Use Cases: Digital Menu for Every Type of Business
12 minutes
Every restaurant is different. A tapas bar with 3 portion sizes does not have the same needs as a hotel with 24-hour room service or a dark kitchen that operates 5 brands from a single kitchen. In this section, you will discover how IAMenu solves the specific problems of 7 types of gastronomic businesses, with real functionalities that are already working.
What You Will Learn in This Section
- How to set up multiple prices and happy hour for a tapas bar
- How to manage mandatory allergens in a pizzeria
- How to organize multiple outlets and room service in a hotel
- How to centralize menus from various locations in a restaurant chain
- How to update the daily menu from your mobile in a food truck
- How to operate multiple brands from a single dashboard in a dark kitchen
- How to launch your first digital menu in a traditional restaurant
1. Tapas Bar: Multiple Prices and Happy Hour
The problem: A tapas bar needs to show up to 4 prices per product (tapa, half portion, full portion, grill) and manage automatic discounts during happy hour. With a printed menu, each price change means reprinting.
The solution with IAMenu:
IAMenu allows you to set up up to 4 prices per product with custom labels. In the creation modal, activate "Multiple prices" and define each format: Tapa (3.50 EUR), Media (6.50 EUR), Ración (11.00 EUR).
Additionally, in the Customization tab, activate Happy Hour with schedule and special price. Your customers will see the original price crossed out next to the happy hour price automatically during the configured hours.
From your mobile, you can set the same multiple prices. Swipe in the product form to see all the price fields. The happy hour is configured from the product customization section.
Result: Your customers scan the QR code, see the 3-4 formats of each tapa with their prices, and during happy hour, the discount is applied without you having to touch anything.
Tip
Price labels (Tapa, Media, Ración) are automatically translated into active languages. If your bar is in a tourist area, an English customer will see "Tapas portion," "Half," "Full" without you doing anything.
Key features for tapas bars:
- 4 prices with custom labels per product
- Automatic happy hour with configurable hours and days
- Availability by schedule (show only "Tostas" at breakfast)
- Translation support, with the number of active languages determined by your plan
- QR code on each table that updates in real time
Next step: Learn how to set up multiple prices in Create Products and happy hour in Customization.
2. Pizzeria: Allergens and Detailed Ingredients
The problem: In a pizzeria, gluten and dairy can appear in doughs, cheeses, sauces, breading, and cross-contact situations. Restaurants subject to EU food-information rules need accurate information about the 14 regulated allergens, based on recipes and supplier data.
The solution with IAMenu:
When you create a product like "Pizza Quattro Formaggi," Super Chef analyzes the name, ingredients, and category context and suggests possible allergens such as gluten and milk for your review.
The 14 EU allergen icons appear in the dedicated tab. You can review the AI's suggestions and adjust manually if necessary.
On mobile, swipe to the allergens section within the product modal. You will see the same icons with the AI's suggestions. Tap any allergen to activate or deactivate it.
Result: Each pizza displays its allergens in the digital menu, the printed PDF, and the customer view. If a customer filters "Dairy-free," pizzas with cheese automatically disappear.
Importante
Automatic allergen detection is a helpful tool, it does not replace the chef's knowledge. Always review the AI's suggestions, especially for products with hidden ingredients (sauces, breading, dressings).
Key features for pizzerias:
- AI suggestions for the 14 EU-regulated allergens, with human review
- Allergen filters in the customer menu (exclude gluten, dairy...)
- Marketing labels: "Gluten-free," "Vegan," "Spicy"
- AI-generated descriptions in 4 styles
- Professional images with GPT Image if you don't have photos
Next step: Learn more about the allergen system in Allergens and Labels.
3. Hotel F&B: Multiple Outlets and Room Service
The problem: A hotel operates 3 or more food outlets (restaurant, pool bar, room service) with menus that change according to the time. The breakfast buffet has different products than the dinner menu, and room service is available 24 hours with a reduced menu. Managing all this with printed menus in multiple languages is a logistical nightmare.
The solution with IAMenu:
IAMenu supports multiple menus per business. You can create a "Breakfast Buffet" menu (06:00-11:00), a "Restaurant Dinner" menu (19:00-23:00), and a "Room Service" menu (24h). Each menu has its own categories and products, but shared categories (like "Beverages") appear in all.
From the dashboard, a selector at the top allows you to switch between menus. The active hours ensure that the customer only sees the corresponding menu when they scan the QR code.
On mobile, the menu selector appears as a dropdown at the top of the dashboard. You can manage each hotel menu directly from your phone, even add today’s special dish while you are in the kitchen.
Result: A QR code in the room leads to the room service menu. A QR code in the restaurant can show the scheduled breakfast or dinner menu. You can publish reviewed translations in the active languages included in your plan.
Tip
IAMenu can generate translations for supported languages. Activate the languages your guests need, let the system prepare existing content, and review culinary terms and allergen information before publishing.
