Work out order prep time instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Quoted preparation time must include the queue, not just the cook time. With eight tickets ahead and three stations, the wait before cooking even starts exceeds the cook time itself — which is why promised times slip during a rush.
Queue wait
Queue wait = Tickets in queue x Cook minutes / Parallel stations
Total prep time
Total = Queue wait + Cook time + Plating and packing
Because most systems quote a fixed prep time that ignores the queue. Dynamic quoting based on current queue length fixes it.
Roughly, up to the point where a shared resource — grill, fryer, expeditor — becomes the constraint instead.