Apply Discounts for Certain Items at Certain Times

Last updated: Jun 4, 2026, 4:18 PM

Discounts can be set up to apply to select items at certain times. These discounts can be applied by any server or by managers only.

In this Article:

 

Configure a discount to apply only to specific menu items or groups, appear on your Toast POS only during certain dates and times (such as happy hour specials and time-based promotions), and require manager approval or allow any user to apply it.

 

Before You Begin

Applies to: Toast Web, Toast POS

 

Permissions needed:

  • 3.1 Discounts
  • 6.3 Discounts Setup Allows the employee to create, edit, and manage discount rules in Toast Web.

 

What you'll accomplish: Configure a discount's targeting, availability window, and permission level so it appears on your POS only when and where you intend.

 

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Apply a Discount to Specific Items or Groups

By default, a discount applies to any eligible item on the check. Use the Applies to setting to restrict a discount to specific menu items or groups — for example, a 20% off discount that applies only to pepperoni pizzas or medium coffees.

 

  1. In Toast Web, navigate to Finance > Related > Settings > Discounts & promo codes.
  2. Select an existing discount to edit, or select + Add a Discount to create a new one.
  3. Under Applies to, select Specific item/group.
  4. Use the search bar to enter the name of the item or menu group.
  5. Select the desired item or group from the results list.
    • If the item has required size or modifier selections, select and hold the item name for two seconds. A pop-up appears — choose the desired size or modifier option, then select Save.
  6. Select Save and Publish.

 

Expected outcome: The discount applies only to the items or groups you selected. Items or groups that have required modifier selections display a blue arrow before their name in the list.

 

Note: To target a specific size of an item rather than an entire menu group, add the item directly instead of adding its group. Adding the item directly prompts you to select which sizes are eligible for the discount.

 

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Set Discount Availability by Date, Day, or Time

Use the Availability section to control when a discount appears on your Toast POS devices. This is the setting to use for happy hour specials, time-based promotions, seasonal deals, and day-of-week offers like Monday night specials.

 

  1. In Toast Web, navigate to Finance > Related > Settings > Discounts & promo codes.
  2. Select an existing discount to edit, or select + Add a Discount to create a new one.
  3. Scroll to the Availability section and configure the options you need:
    • Dates Available: Select the calendar icon to choose a start and end date. Use this for seasonal promotions or limited-time events.
    • Days of the week: Deselect the checkbox next to All days to choose specific days. You can select more than one day.
    • Hours Available: Select + Add Hours and enter a start and end time for the day. To add a second time window on the same day, select + Add Hours again.
  4. Select Save and Publish.

 

Expected outcome: The discount button appears on your POS devices only during the dates, days, and times you configured. Outside the availability window, the button will not be visible on the POS.

 

Note: Each discount supports only one date range. You cannot set a discount to run January 1–5 and again January 15–20. You can, however, configure a discount to be available every Tuesday in January from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

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Set Discount Permission Level

Use the Permissions Level setting in Advanced Settings to control which staff members can apply a discount on the POS. Discounts default to Any User.

 

  1. In Toast Web, navigate to Finance > Related > Settings > Discounts & promo codes.
  2. Select an existing discount to edit, or select + Add a Discount to create a new one.
  3. Scroll to the Advanced Settings section.
  4. Under Permissions Level, select one of the following:
    • Any User — any staff member with POS access can apply the discount
    • Manager — only staff with manager-level permissions can apply the discount
  5. Select Save and Publish.

 

Expected outcome: The discount can only be applied by the user type you selected. If set to Manager, staff without manager-level permissions cannot apply the discount on the POS.

 

Note: Auto-apply discounts require Permissions Level to be set to Any User. Auto-apply will not function if the discount is set to Manager.

 

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