Modifier Dependency

[YummyCupcakes]

Hi, trying to figure the best way to implement this on my site.

We sell sandwiches, and offer a combo with chips and a drink. In person or pickup orders are no problem, I have a modifier for 'Combo' they/we select and then they just grab their preferred chips and drink in store.

We are wanting to offer local delivery, but obviously we will need to know exactly which chips/drink they want with their order. It would be great if when combo was selected, a (sub)modifier for chips or drink could pop up to be filled out. And be hidden when combo is not selected.

I can add a modifier for drinks to the sandwich item, but then you can select a drink regardless of if you are getting a combo. This also makes our POS screen even larger to navigate between breads, toppings, etc.

I could break combo out into it's own item, but that slows order flow and isn't intuitive for both employees and customers.

I saw a similar request mentioned years ago. Is this still not possible? I can think of several other use cases aside from mine for this feature. Or if there is a smoother way to implement this I am all ears.

Currently I have a text field for customers to fill with notes. But that is not ideal either as it can easily be missed.

[TheRealChipA]

Hi @YummyCupcakes.  There is still nothing in Square that allows for conditional modifiers, nested modifiers, dependent modifiers or anything of the sort.  So one of the methods you have mentioned are it as far as workarounds I can suggest.  In this case, even though it “slows down order flow and doesn’t seem intuitive,” to you (I find the new combos to be decently intuitive, actually), combos is the best, most foolproof way of implementing what you want.  Otherwise, you are going to have to stick with one of your other options which, IMO, are much less desirable than combos.

FYI, I’m not going to suggest you submit a feature request.  Enhanced, complex modifier capability is something that has been requested a number of times.  The engineers are aware of the need and, hopefully, we’ll see some movement on this front after Square finishing up some beta item functionality they seem to be starting now.  What I’m seeing on the beta boards gives me hope they are heading in this direction.

Regards,

[YummyCupcakes]

Yeah I think breaking the combo into it's own item is the best solution without having this issue fixed/integrated.

I think it does leave money on the table. As someone ordering a sandwich was previously required to pick combo/no combo. Where as now they will have to navigate to a separate item to get it, for sure some will miss it or forget it - when that was not possible before.

Trade off I guess. I'd rather not have to compromise but maybe in a few more years we'll get there 🤣

[TheRealChipA]

@YummyCupcakes Agreed.  If I might make a suggestion that would have the effect of “upselling” on your online ordering page.  Create a category in your online shop called “Combos” and put it at the top of the order page with all of the combos in it.  Keep individual sandwiches and sides in their own section further down.  Most restaurants with online ordering do this and it definitely works on me!  That is one of the benefits of having a different set of categories online than we do in our brick-and-mortar stores.  Just a thought.