Feature Request: Essential Improvement for POS - Dynamic Modifier Pricing Based on Item Size

[QcPizzaMn]

Status: Open

Feature Request: Essential Improvement for POS - Dynamic Modifier Pricing Based on Item Size/Variation

I am writing to the Square community as a long-time user (and pizza shop owner) to address a major, unaddressed system shortcoming in the Square POS platform that impacts any business with size/variation-dependent modifier pricing.

The Problem: Lack of Dynamic Modifier Group Assignment

The current Square POS structure forces us to create duplicate menu items instead of using a single item with variations, simply because the modifier pricing is tied to the size variation.

• Goal: Create a single "Cheese Pizza" item.

• Desired Behavior:

  • Select "Cheese Pizza (12-inch)" -> Modifier group (e.g., "Veggies") is priced at $2.00.

  • Select "Cheese Pizza (16-inch)" -> Modifier group (e.g., "Veggies") is priced at $3.00.

• Current Reality: This dynamic adjustment is not possible. Modifier groups are applied at the item level, not the variation level.

The Unacceptable Workaround

To achieve the correct pricing, we are forced to implement a clumsy workaround that drastically compromises menu management and customer experience:

1. Duplicate Items: We must create a separate item for every size (e.g., "Cheese Pizza - 12 inch" and "Cheese Pizza - 16 inch").

2. Duplicate Modifiers: Each duplicated item must then have its own distinct modifier group applied (e.g., "12-inch Modifiers" vs. "16-inch Modifiers").

Item in POS/Online	Applied Modifier Group	Price per Modifier
Cheese Pizza (12-inch)	12-inch Veggies/Meats	$2.00
Cheese Pizza (16-inch)	16-inch Veggies/Meats	$3.00

Why This Is a Serious Shortcoming

• Menu Clutter: It unnecessarily bloats the item library on the POS and the online ordering menu. A few items become dozens when accounting for every size/product combination.

• Operational Friction: It is ridiculous to manage two entirely separate modifier groups that are functionally identical, just to achieve different price points for different sizes.

• Modern POS Expectation: On a modern POS system that mirrors the online menu, this core functionality should be standard. It is a fundamental weakness for any restaurant (pizza, coffee, sandwiches, etc.) where size and modifier prices matter.

Call to Action for Square Developers

This issue has persisted for years and has never been acknowledged or addressed.

We urgently need the ability to apply a single modifier group to an item, and have the associated modifier pricing change dynamically based on the selected item variation (size).

This is an essential fix for maintaining a clean, efficient, and scalable menu structure.

[CinderBistro]

This is now my third attempt at posting a response to this message. Not sure why the other two replies evaporated?!

I completely agree with you. For us (as well as many others I'm sure), this feature would be extremely helpful managing modifiers related to menu items associated with both kids & adult meals. Currently, we are forced to manage two different modifier sets (with the same exact options): one for kids meals; and a second for adult meals. Things like cheese options for burgers which are different portion sizes for a kids burger versus an adult burger. And, don't get me started about all of the hoops we have to jump through to manage liquor options associated with cocktail and shots! 

I'm sure everyone who runs a restaurant will agree with me when I say, minimizing both administrative overhead (i.e., creating items, modifiers, and options) and keystrokes for servers is vitally important. Afterall, time is money!

I'd be more than happy to beta test any feature that solves this!

[SVLFever]

Yes, this would be very helpful to have, but a somewhat related question @QcPizzaMn , how do you manage the "left/right" situation?   Do you charge 1/2 the price of a full topping when it's just half?

[ryanwanner]

I completely agree with this request, @QcPizzaMn . A good friend of mine that owns 3 pizza locations flat out said this was the number one reason he went with Toast instead of Square. 

[QcPizzaMn]

@SVLFeverManaging left and right side options for our half & half is done in the same round-a-bout way. 

12" Half & Half Pizza -> (special 12" modifier groups for Half & Half Pizza)
16" Half & Half Pizza -> (special 16" modifier groups for Half & Half Pizza)

These special modifier groups for Half & Half Pizzas have to be built out special to reflect Half & Half Pizza topping pricing in the same ridiculous manner as my original post.

As to left and right side of any pizza order. The Square POS system does not have that capability as it is not focused solely on pizza as a product base like a platform such as slice which is fine when all is said and done. Would it be nice? Yes it would but my main focus, mission, and down right passionate pursuit of "Dynamic Modifier Pricing Based on Item Size/Variation" would usher in the possibility of left and right order becoming much more manageable. 

What we charge for Half & Half Modifers:

12" additional toppings (extra cheese, veggies, meats) = $1 
16" additional toppings (extra cheese, veggies, meats) = $1.50

So yes 1/2 the price of the full topping choice modifier.

If there is anything I can do to help you @SVLFever message me and I will do my best to assist you.

[SVLFever]

Your example on the left/right would also be a HUGE benefit to all the pizza places.  Another reason why the request makes sense IMO.  Thanks for the detail @QcPizzaMn !

[CinderBistro]

We run into the same challenge with allowing people to select two different styles of draft beer to make a 50/50 beer -such as a black & tan. And when managing options related to custom beer flights. For which our solution was to create a "Flight Options (1 of 2)" and "Flight Options (2 of 2)" modifier sets and allow the customer and/or server to select up to two modifiers from each list (for a total of 4 choices per flight).

[PapaBBQ]

If using Square for Restaurants, you can add variations to a single item, for example, we sell our side dishes by the pint/quart/half gallon/gallon. I have a single menu item for each side dish and four variations with the appropriate pricing. 

I don’t believe this is an option on the old school square platform. @QcPizzaMn 

[QcPizzaMn]

@PapaBBQ thank you for the response and the information. The scope of my post goes much deeper as to code and functionality of the respective modifier and variation features. My pizzeria is on the Restaurant version of the Square Platform. We use the Restaurant version primarily for the delivery platform integration features (Doordash, Uber).