How to set up your Takeaway module?

In this article, you’ll find the steps to activate, configure, and publish your Zenchef Takeaway module to offer takeout to your customers.


Summary

  1. Create Takeout Menus and Dishes
  2. Set Up Takeaway Services and Settings
  3. Manage Product Stock and Activate Products on Services
  4. Customize the Takeaway Module
  5. Install Your New Takeaway Module
  6. Receive Your Orders
  7. Common Cases & FAQs
  8. Support & Related Articles


What you need to know

You’re here because you want to use the Takeaway module with Zenchef.
Before you begin, a few points to note:
  • The Zenchef Takeaway module does not handle VAT for you (for now) and does not issue invoices to your clients. Remember to provide a receipt to your customer. The Zenchef module lets you select and pay for products online, just like a payment terminal.

  • If you want your customers to pay online when ordering, and haven’t already done so, set up your Stripe account as described here.


Step 1: Create Takeout Menus and Dishes


Step 2: Set Up Your Takeaway Services and Settings

  • Go to Settings > Pay > Takeaway  > Widget

  • Check the settings. We strongly recommend enabling "Orders automatic confirmation".

  • Once you’ve saved your settings, go to Settings > Pay > Takeaway > Schedule

  • Click "+ New" at the top right.

  • You can create as many services as you like: Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, etc.

  • Choose active days, order periods (start and end times), minimum and maximum items per order, and max orders per 15-minute slot.

  • Set a preparation time if needed for each pickup period.

  • Enable online payment for orders (strongly recommended).

  • In advanced settings, close specific slots or customize them (e.g. change max orders per slot).

  • Save.

  • Repeat if needed for all your takeout services.

You now have products to sell and services to sell them on, now you need to link the two.


Step 3: Manage Product Stock and Activate Products on Services

  • Go to Settings > Pay > Takeaway > Stock Management

  • There are two options:

    • Simple & quick version: To activate all products on all services with unlimited availability (within the limits set in your services), enable "Activate quick configuration (Unlimited availabilities)".

    • Advanced version: Disable "Activate quick configuration (Unlimited availabilities)". Then, lower on the page, you’ll see each product you created in Step 1.

  • For each product, click the icon on the right.

  • Set the days when the product is available.

  • Select the services where the product is available, and the stock per service if needed.

  • Save and repeat for each product.


Step 4: Customize the Takeaway Module

To preview your Takeaway module, get its link from the Widget tab in your Zenchef account.
We can change the background image at the top of the module, just email your preferred image (landscape format) to help@zenchef.com.


Step 5: Install Your New Takeaway Module

  • If you have a Zensite (Zenchef-built website), a button should have appeared to offer takeout (or will appear within the hour).

  • If you have a non-Zenchef website, create a new button or tab and link it to the Takeaway link found in the Widget page of your account.


Step 6: Receive Your Orders

Your Takeaway module is now live and available to your customers. You’ll receive orders in the "Takeaway" (Pay > Shop > Takeaway) tab of your Zenchef account.
There, you’ll find a daily table with:
  • the customer’s name

  • the desired pickup time

  • order status

  • item details

  • payment info (if requested)


7. Common Cases & FAQs

Common Cases

  • I don’t offer the same menu for takeout as in the restaurant. You can create a menu dedicated to Takeaway, or use your restaurant menu and filter items for takeout.

  • No slot is available on my Takeaway module. Make sure you created your takeout services in the Takeaway section. These are different from table booking services.

  • A product is not available for customers to order.
    Check Settings > Pay > Takeaway > Stock Management and make sure the product is activated for the relevant service, day, and time period. Also check that there is enough stock available.

  • Customers cannot place an order for a specific time.
    Check the service schedule, order periods, preparation time, and maximum number of orders allowed per 15-minute slot.

  • I want to stop taking orders temporarily.
    You can close specific time slots or adjust the availability of your Takeaway services from the Schedule settings.

FAQs

  • Do customers have to pay online? You can choose to enable or disable online payment. If not enabled, customers pay on site.

  • Can I limit the number of orders I receive? Yes. You can set a maximum number of orders per 15-minute slot for each Takeaway service.


8. Support & Related Articles

Contact our support team For help, contact Zenchef support via the Chatbot in your client area or visit our Help Center.