Configure Future Orders in Multi-Location Management
Description: Learn how to enable Future Orders, configure scheduling limits, set payment requirements, and define when orders are automatically sent to the kitchen.
Note: This feature is currently available only for Pilot users using Multi-Location Management (Customer Hub). Support for single-location merchants is planned for a future release.
Before You Begin
Future Orders are configured individually for each location by a Customer Hub administrator.
Configuration settings do not inherit from the enterprise or corporate level. Each location must be configured separately.
Key Concepts
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Scheduled For | The date and time the customer's order should be ready for pickup or fulfillment. |
| Fire Time | The system-calculated time when the order is automatically sent to the kitchen. |
| Prep Lead Time | The amount of time the kitchen needs to prepare the order before its scheduled fulfillment time. This can be set as a location default or overridden for an individual order. |
| Minimum Advance Notice | The shortest amount of lead time customers must provide when scheduling a Future Order. |
| Maximum Scheduling Window | The furthest date into the future that customers can schedule a Future Order. |
Enable Future Orders
- Log in to Multi-Location Management and go to Location > Future Orders.
- Slide the toggle to enable Future Orders.
- Select Save.
After Future Orders are enabled, the following configuration sections become available:
- Scheduling
- Payment Rules
- Kitchen Fire Timing
Configure Scheduling Limits
Configure how far in advance customers can schedule Future Orders.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Minimum Advance Notice | Defines the minimum lead time required before a Future Order can be scheduled. The maximum supported value is 24 hours. |
| Maximum Scheduling Window | Defines how far into the future a Future Order can be scheduled. |
These settings control different limits:
- Minimum Advance Notice controls the shortest allowable lead time.
- Maximum Scheduling Window controls the furthest date customers can schedule an order.
Configure Payment Rules
Configure whether a payment or a deposit is required when scheduling a Future Order.
Available options include:
- Allow Unpaid Future Orders: Payment is collected upon fulfillment.
- Require Payment Before Fulfillment: Payment requirements must be satisfied before the order can be sent to the kitchen.
- Orders Over ($): Require payment only for orders above a specified amount.
- Scheduled Days in Advance: Require payment only when orders are scheduled a specified number of days ahead.
- Require Amount (% or $): Specify the required deposit or prepayment amount.
Example:
- Orders Over: $100
- Scheduled Days in Advance: 0
- Require Amount: 25%
Requires a 25% deposit for any order over $100, regardless of when it is scheduled.
Configure Kitchen Fire Timing
Choose when Future Orders are automatically sent to the kitchen.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Fire at a Fixed Time Each Day | Sends all Future Orders for the day to the kitchen simultaneously. Recommended for kitchens that prepare orders in batches. |
| Fire Before Due Time | Sends each order to the kitchen a specified amount of time before its scheduled fulfillment time. Recommended for standard pickup and takeout operations. |
| Use Prep Lead Time from POS | Allows staff to enter a prep lead time when scheduling an order. When enabled, the per-order prep lead time overrides the location default for that order. |
Select Save after making your changes.
Permissions
Access to Future Orders is controlled by the "Manage Future Orders" permission.
-
In the Customer Hub, navigate to Employees > Manage Employees > Jobs.
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Select the Job Type to which you want to add the permission.
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Under Allowed Settings, select +Add Settings.
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Select the checkbox to enable Manage Future Orders.
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Select Save.
-
Select Save again.
Staff without this permission can continue to:
- Take standard orders
- Process payments
However, they cannot schedule or manage Future Orders.
After configuration is complete, visit the Schedule a Future Order on Handheld or Schedule and Manage Future Orders on the Workstation to begin creating Future Orders.