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OwnerManagerSetup Guide

How to Set Up a Restaurant in MesaFlow

A guided checklist for owners and managers preparing a new location for daily operations.

Who can do thisRestaurant Owners and Managers.

Before you begin

  • An active MesaFlow account with Owner or Manager credentials.
  • A list of your restaurant tables and floor zones.
  • Your menu items, categories, prices, and photos.

Steps

  1. Create a table group

    Open Dashboard → Tables (`/dashboard/tables`) and press the green + next to the search icon.

    A table group is an area of the restaurant, such as Main Room, Patio or Bar. Name it and press Create. Every table belongs to a group.

    Table group chips and a group with an ADD tile and one table with its QR link
    Dashboard → Tables. The green + next to the search icon creates a table group, such as a hall or a terrace.

  2. Add your tables

    In the group, press the ADD tile once for each table.

    Each new table appears in the group with its own QR link and a COPY button.

    Table group chips and a group with an ADD tile and one table with its QR link
    Inside a group, the ADD tile creates a table. Each table gets its own QR link with a COPY button.

  3. Arrange the tables in the Scheme

    Open Dashboard → Scheme (`/dashboard/scheme`), the Restaurant Constructor.

    Place the halls and tables so they match the real room. Waiters see this layout on their floor plan, so create the tables first and arrange them here.

    The Restaurant Constructor showing halls and one table on the floor
    Dashboard → Scheme (Restaurant Constructor). Halls and tables are placed here to match the real room.

  4. Build your menu structure

    Go to Dashboard → Menu (`/dashboard/menu`).

    Create sections (Appetizers, Mains, Drinks, Desserts), add products with descriptions, set prices, and configure optional modifiers, portion sizes, and base ingredients.

    The menu editor with section chips above the product cards
    Dashboard → Menu. Sections sit in the chip row; the green + adds one.

  5. Link physical table cards

    Go to Dashboard → Cards (`/dashboard/cards`).

    Create card labels for your NFC cards and link each card to its corresponding table. You can also download or print backup QR codes here.

    Card Management grid with QR codes and an Add Card button
    Dashboard → Cards. Add Card creates a card with its QR code; Change links it to a table.

  6. Invite staff members

    In the Owner console, go to Team → People (`/owner/staff`) and click "Add staff".

    Enter each staff member’s email and assign their role (Manager, Waiter, Chef, Bartender, Cook). They will receive an invitation or temporary password to sign in.

    Owner console Team → People list with a detail panel
    Owner console → Team → People. Add staff creates a new account.

  7. Configure operational service settings

    In Settings → Service & orders (`/owner/settings`), verify your order flow preferences.

    Set whether you use a dedicated Kitchen Screen, choose Table Service or Counter Service, and set your order aging thresholds.

    Owner Settings → Service & orders with switches and thresholds
    Owner console → Settings → Service & orders. The switches and service mode sit in the first panel.

What you should see

The restaurant is fully configured with tables, menu items, staff accounts, and active table cards ready for guests.

Good to know

  • Menu changes made in the dashboard take effect immediately for all active guests and staff.
  • Ensure cards are tested at the physical tables before the venue opens for service.

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