Charges Overview
A charge is a named order-level fee your store adds on top of items — for example a service charge, corkage, or rush fee. Charges are a core (ungated) capability: every plan can create and apply them.
Charges are not tax, discounts, or gift cards. Tax is a separate Starter+ (and free-trial) feature. Discounts reduce the price. Gift cards are a paid add-on. Delivery fee is not a charge — it is configured separately (for example in Preferences / service modes). The old Preferences “service fee” setting was removed; use a charge catalog row instead.
Why Use Charges
- Named fees on receipts — customers see “Service charge” or “Corkage,” not a mystery total.
- Auto-apply — apply a charge to every qualifying order (or only certain service modes).
- Manual and custom — cashiers can toggle catalog charges per order or add a one-off custom charge on the register.
- Templates — some business-type templates seed a default charge (for example a 10% service charge on full-service restaurants). Charges work on every plan, including free Basic; you can edit or remove a seeded charge anytime.
How Charges Work
- You manage a Charges catalog under Configurations (Payments & Tax area).
- On the POS Register summary, open Charges to apply, exclude, or add a custom charge for that order.
- Percentage charges calculate on the same post-discount base as other order math; fixed charges add a set amount.
- Order totals and receipts itemize named charges when the order includes them.
Field Explanations
| Field | Description | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enable | Whether the charge is active in the catalog | Yes | Inactive charges do not auto-apply and stay off the register list for new picks |
| Name | Label on the order and receipt | Yes | e.g. Service charge, Corkage |
| Rate Type | Fixed amount or percentage | Yes | Fixed adds a set amount; Percentage adds a % of the order total after discounts |
| Rate | Amount or percentage | Yes | Number for fixed; percent for % |
| Auto-apply | Automatically add this charge to qualifying orders | No | Cashiers can still turn it off for one order |
| Service Modes | Limits auto-apply to selected modes | No | Leave empty to apply to all modes |
Related Guides
- Creating a Charge
- Applying a Charge to an Order
- Updating a Charge
- Payment Methods
- Discounts
- Using the POS Register
Tips
- Prefer clear names staff and customers recognize.
- Use Auto-apply for fees that almost always apply; leave it off for occasional fees (corkage, rush).
- Scope auto-apply with Service Modes when a fee only applies to dine-in or delivery.
Best Practices
- Align charge names with what you print on guest checks or menus.
- Review seeded template charges after store setup so rates match your policy.
- Train cashiers on the register Charges sheet so they do not double-add a fee that already auto-applied.