Build Your Menu Template

Last updated: Mar 25, 2026, 1:50 PM

To prepare for your menu review, complete a menu and bar template to submit to your Onboarding Consultant.

In this Article:

 

Menu Templates Overview

Menu templates are used to gather as much information as possible about your restaurant and menu during your Toast onboarding process before it's built out in your Toast POS. These templates can be completed using Google Drive, Excel, or another similar spreadsheet platform. Once you have gone live with Toast, you can add new menus using the tools highlighted in Additional Resources.

Continue reading to learn how to successfully create a menu template for your restaurant.

Note: The Toast Retail module presents a different approach for menu items, tailored specifically to retail needs such as a high volume of "Stock Keeping Units (SKUs)" and barcodes. If you'll be using the Toast Retail template, check out this Support Center article for specific instructions: Toast Retail: Build Your Import Template.

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Download Your Menu Template

If you're ready to get started, you can download your menu template by navigating to one of the links mentioned below. 

 

Menu TemplateAdditional Information
Toast Menu Build TemplateWe strongly recommend using this Google Sheets default template for enhanced features and better compatibility. Please select "Make a copy" when prompted.
Alternative - Toast Menu Build TemplateAs an alternative, you can choose to download this Excel version of the menu template to submit your menu information. If you choose to use this spreadsheet instead of the default template, please zip the file before emailing it to your Onboarding Consultant.

 

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Build and Submit Your Menu Template

Now that you've copied or downloaded your template, follow the steps below to build and submit your menu information to your Onboarding Consultant. You will see a task in your Toast Web to submit your menu template. For your convenience, you'll also find a series of videos to help guide your template builds and familiarize yourself with the structure of menus and modifiers in Toast. 

If you're watching the videos below on your mobile device, select the expand icon on the bottom-right corner to watch the video in full on your screen.


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Menu Template Video Tutorials

The following videos help to outline the template-building process and clarify commonly asked questions on menu and modifier hierarchies in your Toast POS.
 


 Video: Use the Toast Menu Template 

 

You can also check out Menu 101 for more menu building training resources.

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Menu Template Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to fill out your Toast menu template:

  1. Download and fill out your menu template(s) to include all menus offered in your restaurant. Examples of menus include Food, Catering, Kid's Menu, Prix Fixe/Event, Specials, Happy Hour, Retail/Merchandise, Carry Out/To Go. You can also include if you have a large alcohol menu. Remember to include happy hour availability, happy hour pricing, different pour sizes offered (for liquor or beer), signature cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages.
  2. Name your template with type_your restaurant name_location name. If using Google Sheets, you can do so by selecting the title of the sheet and entering a new name. If using Excel, be sure to select Save As and change the name of the file accordingly.
  3. After you've finished filling out all applicable templates, email your template to your Onboarding Consultant by sharing (external link) if using Google Sheets or zipping (external link) and emailing your file if using Excel.