Estimated wait time tells customers roughly how long they may wait. It is guidance rather than a guaranteed service time.
The estimate can depend on the queue configuration and current operational data. Party size, available capacity, active service, and the pace of completed visits can make the real wait longer or shorter.
Review the estimate when demand or staffing changes. If your team enters a manual value, update it throughout the service instead of leaving an opening-time estimate visible all day.
Tell customers when unusual conditions make the estimate unreliable. Accurate statuses and completed visits improve the information your team sees in history and analytics.