Can my I use either DoorDash or Uber Eats for Catering Delivery with Toast Delivery Services® (TDS)?
Yes. You can select whichever provider you would like to use, but you must use the same provider for both Toast Online Ordering and Toast Catering Online Ordering.
Can I use TDS for catering only, but not for my online ordering?
No. If you use TDS, it must be enabled for both Toast Catering Online Ordering and Toast Online Ordering.
Note: The only exception is if you’re not using Toast Online Ordering in your restaurant at all. You will still need to have it enabled on your account.
Do I need to have Online Ordering to use TDS for Catering Delivery?
Yes. To use TDS with Catering Delivery, you need to have a Digital Storefront subscription (which includes Online Ordering). You don’t need to use Online Ordering, but it must be enabled on the account.
How is TDS for catering different from TDS for online ordering?
TDS for Catering is the same as TDS for Online Ordering. It utilizes the same drivers, same fees, and same delivery zones.
Note on dispatch timing: Toast delays dispatching catering deliveries until 4 hours before the due time to prevent cancellations when orders shift. Inside that 4-hour window, the driver is assigned right away.
What is not included for TDS Catering Online Ordering?
White glove service is not included in TDS for catering. White glove service includes set up and breakdown, deliveries requiring a larger vehicle or special handling, and catering buffet orders that require warming.
Can you guarantee that these will be catering delivery drivers who are prepared for large orders and will handle them with care?
Not at this time. DoorDash and Uber Eats don’t offer the level of control to specify that drivers are prepared for large orders. Uber orders are tagged to restrict orders to Car Only for larger orders. Doordash does not offer this. Toast recommends customers use Uber wherever possible for Catering Delivery orders.
You should only use Catering Delivery through TDS if your delivery orders are a good fit for the type of drivers typically provided by Toast Delivery Services (TDS).
Can I use TDS for smaller catering orders, but handle larger or more complex ones myself or through another partner?
Yes. TDS Dispatch is a feature that gives you control over your catering deliveries. You can now choose which orders are dispatched to TDS, and then manually assign the remaining orders for self-delivery or through a third-party service. This functionality is available for manual orders placed within Catering and Events, and also applies to Catering Online Orders provided Catering Online Ordering is configured for self-management rather than defaulting all orders to TDS.
Can I dispatch TDS catering deliveries from the POS?
No. Catering deliveries should always be dispatched from the Catering module, not from the POS.
Within the Catering module, navigate to the order, then Order details, and select Dispatch TDS Driver. Note: follow must be in place to dispatch a driver:
Toast Delivery Services® dining option is live and configured
The catering order in the system:
The date is in the future
The order is paid
The order has an address w/i 10 miles of the location
When dispatched from Catering, Toast automatically adjusts the due time based on travel. For example, if a guest requests a 5:30pm delivery and travel time is 13 minutes, Toast sets the due time to 5:17pm.
If you update or dispatch from the POS, these adjustments won’t happen. You may see errors like “time of your order changed after dispatch”, and it may be unclear when the driver will arrive.