How many orders will still be open at 12:15?
Forecast the backlog and assign trained cover for the lunch rush.
The question
You manage the lunch shift at a Canadian quick-service restaurant. At 12:00 you forecast how many orders will stay open at 12:15. The goal is at most four open orders.
| Orders | |
|---|---|
| Counter orders accepted | 12 |
| Online orders accepted | 10 |
| Packing and check capacity | 18 |
Kitchen can get every accepted order to checking in time. Count each order once and close it after the check.
“Give a forecast and explain what the team should check before it gives guests a pickup time.”
Not saved by this site. Your browser may restore text when you navigate back.
A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: Count the accepted orders
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Start with 22 accepted orders across both channels.
The strong move. The accepted count includes both channels. Each ticket has one completion.
Count only the 12 orders the counter can see.
Tempting, but it misses something. The same station must check the ten accepted online orders.
See how a strong candidate says it
“Twelve counter orders plus ten online orders gives us 22. I’d use each ticket once and keep it open until its check is recorded.”
Why it works: The accepted count includes both channels. Each ticket has one completion.
Step 2: Give the first forecast
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Forecast four open and check station progress.
The strong move. The forecast uses the capacity of the station that records the checks.
Tell guests that all 22 orders will be ready by 12:15.
Tempting, but it misses something. The only check station can finish 18 orders by that time.
See how a strong candidate says it
“At 18 verified completions, four of the 22 orders will be open at 12:15. That meets the goal if the station stays on pace.”
Why it works: The forecast uses the capacity of the station that records the checks.
Step 3: Add the delayed tickets
After a display delay, 6 more valid online orders appear. Kitchen confirms it can supply all 28 orders in time. A trained floater can check 8 orders at a separate station by 12:15 if you move a routine stock count.
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Approve the stock-count change and forecast 26 checked orders with trained cover.
The strong move. Both stations can use the normal checks. The floater adds eight completions after the stock count moves.
Close some tickets before checking to reach the four-order goal.
Tempting, but it misses something. An early closure hides unchecked orders from the team’s remaining count.
See how a strong candidate says it
“We now have 28 accepted orders. The current station leaves ten open. I’d move the stock count and assign the trained floater to the second station. That gives 26 checked orders and two open at 12:15.”
Why it works: Both stations can use the normal checks. The floater adds eight completions after the stock count moves.
Step 4: Brief both stations
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Assign each station its tickets and update the forecast if cover changes.
The strong move. The pickup estimate depends on whether the second station is staffed.
Give every guest the two-order forecast before assigning the floater.
Tempting, but it misses something. The estimate depends on trained cover. If it falls through, the current station leaves ten open.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I’d tell both station owners which tickets they have and check their counts before 12:15. If the floater falls through, I’ll plan for ten open and update pickup estimates.”
Why it works: The pickup estimate depends on whether the second station is staffed.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Use the trained floater to reach 26 verified completions with two open.
- Because
- All 28 tickets can reach checking. The second station adds eight completions to the first station’s 18.
- What would change it
- If cover falls through, forecast ten open and update the guests’ estimates.
Common traps
- Dropping a channel from the accepted count.
- Closing a ticket before its order is checked.
Check your answer
- I counted both channels once.
- I used check capacity in the forecast.
- I adjusted for the new tickets.
- I gave both stations clear ownership.
Last reviewed Nov 11, 2026