Menu item availability updates in POS and website

Purpose

1.1. Automate real-time synchronization of menu item availability between POS and website for accurate customer-facing inventory.
1.2. Prevent orders for unavailable dishes, reduce manual updates, and enhance guest satisfaction.
1.3. Centralize menu status tracking for kitchen, staff, and online channels.
1.4. Enable dynamic updates during peak hours to reflect actual kitchen stock and daily changes.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Manual item 86’d or stock change in POS system.
2.2. Scheduled batch updates from inventory reduction.
2.3. API event/webhook from kitchen management software.
2.4. Low stock threshold alert from inventory module.
2.5. Direct managerial override for menu blackout or daily specials.

Platform Variants

3.1. Square POS
- Feature/Setting: Inventory Webhooks; configure webhook on “item stock changed” event for menu items.

3.2. Toast POS
- Feature/Setting: Inventory Management API; subscribe to “MenuItems.status” for automatic status updates.

3.3. Lightspeed Restaurant
- Feature/Setting: Real-time Inventory Integration API; enable update notifications for item status changes.

3.4. Clover POS
- Feature/Setting: Inventory Items API POST/PATCH endpoint; sync availability updates to website plugin.

3.5. Revel Systems
- Feature/Setting: Inventory WebService API; set trigger on “item availability modified” event.

3.6. Upserve POS
- Feature/Setting: API InventoryStatusChanged webhook; forward status to website CMS.

3.7. Shopify
- Feature/Setting: Inventory Level webhook; trigger update on “inventory_levels/update”.

3.8. WooCommerce
- Feature/Setting: WooCommerce REST API PUT “products/{id}”; sync stock/availability from POS.

3.9. GloriaFood
- Feature/Setting: Menu API endpoint PUT; update “availability” property from external sync.

3.10. ChowNow
- Feature/Setting: Partner API - PATCH /menu/items; auto-update status from POS events.

3.11. OpenTable
- Feature/Setting: Guest Center API; link item status with reservation and ordering module.

3.12. Uber Eats
- Feature/Setting: Menu API PATCH /v2/menus/items; update based on in-house inventory webhook.

3.13. DoorDash
- Feature/Setting: Store Menu API; configure “is_available” flag sync from POS.

3.14. Menulog
- Feature/Setting: Partner Menu API; PATCH item availability on order apps.

3.15. Wix Restaurants
- Feature/Setting: Wix Restaurant Menus API PATCH; item “available” status update on menu.

3.16. SquareSpace
- Feature/Setting: Orders API with Inventory Sync extension; propagate item stock to frontend.

3.17. Zapier
- Feature/Setting: Multi-platform connector; trigger chain on “inventory changed” event.

3.18. Make (formerly Integromat)
- Feature/Setting: Scenario; HTTP module to receive POS webhook and PATCH website catalog item status.

3.19. Google Sheets
- Feature/Setting: Scripts/AppScript; on form submission, trigger outbound webhook to menu database.

3.20. Microsoft Power Automate
- Feature/Setting: Automated flow with “When an HTTP request is received”; update website or POS via linked connectors.

Benefits

4.1. Ensures menu displayed to guests is always accurate.
4.2. Eliminates dual entry and reduces staff workload.
4.3. Prevents customer dissatisfaction from ordering unavailable items.
4.4. Improves kitchen workflow efficiency and communication.
4.5. Enables seamless multi-channel updates for in-store and delivery partners.
4.6. Supports regulatory compliance for allergy/stock notices where required.
4.7. Increases revenue by maximizing available menu sales and limiting “out-of-stock” penalties.
4.8. Scales across multiple locations with centralized control.
4.9. Provides audit trail of menu changes.
4.10. Enhances brand trust by eliminating disappointing customer experiences.