The two APIs at a glance
Orders API
Transmits accepted ezCater orders into Olo Rails, where they flow on to your POS through your existing Olo configuration. Reduces the manual work of re-keying catering orders and the errors that come with it. See Olo Rails Integration for the full order flow.
Menus API
Syncs your Olo Rails menu into ezCater on a per-location basis, using metadata tags you set in Olo Menu Management to drive how items appear and behave on ezCater. Eliminates the parallel-menu maintenance that drifts over time. See Menu Setup Guide for how to configure it.
The two APIs are independent. You can run the Orders API without the Menus API and vice versa, though most brands eventually adopt both.
How it fits together
The diagram below shows where each API operates. The Menus API flows menu data from Olo Menu Management into ezCater. The Orders API flows accepted orders from ezCater into Olo Rails, which then routes them to your POS.
How to get started
If you’re new to the integration, follow these steps in order. Each step links to the page that walks through the detail.
Confirm your eligibility. Both APIs require an active Olo Rails configuration. If you don’t yet have Olo Rails, talk to your Olo rep first. Then email [email protected] to express interest in the ezCater integration.
Decide which APIs you need. Most brands start with the Orders API for the operational win, then add the Menus API to consolidate menu management. You can sequence them either way. If you’re already live on the Orders API, adding the Menus API is a smaller, focused project — see Olo Orders to Menus API Conversion.
For the Orders API, work with your ezCater contact to configure your Olo Rails access. See Olo Rails Integration for the workflow.
For the Menus API, set up metadata tagging in Olo Menu Management. See the Menu Setup Guide for the step-by-step process, and the Tag Reference for every tag’s accepted values.
Test with your ezCater contact before going live. The team will validate that orders transmit successfully and that your menu renders as expected on ezCater.
Monitor for errors during your first weeks. The Error Reference explains every code you might see and what to do about it.
You can add metadata tags to your Olo menu well in advance of onboarding without any negative impact on your live ezCater operation. Many partners do this so onboarding moves faster once the API is enabled.
When to use which page
I want to understand the order flow → Olo Rails Integration
I’m live on the Orders API and want to add the Menus API → Olo Orders to Menus API Conversion
I’m setting up my menu for the Menus API → Menu Setup Guide
I need to look up a specific tag or value → Tag Reference
I’m configuring sized items, zero-dollar parents, or lead times → Sized-Based Items, Menu Setup Guide (zero-dollar parents), Lead Times
I need to control which channels see which items → Rails Visibility
I’m setting up utensils → Utensils
I need to know what went wrong with an order → Error Reference
I want a recorded walkthrough → Videos & Walkthroughs