Nested options are options within options: a way to layer menu customizations so guests can customize an item without you building dozens of near-duplicate items. Owner supports up to 3 layers.
What nested options are
For example, instead of separate items like "Pizza - 12 inch", "Pizza - 16 inch", and "Pizza - 18 inch", you can create one Pizza item with Size as an option group, and nest Toppings under each size.
Here's how it works:
Item: Cheese Pizza đ
Option Group: Size
Option: Small
Nested Option Group: Toppings (Sausage, Onions, Spinach)
Option: Medium
Nested Option Group: Toppings (Sausage, Onions, Spinach)
Option: Large
Nested Option Group: Toppings (Sausage, Onions, Spinach)
You could even add another layer underneath Onions called "Amount" with options like "Light" and "Heavy".
For step-by-step instructions, see Set up nested options.
When to use nested options
Pizzerias (most common)
If you run a pizzeria, you'll likely use nested options. If your menu has items that only differ by size, consolidate them. For example, these six items:
Small Cheese Pizza
Medium Cheese Pizza
Large Cheese Pizza
Small Pepperoni Pizza
Medium Pepperoni Pizza
Large Pepperoni Pizza
...can be 2 items (Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza) with Size as a nested option group.
Other restaurants
Any menu with duplicate items in the format [Customization] - [Item Name] can be consolidated too. For example, a breakfast menu with:
American Cheese Omelette
Mushroom Omelette
Cheese Steak Omelette
Smoked Bacon Omelette
...can be one Omelette item with the fillings in an option group called Add-Ons or Fillings.
Limitations and good to know
POS compatibility:
Toast or Otter: supported, but the whole setup must be done in the POS menu, not the Owner Dashboard.
Square and Clover: not supported.
No POS: supported.
Brand menus: nested options don't work on brand menu templates. Create them on location-specific menus that aren't connected to a brand template.
Coupons: item-specific coupons (item-percent and item-fixed) discount the item's full line cost, which is the base price plus every selected option and nested option. For example, a 10% item coupon on a $1.00 item with a $1.00 option discounts $0.20, not $0.10.
â ď¸ Never set an item's base price to $0.00. Every item should have a base price; a $0.00 base makes for a confusing guest experience.