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Overview

An inventory override temporarily flips an item’s availability without changing recipes or stock. Use it when reality diverges from the system — a fridge breaks, a supplier is late, or a special is running for one lunch service. Overrides live in the inventory_overrides table and auto-expire.
Overrides panel showing active overrides with expiry rules

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Expiry rules

end_of_day

Override clears at midnight (venue local time).

on_restock

Override clears the moment the ingredient is restocked above its min level.

timed

Override clears at a specific timestamp you pick.

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Creating an override

1

Open Inventory → Overrides

Or use the shortcut from any menu item or ingredient.
2

Pick the target

An ingredient (affects every item using it) or a menu item (affects just that item).
3

Choose available or unavailable

Unavailable is far more common — sold out, equipment down.
4

Set the expiry rule

end_of_day, on_restock, or timed with a specific end time.
5

Add a note (optional)

“Fryer broken”, “Supplier delivery Tuesday”. Notes show to managers only.
6

Save

The override is active immediately. POS, waiter, and online ordering all respect it.

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Precedence

  1. Active override — wins over everything.
  2. Auto-unavailability — kicks in if enabled in Inventory Settings and stock is depleted.
  3. Manual availability toggle on the menu item.
Overrides never edit stock levels. They are a display-only shortcut. If you sold the last one, decrement stock through a normal sale or Adjustment.

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Ending an override early

Managers can clear an active override at any time — open the override and click Clear Now. This is the only way to end an on_restock override before stock arrives.

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Tips

  • Use on_restock for supplier delays — no manual re-enable needed.
  • Use end_of_day for one-service situations (“kitchen swamped, hide dessert until tomorrow”).
  • Use timed for scheduled specials that end mid-service.
  • Always add a note — stops managers unclearing overrides they don’t understand.

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Common mistakes

  • Override instead of adjustment. Overrides don’t fix stock; they only hide items. Use both if needed.
  • Forgetting on_restock overrides. If you don’t restock, the override never clears. Set a reminder.
  • Overriding a widely-used ingredient. Hides every item that uses it — confirm impact first.
  • Manual availability toggle after an override. Confusing state. Clear the override first.
Last modified on July 20, 2026