Should I reply to a WhatsApp order at once if I cannot cook yet?

Yes. Send a short 'got it' with a time right away, then cook when you can. A quick reply stops the customer from ordering somewhere else.

• A one-line reply such as 'Got your order, ready in about 40 minutes' is enough.
• Give a real time. A wrong time hurts more than a long one.
• Confirm the total and payment so the customer knows what happens next.
• Reply to the oldest order first, then the next. Keep a short queue list.
• Switch on a greeting or away message for the times you cannot answer.