Glossary

Restaurant ordering terms, explained

The words you'll hear when moving to direct ordering, in plain language.

Last updated 6 October 2026

Aggregator commission: The percentage of each order a food delivery app keeps, often around 25–30% in India. Owncart charges 0% commission.
Direct ordering: Taking orders on the restaurant's own website, WhatsApp or QR codes instead of an aggregator app.
Digital menu: A menu guests open on their phone, usually from a QR code, that the restaurant can update anytime.
QR menu: A digital menu opened by scanning a QR code on a table, counter or flyer.
Table QR ordering: Guests scan the QR on their table, order and pay on their phone, and the order reaches the kitchen with the table number.
KOT (Kitchen Order Ticket): The ticket printed in the kitchen for each order. With POS sync, online orders print as a KOT automatically.
86 / sold out: Kitchen shorthand for a dish that has run out. With Petpooja sync, 86'd dishes disappear from the online menu.
POS integration: A connection between the ordering system and the restaurant's billing software, such as Petpooja or Positeasy.
WhatsApp ordering: Taking orders through WhatsApp. On Owncart, the guest gets a secure menu link that opens inside WhatsApp.
Click-to-WhatsApp (CTWA) ad: A Facebook or Instagram ad that opens a WhatsApp chat with the restaurant instead of a website.
WhatsApp message categories: Meta prices business messages by type: marketing, utility (order updates) and authentication (OTPs).
Abandoned cart: A cart a guest filled but did not pay for. Owncart can trigger a WhatsApp reminder with a pay link.
Win-back campaign: A message to customers who have stopped ordering, for example after 30 days, with an offer to return.
Customer segment: A group of customers defined by behaviour, such as total spend of ₹5,000+ or no order in 30 days.
Green bill: A bill sent digitally, for example on WhatsApp, instead of printed on paper.
Self pickup: The guest orders ahead and collects the order at the counter.
Last-mile delivery: Local delivery within a set radius from the outlet by the restaurant's riders or a partner.
Delivery point: A fixed drop spot, such as an office lobby, used instead of a door address.
Payment link: A link that takes the guest to payment; on Owncart unpaid links expire.
Pre-booking slot: A time window for advance orders with a maximum number of orders.
PWA (progressive web app): A website that can be added to a phone's home screen and used like an app.
COD (cash on delivery): Paying in cash when the order arrives. Owncart lets each outlet allow or block it.