Quote time strategies

The following sections describe the various quote time strategies available.

Manual

The manual strategy sets estimated quote times based on the amount of time the kitchen needs to prepare the items in an order placed for takeout or delivery. The delivery quote time only applies to first-party delivery and not Toast Delivery Services (TDS). The delivery quote time must be the same or more than the takeout time.

Important

Restaurants that do not use Toast Online Ordering do not see the kitchen capacity or order price strategies.

Example: Estimated immediate fulfillment time when manual quote time strategy is enabled

In this example:

  • Your restaurant is currently accepting online orders.

  • Takeout time = 15 minutes

  • Delivery time = 25 minutes

A guest places an ASAP online order for takeout at 1:00 PM. The configured manual quote time is 15 minutes. The guest’s order will be ready at 1:15 PM.

A guest places an ASAP online order for delivery at 1:00 PM. The configured manual quote time is 25 minutes. The guest’s order will be ready and delivered by 1:25 PM.


Kitchen capacity

The kitchen capacity strategy sets quote times based on the number of orders or items the kitchen can prepare in a 15-minute time interval. If a quote time is set, this serves as the base time for the kitchen capacity strategy. This strategy applies to both takeout and delivery orders.

Note

Restaurants using first-party delivery use the delivery quote time. TDS uses the takeout quote time.

When the kitchen capacity strategy is enabled, it affects Toast Online Ordering in the following ways:

  • The estimated fulfillment time for orders placed for immediate fulfillment increases when the kitchen capacity is reached for the next available 15-minute interval.

  • When the kitchen capacity is reached for any 15-minute interval, that time is removed from the list of available fulfillment times that guests can choose while scheduling future orders.

  • The estimated fulfillment time for orders placed for immediate fulfillment increases when the kitchen capacity or a pricing condition is met.

  • Order items are either prepared in the single time slot (if the slot can contain all the order items) or in sequential time slots.

Example: Estimated immediate fulfillment time increases when kitchen capacity order throttling is reached

In this example:

  • Your restaurant is currently accepting online orders for immediate fulfillment.

  • Quote time = 15 minutes.

  • You have specified a capacity of three orders per 15 minutes.

Three guests place online orders at 1:00 PM. Due to the configured prep time of 15 minutes, they see an estimated fulfillment time of 15-20 minutes. When these three orders are placed, the capacity for the 15-minute time interval is met. When a fourth guest places an order for immediate availability, the estimated fulfillment time increases.


Example: Time slot removed from list of available times when kitchen capacity is reached

In this example:

  • Your restaurant allows guests to schedule online orders for future fulfillment.

  • Quote time = 15 minutes.

  • You have specified a capacity of three orders per 15 minutes.

Three guests placing an online order for future fulfillment choose the same available fulfillment time of 3:00 PM on a specific business day. When these three orders are placed, the capacity for that 15-minute time interval is met. When a fourth guest schedules an order on the same business day, the 3:00 PM time slot no longer appears in the list of available fulfillment times. Only time slots for which the capacity hasn't already been met are displayed.


You can also use the kitchen capacity quote time strategy with an order price rule.

Example: Estimated immediate fulfillment time increases when kitchen capacity is reached or a pricing condition is met

In this example:

  • Your restaurant allows guests to place online orders for immediate fulfillment.

  • Quote time = 15 minutes.

  • You have specified a capacity of three orders per 15 minutes.

  • You have specified an order price rule to add 20 minutes for orders over $20.00.

Three guests each place a $40.00 online order. The quote time for each order is adjusted and increases from 15 to 35 minutes due to the order price rule. When these three orders are placed, the capacity for the 15-minute time interval is met and exceeded.


Example: Estimated quote time for an immediate order when the kitchen capacity item throttling setting is reached

In this example:

  • Your restaurant is currently accepting online orders for immediate fulfillment.

  • Quote time = 15 minutes.

  • You have specified a capacity of five items per 15 minutes.

    It is 4:00 PM and you have the following time slots filled with orders:

    • 4:15 - 4:30 PM with a three item order.

    • 4:45 - 5:00 PM with a two item order.

    • 5:45 - 6:00 PM with a five item order.

  • A guest places a 15 item order.

In this example, there are three sequential time slots available starting at 5:00 - 5:15 PM, 5:15 - 5:30 PM, and 5:30 - 5:45 PM. The Toast platform prioritizes sequential time slots if available. The order is completed by filling in the available time slots:

  • 5:00 - 5:15 PM with five items.

  • 5:15 - 5:30 PM with five items.

  • 5:30 - 5:45 PM with five items.

The guest’s quote time for their 15 item order is 5:45 PM.


Order price

The order price strategy sets quote times based on the total order price. This strategy applies to both takeout and delivery orders.

When the order price strategy is enabled, the estimated fulfillment time for orders placed for immediate fulfillment increases if the pricing condition is met.

Example: Estimated fulfillment time increases when the pricing condition is met

In this example:

  • Your restaurant allows guests to place online orders for immediate fulfillment.

  • Prep time = 15 minutes.

  • You have specified an order price rule to add 20 minutes for orders over $20.00.

A guest places a $40.00 online order for immediate fulfillment. The quote time is adjusted and increases from 15 to 35 minutes due to the total order price.