topic Re: Toast Training Mode? in Restaurant Operations

Toast Training Mode?

dtearney — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 08:21:37 GMT

Is there a way to put a tablet into a type of training mode for new hires? I have used POS systems before (Aloha, Micros) where you could use a training POS login number and practice ringing in the items, but then the items order wouldn't actually send. It would allow a new hire to get use to ringing in on the tablets and placing orders correctly, how to run their shift report and clock out at the end of each shift. without affecting sales at all. Does Toast Tablets offer this functionality as well? If not, it may be something to look into.

Re: Toast Training Mode?

Rob — Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:10:40 GMT

Hey @dtearney This would be a feature request. The closest option we have is Test mode; however, this puts the entire location into test mode, not just one terminal.

Re: Toast Training Mode?

Kirsten_H — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 19:41:00 GMT

I'll second this feature request. My kitchen staff shouldn't have to sort through training tickets on top of regular tickets. If there was a way to allow staff to train on the terminal and/or handheld without sending items to printers or potentially counting in sales, that would be very helpful.

Re: Toast Training Mode?

dtearney — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 19:48:42 GMT

Is there potentially a way to get that and how would I put in a feature request? It just helps a ton with training when tickets can be practiced being rung and it not go into sales/affect numbers, or even send to the printers when sent in the test mode

Re: Toast Training Mode?

rcmck — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 22:43:29 GMT

A workaround would be to intentionally take a device offline, handheld would be the best option, just turn WiFi off, if you have kitchen/bar printers you will get pop-ups about them failing to print but just ignore them. Then just void any test orders and clear the print queue before turning wifi back on. You could also do this with a tablet but they are usually being used by other staff at the same time.

Re: Toast Training Mode?

Rob — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 17:10:02 GMT

You would need to call Toast support to submit a feature request. However, just posting in the community is sufficient as we relay this feedback to other teams.

Re: Toast Training Mode?

Sdaniel — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 20:05:11 GMT

Hi!

A couple of months ago, I was in a meeting with a Toast employee, where he shared that this may be a feature coming out in the future. In the meantime, what we have found that works for us is using our "Demo Lab". Managers would need to be given access to the "Demo Lab" location. Once access is given, on a Toast-Go device the manager can login using their Toasttab login info and select "Demo Lab" as the location. The device is then automatically on Test Mode, which allows a new hire to practice ringing and such. You'll want to make sure to label the Toast-Go as "Test" or something along those lines to make sure it doesn't get mixed up with other Toast-Gos. The manager given access to demo lab, will need to enter their passcode on the device, I don't think it will work with just any employee's passcode. I hope this helps!

Re: Toast Training Mode?

SpringCity — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 18:52:04 GMT

Why is it so complicated to just allow a test mode that is active under a specific login number? That way, anytime that login number is entered, everything under that number is in test mode.

Re: Toast Training Mode?

Lscott — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 19:44:15 GMT

This is something we have wondered about as well. Last night a trainee was practicing on a handheld and was told not to send the order, well, she did. Over $150 worth of food was made in error without anyone noticing until it was ready to be run by the expo. 😞

Re: Toast Training Mode?

Kirsten_H — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 19:54:11 GMT

I think there's another thread somewhere in the community about work arounds...someone suggested to me to set up a 'Training' Dining mode that doesn't print to any print stations. It adds the variable of having to change the dining mode when the order is started, but as long as that's done, you shouldn't print to any prep stations.

We also set up a couple 'Training' employees for training staff to use (they clock in under their own number that has no permissions yet).

When the trainee is done, you'll need to void off all of the checks that they've created so you don't have unpaid checks at the end of the shift.

It seems to be working for our new staff when they're training. It's certainly been helpful to get them more hands-on training with the handhelds.

Re: Toast Training Mode?

Zerelda — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 22:01:21 GMT

You can turn off ticket printing from one terminal temporarily in Device Setup (Non-Printing Prep Stations). You'd still have to go and bulk void any tests that the server rang in during the test time, but it wouldn't print to kitchen printers.

Re: Toast Training Mode?

Penguin_Meg1 — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 18:16:16 GMT

I have asked for this feature request a few times as well. We had it when we were with Aloha a few years ago and it was a very valuable feature. Keep putting it in as a feature request!

Re: Toast Training Mode?

KDixon — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:35:27 GMT

Hello All, new Toast user here. Just wanted to bump this thread as I too believe an employee Training Mode is an essential feature. When training a new team member it is advantageous for them to use the system like a normal employee, tendering payments and sending orders, without it effecting the operation. Training modes are common place in all of the major POS systems including Micros, Aloha, Squirrel, etc. and I hope that Toast can add this feature. This should be a no-brainer.