Articles on: Calendar & Time

How to Configure Order Preparation Time

How to Configure Order Preparation Time


Configure order preparation times to control when customers can select delivery slots based on your store's processing schedule.


Order preparation times control when customers can select delivery slots. They align with your store's processing capabilities. This prevents overbooking and manages customer expectations effectively.



Access Preparation Time Settings


Navigate to your preparation time settings based on your store setup.


  • If you manage a single schedule for all locations, go to Bird App Settings > Pickup & Delivery and access the delivery method settings.


  • If you have selected "I have different schedule for different store locations", navigate to Bird App Settings > Configure Locations > Select a Location, then access the delivery method settings for that specific location.


Enable Preparation Time Feature


  1. Toggle Enable Preparation Time to activate the feature


Shows the preparation time toggle switch in the Bird app settings interface


Choose Preparation Time Configuration


Select one of two options:


  • Same Preparation Time for All Days: Use when your processing time remains consistent throughout the week
  • Customize Preparation Time by Day: Use when you need different processing times for specific days


Displays the two preparation time configuration options - uniform vs. customized by day


Set Lead Time


Lead time is the minimum time required before an order can be fulfilled.


Lead Time Examples


4 Hours Lead Time:

  • Order placed at 10:00 AM Monday
  • Earliest available slot: 2:00 PM Monday


1 Day Lead Time (Next-Day Fulfillment):

  • Order placed Monday at 11:00 AM
  • Available slots: Tuesday onwards


2 Days Lead Time:

  • Order placed Monday
  • Available slots: Wednesday onwards


Block Same-Day Delivery and Pickup


Set lead time to 1 day to block same-day fulfillment. This prevents customers from selecting same-day delivery or same-day pickup slots. Orders placed today become available for next-day fulfillment only.


Use 1 day lead time to create a same-day fulfillment block. This ensures all orders require next-day processing.


Same-Day Fulfillment Block Example:

  • Order placed Monday at 2:00 PM
  • Same-day slots blocked
  • Earliest available slot: Tuesday onwards


Understanding Day Boundaries


The system respects day boundaries when calculating lead times. This ensures consistent scheduling and prevents orders from rolling over to early morning hours.


Example with 4-hour lead time:

  • Order placed at 2:00 PM Monday → Earliest slot: 6:00 PM Monday
  • Order placed at 7:00 PM Monday → Earliest slot: 11:00 PM Monday
  • Order placed at 11:00 PM Monday → Earliest slot: 12:00 AM Tuesday (next day)


This approach provides predictable scheduling and aligns with typical business hours.


Shows the lead time configuration interface with time input fields


Configure Cut-Off Time


Cut-off time determines when your store stops accepting new orders each day. Configure separate lead times for orders placed before and after the cut-off time.


Cut-Off Time Logic


Set your cut-off time and configure lead times for both periods.


Example Configuration:

  • Cut-off time: 6:00 PM
  • Lead time before cut-off: 1 day
  • Lead time after cut-off: 2 days


Result:

  • Orders placed before 6:00 PM use 1 day lead time
  • Customers can select next-day delivery or next-day pickup slots
  • Orders placed after 6:00 PM use 2 days lead time
  • Customers can only select slots starting two days from then


Example: Ordering Sunday after 6:00 PM means the earliest available slot is Tuesday.


Illustrates the cut-off time configuration with before/after lead time settings


Cut-Off Time Rules


Configure the lead time after cut-off to be longer than before cut-off. Enter separate lead time values for each period. This ensures you have enough processing time for orders placed after closing.


Example Configuration:

  • Set cut-off time to 6:00 PM
  • Enter lead time before cut-off: 1 day
  • Enter lead time after cut-off: 2 days


Why this works:

Orders placed after closing need extra time since your operations have ended for the day.


Configure preparation times for all 7 days when using the "Customize by Day" option.


Shows the complete preparation time configuration with all settings applied


Preview Your Widget Configuration


Verify your settings work correctly by previewing the widget.


  1. Click Widget Preview in the top right corner of the Bird App
  2. Simulate any date and time to check your advanced rules


Shows the widget preview option in the settings interface for testing configurations



Updated on: 12/23/2025

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