Direct Orders Catering

The Otter Catering feature streamlines the entire catering process, from order placement to delivery, all within the Online Ordering storefront. The storefront can be customized with settings like Order Scheduling and Order Size Restrictions to optimize catering operations. Otter's advanced catering solutions simplify management, eliminating the need for a separate tool. Everything can be managed directly through Otter.

Benefits of Otter Catering Feature

• Streamline Operations: Manage catering orders in one place, saving time and eliminating the need for a separate tool.
• Customization: Adjust the storefront with features like Order Scheduling and Order Size Restrictions to fit specific needs.
• Enhanced Service: Improve catering service with advanced solutions.
• Simplified Management: Track and manage catering orders seamlessly through a user-friendly interface.

Key Features

Key features offered in this generation of Otter Catering:

Online Ordering Catering Settings Toggle on or off new catering settings within the Online Ordering Brand Settings, like Order Scheduling or Order Size restriction.
Catering Storefront or Catering Menu Category Create a new Otter Store specifically for a Catering menu, or enable Otter Catering features on an existing Otter Storefront when Catering is a category.

Key Considerations:

• Invoicing is not included, so catering-specific invoices are not generated.
• Catering is not selectable as a fulfillment type within the Direct Orders app.
• Loyalty points are not accumulated on catering orders.
• The catering menu is accessible through the Online Ordering URL or via a QR code.

Otter Dashboard Catering Settings

Settings within each fulfillment mode allow customization of the storefront for catering orders. These can be configured for each fulfillment mode and tailored to every brand.

Order Scheduling This can be set to restrict or extend the lead time or the amount of time available for scheduling an order in advance.
Order Size Restriction Restrict the order size to limit the maximum number of orders that customers can place. This restriction can be based on either guest count or basket size.   Why would this be used? A maximum limit for catering orders can help prevent an overwhelming volume of orders.

Eater Experience

When Catering options are enabled in the Otter Dashboard, the customer experience interface is updated to showcase the new choices.

Page Header  Page header for the customer page now includes: Improved pick up and delivery fulfillment mode selection Delivery address input New pick up and delivery time selection New button to add “Headcount”

How is the customer’s menu built for Catering?

The way the menu is structured determines how Otter organizes to accept catering orders.

 

A different storefront for catering allows for a completely separate menu for catering orders.

Step	Instructions	Image
1.	Create a new Otter store that only exists for Online Ordering: Catering orders.
2.	Build the customer’s Menu.
3.	Toggle on catering options for the Online Ordering Storefront.

 

Using catering as a menu category allows for building the menu in a traditional fashion while enabling catering settings within Otter.

Step	Instructions	Image
1.	Build the customer’s store and menu as usual.
2.	Create the menu category for catering.
3.	Toggle on catering options for the Online Ordering Storefront.

Still need help? Reach out to our team:

Live Chat		Text/SMS Message
Chat with support by clicking the chat icon in the bottom right corner of the Otter Dashboard.		+1 (888) 681-8837 Send us a text to the number above for assistance over text message.

Updated January 30, 2025 23:25