Team Chat & Communication
Instant messaging for your team, built right into the app.
Overview
Restaurant Revolution includes a complete team communication platform:
- Direct Messages: Private 1:1 conversations
- Group Chats: Team and role-based channels
- Announcements: Important broadcasts from management
- Voice Notes: Send audio messages when typing isn't convenient
- AI Translation: Automatic translation for multilingual teams
Getting Started
Accessing Chat
- Tap the Chat icon in the bottom navigation
- View your conversations
- Tap to open or start new conversation
Chat Interface
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ MESSAGES [Search] [+ New] │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ 📢 ANNOUNCEMENTS │
│ │ VIP party tonight in private room - extra... 2m ago │
│ │
│ GROUP CHATS │
│ │ 🍳 Kitchen Team "Order up!" 5m │
│ │ 🍸 Bar Staff "Running low" 12m │
│ │ 🏠 All Staff "Schedule..." 1h │
│ │
│ DIRECT MESSAGES │
│ │ Maria (Server) "Sure!" 3m │
│ │ James (Manager) "Approved" 45m │
│ │ Kitchen - Carlos "Got it" 2h │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Direct Messages (DM)
Starting a Conversation
- Tap + New
- Select Direct Message
- Choose team member
- Start typing
Features
| Feature | How |
|---|---|
| Text message | Type and send |
| Voice note | Hold mic button |
| Photo | Tap camera icon |
| Read receipts | ✓ = Delivered, ✓✓ = Read |
| Typing indicator | Shows when they're typing |
When to Use DMs
- Quick questions to a coworker
- Shift swap requests
- Private feedback
- Urgent one-on-one communication
Group Chats
Auto-Created Groups
The system creates groups automatically:
| Group | Members | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| All Staff | Everyone at location | General announcements |
| Kitchen Team | BOH staff | Kitchen coordination |
| Front of House | FOH staff | Service updates |
| Bar Staff | Bartenders | Bar operations |
| Management | Managers only | Management discussion |
Using Group Chats
Groups are great for:
- Coordinating during service
- Shift updates
- 86'd item alerts
- Team questions
Group Etiquette
- Stay on topic - Use the right channel
- Be concise - Brief messages during service
- Acknowledge - React or reply to confirm you saw it
- Emergency only - @all for urgent issues
Announcements
What Are Announcements?
Important messages from management that appear prominently:
- Schedule updates
- Policy changes
- Event information
- Recognition
Viewing Announcements
- Appear at top of Messages
- Badge shows unread count
- Tap to read full message
- Mark as read when done
Acknowledging Announcements
Some announcements require acknowledgment:
- Read the announcement
- Tap Acknowledge
- Your confirmation is recorded
Voice Notes
When You Can't Type
Send voice messages:
- Tap and hold the microphone icon
- Record your message (up to 60 seconds)
- Release to send
Listening to Voice Notes
- Tap play to listen
- Speed up playback (1x, 1.5x, 2x)
- Auto-transcription shows text
Voice Note Tips
- Keep it brief
- Step away from noise
- Great for hands-busy situations
AI Translation
Automatic Translation
For multilingual teams:
- Message received in another language
- AI automatically translates
- View original or translation
- Reply in your language
Supported Languages
- English ↔ Spanish
- English ↔ Chinese
- English ↔ Vietnamese
- English ↔ Portuguese
- And 50+ more languages
Translation Accuracy
AI Translation
Translations are AI-powered and optimized for restaurant and hospitality terminology. If a translation seems incorrect, report it through the app to improve accuracy for your team.
Notifications
Managing Notifications
Control how you're notified:
- Go to Settings > Notifications > Chat
- Configure:
| Setting | Options |
|---|---|
| All messages | Sound, vibrate, silent |
| DMs | Always, during shift, never |
| Groups | Always, mentions only, never |
| Announcements | Always (recommended) |
Do Not Disturb
When you're off the clock:
- Auto-enabled after clock out
- Still receive announcements
- DMs show as "Away"
- Resume when clocked in
Searching Messages
Find Past Messages
- Tap Search in Messages
- Enter keywords
- Filter by:
- Person
- Group
- Date range
Search Examples
- "schedule friday" → Schedule-related messages
- "table 5" → References to table 5
- "James" → Messages with James
Message Actions
What You Can Do
Long-press any message for options:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Reply | Quote and respond |
| React | Add emoji reaction |
| Copy | Copy text |
| Forward | Send to another chat |
| Delete | Remove your message |
Reactions
Quick responses without typing:
- 👍 Thumbs up (acknowledged)
- ✅ Check (done/confirmed)
- 👀 Eyes (seen it)
- 🔥 Fire (great job)
- ❓ Question (need clarification)
Voice Commands
Use voice to send messages:
| Task | Say |
|---|---|
| Send message | "Hey Maximus, message Maria that table 5's food is ready" |
| Check messages | "Hey Maximus, any new messages?" |
| Send to group | "Hey Maximus, tell kitchen we need a rush on order 42" |
Privacy & Professional Use
Work Communication Only
Professional Use
Team chat is for work communication only. Messages may be reviewed by management for compliance purposes. Keep conversations professional and work-related.
Message Retention
- Messages stored securely
- History available for reference
- Management can access for compliance
- Delete your own messages (visible to recipient)
Troubleshooting
Messages Not Sending
- Check internet connection
- Verify app is updated
- Try closing and reopening chat
- Messages queue offline, send when online
Not Receiving Notifications
- Check notification settings
- Verify phone settings allow notifications
- Check Do Not Disturb mode
- Ensure you're logged in
Can't Find Someone
- They may be at different location
- Check spelling of name
- They may not have app access yet
- Ask manager to verify access
Best Practices
During Service
- Keep it short - Brief messages only
- Use reactions - Quick acknowledgment
- Right channel - Kitchen stuff in kitchen chat
- Urgent = call - Don't rely on chat for emergencies
Communication Tips
- Be clear - State what you need
- Be professional - Remember it's work
- Be responsive - Acknowledge messages
- Be helpful - Support your team
Related Guides
- Time Clock - Clock in/out
- Voice Commands - Hands-free messaging