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ReservationsPre-orders for Group Bookings: Getting the Food Out on Time
By the WowMenu team · Published Oct 12, 2026 · 6 min read
A party of twelve sitting down at 8pm and ordering on arrival can stall a kitchen for half an hour, and every other table feels it. Pre-orders move that decision to before the evening, so the kitchen knows what is coming and when.
How it works
- The guest books, with a deposit where your rules require one for larger parties.
- They pre-order the meal with the booking. The upcoming booking on their profile shows Pre-order saved.
- The reservation carries the pre-order, with its items and value, in the Owner Portal.
- The kitchen sees it in a scheduled panel, above the live lanes, with a suggested release time.
- One tap releases it, and it becomes Round 1 when the party sits down.
The release time
The suggested release time is worked out from the booking time and how long each dish takes, so slow dishes start in time and quick ones are not left waiting.
Handling the night
- Late arrivals: hold the release until the party is confirmed on the way.
- Changes: the party can still order more at the table, as a second round.
- Allergies: confirm them on arrival, even if they were noted in advance.
Make it the default for groups
- Ask for a pre-order on bookings above a set party size
- Offer a set menu so groups can decide quickly
- Take a deposit on the largest bookings
Beyond groups
The same approach works for celebrations, business lunches with a fixed time, and seasonal peaks such as iftar during Ramadan. See pre-orders and reservations.
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