Preparation time and order notes
Set useful kitchen timing and decide when guests can add instructions.
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Preparation time
Track preptime records an item’s preparation timer in whole minutes. A value of zero means an immediate deadline; turning tracking off is a separate setting.
Choose a time that matches how the item is prepared. If updating several dishes, use one shared time only when it is appropriate for all of them.
Customer order notes
Allow notes for ordering lets customers add notes or special instructions to an item. Use it where an open-ended request is helpful.
For choices that affect price or require a defined selection, configure modifiers or variations so the choice and charge are recorded consistently.
Clear preparation instructions
Use Quick modifiers for common staff-assisted requests such as No pickles or Cut in half. Attach only instructions that make sense for that item.
When reviewing kitchen output, check both the selected option names and any preparation-wording settings. A concise instruction should still tell the kitchen exactly what to prepare.
Update preparation times with Gordon
You can update one item, a category or a whole location. For example:
- “Set all items to 10 minutes prep time.”
- “Set burgers to 12 minutes and salads to 5.”
- “Turn off Track preptime for drinks.”
Include any exceptions in your request. A category update includes its subcategories. Shared items can affect other locations, so check where they are used before requesting a broad change.
A whole-minute value enables tracking. Zero means an immediate deadline; turn tracking off if you do not want a timer.
Read the result to see which items changed and which already had the correct time. For example, “25 items checked: 24 updated, 1 already correct” covers all 25 items.
Kitchen display timing
The kitchen display uses the longest tracked item duration, with scheduled deadlines taking precedence. Changing catalogue preparation times does not change the deadlines already stored on active order tickets.