> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ofatoura.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Assigning menu items to kitchens

> Control which kitchen station receives each menu item's kitchen order ticket (KOT) by assigning items in bulk, removing them, or quick-assigning items that haven't been routed yet.

When an order is sent to the kitchen, oFatoura uses each item's station assignment to decide which printer produces the kitchen ticket. If an item has no station assigned, it either prints to the default station or appears in the **Unassigned Items** list — both situations are worth resolving before you go live.

<Note>
  You need the **Create Kitchen Station** or **Update Kitchen Station** permission to assign or remove items. Contact your administrator if the assignment controls are not visible.
</Note>

## How routing works

Every menu item can be linked to exactly one kitchen station. When a waiter submits an order, the system groups the items by their assigned station and sends a separate KOT to each station's printer. Items that share the same station appear on a single ticket for that station.

## Assigning items to a station

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Kitchen Settings">
    In the web admin, go to **Kitchen Places** in the sidebar and select **Kitchen Settings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the station">
    Locate the kitchen station card you want to populate. Each card shows the station name and a count of items already assigned.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the add-items modal">
    Click the **Add Items** button on the station card. A modal dialog opens showing your full menu item list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search and select items">
    Use the **search box** at the top of the modal to filter items by name. Each item in the list shows:

    * Item name
    * Type badge (veg / non-veg)
    * Variations indicator (if the item has multiple variations)
    * Price

    Tick the checkboxes next to every item you want to route to this station.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save the assignment">
    Confirm the selection. The chosen items are immediately assigned to the station and will appear on that station's KOT list.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Removing an item from a station

On the station card in **Kitchen Settings**, each assigned item has a **Remove** action. Clicking it unlinks that item from the station. The item then moves to the **Unassigned Items** section until you route it to another station.

<Warning>
  Removing an item from a station does not delete the item from your menu — it only stops that station's printer from receiving tickets that contain the item. Make sure to re-assign the item before the next service.
</Warning>

## Handling unassigned items

The **Unassigned Items** section appears at the bottom of the Kitchen Settings page and lists every menu item that has not been assigned to any station.

For each unassigned item you can use the **quick-assign** dropdown to select any active station directly from the list — no need to open the bulk modal. This is the fastest way to clear the unassigned list one item at a time.

<Tip>
  Before opening day, aim to have zero items in the Unassigned Items section. Items without a station may not route correctly to a printer when an order is placed.
</Tip>

## Advanced routing updates

Station assignments can also be updated from the **ePOS waiter app** by staff who have the **Manage Kitchen Routing** permission. This is an advanced action intended for kitchen managers who need to re-route individual items quickly during a busy service — for example, to redirect an item to a backup station when a printer goes offline.

## Permissions summary

| Action                           | Required permission    |
| -------------------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Assign items to a station        | Create Kitchen Station |
| Remove items from a station      | Update Kitchen Station |
| Quick-assign unassigned items    | Update Kitchen Station |
| Update routing from the ePOS app | Manage Kitchen Routing |

***

**Related**

* [Setting Up Kitchen Stations](/kitchen/kitchen-places) — create stations and assign printers before routing items
* [KOT Settings, Cancel Reasons, and Marking Items 86](/kitchen/kot-settings-and-86) — configure default KOT behaviour and item availability
* [Viewing Kitchen Tickets (All Kitchens and Per-Kitchen)](/kitchen/web-kot-views) — monitor incoming orders once routing is in place
* [Adding and Editing Menu Items](/menu/menu-items) — manage the item catalogue that appears in the assignment modal