A pre-order system allows restaurants and food service providers to enable customers to place orders for items ahead of time. This feature is beneficial for both the customer, who enjoys the convenience of timely deliveries, and the restaurant, which can efficiently manage order flow and inventory. For restaurants using RestroFood, setting up a pre-order system can streamline operations and improve the customer experience.

To use the pre-order systems you need to set some settings from the restrofood delivery settings. Please follow the screenshot.

After set all settings you will find the date and time select option on the checkout page

How to hide the delivery date and time from the checkout page?

Why Use Pre-Order Systems for Your Restaurant?

Using a pre-order system can significantly benefit your business in several ways:

Reduced Wait Times: Customers can avoid delays, especially during peak hours.
Better Inventory Management: Knowing orders ahead of time allows for more efficient stock management.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Offering the option to pre-order builds convenience and reliability, helping attract and retain customers.

How to Set Up a Pre-Order System in RestroFood?

To get started with the pre-order system in RestroFood, there are several settings you need to configure in the Delivery Settings. Let’s walk through each step to ensure your pre-order system is set up correctly.

Access the Delivery Settings
Log into your RestroFood dashboard. Navigate to the settings section and select “Delivery Settings.” Here, you’ll find the options to set up your pre-order system.

Enable Pre-Order System
Look for the “Enable Pre-Order” option. Toggle this feature to activate the pre-order system for your restaurant. Once enabled, customers will be able to choose specific dates and times for their orders at checkout.

Setting Date and Time for Pre-Orders
You can customize the date and time options for customers to pick their preferred delivery schedule. By setting specific times, you control the flow of orders to prevent being overwhelmed during busy hours. For example:

Choose which days pre-orders can be accepted.
Set the time slots available for deliveries or pickups.
Specify cut-off times for pre-orders to ensure adequate preparation time.

Handling Order Capacity
If your restaurant has limited capacity, you can control the number of pre-orders allowed per time slot. This feature helps maintain a smooth operation without overloading your kitchen.

How to Use the Pre-Order Date and Time Selection?

After configuring your settings, customers will see a date and time selection feature on the checkout page. Here’s how it appears to them:

Date Selection: Customers can select from the available dates you’ve set up.
Time Slot Selection: They’ll see a list of times based on your configurations, allowing them to choose a delivery or pickup time that best suits their schedule.
Hiding the Delivery Date and Time from Checkout
In cases where you want to disable the pre-order option temporarily or simply hide the date and time selection, RestroFood provides flexibility. Here’s how to do it:

Navigate to Delivery Settings: Head back to the delivery settings in your dashboard.
Disable Date and Time Fields: You’ll find an option to hide the date and time from the checkout page, which allows you to disable pre-orders without affecting other system functions.
This can be useful for:

Special Occasions: When you don’t want pre-orders for a specific event or holiday.
System Maintenance: Temporarily hide date and time selection during updates or changes.

Optimizing Your Pre-Order System for Customer Satisfaction

1. Clear Communication
   Include a short description at checkout to let customers know how your pre-order system works. Information about cutoff times, available time slots, or any restrictions will help avoid confusion.
2. Send Confirmation and Reminder Emails
   Automated emails confirming the date and time selected by the customer make the experience smoother. For example:

Order Confirmation Email: Upon completing the checkout, customers receive an email summarizing their order details and selected delivery time.
Reminder Email: Send a reminder a few hours before the delivery to ensure customers are ready, reducing the chance of missed pickups or deliveries.

3. Gather Customer Feedback
   Use feedback to continuously improve the pre-order experience. Encourage customers to leave reviews or fill out surveys about their ordering experience. This feedback can be invaluable in fine-tuning your settings and policies.
4. Promote Your Pre-Order System
   Take advantage of social media, email marketing, and in-store announcements to let customers know about the convenience of pre-ordering. Highlighting the benefits of ordering in advance, like reduced wait times, can increase engagement with your pre-order system.

Best Practices for Using Pre-Order Systems

Establish Clear Cutoff Times: Avoid last-minute rushes by setting up a reasonable cutoff time. For example, you might require orders to be placed at least 2 hours in advance.

Adjust for Holidays and Special Events: During high-demand times, consider offering limited menus or adjusted time slots to streamline the process.

Customize for Delivery or Pickup: Some customers may prefer to pick up orders themselves. Offer the option for either delivery or pickup based on their preference to enhance convenience.

Leverage Data for Forecasting: Use insights from your pre-orders to plan your inventory and staffing needs more accurately.

Potential Challenges and Solutions with Pre-Order Systems

Challenge 1: Managing Last-Minute Changes
Customers may request last-minute changes to their orders, especially regarding the delivery time or pickup location. Having a policy in place and clearly stating it during the checkout process can minimize misunderstandings.

Challenge 2: Unexpected High Volume
During promotions or peak times, an influx of pre-orders can strain resources. Consider adding a buffer or limiting pre-orders to prevent overloading your kitchen.

Challenge 3: Handling No-Shows
For pickup orders, no-shows can result in wasted resources. To combat this, some restaurants charge a small fee or hold deposits, especially for large pre-orders.

Final Thoughts on Using Pre-Order Systems in RestroFood

Setting up pre-order systems through RestroFood can be an effective way to cater to the needs of your customers while optimizing your restaurant’s operations. With the right settings, clear communication, and ongoing adjustments, pre-orders can become an integral part of your service model, providing convenience for customers and steady demand for your kitchen.

Whether it’s managing peak times more efficiently or creating a smoother experience for your customers, the pre-order system is a powerful tool that every restaurant using RestroFood should consider. Start optimizing your restaurant with a well-structured pre-order system today!

FAQ for Pre-Order Systems in RestroFood