--- title: "Scheduled Online Ordering | SpotOn Express" canonical: "https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/5273976862/Scheduled%20Online%20Ordering%20%7C%20SpotOn%20Express" format: markdown --- ## Overview Your customers can schedule a same-day pickup time when ordering through your SpotOn ordering site and the GoTo app. Enable scheduled pickup from your Dashboard, and choose how those orders reach your kitchen with **Kitchen Release Mode** — either shortly before pickup or the moment they're placed. > ⚠️ Scheduling for future days (tomorrow or later) is not yet available but is planned for the roadmap. --- **Quick Links** > Macro (toc) --- ## Set Up Scheduled Ordering 1. Log in to **Dashboard** >** Online Ordering** 2. Open the **Scheduled Orders** tile 3. Toggle **Scheduled Pickup** on 4. **Max Days Out** — Scheduled orders are temporarily limited to same-day only, so this setting can't be changed. 5. **Kitchen Release Mode** — choose when scheduled orders reach your kitchen: - **Lead-time-based (default)** — the order releases to your kitchen your lead time before the scheduled pickup, so food is ready right as your customer arrives. - **Release immediately** — the order fires to your kitchen as soon as it's placed, so your team can see what's coming and plan prep on their own terms. The scheduled pickup time still shows on the ticket so your kitchen knows when it's due. 6. Click **Save** > ℹ️ **Tip:** The release timing for orders is controlled separately by your pickup lead time, set under **Online Ordering → Pickup Settings**. > ℹ️ **Note:** Changing your Kitchen Release Mode applies only to new scheduled orders. Orders already placed will release under the mode that was active when your customer ordered. --- ## How it Works 1. Customers visit your online ordering site or the GoTo app and build their order. 2. At checkout, customers choose **ASAP** (default) or a same-day pickup time. - *ASAP orders are placed for immediate preparation*. 3. Scheduled slots appear in 15-minute increments based on your operating hours for today. 4. How the order reaches your kitchen depends on your Kitchen Release Mode: - **Lead-time-based:** the order is held and automatically released to your POS your lead time before the scheduled pickup window. - **Release immediately:** the order fires to your POS right away, with the scheduled pickup time shown on the ticket so your kitchen knows when it's actually due. 5. Your team receives the order like any other online order — no extra steps required. **Example (lead-time-based):** A customer schedules a 6:00 PM pickup. Your lead time is 30 minutes. The order fires to your POS at 5:30 PM. **Example (release immediately):** A customer places a 6:00 PM pickup order at 2:00 PM. The order reaches your POS at 2:00 PM, marked for 6:00 PM pickup. --- ## What Staff Will See In **lead-time-based** mode, scheduled orders arrive at your POS exactly like ASAP online orders — same ticket, same KDS flow. In **release immediately** mode, orders arrive as soon as they're placed, and the ticket shows the scheduled pickup time so your kitchen knows when to have the order ready. Either way, no new steps are required from your staff. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: What is Kitchen Release Mode?** A: It's a setting that controls when a scheduled order reaches your kitchen. Lead-time-based (the default) releases the order shortly before pickup; Release immediately sends it to your kitchen the moment it's placed, with the pickup time shown on the ticket. **Q: Which Kitchen Release Mode should I use?** A: Lead-time-based keeps food hot and ready right as your customer arrives. Release immediately is handy if you take large or catering-style orders and want to plan prep as soon as orders come in. You can switch anytime. **Q: If I change Kitchen Release Mode, does it affect orders already placed?** A: No. The change applies only to new scheduled orders. Orders already in your queue release under the mode that was active when they were placed. **Q: How do I turn scheduled ordering on or off?** A: Go to **Dashboard > Online Ordering > Scheduled Orders** and toggle **Scheduled Pickup** on or off. **Q: What does Max Days Out control?** A: Scheduled orders are temporarily limited to same-day only, so this setting can't be changed. **Q: Can customers order for tomorrow or a future date?** A: No. Customers can only schedule same-day pickup times. Scheduling for future days (tomorrow or later) is planned for the roadmap. **Q: What happens if my POS is offline when a scheduled order is due?** A: The order will fail, and you'll receive an email notification with the order details and customer contact info so you can follow up directly. **Q: What if a customer orders an item I've since run out of?** A: If an item is marked unavailable after the order was placed, the order will fail, and both you and your customer will be notified by email. **Q: Can a customer cancel or change a scheduled order?** A: Not at this time. Once placed, a scheduled order is final. If a refund is needed, get in touch with the **SpotOn Customer Support team** at **1-877-814-4102**, available 24/7. **Q: Can a scheduled order be paid for during pickup? ** A. No. SpotOn Express does not support the "Pay at Pickup" (or Pay Later) option for online orders. Standard first-party online ordering requires payment by credit card at the time of order. --- ## Things to Know - Kitchen Release Mode lets you choose when scheduled orders reach your kitchen: Lead-time-based (default) or Release immediately. Set it under Online Ordering → Scheduled Orders. - A Kitchen Release Mode change applies only to new orders — orders already placed are unaffected. - Same-day only — customers can only schedule pickup times for today. Scheduling for a future date is not yet available. - Scheduled ordering is pickup only. Delivery scheduling is not supported. - Available on your SpotOn ordering site and GoTo app. Not available through third-party delivery platforms. - ASAP preparation remains the default for Online Orders — customers choose a scheduled time intentionally. - Available time slots are based on operating hours set under Online Ordering → Business Hours. --- ## Related Articles - [Set Up Online Ordering Right from Your Dashboard | SpotOn Express](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/4784259073/Set+Up+Online+Ordering+Right+from+Your+Dashboard+SpotOn+Express) - [Manage Your Online Ordering | SpotOn Express](https://help.spoton.com/space/SK/4263542786/Manage+Your+Online+Ordering+%7C+SpotOn+Express)