Zones (Floor Plan) - User Guide

Overview

The Zones section (also known as Floor Plan) allows you to create and manage the physical layout of your restaurant. This is where you:

Define different areas or rooms in your restaurant (dining room, patio, bar area, etc.)
Create visual floor plans for each zone
Place and arrange tables on an interactive canvas
Track table availability and assignments

Think of zones as the different physical spaces in your restaurant, each with its own table layout that you can visually design and manage.

Understanding Zones and Tables

What is a Zone?

A Zone represents a distinct area or section of your restaurant. Examples:
- Main Dining Room - Primary seating area
- Patio - Outdoor seating
- Bar Area - High-top tables near the bar
- Private Room - For events or large groups
- VIP Section - Premium seating area

Each zone has:
- Name - Descriptive identifier (e.g., "Main Dining Room")
- Dimensions - Width and height in grid units (e.g., 24 × 12)
- Visual floor plan - Interactive canvas where you place tables
- Table collection - All tables within that zone

What is a Table?

A Table represents an individual seating location within a zone. Each table has:
- Name - Identifier (e.g., "Table 1", "A1", "Booth 3")
- Size - Width and height in grid units (e.g., 2 × 2)
- Position - X and Y coordinates on the floor plan
- Visual representation - Rectangle on the canvas showing the table's location and size

How Zones and Tables Work Together

Restaurant Floor Plan
├── Main Dining Room (Zone: 24 × 12)
│   ├── Table 1 (2 × 2, positioned at 2,2)
│   ├── Table 2 (2 × 2, positioned at 5,2)
│   ├── Table 3 (3 × 2, positioned at 8,2) ← larger table
│   └── ...
├── Patio (Zone: 16 × 10)
│   ├── P1 (2 × 2, positioned at 1,1)
│   ├── P2 (2 × 2, positioned at 4,1)
│   └── ...
└── Private Room (Zone: 10 × 8)
    └── Long Table (8 × 3, positioned at 1,2)

Managing Zones

Viewing Your Zones

When you open the Zones section, you'll see a list of all zones showing:
- Zone name (e.g., "Main Dining Room")
- Dimensions (width × height in grid units)
- Tables count - How many tables are in this zone

If you haven't created any zones yet, you'll see: "No Zones yet"

Creating a New Zone

Click the + Add button
Fill in the zone details:
- Name (required) - e.g., "Main Dining Room", "Patio"
- Width (required) - Number of grid units wide (e.g., 24)
- Height (required) - Number of grid units tall (e.g., 12)
Click Save

✅ Success! You'll see: "Zone created"

Tips for creating zones:
- Use descriptive names that staff will recognize
- Larger dimensions give you more space to arrange tables
- Default size is 24 × 12, which works well for most dining rooms
- You can always edit the dimensions later if needed
- Think about the physical layout: measure your actual space first

Choosing dimensions:
- Small zones (e.g., 12 × 8): Bar areas, small private rooms
- Medium zones (e.g., 20 × 12): Standard dining rooms
- Large zones (e.g., 30 × 20): Large banquet halls, main dining areas

Editing a Zone

You can update the zone name or change its dimensions:

Find the zone in the list
Click the ⋮ menu button
Select Edit
Update the name, width, or height
Click Save

✅ You'll see: "Zone updated"

⚠️ Warning: If you reduce the zone dimensions and tables are positioned outside the new boundaries, you'll need to reposition those tables.

Opening the Floor Plan Editor

To design the actual table layout for a zone:

Click on any zone from the list
You'll enter the Floor Plan Editor with:
- Interactive canvas - Visual grid showing the zone
- Add Table button - To add new tables
- Tables list - All tables in this zone

Deleting a Zone

⚠️ Warning: This action is irreversible and will delete all tables within the zone.

