, start adding items:
Tap Products, then tap Manage inventory.
On the Items tab, tap the + button at the top right.
Select the category the item belongs to.
Fill in the required fields:
Category
Name (e.g. Jollof Rice)
Description (highlight key ingredients clearly, and avoid vague terms like "tasty" or "delicious")
Image (must reflect the actual serving, so make it clear, well-lit, and accurate)
Price
Make sure the item is switched to In stock if it's currently available, then tap Save to add it to your menu.
To update an item later, mark it in or out of stock, or delete it, see the sections below.
Step 3: Add packs (containers)
If packaging costs are separate from the item price:
Open the Packs tab and tap the + button.
Enter a name for the pack (e.g. "Medium Container") and its price, then save.
When you add or edit a menu item, choose the relevant pack for it.
To change a pack, tap Edit beside it. To remove a pack, tap the red minus icon.
Step 4: Add option groups and option items
Menu customization is organized into two tabs:
Option Groups are the type of choice you want customers to make when they order an item, for example size, toppings or spice level.
Option Items are the choices customers can select from, for example Small, Medium or Large.
To add an option item:
Open the Option Items tab and tap Add your first option item, or tap the + button at the top.
Enter a Name (e.g. Spicy) and a Price (e.g. 500).
Or, instead of entering a name and price, use Create from existing menu items to select one or more items you already have and turn them into option items.
Leave Mark in stock switched on if the option is available.
Tap Create option item.
To add an option group, open the Option Groups tab and tap Add your first option group, or tap the + button at the top. Name the group (e.g. Size), choose the option items that belong in it, and attach the group to the menu items it applies to.
Note: an option item created from an existing menu item can't be edited directly. To change it, you'll need to update the original menu item instead.
How do I mark an item as in stock or out of stock?
Tap Products, then Manage inventory, and open the Items tab.
Tick the box beside each item you want to update. To select every item in the category, tap Select all.
Tap the button at the bottom of the screen. The green button, for example Mark 7 in stock, marks the out-of-stock items you've selected as in stock. The red button, for example Mark 1 out of stock, marks the in-stock items you've selected as out of stock. The number shows how many of your selected items the button applies to.
Each item in your list shows whether it is In stock or Out of stock, so you can check at a glance.
How do I edit a menu item?
Tap Products, then Manage inventory, and open the Items tab.
Tap the arrow on the right of the item to expand it.
Tap Edit.
Change the item's price, description or picture, or any of its other details.
Tap Save for your changes to show on your menu.
How do I delete a menu item?
Tap Products, then Manage inventory, and open the Items tab.
Tap the arrow on the right of the item to expand it.
Tap the red bin icon beside Edit.
If you only want to stop customers ordering an item for a while, mark it as out of stock instead of deleting it.
Why can't I mark an item as In stock?
If an item has a required option attached, for example a packaging option, it can't be switched to In stock while every option in that group is out of stock.
First go to the option and mark it back in stock, then mark the menu item in stock. Marking the option in stock doesn't restore the menu items on its own, so you'll still need to switch the items back to In stock.
If you've actually run out of the option, for example packaging, restock it before turning it back on.
Guide to creating a great menu on Chowdeck
To attract more orders and reduce customer confusion, make sure your menu is clear, visually appealing, and easy to navigate:
Use high-quality, realistic photos. Customers choose with their eyes, so upload appetizing, accurate images of your products.
Write concise, specific descriptions. Highlight key ingredients and flavors rather than vague terms like "tasty" or "delicious."
Organize by category. Group items into clear sections like Main Dishes, Pastries, or Drinks.
Enable customization. Let customers personalize meals with option groups (e.g. toppings or spice levels).
Disclose allergens or dietary info. List common allergens like nuts or dairy when relevant.
Keep your menu updated. Regularly review availability and pricing so your menu reflects what's actually on offer.