Key features for hotels:
- Multi-menu with automatic hours by outlet
- Shared categories between menus (beverages, desserts)
- Reviewed translations for the active languages included in your plan
- Different QR codes by location (room, restaurant, pool bar)
- Professional PDF for room service printed in the room
- Multi-user: reception, kitchen, and management with different roles
Next step: Learn how to create multiple menus in Dashboard and manage languages in Translations.
4. Restaurant Chain: Centralized Dashboard
The problem: A restaurant group needs consistent menus while allowing each location to maintain local prices and specialties.
The solution with IAMenu:
With IAMenu, you can manage multiple businesses from a single account. The business selector at the top of the dashboard allows you to switch between locations. Each location is an independent "business" with its own menu, QR code, and settings, but you as the owner control them all.
The roles and permissions system allows the local manager to edit prices or activate products, while only the owner can create new categories or delete items.
From mobile, you can monitor all locations. The business selector appears in the side menu. Switch between locations quickly to verify that the menus are updated.
Result: Manage each location from the same account and keep its QR code and local customization. IAMenu plans currently support 1 restaurant on Starter, 3 on Professional, and 5 on Premium; larger groups should confirm fit before migrating.
Tip
Professional includes up to 4 users and Premium includes unlimited users. Assign roles according to what each team member needs to manage.
Key features for chains:
- Multi-business from a single account
- 4 roles with 14 granular permissions (Owner, Manager, Chef, Staff)
- Email invitations with preconfigured roles
- Each location with its own QR code, colors, and settings
- Centralized management of plans and billing
- Analytics by location and consolidated
Next step: Learn about multi-user in your business settings and roles in Customer View.
5. Food Truck: Daily Update from Mobile
The problem: A food truck may change location, availability, and menu frequently. You need to update the menu from your mobile and keep one QR code at the service window.
The solution with IAMenu:
Although the desktop is available, the reality of the food truck is that everything is done from the mobile. You can prepare the base categories (Tacos, Hamburgers, Beverages) from the desktop when you have time, and then activate/deactivate products according to the day from the mobile.
The mobile dashboard of IAMenu is designed for this. Navigate through your categories, activate today’s products, deactivate the ones you don’t have, and your QR menu updates instantly. With Gaston, you can even dictate: "Activate all tacos and deactivate hamburgers."
Result: You arrive at your location, publish today's availability from your mobile, and customers scanning the existing QR see the current menu.
Tip
The QR code is always the same. You do not need to reprint the QR code when you change the menu. The link points to your digital menu that updates in real time. Print a single QR code and stick it permanently on your food truck.
Key features for food trucks:
- Complete mobile dashboard (create, edit, activate/deactivate)
- Gaston by voice: "Create a carnitas taco at 4.50 EUR"
- Permanent QR that updates automatically
- No need for a laptop or printer
- Automatic translation for festivals and international events
- Starter plan for one restaurant, with a 14-day Professional trial available at signup
Next step: Learn how to use the mobile dashboard in Dashboard and create products quickly with Gaston.
6. Dark Kitchen: Multi-Brand from a Single Dashboard
The problem: A dark kitchen may operate several virtual brands from one kitchen. Each brand has its own identity and menu, so availability, prices, and branding quickly become difficult to coordinate.
The solution with IAMenu:
Each virtual brand is an independent business in IAMenu with its own menu, colors, logo, and QR. But you manage them all from a single account. The business selector allows you to jump between "Tokyo Ramen" and "Burger Lab" in one click.
Each brand has its own visual customization: colors, typography, card style. "Tokyo Ramen" can have a black background with red, while "Burger Lab" uses yellow and brown.
From mobile, you can manage all brands. Switch between them from the side menu and update prices or availability for each one separately.
Result: One kitchen can manage separate brands from the same login, each with its own menu, QR code, PDF, and branding, within the restaurant limit of the selected plan.
Importante
Each brand counts as an independent business for plan purposes. With the Premium plan, you can manage multiple businesses. Check the plans and pricing for the limits of each plan.
Key features for dark kitchens:
- Multi-business with independent visual identity per brand
- Different colors, logo, and style for each virtual brand
- Unique QR and link per brand
- PDF with own branding for each brand
- Separate allergen management (one brand can be "Gluten-free")
- AI-generated images if you don’t have photos for each brand
Next step: Learn how to set up the visual identity of each brand in Customer View and generate QR codes in QR Code.
7. Traditional Restaurant: Your First Digital Menu
The problem: A traditional restaurant with a classic menu of 30-50 dishes does not need complex functionalities. It just wants to digitize its menu, have a nice QR code for the tables, and perhaps translate the menu for tourists. It does not want to complicate itself with technology, but knows it is time to make the digital leap.
The solution with IAMenu:
IAMenu can help you create a starting structure during onboarding or import an existing menu. Review the categories, products, prices, and images, then generate the QR when the menu is ready.
