checklist

Direct Ordering Launch Checklist

A phased checklist to launch direct ordering fast - from menu prep to go-live day to your first 100 orders. Covers every step most restaurants miss.

Follow this phased checklist to go from zero to taking direct orders in 24-48 hours. Organized by what to do before, during, and after launch.

Before you start

Most restaurants can launch direct ordering in 24-48 hours. This checklist breaks the process into four phases so nothing falls through the cracks. Start payment setup first (bank verification takes 24-48 hours in the background), then work through the rest.

The four launch phases

Phase 1: Pre-launch prep

1-3 hours

Organize menu data, gather brand assets, start payment processing setup. This phase is about getting your materials ready before touching the platform.

Phase 2: Platform setup

2-4 hours

Build your menu, configure ordering rules, set delivery zones and fees. Most of the hands-on platform work happens here.

Phase 3: Go-live day

1-2 hours

Test ordering, update all digital links, flip the switch, and announce. This is the day orders start flowing.

Phase 4: First week growth

Ongoing

Monitor orders, place bag inserts, start retention campaigns, and optimize based on real data. Launch is the beginning, not the end.

Phase 1: Pre-launch prep

Export menu from POS or compile spreadsheet: item names, prices, categories, modifiers
Write short descriptions for your top 20 items (focus on ingredients and flavor, not marketing fluff)
Take phone photos of your top 10-15 bestsellers (natural light near a window, clean plate, no clutter)
Collect your logo in PNG or SVG format (at least 500x500px)
Decide brand colors (use your existing ones or the platform defaults)
Start payment processing setup - enter EIN, bank account, routing number (verification runs in background)
Look up your local tax rate (state + local combined)
Write down your business hours for every day of the week including holidays

Phase 2: Platform setup

Upload your complete menu with all categories and modifiers
Add food photos to at least your top 10 items
Set prep time estimates for each daypart (lunch rush vs dinner vs off-peak)
Configure pickup settings: estimated ready time, any minimum order amount
Map delivery zones by drive time, not just mileage (if offering delivery)
Set tiered delivery fees: free over $40, $3.99 for $25-39, $5.99 under $25
Connect delivery dispatch: Uber Direct, DoorDash Drive, or own drivers
Set up order notifications: tablet, email, and/or POS integration
Review your auto-generated website: check branding, menu accuracy, mobile layout

Phase 3: Go-live day

Place a test order from your phone (iPhone and Android if possible)
Verify the full flow: browse menu, customize item, checkout, payment, confirmation
Check that order notification arrives on your tablet/POS/email
Update Google Business Profile: website link, order link, menu link all point to your direct site
Update Instagram bio link to your ordering page
Update Facebook page action button to your ordering URL
Flip the switch to go live
Post launch announcement on Instagram and Facebook with ordering link
Send SMS/email to any existing customer contacts with first-order incentive
Place QR code table tents and counter cards in your physical location

Phase 4: First week growth

Add QR code bag inserts to every marketplace delivery order
Print direct ordering URL and QR code on all receipts
Train all staff to mention direct ordering to dine-in and pickup customers
Set up automated SMS: welcome message, 7-day reorder nudge, 30-day win-back
Update voicemail greeting to mention online ordering
Monitor daily: order count, conversion rate, avg order value, any checkout errors
Respond to any customer feedback immediately in the first week
Run a Google Ads campaign for your brand name + 'order online' ($50-100/week budget)

Launch mistakes to avoid

Do

  • Start payment verification on day one - it is the #1 bottleneck
  • Launch with pickup-only if delivery setup is slowing you down
  • Launch with 80% of your menu and add the rest later
  • Treat launch as a 2-week campaign with daily promotion
  • Test ordering from your phone on cellular, not just Wi-Fi

Don't

  • Wait for professional food photography before going live
  • Copy inflated marketplace prices to your direct ordering site
  • Skip the test order - broken checkout loses your first real customers
  • Post once on social media and assume customers will find it
  • Forget to update your Google Business Profile links - they drive 40%+ of traffic
Example

Sample go-live day schedule

A restaurant with menu ready and platform configured, launching with pickup + delivery.

9:00 AM - Final review: menu, prices, modifiers, photos 9:30 AM - Place test orders (pickup + delivery) from your phone 10:00 AM - Fix any issues found during testing 10:30 AM - Update GBP links, Instagram bio, Facebook action button 11:00 AM - Go live 11:15 AM - Post launch announcement on social media 11:30 AM - Send SMS/email blast to existing contacts 12:00 PM - Place QR code table tents and counter cards 2:00 PM - Check first orders, resolve any hiccups 5:00 PM - Post Instagram Story showing first few orders 9:00 PM - Review day-one metrics: orders, AOV, any issues

Result: Restaurants following this schedule average 6-12 orders on launch day and 25-40 orders in week one.

Key Takeaway

Update your Google Business Profile website, order, and menu links to point to your direct ordering site. This 5-minute task drives 40%+ of your direct order traffic and costs nothing. If you only do one thing from this checklist, do this.

Ready to launch?

Book a 15-minute demo and we will walk you through setup.

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Launch questions

What is the fastest I can go live?

Same day if your menu data is organized in a spreadsheet and you have a logo file. Platform setup takes 2-4 hours of hands-on time. The bottleneck is usually bank verification (24-48 hours) - start that first and it processes while you do everything else.

Should I launch with delivery or pickup only?

Start with pickup-only for the fastest launch. You skip delivery zone config, fee setup, and driver coordination entirely. Add delivery within 1-2 weeks once pickup orders are flowing. Many restaurants find pickup is actually more profitable.

What if I do not have food photos?

Launch without them and add within 2 weeks. Menus with photos convert 2.5x better, but a live text-only menu beats a perfect menu that is not online yet. Use phone photos with natural light for your top 10-15 items.

Related resources

Setup time guideDirect ordering websiteMenu optimization checklist

Next steps

Book a demo and we will map a direct ordering growth plan for your restaurant.

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