Click the ⋮ menu button next to the zone
Select Delete
Confirm when prompted

✅ You'll see: "Zone deleted"

When to delete:
- Closing or reconfiguring a physical area
- Test zones no longer needed
- Restructuring your floor plan completely

Managing Tables

Understanding the Floor Plan Canvas

The floor plan is an interactive grid-based canvas where you can:
- See all tables in the zone
- Drag tables to reposition them
- Resize tables by dragging corners
- Select tables to edit or delete

Grid system:
- The canvas is divided into a grid (like graph paper)
- Each square represents one unit
- Tables snap to the grid for neat alignment
- Gray lines show the grid structure

Canvas features:
- Visual table representation - Each table appears as a labeled rectangle
- Table labels - Shows the table name inside the rectangle
- Real-time updates - Changes save automatically as you drag/resize
- Space indicators - Shows "Space used" vs "Available" space

Adding a New Table

Open a zone's floor plan editor (click on the zone)
Click + Add Table button
Fill in the table details:
- Name (required) - e.g., "Table 1", "A1", "Booth 3"
- Width (required) - Number of grid units wide (e.g., 2)
- Height (required) - Number of grid units tall (e.g., 2)
Click Save

✅ You'll see: "Table created"

The new table will appear on the canvas at position (0, 0) - the top-left corner. You'll need to drag it to the desired location.

Common table sizes:
- 2 × 2 - Small 2-person table or booth
- 3 × 2 - Standard 4-person rectangular table
- 2 × 3 - 4-person table (vertical orientation)
- 4 × 2 - 6-person long table
- 3 × 3 - Large square table for 6-8 people
- Custom sizes - Match your actual furniture dimensions

Naming conventions:
- Sequential: "Table 1", "Table 2", "Table 3"
- Alphanumeric: "A1", "A2", "B1", "B2"
- Descriptive: "Booth 1", "Window Table", "Corner Booth"
- Zone-based: "Main 1", "Patio 1"

Positioning Tables on the Canvas

To move a table:
1. Click on the table to select it (blue selection border appears)
2. Drag it to the desired position
3. Release - the position automatically saves
4. Tables snap to the grid for clean alignment

To deselect:
- Click on any empty area of the canvas

Best practices for positioning:
- Leave space between tables (walkways for staff)
- Group tables logically (booth section, window tables, etc.)
- Consider traffic flow and service access
- Match your actual physical layout as closely as possible

Resizing Tables

To resize a table:
1. Click on the table to select it
2. Look for the resize handles on the right edge and bottom
3. Drag the handle to the desired size
4. Release - the new size automatically saves
5. Tables snap to grid increments

⚠️ Note: You can only make tables larger or smaller, not rotate them. Tables are always rectangular and aligned with the grid.

When to resize:
- Matching actual table sizes more accurately
- Accommodating large groups (extend a table)
- Adjusting for different furniture

Editing a Table

To change a table's name or size numerically (instead of dragging):

Open the zone's floor plan editor
Find the table in the Tables list below the canvas
Click the ⋮ menu button next to the table
Select Edit
Update the name, width, or height
Click Save

✅ You'll see: "Table updated"

Note: Editing the size here changes the table dimensions, but the position remains the same. You may need to reposition it afterward.

Deleting a Table

⚠️ Warning: This is irreversible. Any orders or reservations associated with this table may be affected.

In the Tables list, find the table
Click the ⋮ menu button
Select Delete
Confirm when prompted

✅ You'll see: "Table deleted"

The table will immediately disappear from the canvas.

Floor Plan Design Best Practices

Planning Your Layout

Before creating zones and tables:
1. Measure your actual space - Use a tape measure or floor plan
2. Count your furniture - How many tables of each size?
3. Identify distinct areas - Which zones make sense?
4. Sketch on paper - Plan the layout first

Grid unit scale:
- Decide on a scale (e.g., 1 grid unit = 2 feet)
- Be consistent across all zones
- This helps ensure accurate spatial representation

Efficient Table Arrangements

Spacing considerations:
- Walkways: Leave 2-3 grid units between table rows
- Service access: Ensure staff can reach all tables
- Guest comfort: Don't pack tables too tightly
- Traffic flow: Main paths should be clear

Common patterns:
- Rows: Parallel lines of tables with aisles between
- Perimeter: Tables along walls with open center
- Clusters: Small groups of 2-4 tables
- Mixed: Combination for maximum flexibility

