> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.now-os.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Restaurant mode and retail mode

> Every location runs in restaurant mode or retail mode. Here is what changes between the two.

Every NowOS location runs in one mode: **restaurant mode** or **retail mode**. The mode is chosen in the backoffice when the location is created, and does not change afterwards. It determines how a sale flows on the register and adapts the backoffice vocabulary.

<Note>
  The mode is set per location. If you run several establishments, each one has
  its own mode.
</Note>

## Restaurant mode

Built for counter and table service: you build the order over the course of the meal, send work to the kitchen, and collect payment at the end.

On the register, the main tab is called **Menu**. The typical flow:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Build the order">
    Add items from the menu. New lines stay pending, visible only to you, until
    they are sent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send to the kitchen">
    Tap **Send**: the lines go to preparation and the kitchen tickets print. You
    can keep adding items and send several times on the same order.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Collect payment">
    Tap **Pay** once at least one send has happened. For a table paying
    separately, tap **Split** first.
  </Step>
</Steps>

What is specific to restaurant mode:

* **Dine-in / takeaway**: every order carries a type, which you can toggle mid-order. It can affect the VAT applied.
* **Splitting the check**: evenly or by item. A guest can pay their share and leave while the table stays open. See [Payments](/en/pos/payments).
* **Covers and the kitchen note**: you can record the guest count and a note printed at the top of the kitchen tickets. See [Managing an order](/en/pos/order-actions).
* **Kitchen tickets**: each send prints on the configured kitchen printers. See [Receipts and printing](/en/pos/receipts-printing).

<Note>
  The register also shows a **Tables** tab: the floor plan and table management
  are available. See [Tables & reservations](/en/pos/tables).
</Note>

## Retail mode

Built for counter sales: you fill a cart, then collect payment in one go.

On the register, the main tab is called **Catalog**, and there is no Tables tab. The typical flow:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Fill the cart">
    Add items by touch, by search, or by scanning their barcode with the iPad's
    camera. Every successful scan gives a beep and a vibration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Collect payment">
    Tap **Pay**: choose **Cash** or **Card**, enter the amount, and the sale is
    complete. You can combine both (for example half cash, half card).
  </Step>
</Steps>

What is specific to retail mode:

* **No kitchen send**: nothing stands between the cart and payment.
* **One check per order**: no splitting the check.
* **No dine-in / takeaway**: orders have no type to choose.
* **Barcode scanning**: the camera reads common product labels (EAN, UPC, Code128).

## What stays the same

Whatever the mode, the foundation is identical:

* the main register and secondary devices — see [The main register](/en/pos/main-register)
* the business day: start of day, close of day, the blind count — see [Close of day](/en/pos/close-of-day)
* cash and card payments, receipts, refunds — see [Payments](/en/pos/payments) and [Refunds](/en/pos/refunds)
* taxes, staff and reports in the backoffice — see [The backoffice](/en/backoffice/getting-started)

## In the backoffice

The backoffice adapts its sections to the location's mode:

* In restaurant mode you manage your **menu**; in retail mode, your **catalog** of products. See [Menu and catalog](/en/backoffice/menu).
* The Tables section only appears in restaurant mode.
* Printer configuration targets kitchen printers in restaurant mode, the receipt printer in retail mode. See [Devices](/en/backoffice/devices).