The process is equally simple from mobile. Choose your template, edit the names and prices of the dishes, and generate your QR code. You can do this sitting in your restaurant during a service break.
Result: You can publish a digital menu with optional AI-generated images, reviewed allergen suggestions, reviewed translations in active languages, and a QR code ready to print.
Tip
The Starter plan costs 19 EUR/month and includes 1 restaurant, 2 menus, 2 active languages, and up to 75 products. Registration starts with a 14-day Professional trial with no credit card required.
Key features for traditional restaurants:
- Guided onboarding and menu import
- Gaston: dictate your complete menu by voice
- Professional images generated with AI (GPT Image)
- 10 PDF templates to print the physical menu
- Customizable QR code with your restaurant's logo
- 14-day Professional trial without a credit card
Next step: Start by creating your account at Login and continue with Onboarding to set up your restaurant.
Comparison: Which Plan Each Type of Business Needs
| Type of Business | Recommended Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Food Truck | Starter | 1 restaurant, 2 menus, 2 active languages, up to 75 products |
| Traditional Restaurant | Starter or Professional | Starter for a compact menu; Professional for more menus, users, languages, and restaurants |
| Tapas Bar | Professional | Multiple prices, happy hour, 4 languages |
| Pizzeria | Professional | Complete allergens, AI descriptions |
| Restaurant group | Professional or Premium | Up to 3 or 5 restaurants respectively, with team access |
| Hotel F&B | Premium | Up to 8 menus per restaurant, 8 active languages, unlimited users |
| Dark Kitchen | Professional or Premium | Separate businesses and branding within the 3- or 5-restaurant limit |
Tips and Best Practices
Follow these recommendations to set up IAMenu according to your type of business:
- Start with the base categories of your business. A tapas bar needs Cold, Hot, Portions, and Beverages. A pizzeria needs Classics, Gourmet, Pastas, and Desserts. The correct categories from the start save reorganizations later.
- Use Gaston to quickly create the complete menu. Dictate "Create the categories for an Italian restaurant," and Gaston generates the entire structure in one command. Then just edit names and prices.
- Activate the languages most relevant to your guests. Use booking and customer data to choose the active languages included in your plan, then review translations before publishing.
- Set up multiple prices from the beginning. If your business handles different formats (tapa, half, full), set it up when creating the products. It’s easier than adding them later.
- Choose the plan from real capacity needs. Starter includes 1 restaurant and 75 products; Professional and Premium add more restaurants, menus, users, languages, and AI usage.
- Print the QR code on a durable material. Acrylic or PVC for tables, adhesive vinyl for walls. The QR code never changes, so invest in quality support.
Common Problem Solving
I don't know which plan is right for my business
Use the comparison table as a starting point, then check the current restaurant, menu, user, language, and product limits. Registration includes a 14-day Professional trial, after which you choose a paid plan.
I have several restaurants but want a single account
IAMenu supports multi-business from a single account. Each restaurant is an independent business with its own menu, QR, and settings. Switch between them with the dashboard selector.
My customers don’t know how to scan the QR
Place a sign with instructions: "Open the camera, point at the code, tap the link." For older customers, always have a printed physical menu with the PDF of IAMenu.
I want my chef to edit the menu but not change prices
Use the roles system. Assign the "Chef" role that allows managing products but not editing prices or business settings. The Owner controls permissions from the settings.
My dark kitchen has 5 brands and I don’t know how to organize them
Each brand is an independent business in IAMenu. Create a business for each brand with its own name, logo, and colors. You manage all from a single login by switching between them with the business selector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use IAMenu for a food truck that changes menu every day?
Yes. Activate and deactivate products from mobile without replacing the QR. Gaston also accepts commands such as: "Activate all tacos and deactivate hamburgers."
How does IAMenu manage a hotel with room service?
It supports multiple menus per business with automatic hours. Create separate menus for each outlet (breakfast, dinner, room service) and the QR automatically shows the correct menu according to the time.
Can I manage several dark kitchen brands from one account?
Yes. Each brand is an independent business with its own menu, colors, logo, and QR. You manage them all from a single login with the dashboard selector.
Does IAMenu work for a chain with multiple locations?
Yes. Multi-business from a single account. The roles system allows each local manager to edit their location without being able to touch the global settings of the owner.
What plan do I need based on my type of business?
Starter can fit one compact operation. Professional supports up to 3 restaurants and Premium up to 5, with higher limits for menus, users, languages, and AI features. Check the comparison table and current pricing for details.
Related Tutorials
Continue setting up your business with these guides:
- Create Products to add dishes with multiple prices, happy hour, and availability
- Customize Your Menu to configure automatic happy hour and dividers
- Gaston - Your AI Assistant to create the entire menu with a single voice command
- Automatic Translations to publish reviewed translations for active languages
- Regulations and Compliance for an operational checklist and local-advice reminders
Ready to digitize your business?
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