Order Throttling Feature
The Order Throttling feature takes into account the current volume of orders that a restaurant is set to fulfill for any incremental time slot (i.e., 4:00pm - 4:15pm), and adjusts the availability of that time slot.
It can be set based on the number of orders (Order Count) which can be fulfilled in an hour, or the total dollar amount of the orders (Dollar Amount) that can be fulfilled in an hour.
NOTE: Order Throttling does not affect ASAP ordering and the Order Throttling system will automatically select the amount which is closest to the limit (order count or dollar amount). If ASAP order is turned on, Lunchbox will continue to accept ASAP orders for time slots that have reached the Order Throttling threshold(s).
Using Order Throttling
There is the ability to perform Order Throttling on Standard or Catering types. These items are adjustable on the Locations page.
For Order Throttling, each hour is broken down into four (4) separate 15-minute time slots, for example:
12:00pm - 12:15pm
12:15pm - 12:30pm
12:30pm - 12:45pm
12:45pm - 12:00pm
To determine how many orders or how much money can be allocated to each time slot, we must take the total order/dollar amount set to be fulfilled in an hour and divide it by four (4).
If the restaurant has set with Order Throttling that they can fulfill twelve (12) orders an hour, then they can fulfill three (3) orders every 15-minute time slot.
If the restaurant has set with Order Throttling that they can fulfill $1000 an hour, then they can fulfill $250 worth of orders every 15-minute time slot.
If the time slot is over 100% capacity when scheduling, the guest will not be able to pick that time slot and Not Available will be written next to the slot.
If the time slot is over 50% but less than 100% capacity, the guest will still be able to pick that time slot and Half Full will be written next to the slot.
FAQ
How does Order Throttling work? What is the formula for Order Throttling?
Order Throttling can be set based on the # of orders (Order Count) which can be fulfilled in an hour, or the total $ amount of the orders (Dollar Amount) that can be fulfilled in an hour.
To determine how many orders or how much $ can be allocated to each time slot, we must take the total order/dollar amount set to be fulfilled in an hour and divide it by 4.
If the restaurant has set with Order Throttling that they can fulfill 12 orders an hour, then they can fulfill 3 orders every 15-minute time slot.
If the restaurant has set with Order Throttling that they can fulfill $1000 an hour, then they can fulfill $250 worth of orders every 15 minute time slot.
What if multiple customers place orders in the same time slot when orders are being throttled?
If multiple customers select the same time slot before it fills up, they’ll still be able to place their orders (since at the point that they were selected, the slots weren’t full). Currently, orders aren't being blocked if the slot fills up before customers finish checkout.