Tab (comanda): what it is and how it works
A tab (comanda) is the running record of everything a table or guest consumes during the visit, accumulated until the bill is closed — on paper or, increasingly, digital, tied to the POS and kitchen.
Digital tab vs paper
A paper tab gets lost and doesn't talk to the kitchen. A digital tab rings the item into the POS, sends it to the KDS instantly, and closes the bill without adding by hand, with per-guest splits when needed.
- Running record of items per table/guest
- Digital: straight to POS and KDS
- Error-free closing and bill splitting
Tab and QR
With a QR menu, the guest opens the tab and adds items from their phone; the order lands in the POS and kitchen without staff re-writing it.
FAQ
What's the difference between a tab and the bill?
The tab accumulates items consumed during the visit; the bill is the tab's total at closing, for payment.
Does a digital tab need an app?
Not for the guest: with the QR, they add items in the browser; the restaurant manages everything in the POS.