Operational Shift
Open and close branch or staff shifts before protected order, POS, and inventory actions run.
An operational shift is the service window for your outlet. Think of it as turning the restaurant "on" for Zesty: orders, POS sales, and many inventory actions only count when a shift is open.
Without an open shift, protected screens show a gate instead of the action. This prevents sales from landing outside a reconcilable day.
Why shifts matter
- Reporting — Sales and payments group under the correct service period
- Cash control — Opening float and close counts have a clear start and end
- Staff accountability — Actions tie to who was on duty
- Shift Desk — Close-out journey assumes a defined shift boundary
Where you see shift status
Header shift control (web and mobile)
- Shows open / closed state
- Quick path to open shift or go to Shift Desk
- Visible on most operational screens
Staff should glance at this at the start of every shift.
Branch shift vs staff shift
| Model | How it works | Typical outlet |
|---|---|---|
| Branch shift | One shift per location for the whole team | Single café, one kitchen |
| Staff shift | Each staff member may have their own shift record | Larger teams with individual accountability |
Ask your admin which model you use. Closing rules differ slightly.
Opening a shift (checklist)
- Confirm the previous shift was closed (no overlap confusion)
- Tap Open shift from the header or Shift Desk
- Enter opening cash if your outlet tracks drawer float
- Confirm printers and payment modes are ready
- Brief the team: who watches Orders, KDS, Billing
During service
While the shift is open:
- Take orders and POS sales normally
- Fix mistakes through lifecycle actions and refunds—not by deleting records
- Note large comps or voids for manager review at close
Closing a shift
Do not use only the header "close" as your full day-end process.
Use Shift Desk for the full seven-stage close:
- Open context
- Service review
- Reconciliation
- Cash and UPI matching
- Stock notes
- Staff activity
- Final close and export
Admin bypass
Some admins can bypass the shift gate in emergencies. Bypass is for exceptions, not daily habit. Overuse breaks report accuracy.
Mobile and Easy Mode
Easy Mode staff use the same shift rules. Shift Desk is available in compact mobile layouts with the same stages.
Common problems
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| "Shift not open" on POS | Open branch shift; confirm correct branch selected |
| Sales missing from reports | Sale may have happened outside shift window |
| Two staff opened two shifts | Manager should close duplicate; standardize who opens |