How do I set up lead times?

Overview

Lead time represents the time between the moment the order is placed and the moment the order is in the hands of the client.

• For take out orders, lead time is the preparation time for an order.
• For delivery orders, lead time is the preparation time plus delivery time of the order.

In backoffice, lead time also will determine the earliest pick-up and delivery times available for the customer. The restaurant will pre-select a standard lead time based on how long it takes for that location to prepare orders. Tacit also supports Variable Lead time settings, where lead time can change based on the items ordered, and items can be assigned individual Prep times. 
 

Setting Up Lead Time

1. Go to Brands & Locations tab in backoffice
2. Click Edit Location

3. On the Contact & Hours tab, scroll down to Lead Time. This will show the current set lead time at your location.

   

4. To edit the default lead time at a location, go to the Settings tab in the same Edit Location window.
5. Under Mobile settings, find the setting PickUpTimeIncrement.

• Edit the value to your desired lead time. 
  • Make sure to save your changes by clicking Save in the upper right hand corner.
• If your location supports delivery, you will also need to set a DeliveryTimeIncrement. This defines the default lead time for delivery orders for the location, including transportation time.
  • This number would then be calculated as your PickUpTimeIncrement + Driving Time.
  • For Uber Direct or DoorDash Drive, prep time must be at least 20 minutes.

6. To set up a Lead Time Overwrite, click Add Hours under the original Contact & Hours tab.
   • Lead time can be customized to coordinate with busy times. Currently, the backoffice allows locations to customize 1 lead time alteration per day.
   • For example, if your current lead time is 15 minutes, but the lunch hour is your busiest time, you can adjust the lead time between 11 AM and 1 PM to 20 minutes to allow for more flexibility during the busiest times.
   • Similarly, if you have slower hours, lead time can be reduced. Alterations in lead time can be applied to specific days of the week, as well as specific times of the day.

Additional Settings

Variable Lead Time

• Preparation Time allows the restaurant to keep the most efficient Lead Time, only increasing this time in minutes for customers who order menu items that take longer than normal to prepare.
• Variable Preparation Time allows the restaurant to control the lead time based on the number of menu items ordered. As the quantity of the menu item increases, lead time increases in relation.
  • The setting VarLeadTime (also configured at the location level under Mobile Settings) enables the preparation time to be configured per item.

Preparation Times

Preparation Times are added on the menu item level.

• If Preparation Time is set at the menu item level AND ‘Add to Order Time’ is set to FALSE, prep time will override the existing location lead time only if the value is higher.
  • If Lead Time is 15 min and Preparation Time is 20 min, the lead time will become 20 min.
  • If Lead Time is 30 min and Preparation Time is 20 min, the lead time will remain as 30 min.

• If Preparation Time is set at the menu item level, ‘Add to Order Time’ is set to TRUE, AND the VarLeadTime setting is set to 1, prep time will become variable, increasing in relation to order quantity.

  • If Lead Time is 15 min and Preparation Time is 20 min, the lead time will become 20 min.

  • If Lead Time is 15 min and Preparation Time is 20 min AND the menu item is ordered x2, the lead time will become 40 mins.

  • If Lead Time is 15 min and Preparation Time is 20 min AND the menu item is ordered x3, the lead time will become 60 mins.