Taking Orders
Taking orders is one of the most common things you will do on every shift. The goal is to get the customer exactly what they want, entered correctly into the POS, and ready as quickly as possible. This page covers the full flow from greeting to handing off the finished drink.
Starting the Conversation
Once someone is ready to order, keep it simple:
"Are you here for something to drink or something to paint?"
This kindly asks the customer while informing them of what many passersby don't know — Muse & Co offers painting any day we're open (Sit & Paint) and has sketch class lessons every Tuesday.
If they are browsing or seem unsure, feel free to use your own voice and creativity, but always remain welcoming. For example:
"Would you like a recommendation? Our boba teas are really popular, and the fruit teas are great if you want something lighter. Or if you're feeling creative, we have painting available any time!"
Do not rush anyone. Let them take their time, especially first-timers who may not be familiar with boba drinks, specialty teas, or our art offerings. Staff are encouraged to have their own style as long as it remains respectful and welcoming to all customers.
Customizations
Almost every drink can be customized. When someone orders, ask about their preferences -- or at minimum, be ready to adjust if they ask.
Sweetness Levels
| Level | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 100% | Full sweetness (default) |
| 75% | Slightly less sweet -- good recommendation for first-timers |
| 50% | Half sweet |
| 25% | Lightly sweet |
| 0% | No added sweetness |
First-Timer Recommendation
If someone has never had boba before and is not sure about sweetness, suggest 75%. Full sweetness can be a lot for people who are not used to it, and 75% is a safe middle ground that most people enjoy.
Ice Levels
| Level | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Regular | Standard amount of ice (default) |
| Less ice | About half the normal amount |
| No ice | No ice at all |
Toppings
Toppings are an add-on at $0.50 to $1.00 each. The most common ones:
| Topping | Price |
|---|---|
| Boba (tapioca pearls) | $0.50 |
| Popping boba | $0.75 |
| Jelly | $0.50 |
| Pudding | $0.75 |
| Extra toppings vary | $0.50 -- $1.00 |
If someone orders a drink that does not come with boba by default (like a fruit tea or coffee), let them know they can add it.
Entering the Order on the POS
All orders go through the POS at staff.ncmuse.co/pos. For the full step-by-step walkthrough, see How to Use the POS. Here is the quick version:
- Tap the category -- Boba, Coffee, Fruit Tea, Special Brewed Tea, etc.
- Tap the drink -- Select the specific item.
- Add customizations -- Set ice level, sweetness, and any other options.
- Add toppings -- Tap any toppings the customer wants.
- Add to cart -- Item appears in the order summary.
- Repeat if they are ordering multiple items.
- Confirm the order -- Read back what you have and the total.
Always Confirm Before Checkout
Read the order back to the customer before hitting checkout. "So that's a Classic Milk Tea, 75% sweet, less ice, with boba -- and a Taro Milk Tea, regular. That'll be $13.48. Sound good?" This catches mistakes before they become remakes.
Payment
We accept several payment methods:
| Method | Notes |
|---|---|
| Credit/debit card | Preferred -- processed through Stripe |
| Apple Pay | Tap to pay |
| Google Pay | Tap to pay |
| Cash | Accepted -- POS calculates change for you |
Card and tap payments are preferred because they are faster and reduce cash handling. But always accept cash without hesitation.
For cash payments, enter the amount received in the POS and it will calculate the change automatically.
Muse Stars Loyalty Program
After confirming the order and before payment, ask about loyalty:
"Do you have a Muse Stars account?"
If they do: Look up their account and apply the points. They earn 10 Stars per $1 spent.
If they do not: Offer to sign them up.
"Would you like to sign up? It's free -- you earn 10 Stars for every dollar you spend, with double Stars on Tuesdays and triple on Wednesdays. Every 100 Stars is $1 off a future order. You can sign up right now at ncmuse.co/loyal-tea."
