What is ezDispatch and how does it work?

There are three options to meet your needs:

1. Automatic ezDispatch: Every eligible delivery order is automatically assigned to a professional driver, requiring no manual selection.
2. Configurable ezDispatch: Automatic assignment occurs for orders matching criteria you define (such as orders with low lead time); all others remain self-delivery.
3. On-demand ezDispatch: You decide order-by-order whether to request a professional driver, whenever extra support is needed.

Each mode helps you say “yes” to more orders and ensures reliable, tracked delivery service to your customers. Watch our video below to learn more about these great solutions. 

ezDispatch Solutions 

Automatic ezDispatch

How It Works: Every eligible order is routed to an ezDispatch driver automatically. No manual steps are required per order.

Eligibility: Automatic ezDispatch is ideal for partners who prefer not to self-deliver at all or want the simplest setup for delivery fulfillment.

Setup Process:

1. Submit your request to enable automatic ezDispatch
   • Contact your Partner Success representative or email partnersuccess@ezcater.com requesting automatic driver assignment for all orders, or fill out the form here.
2. ezCater automatically configures your delivery parameters
   • Apply recommended fee structures (e.g., $30 fee or 10% of food subtotal over $300).
3. Add Pickup Instructions in ezManage
   • Provide clear and specific pickup instructions for drivers in ezManage (e.g., "Call 555-1234 upon arrival").

Configurable ezDispatch

How It Works: Set specific rules (e.g., orders with less than X hours lead time) so that only some orders are automatically assigned to ezDispatch drivers; the rest remain for self-delivery.

Eligibility: Available to partners who self-deliver some orders but want auto-assignment for scenarios where delivery support is needed (commonly for late-breaking/low-lead orders). Not available if you already use automatic ezDispatch for all orders.

Setup Process:

1. Submit Your Request in ezManage or through Partner Success
   • Contact your Partner Success representative or use designated ezManage forms to request a configurable ezDispatch setup form here.
2. Configure Auto-Assignment Rules
   
   • Define your rule (e.g., “auto-assign a driver if order lead time is less than 3 hours”).
     • • Only one auto-request rule can be set at a time (typically based on lead time).
       • Minimum required lead time for a driver is 90 minutes.
3. Publish & Confirm
   • Submit your request, or email our Partner Success team.
4. Set Pickup Instructions in ezManage
   • Ensure clear instructions are present for drivers before activating

On-demand ezDispatch

How It Works: For each order, you manually decide whether to use an ezDispatch driver or self-deliver.

Eligibility: All partners with ezDispatch enabled can access on-demand driver requests. This is appropriate for those who self-deliver most orders but want an option to add professional delivery support as needed. The customer pays your set delivery fee and you pay the difference between the customer delivery fee, and the cost of ezDispatch. 

Setup Process:

1. Confirm ezDispatch on-demand is available
   • Contact Partner Success to confirm you can access on-demand driver requests when orders are submitted.
2. Set delivery fees, radius, and pickup Instructions
   • Review and confirm these details in ezManage, similar to automatic/configurable setup.
3. Accept and assign drivers on a per order basis
   • In ezManage, when an order is received, choose to request an ezDispatch driver if needed (drivers can be booked up to 90 minutes before delivery time).
4. Monitor and Communicate
   • Provide accurate order handoff and monitor delivery through ezManage or your support contact.

Choosing the right solution for your operation

When deciding which ezDispatch setup mode to choose—Automatic, Configurable, or On-demand—catering partners should consider their operational capacity, delivery preferences, and frequency of needing professional driver support. The following recommendations and real-life scenarios can help guide your decision:

Automatic ezDispatch:
Choose automatic if you rarely or never self-deliver, or want the utmost simplicity. In this mode, all eligible orders are automatically fulfilled by an ezDispatch driver.

Use case:
A multi-unit restaurant brand finds that managing delivery drivers strains their in-store team and would prefer to focus solely on food prep. By enabling Automatic ezDispatch, they eliminate delivery logistics and know every order is reliably covered, no matter how many come in.

Configurable ezDispatch:
Opt for configurable if you self-deliver most of the time but want backup for certain circumstances—typically late-breaking, high-volume, or low lead time orders. This mode allows you to set rules (e.g., auto-assign a driver if the order is placed less than 3 hours before delivery) while handling the rest in-house.

Use case:
A single-location deli that usually delivers with in-house staff, but sometimes gets last-minute orders or staff shortages. By configuring ezDispatch for orders with less than 2.5 hours’ notice, they ensure every order is covered while keeping control of regular deliveries.

On-demand ezDispatch:
Select on-demand if you usually self-deliver but want maximum flexibility. You’ll manually choose to request an ezDispatch driver for individual orders as needs arise—no rules or automation.

Use case:
A local caterer with a dependable in-house driver team covers 90% of orders. Occasionally, an exceptionally large job or an illness means an extra driver is needed. With On-demand ezDispatch, they can quickly request professional help, just for those times.

Best practices for a successful hand-off 

For perfecting your ezDispatch procedures, check out our Best Practices article.  

Support & Troubleshooting

• For live order help: 1-800-488-1803 or support@ezcater.com.
• For setup or delivery mode changes: partnersuccess@ezcater.com.
• For custom delivery needs or questions, contact our Partner Success team.