What are item-level prep times?
Item-level prep times are the average amount of time it takes to prepare a specific menu item, regardless of the time of day.
DoorDash uses these times as a baseline to:
Estimate when an order will be ready
Assign Dashers to arrive at the right time for pickup
For orders with multiple items, DoorDash uses the longest prep time to estimate the total order prep time.
Example
If an order includes:
A sandwich (four minutes)
A cheeseburger (five minutes)
Three orders of fries (two minutes each)
The total order prep time is five minutes, since items are typically prepared at the same time. Keeping item-level prep times up to date helps prevent Dashers from arriving too early or too late.
Where can I update item-level prep times?
You can update item-level prep times in the Merchant Portal in two places:
From the homepage prompt
From Menu Manager
How do I adjust item-level prep times from the homepage?
To review or update prep times from the homepage:
Log in to the Merchant Portal
On the homepage, select Review item prep times when prompted to add or review prep times
Review the suggested prep times for the listed items
Update or add prep times as needed
Select Save
Over time, you may be prompted to review additional items.
How do I adjust item-level prep times from Menu Manager?
To update prep times using Menu Manager:
Log in to the Merchant Portal
Select Menu Manager from the left navigation
Select Menu settings, then choose Item prep times
Add or update prep times for your menu items
Review any system warnings if a prep time appears significantly longer than others
Select Save
In some cases, prep times may be prefilled based on DoorDash data. Always review these suggestions and adjust them if needed to match your kitchen's actual preparation times.
When do changes take effect?
Updates to item-level prep times can take up to two weeks to fully reflect in Dasher pickup timing. For best results, make updates as soon as possible.
What are best practices for item-level prep times?
Follow these tips to keep prep times accurate and effective:
Use typical prep times: Set prep times based on how long an item usually takes to prepare, not peak-hour delays
During busy periods, Dasher pickup times are adjusted automatically
Start with popular or longer-prep items: These items are ordered most often or take the longest to prepare, so they have the biggest impact on timing
Keep prep times up to date: If your kitchen process changes, update prep times to keep order estimates accurate
Accurate item-level prep times help Dashers arrive when orders are ready, reduce congestion in your store, and improve delivery quality for customers.
