Preparation Time
Preparation time is the buffer between when a customer places an order and the earliest available delivery or pickup slot. It ensures your team has enough time to prepare orders before they need to go out.
Setting preparation time
- Go to Scheduling > Preparation Time
- Set the preparation duration (in hours or minutes)
- Choose whether it applies to all delivery methods or configure per method
Examples
| Business Type | Prep Time | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery store | 1 hour | Items need to be picked and packed |
| Bakery | 3 hours | Baked goods need time to prepare |
| Florist | 2 hours | Arrangements need to be assembled |
| Retail store | 30 minutes | Items just need to be pulled from shelves |
How preparation time affects scheduling
If a customer places an order at 10:00 AM and your preparation time is 2 hours:
- The earliest available slot starts at 12:00 PM or later
- Any slot before 12:00 PM is hidden from the customer
- Same-day delivery is only available if there are slots after the preparation window
Per-method preparation time
You can set different prep times for different methods:
- Local delivery — Longer prep time (packing + driver dispatch)
- Pickup — Shorter prep time (customer comes to you)
Dynamic considerations
- Order volume — During busy periods, you may want to increase prep time manually
- Product complexity — If certain products require longer preparation, consider product-based delivery rules
Adjusting preparation time
Changes take effect immediately. If you increase prep time:
- New orders will see the updated availability
- Existing orders are not affected
If you decrease it:
- More time slots become available sooner
- Verify your team can handle the reduced buffer