How to sell food before you cook it
Short answer
Selling food before you cook it — pre-order commerce — means opening an order window, taking paid orders up to a cutoff, and then cooking exactly what sold. You get paid up front, so ingredients are bought with the customer's money; you cook to a firm count, so there's no waste; and you run a predictable business instead of a guessing game. It's how home cooks, meal-preppers, food trucks, and pop-ups turn cooking into reliable income.
Get paid up front
Payment on order means cash is in before you shop, and no-shows nearly vanish. See accepting online payments.
Cook to the count
Orders close at the cutoff and total into a production sheet — your exact prep list. This is how you know how much to make, and why waste disappears.
Run it like a business
Branded storefront, real customer list you own, pickup and delivery you control, and no marketplace commission. Start with a single weekly drop and scale.
Frequently asked questions
What is pre-order commerce for food?
It's selling food before you make it: customers order and pay in advance up to a cutoff, and you cook exactly what sold. It flips the usual risk — you're paid before you shop and you never over-produce — which is why it suits home cooks, meal-preppers, trucks, and pop-ups.
How do I get paid before cooking?
Take card payment when the customer places the pre-order, rather than at pickup. The money's in before you buy ingredients, and no-shows drop sharply. PlateTicket collects payment on order and also supports cash at pickup.
Is selling food before cooking better than a standing menu?
For batch and drop sellers, yes — you cook to a firm, paid count instead of estimating demand, so there's no speculative waste and cash is secured up front. You can still run a standing on-demand menu alongside drops when you want always-on ordering.
Orders in. Plates out.
Open your first drop in minutes, get paid up front, and cook exactly what sold.
Start selling — free Try the live demo