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Split seats, shared items, and payment checks

Last updated 2026-08-073 min read

Assign seats and shared items, choose a split strategy, protect kitchen routing, pay one check, and print the correct guest checks or receipts.

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Use Manage Checks when one order needs separate balances. A payment split changes who pays which check; a kitchen split can also change how production tickets are grouped, so decide whether the guest needs payment separation, kitchen separation, or both.

Assign seats and shared items first

Set the table guest count, then assign each line to the whole table, a numbered guest, or Share. Use Share for appetizers, bottles, and family-style items that should remain visible when splitting by seat.

Review seat assignments before sending to the kitchen. Seat and share context is preserved in the check workspace and helps distinguish otherwise identical items.

Choose a split strategy

Open Manage Checks after the order exists. Available strategies include:

  • By seat: creates one check for each occupied seat.
  • By cover: uses guest count as the default number of equal shares.
  • By item or manual allocation: moves selected lines or quantities between open checks.
  • Custom amount: creates amount-based checks; entered amounts must be positive and total the full order amount before applying.

Single seat checkout requires one open check containing exactly one seat without shared or whole-table items. If that condition is not met, split by seat first or choose the intended open check manually.

Move or divide items safely

Select the exact source line and destination open check. Matching menu items remain separate by seat and Share context. A shared or whole-table item can be allocated across selected checks, and an eligible line quantity can be split equally across at least two open checks.

Line move and equal-line split actions are disabled after the order has entered the kitchen-sent state. If guests only want separate payment after production is already correct, select a seat or check at payment instead of rebuilding kitchen allocation.

Understand kitchen impact

Splitting before kitchen send can cause KDS and kitchen printers to receive separate tickets. Move items or rebuild seat allocation only when the kitchen ticket should reflect that change. For payment-only separation, preserve the production layout and select the individual open check during settlement.

Pay one check and continue service

Choose the intended open check and select Pay. Verify its items or amount, tax, service charge, discounts and remaining balance before choosing a tender. A paid check remains settled while other checks stay open; do not collect the full order total again.

Some order states lock split changes. When only one open check remains, combine and custom-amount changes can remain locked even though the final check can still be paid. Refresh the order before repeating a split action after a version conflict.

A guest check is a pre-payment bill. Print the selected open guest check or Print all guest checks for every open split check before payment when guests need to review balances.

A receipt proves a completed payment. After each check is captured or settled, print or send the receipt for that specific payment. Printing every guest check does not prove that every split check was paid.