Visual organization:
- Group similar table sizes together
- Align tables to the grid for a clean look
- Leave corners and edges accessible
- Consider sight lines and ambiance

Naming Strategies

Consistent naming helps staff quickly find tables:

✅ Good naming systems:
- Sequential by area: Main 1-10, Patio 1-5
- Grid system: A1, A2, B1, B2 (rows and columns)
- Type-based: Booth 1-4, Table 1-15, Bar 1-3
- Descriptive: Window 1, Corner Booth, Center Table

❌ Avoid:
- Random names that don't follow a pattern
- Duplicates across zones (unless intentional)
- Overly long names that don't fit on the canvas

Common Workflows

Setting Up a New Restaurant

Create zones for each physical area:
- Measure each area and calculate grid dimensions
- Create zones: Main Dining, Patio, Bar, etc.
Design floor plan for largest zone first:
- Open the Main Dining Room
- Add all tables with appropriate sizes
- Arrange them to match the physical layout
Repeat for each zone:
- Work through each area methodically
- Reference your physical space or blueprint
Test with staff:
- Have servers verify table names make sense
- Ensure the layout matches reality
- Adjust as needed

Rearranging for an Event

If you need to temporarily reconfigure a space:

Option 1: Modify existing zone
1. Open the zone
2. Drag tables to new positions
3. Resize if combining tables
4. Remember to reset after the event!

Option 2: Create event-specific zone
1. Create new zone "Main Dining - Event"
2. Design the event layout
3. Use during the event
4. Switch back to normal zone after

💡 Tip: Option 2 preserves your regular layout and provides clear separation.

Adding Seasonal Seating

For outdoor/seasonal areas:

Create seasonal zones (e.g., "Summer Patio")
Design the seasonal layout
Staff uses this zone during the season
Archive or delete when season ends

Updating After Renovation

When physical space changes:

Edit affected zones - update dimensions if needed
Reposition or add/remove tables as changed
Update table names if numbering changed
Communicate changes to staff before going live

Space Management

Understanding Space Indicators

The floor plan editor shows:
- Space used: How much of the zone is occupied by tables
- Available: Remaining open space

This helps you:
- See if you're overcrowding the zone
- Plan for additional seating
- Ensure adequate walkways

Avoiding Overlapping Tables

The system allows tables to overlap on the canvas, but this should be avoided:

How to check for overlaps:
- Visually inspect the canvas
- Look for tables that appear on top of each other
- Ensure each table is clearly visible

To fix overlaps:
- Select and drag one table to a new position
- Resize tables if they're too large for the space
- Consider increasing zone dimensions if consistently running out of space

Maximizing Capacity

To fit more tables:
1. Review spacing - Are walkways wider than necessary?
2. Use varied table sizes - Mix small and large tables efficiently
3. Consider zone dimensions - Can you expand the zone?
4. Optimize layouts - Try different arrangements (diagonal, staggered, etc.)

⚠️ Balance capacity with comfort - Overcrowding can hurt the dining experience and slow service.

Integration with Orders and Reservations

How Floor Plans Connect to Service

Your zone and table setup is used throughout the system:

When taking orders:
- Staff selects which table(s) the order is for
- Only tables from your configured zones appear
- This tracks which orders belong to which tables

When making reservations:
- Guests reserve specific tables
- The system shows which tables are available
- Floor plan helps staff visualize table assignments

Reports and analytics:
- Table utilization by zone
- Popular vs. underused tables
- Revenue by table or zone

Table Naming Importance

Clear table names help because:
- Servers can quickly locate orders
- Kitchen knows where to send food
- Guests can find their table
- Reservations reference specific tables

Examples of use:
- Order screen: "Order for Table A3"
- Reservation: "Party of 4 at Patio 2, 7 PM"
- Staff communication: "Booth 5 needs water"

Validation & Error Messages

Common errors when creating/editing:

"Can't be blank"
- Name, width, and height are required for both zones and tables
- Solution: Fill in all required fields

"Has already been taken" or "Must be unique"**
- Zone names must be unique in your restaurant
- Table names must be unique within each zone (but can repeat across zones)
- Solution: Choose a different name or add a qualifier

