# Frequently Asked Questions

## Pricing and billing

**What does ForkLine cost?**
$49.99 per month, flat. No per-order commission, no contract, no minimum volume. See [Subscription & Billing](/subscription-billing).

**Do you take a cut of my orders?**
No. ForkLine takes no percentage and no per-order fee. The only per-transaction cost is Stripe's card processing fee, which goes to Stripe — ForkLine adds no markup. See [Processing Fees Explained](/processing-fees).

**Is there a free trial?**
Yes, 30 days. You're emailed three days before it ends.

**Is there a contract?**
No. Month to month, cancel any time from [Admin → Subscriptions](/subscription-billing).

**What happens to my data if I cancel?**
It stays. Menu, order history, and customers remain if you come back. Ask support if you want it permanently deleted.

## Payments

**What are the card processing fees?**
Stripe's standard published rates: **2.9% + 30¢** online and **2.7% + 5¢** in person, per successful US domestic transaction. See [Processing Fees Explained](/processing-fees).

**Why is in-person cheaper than online?**
A card physically present at a reader carries much lower fraud risk than a number typed into a form.

**When do I get paid?**
Your **first payout typically takes about 7–14 days** after your first charge — Stripe holds it on every new account. After that, payouts are typically daily, arriving about 2 business days after each day's sales. See [Payouts & Timelines](/payouts).

**Why doesn't my payout match my ForkLine sales?**
Processing fees, refunds, cash orders (never processed by Stripe), and the rolling delay. See [Payouts & Timelines](/payouts).

**Does my $49.99 come out of my payouts?**
No — it's billed separately to the card on file.

**Do I need my own Stripe account?**
Yes, and ForkLine creates it during setup. You're the merchant of record and money goes to your bank. See [Setting Up Stripe Payments](/stripe-connect-setup).

**Can customers pay cash?**
Yes — at the counter on the [register](/register-pos), and online if you allow pay-at-pickup. See [Ordering Settings](/ordering-settings).

**How do I refund?**
From [Admin → Orders](/refunds), whole order or individual items. Requires Owner access. Card-reader and cash payments are refunded outside ForkLine.

## Getting started

**How long does setup take?**
Account and restaurant setup is about fifteen minutes. Stripe verification is another ten. Building your menu takes longest — budget an hour or two. See [Creating Your Account](/getting-started).

**Can I import my existing menu?**
There's no self-serve import, but onboarding support is included — contact support with your current menu.

**What do I need before going live?**
Work the [Go-Live Checklist](/going-live-checklist).

**Can I try it without taking real orders?**
Yes. Build your menu with [ordering turned off](/ordering-settings), then place a test order yourself before opening up.

## Hardware

**Do I need special hardware?**
No. ForkLine runs in a browser on any tablet, laptop, or phone. A receipt printer and card reader are optional but usual for a counter.

**What printer do I need?**
A Star CloudPRNT-capable receipt printer, such as the TSP143 series. See [Receipt Printer Setup](/receipt-printer-setup).

**Can I use my existing printer?**
If it's a Star CloudPRNT model, yes. Others won't work.

**What about a cash drawer?**
Any standard drawer with an RJ12 connector, plugged into the printer. See [Cash Drawer](/cash-drawer).

**Do I have to buy hardware from ForkLine?**
No. Buy compatible hardware anywhere.

## Staff

**How many staff accounts can I have?**
Unlimited, at no extra cost. See [Users & Roles](/users-and-roles).

**Can I stop staff seeing revenue?**
Yes. Kitchen and Staff roles don't see financial data; only Owners reach billing.

**Several people share one register — do they each need a login?**
No, and they shouldn't. Use [Register Accounts](/register-accounts): the device signs in once, and each person enters a short passcode so sales are attributed to them.

**Can I see who did something?**
Yes — the [Activity Log](/activity-log).

## Orders and operations

**Can customers schedule orders in advance?**
Yes, within a window you set. See [Ordering Settings](/ordering-settings).

**Can I stop taking orders when we're slammed?**
Yes — turn off **Accept online orders** and set a closed message. Remember to turn it back on.

**How do customers know their order is ready?**
Automatically, when you mark it Ready. No manual texting.

**Do I need a kitchen display?**
No. You can print tickets, use the [screen](/kitchen-display), or both.

**Can I do delivery?**
Yes, through Nash couriers — you don't hire drivers. See [Delivery Setup](/delivery).

**Can I do table service?**
Yes, with dine-in enabled. See [Tables & Dine-In](/tables-and-dine-in).

## Switching to ForkLine

**Can I keep my delivery apps?**
Yes. Many restaurants run ForkLine for direct orders alongside marketplaces, and shift customers over gradually.

**How do I get customers to order direct?**
Put the link everywhere — Google Business Profile, Instagram, the door, receipts. [Rewards](/rewards) give people a reason to come back direct, and [email marketing](/marketing-campaigns) reaches them afterwards.

**Do I own my customer data?**
Yes. Contacts are yours. See [Customer Records](/customers).

**Can I run multiple locations?**
Yes — each is its own restaurant with its own subscription, and one login can reach several. Ask support about multi-location setup.

## Still stuck?

- [Troubleshooting](/troubleshooting) — when something's broken
- [Go-Live Checklist](/going-live-checklist)
- [What Is ForkLine?](/what-is-forkline)