Earn Rate
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Base earn rate | 10 Stars per $1 spent |
| Bonus days | Tuesday 2x (20 Stars per $1), Wednesday 3x (30 Stars per $1) -- drinks/food only, not event bookings |
| Star value at checkout | 100 Stars = $1 off (250 Stars = $2.50, 1,000 Stars = $10) |
| Sign up | Free at ncmuse.co/loyal-tea |
| Claim stars from a receipt | ncmuse.co/claim-stars |
If a customer asks "how much are my Stars worth?": every 100 Stars = $1 off. The program gives back roughly 10% of what they spend (more on Tuesday/Wednesday drink purchases).
Loyalty Tiers
Stars accumulate and unlock higher tiers with better earn multipliers:
| Tier | Stars Required | Spend Equivalent | Earn Multiplier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tea Leaf | 0 -- 2,499 | $0 -- $249 | 1x |
| Artist | 2,500+ | $250+ | 1.25x |
| Muse | 7,500+ | $750+ | 1.5x |
Spending Stars (no rewards catalog)
There is no rewards menu anymore. Stars work like money, one simple rule:
100 Stars = $1 off anything.
Customers apply Stars directly at checkout (online cart or in-store) using the Stars slider. They can use a few or their whole balance — drinks, workshops, Sit & Paint, space rentals, anything.
Quick conversions for the counter:
| Stars | Worth |
|---|---|
| 100 | $1 off |
| 500 | $5 off |
| 1,000 | $10 off |
| 2,500 | $25 off (a free Sit & Paint!) |
If a customer mentions an old named reward ("Free Latte for 400 stars"), explain the change: their Stars are worth the same — they just apply them as money off instead of picking from a menu. A redemption code from a past catalog reward is still honored — accept it as normal.
If a customer wants to check their points or sign up, direct them to ncmuse.co/loyal-tea.
Do not be pushy about it. If they say no, move on. You can always mention it again on a future visit.
After the Order
Once payment is complete:
- Label prints automatically -- The Brother label printer will print an order label with the drink details and the customer's name.
- Prep the drink -- If you are making drinks, grab the label and start. If someone else is on drink prep, hand off the label or let them know.
- Call their name -- When the drink is ready, call the customer's name clearly. "Sarah, your Classic Milk Tea is ready!"
Busy Period Heads-Up
Expect higher volume during these times:
- Friday evenings -- people unwinding after the work week
- Saturday all day -- our busiest day overall
- During events -- Paint & Boba nights and workshops bring extra traffic
During busy periods, keep the line moving. Take the next order as soon as the previous one is entered. Drink prep and order-taking can happen in parallel when two people are on shift.
Menu at a Glance
Here is a quick reference for our menu categories and price ranges:
| Category | Price Range | Popular Items |
|---|---|---|
| Boba | $5.99 -- $7.50 | Classic Milk Tea, Taro, Matcha |
| Fruit Tea | $6.50 | Mango, Passion Fruit, Peach |
| Coffee | $2.00 -- $6.50 | Latte, Mocha, Drip Coffee |
| Special Brewed Tea | $5.50 -- $7.50 | Jasmine, Oolong, Rose |
| MISC Drinks | Varies | Seasonal specials |
| Toppings | $0.50 -- $1.00 | Boba, Popping Boba, Jelly |
| Art Experiences | $25 -- $45 | Sit and Paint ($25), Paint & Boba ($45) |
For full recipes and prep instructions, see Drink Categories.
Common Questions at the Counter
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| "What's good here?" | Recommend a Classic Milk Tea with boba for first-timers, or a fruit tea if they want something lighter |
| "What's boba?" | Tapioca pearls -- chewy, slightly sweet. They go in the bottom of the drink and you sip them through a wide straw |
| "Do you have dairy-free options?" | Yes -- check which milks are available on your shift (oat milk is the most common alternative) |
| "Can I paint?" | Yes! Sit and Paint is $25 and available anytime. Paint & Boba is $45 and includes a drink -- check events for scheduled sessions |
| "Do you have food?" | We focus on drinks and light snacks. Check the current snack offerings on the POS |
Last updated: March 2026