Setting Availability Limitations on a Menu Item
- Go to Menu Management.
- Select the menu item you want to edit (e.g., Beef Lasagna).
- By default, an item’s lead time matches your store’s overall lead time, and it has no additional availability limits – if the store is open, the item can be ordered.
- Click the pencil icon next to the item to open its availability settings.
- Choose one of two limitation types:
- Weekly recurring availability – set specific days and time windows (e.g., available 9–11 AM, Monday through Sunday).
- Date range availability – set a start and end date for the item to be orderable (e.g., December 1–23 for a holiday menu).
- Save your changes.
Example: Weekly Limitation (Breakfast Item)
- A Pancakes item can be restricted to a set daily window, such as 9 – 11 AM, Monday through Sunday.
- Outside that window, customers will not be able to order the item.
Example: Date Range Limitation (Holiday Menu)
- Date range limitations are ideal for seasonal or holiday menus.
- Example: a holiday menu or buffet can be set to only be available from December 1 to December 23.
- Outside that date range, the item will not be orderable, even if the store itself is open.
How This Appears to Customers
- When a customer visits your online store, the pickup or delivery time is the first selection they make.
- If their selected time falls outside an item’s availability window, the item remains visible on the menu but is marked unavailable, along with its specific availability limitations (e.g., “Available 9 – 11 AM”).
- To order the item, the customer must adjust their pickup/delivery time to fall within the item’s availability window.
- Example: Switching the pickup time from tomorrow to Friday at 11 AM brings the customer within the pancakes’ availability window, allowing them to complete the order.
- Once the selected time matches the item’s availability settings, the item becomes orderable and can be added to the cart as normal.