Use Matrix Items on the Workstation for Shift4 Dine

Description: Learn how to order through a Matrix Item on the Workstation for Shift4 Dine and how Matrix Items affect tickets, displays, reporting, and other menu workflows.

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Note: This feature is currently available only for Pilot users.

Once a Matrix Item is configured in Multi-Location Management, it appears on the Workstation as a single menu button. Here's what to expect when ordering, and how Matrix Items affect tickets, reporting, and other workflows.

Ordering a Matrix Item

1. Tap the Matrix Item button: From the order screen, tap the Matrix Item button (the button name reflects the item, such as "BYO Pizza") to open the attribute selection flow.
   
2. Select the first attribute: The Workstation presents the first prompt (e.g., Size) with all available values displayed as buttons. Tap the guest's choice.
   
3. Select remaining attributes: The Workstation advances to the next prompt (e.g., Crust). Only values that lead to a valid item given the previous selection are shown; there are no dead ends. 
   Note: If an underlying item is configured for item tracking, its button displays stock information (quantity on hand and a low stock indicator) during the last attribute prompt. If the item is set to block ordering when the quantity reaches zero, that button will be disabled.
   
4. The item is added to the ticket: Once all attribute choices are made, the correct Standard Item is added to the ticket automatically. If that item has required modifier sets, those will be presented next exactly as they would if the item had been added directly. The Matrix Item name does not appear on the ticket; only the Standard Item name is shown.
   

How Matrix Items Appear on Tickets and Displays

Because the underlying Standard Item is what gets added to the ticket, no changes are needed to printing or display workflows. Everything behaves as it always has: the Standard Item name and modifiers print on kitchen tickets, the item appears on the Kitchen Display System according to its own routing configuration, and the Standard Item name and price are shown on guest checks, receipts, and the Customer-facing Display. The Matrix Item is not referenced anywhere in the guest-facing flow.

Reporting

Matrix Items do not appear in sales reports and report no dollar amounts. All sales reporting is driven entirely by the underlying Standard Items. Because each Standard Item has its own price, revenue class, and department assignment, every variation you sell is tracked individually in product mix reports.

Menu Configuration Notes

Departments: Matrix Items must be assigned to a department and will appear there on the Workstation menu. Linked Standard Items are hidden from department menus on the Workstation once linked, even if assigned to the same department.

Display Groups & Favorites: Matrix Items and their linked Standard Items can be added separately to Display Groups and Favorites, and both can appear together in the same Display Group. Unlike department menus, Standard Items are not hidden from Display Groups or Favorites when linked to a Matrix Item.

Menu Availability: Availability settings cannot be applied to a Matrix Item itself. Availability is controlled at the Standard Item level. If a Standard Item is unavailable for a given time period or revenue center, its attribute value will be hidden from the prompt flow on the Workstation for that period.

Special Cases

What if no underlying items are available? If a guest taps a Matrix Item but none of its linked Standard Items are currently active or available, the Workstation displays a message letting staff know no items can be ordered through that Matrix Item at that time.

Can linked Standard Items still be ordered directly? Yes. Linked Standard Items remain searchable on the Workstation and can be added to a ticket via search. They are only hidden from the visual department menu.

What happens if a Matrix Item is deactivated? Its linked Standard Items become visible again in their respective department menus on the Workstation, so staff can still access them directly.

Can I deactivate an Attribute Group or Value that's in use? No. Attribute Groups and Values assigned to a Matrix Item cannot be deactivated while in use. You must remove them from all Matrix Item configurations first.

Can Matrix Items be used within Combos? No. Matrix Items cannot be used as items within Combo Slots.

Are Matrix Items supported on Shift4 Duo, Online Ordering, Kiosk, or QR Pay? The Matrix Item prompt flow is only supported on the Workstation for Shift4 Dine and Handheld. Matrix Items are filtered out of menus on other platforms. The underlying Standard Items remain available on those platforms as usual.

For help with common Matrix Item issues, visit the Matrix Items Troubleshooting article.