Cancelling an item or check before payment is finalized — the sale is removed rather than refunded.
Void
Cancelling an item or check before payment is finalized — the sale is removed rather than refunded.
A void is the cancellation of an item or an entire check before it is paid and closed. Because the sale never completes, a void differs from a refund (money returned after payment) and from a comp (a completed sale given away for free).
Voids are routine — a guest changes their mind, an item is rung in error — but they are also a classic avenue for theft, so most POS systems control and log them.
- Controls: manager approval or PIN to void after an item fires to the kitchen, plus a reason code.
- Why it is tracked: a void report flags patterns — a server with heavy post-fire voids warrants a look.
Reviewing voids, comps, and discounts is a standard loss-prevention routine, and every restaurant POS reports them by employee.