# Request Types

## What is it for?

**Request Types** is where you set the job headings that can be opened in your restaurant (for example *Call waiter*, *Cleaning*, *Fault*) and which department each heading goes to. Routing is set up here: *request type → department → that department's staff*.

> **How do I open this screen?** In the left menu go to **Restaurant → Request Types**. Or on **Restaurant Management** click the **Settings** tab, then the **Request Types** sub-tab.

![Request Types screen](https://help.useroam.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/rs-tip-en.png)

## When do I use it?

- When you first set up the restaurant, to link the 4 ready types (*Call waiter, Request bill, Cleaning, Fault*) to departments.
- To add a new job heading (for example `Refill water`, `High chair`).
- To send a job to a different team.
- To take a type you no longer use off the list (make it inactive).

## Before you start

- Departments are defined on the [Staff](/books/bumerang-guide/page/staff) screen or in the [setup wizard](/books/restaurant-solution/page/venue-setup-wizard). With no departments the screen shows *"You have not defined any departments yet."* and an **Add them on the Staff page** link.

## Step by step: add a new request type

1. In the **Add request type** card, type the name in **e.g. Take order** (for example `Refill water`), choose the department next to it (for example `Waiter`) and click **Add**. The top says *"Request type added."* and the type is added at the end of the list. ![Add request type card and Add button](https://help.useroam.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/rs-tip-en.png)

## Step by step: change the department or turn a type off

1. On the type's row, choose the new department in the **Department** box. To stop using the type, switch off the **Status** toggle. Then click **Save** on the same row. The top says *"Saved."*![Request type row: department, status toggle and Save](https://help.useroam.com/uploads/images/gallery/2026-09/rs-tip-satir-en.png)

An inactive type cannot be chosen for new requests; past requests and reports are unaffected. There is no delete button for types on this screen; switch off the ones you do not use.

## Every field and button

<table id="bkmrk-field-%2F-buttonwhat-i"><thead><tr><th>Field / Button</th><th>What it does</th><th>Example</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>**Add request type** card, **e.g. Take order** box</td><td>Name of the new type (up to 120 characters).</td><td>`Refill water`</td></tr><tr><td>Department box</td><td>Where the type goes. With **No department** the request goes to the least busy person among all staff.</td><td>Waiter</td></tr><tr><td>**Add**</td><td>Adds the type.</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td>List: **Request type**</td><td>The type's name (it cannot be renamed; add a new type and switch the old one off).</td><td>Call waiter</td></tr><tr><td>List: **Department**</td><td>The type's department.</td><td>Waiter</td></tr><tr><td>List: **Status** toggle</td><td>On: usable. Off: hidden from new requests.</td><td>On</td></tr><tr><td>**Save**</td><td>Saves the row.</td><td>-</td></tr></tbody></table>

The note under the card: *"Each request type is linked to a department; new requests go to that department's staff."*

## Messages you may see

<table id="bkmrk-messagemeaning-and-w"><thead><tr><th>Message</th><th>Meaning and what to do</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>*Request type added.*</td><td>The new type is on the list.</td></tr><tr><td>*Saved.*</td><td>The row change was saved.</td></tr><tr><td>*Request type name cannot be empty.*</td><td>Fill in the name.</td></tr><tr><td>*No request types yet.*</td><td>Add your first type, or use step 3 of the wizard.</td></tr><tr><td>*You have not defined any departments yet.*</td><td>Create departments with the **Add them on the Staff page** link.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Frequently asked questions

### Where do guests see request types?

They appear when staff open a request in the app and in **1. What happened?** in the panel's **New request** window. Automation rules also use them. The **Call waiter** and **Request the bill** buttons in the QR menu are separate from this list; they arrive as calls on the Operations Screen.

### Why can't I rename a type?

The name stays fixed so past requests and reports keep it. Add a type with the new name and switch the old one off with **Status**.

### Can several types go to the same department?

Yes. For example *Call waiter*, *Request bill* and *Refill water* can all go to Waiter.

## Related pages

- [Requests](/books/restaurant-solution/page/requests) · [SLA](/books/restaurant-solution/page/sla) · [Automation](/books/restaurant-solution/page/automation)
- [Venue Setup Wizard](/books/restaurant-solution/page/venue-setup-wizard)
- [Staff and departments](/books/bumerang-guide/page/staff)