Beat The Queue
Time slots are one of the simplest ways to make pre orders work for a food truck. They keep your kitchen calm, set clear expectations for customers, and stop a single rush from overwhelming your team.
What are time slots?
A time slot is a collection window. Instead of promising a single minute, customers choose a short window and you control how many orders you accept in each one.
Why time slots increase throughput
- They prevent spikes that slow you down
- They reduce order taking time at the hatch
- They help you prep the right stock before service
- They reduce customer frustration and repeated questions
How to set time slot capacity
Start with your realistic output per 15 minutes, then set capacity slightly below that to leave room for walk ups and inevitable disruption. If you can serve 20 covers in 15 minutes at peak, set a time slot capacity of 16 to 18, then adjust after two events.
Handle large orders properly
A single large order can be the same workload as five small ones. The best systems account for this by automatically allocating more capacity to large orders so you do not get a hidden backlog.
Beat The Queue and time slots
Beat The Queue supports time slots and capacity controls designed for street food. Customers book a slot, you see organised orders on one screen, and customers receive automatic updates. You can also accept each order before payment is captured, which helps when stock changes.
