Managing Inventory & Pre-Orders for a Home Food Business

The fastest way to burn out is to promise more than you can bake. Local Cottage Foods gives you three settings — inventory mode, pre-order mode, and lead time — that keep demand and your capacity in balance.

Limited vs. unlimited inventory

Each product can be unlimited (always orderable) or limited to a fixed quantity you set. With limited inventory, once the quantity is gone the item automatically shows as sold out — no overselling, and a little scarcity nudges customers to order sooner.

Switch to pre-order mode for dated batches

For holiday boxes, a weekly bake, or a custom order, turn on pre-order mode. You set a fixed pickup date plus an order window that opens and closes, then bake exactly what was ordered. You waste less, never oversell, and always know your batch size in advance.

Use lead time for made-to-order items

For regular products that aren't tied to one date, set a lead time so buyers can't book a pickup sooner than you can prep. Choose from presets — common ones are 24, 48, or 72 hours, up to two weeks — and the checkout calendar only offers slots after your lead time has passed.

A simple pre-order cutoff guide

Let popular items sell out

A sell-out isn't a lost sale — it's a signal. It tells you what to make more of next time and trains customers to order early. Combine inventory limits with set pickup windows and confident pricing to keep the whole operation smooth.