Why Do Some Bakeries Have Separate Lines for Bread and Pastries?
The fastest queue is often the one that separates complexity.
A single queue may appear fair, but fairness and efficiency are not always the same thing.
The hidden mechanism is transaction variability. Customers buying one loaf of bread often make decisions quickly. Pastry customers may spend more time choosing among many options, creating longer service interactions.
Imagine a bakery where half the customers buy a single loaf while the other half select a dozen pastries. Combining both groups forces simple transactions to wait behind more complex ones.
A second-order effect emerges when customers recognize the system. Shorter and more predictable waits encourage repeat visits and make demand easier to manage.
People often think separate lines divide customers. In practice, they divide uncertainty.