"Value too low"
- Width and height must be greater than 0
- Solution: Enter positive numbers (minimum 1)

"Must be a number"
- Dimensions must be numeric integers
- Solution: Enter whole numbers only (no decimals or text)

Tips & Best Practices

Dimension Guidelines

For zones:
- Start with realistic dimensions based on actual measurements
- Allow room for walkways and service stations
- Common range: 12-30 units for width, 8-20 units for height
- Larger is better than smaller - you can always use less space

For tables:
- Match actual table sizes proportionally
- Standard 2-person: 2 × 2
- Standard 4-person: 2 × 3 or 3 × 2
- Larger tables: 3 × 3, 4 × 2, 4 × 3
- Use consistent sizing for similar tables

Visual Design

For clean floor plans:
- Align tables to the grid (automatic with snap)
- Group similar tables together
- Leave consistent spacing between rows
- Use white space effectively - don't fill every grid square

Color coding (future enhancement):
- Currently, all tables look the same on canvas
- Names help distinguish them
- Consider using naming prefixes for visual grouping

Maintenance

Regular reviews:
- Update floor plans when furniture changes
- Verify table names still match physical tags
- Remove tables that are no longer in service
- Add new tables as soon as they're available

Staff training:
- Show new staff the floor plan editor
- Explain the naming system
- Ensure everyone knows how to read the layout
- Update after any physical changes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I rotate tables on the floor plan?
A: No, tables are always rectangular and aligned with the grid. You can change width and height, but not rotation.

Q: What do the grid units represent?
A: Grid units are abstract. You can decide the scale (e.g., 1 unit = 2 feet). The important thing is being consistent across your zones.

Q: Can I have a table in multiple zones?
A: No. Each table belongs to exactly one zone. If you rearrange your space, you'll need to delete the table from one zone and recreate it in another.

Q: Can tables overlap on the floor plan?
A: Technically yes, but it's not recommended. The system won't prevent it, but overlapping tables make the layout confusing.

Q: How do I print or share the floor plan?
A: Currently, the floor plan is for digital use within the system. You can take screenshots if you need to share the layout.

Q: Can I undo changes to table positions?
A: No, changes save automatically. Be careful when dragging tables. If you make a mistake, manually drag it back or use Edit to set precise positions.

Q: What happens to orders if I delete a table?
A: Existing orders associated with that table will remain in the system, but future orders can't use that table. It's better to wait until a table has no active orders before deleting.

Q: Can I have different layouts for lunch vs. dinner?
A: Create separate zones (e.g., "Main Dining - Lunch" and "Main Dining - Dinner") with different table arrangements.

Q: How many zones/tables can I create?
A: There's no hard limit, but keep it practical. Most restaurants work well with 3-10 zones and 10-100 tables total.

Q: Can I import floor plans from other software?
A: No, you need to recreate your layout using the visual editor. Consider it an opportunity to optimize your arrangement!

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Table disappeared from the canvas after resizing zone"
- The table's position may now be outside the zone boundaries
- Solution: Edit the zone to increase dimensions, or edit the table to change its X/Y position to be within the zone

"Can't drag a table"
- Make sure you've selected the table first (click on it)
- Click and hold, then drag
- If it's still not working, try refreshing the page

"Table names not showing on canvas"
- Names may be too long for small tables
- Solution: Use shorter names or make tables larger

"Floor plan looks different on mobile vs. desktop"
- The canvas scales to fit different screen sizes
- Tables remain in correct proportions
- Use desktop for detailed floor plan editing when possible

"Changes aren't saving"
- Check your internet connection
- Look for error messages
- Try refreshing and making changes again
- Contact administrator if persistent

Need Help?

If you encounter issues or have questions:
- Verify you have permissions to manage zones and tables
- Check that your internet connection is stable
- Try refreshing the page
- Contact your restaurant manager or system administrator

Before creating floor plans:
- ✅ Measure your physical space
- ✅ Count your actual tables and furniture
- ✅ Decide on a naming convention
- ✅ Sketch a rough layout on paper

Last updated: November 2025