Create Your First Menu

Your menu is what customers see when they scan your QR code. CliqMenu gives you full control over how it is organised, what items are available, and what options customers can choose from. This guide walks you through building your first menu from scratch.

Start small

You do not need to add every item on day one. Start with your most popular categories and items, then expand as you get comfortable. You can always add, edit, or rearrange things later.

Step 1: Create Categories

Categories are the top-level groups that organise your menu — think Burgers, Drinks, Sides, or Desserts.

1. Go to Menu Setup in BMS.
2. Open the Categories tab.
3. Click Add Category.
4. Enter a category name (for example, "Mains").
5. Repeat for each category you need.

Categories appear in the order you create them, and you can reorder them at any time by dragging.

Step 2: Add Items

Items are the individual products within each category — the actual things your customers order.

1. Open the Items tab in Menu Setup.
2. Click Add Item.
3. Fill in the details:
   • Item name — for example, "Classic Cheeseburger"
   • Price — the base price for this item
   • Description — a short description to help customers decide (optional but recommended)
   • Image — upload a photo of the item (optional)
4. Assign the item to one or more categories.
5. Save.

Built-in image cropping

When you upload an item image, CliqMenu provides a built-in crop tool so you can frame the photo perfectly. Images are optional — items without photos still display cleanly on the customer menu.

Step 3: Create Customisations

Customisations let customers modify their order — choosing a size, adding toppings, selecting extras, or picking a side.

1. Open the Customisations tab.
2. Click Add Customisation.
3. Give it a name (for example, "Choose Your Size" or "Add Toppings").
4. Add the available options with their names and any additional price.
5. Set rules — is this required or optional? Can customers pick one or multiple options?
6. Save, then assign the customisation to the relevant items.

For example, a "Choose Your Size" customisation might have options like Small ($0), Medium (+$2), and Large (+$4). A "Toppings" customisation might let customers pick multiple extras like Bacon (+$2) or Avocado (+$1.50).

Step 4: Add Filters

Filters are dietary and allergen tags that help customers find items that suit their needs — such as Vegan, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian, or Dairy-Free.

1. Open the Filters tab.
2. Click Add Filter.
3. Select or create filter labels.
4. Assign filters to the relevant items.

Customers can then filter your menu on the ordering page to quickly find items that match their dietary requirements.

Step 5: Build a Menu

Now that you have categories, items, customisations, and filters, it is time to assemble them into a menu.

1. Open the Menus tab.
2. Click Add Menu.
3. Give your menu a name (for example, "Main Menu" or "Weekend Special").
4. Select which categories to include in this menu.
5. Save.

You can create multiple menus for different occasions — a lunch menu, a catering menu, or a seasonal special.

Step 6: Assign Menu to a Location

A menu only becomes visible to customers once it is assigned to a location.

1. Open the Locations tab (or go to your location settings).
2. Select the location where you want this menu to appear.
3. Assign your newly created menu.
4. Save.

Once assigned, any customer who scans the QR code for that location will see this menu.

Multiple locations, different menus

If you have multiple locations, you can assign different menus to each one. A food truck at a market might have a different menu than your permanent shop front.

What's Next?

Your menu is built and assigned. Before you go live, run through the Go Live Checklist to make sure everything is ready for your first customer.