Section 9: Expediter and Food Runner
Lesson 15 of 19
1PD vs 3PD, and how 3PD works
+20 XP
First party vs third party. Nine-step flow, seal, label, confirm the name.
Every order is either first party () or third party (). The food is identical. The ticket flow, the packing and the are completely different. Mixing them up is the number one source of errors, refunds and one-star reviews.
| Who ordered | : the walked in or called us directly. : the guest ordered through DoorDash, Uber Eats or Grubhub. |
| Ticket source | : the register at the counter. : the separate 3PD tablet or KDS, its own queue, watch it. |
| Who gets the food | : the , they are here. : a delivery driver picking up for someone else. |
| How the food leaves | : handed to the or walked to the table. : bagged, sealed, labeled, placed on the shelf. |
| How errors get handled | : by you, face to face, right now. : refund requests, one-star reviews and platform chargebacks. |
| Your job | : take the order right and own the food drop. : read the ticket, verify every item, seal the bag, right driver only. |
How a 3PD order works, step by step
- 1A places the order through DoorDash, Uber Eats or Grubhub on their phone.
- 2The order prints on the tablet or KDS, not the main register. Watch both screens every shift, check the tablet every 5 minutes.
- 3The kitchen prepares the food exactly as they would for a dine-in order.
- 4You or the designated to-go person pack the order.
- 5Before sealing: open every container, read the ticket, check protein, sauces, sides and chutneys. No exceptions.
- 6When you take the order from the kitchen, mark it fulfilled in the KDS. Keep cold condiments inside the box, close each box, write the item name clearly on the lid, and only tick the ticket ready after double-checking every item.
- 7Seal the bag. Write the 's first name clearly on the outside. Staple the receipt to the bag. Sealed drinks go inside the bag. For drinks handed over separately, or fountain soda, write the drink name on the cup or bag.
- 8Place the sealed bag on the designated shelf or pickup window.
- 9When the driver arrives, confirm the order name out loud before handing anything over.
NEVER
Never combine a order with a table number. Never hand a bag to a driver without confirming the name. Never miss the 3PD tablet because you were heads-down on the register.