What is a KDS and why is it better than paper tickets?

In today's fast-paced restaurant industry, efficiency and streamlined operations are paramount to success. One technological advancement that has revolutionized kitchen operations is the restaurant Kitchen Display System (KDS). Unlike traditional paper tickets, a KDS displays all orders digitally on a screen, offering numerous benefits for restaurants. In this article, we will explore the advantages of a KDS over paper tickets and why making the switch is a smart move for your establishment.

Efficiency and Coordination:

With a KDS, all orders are conveniently displayed on a single screen, eliminating the need for managing multiple paper tickets. The system allows for up to 10 tables to be viewed simultaneously, providing a clear and organized overview of incoming orders. This not only saves time but also simplifies the process of coordinating food delivery across different departments within the kitchen.

Traditionally, such coordination involved managers physically running between departments or relying on radio communication. With a KDS, the "Synchronization" functionality ensures that all dishes for a particular table are prepared and delivered simultaneously. This synchronization enhances the dining experience, allowing all guests at a table to enjoy their meals together. Also KDS are fully integrated with your restaurant POS system (front of the house), making the billing of your clients fast, easy and error free.

Real-time Notifications and Queue Management:

Another significant advantage of a KDS is the ability to notify waiters when the food is ready for delivery. Rather than relying on verbal communication or handwritten notes, waiters receive instant notifications on their phones or work devices. This enables them to promptly pick up the prepared food and deliver it to the respective table, minimizing waiting times and ensuring efficient service.

Moreover, a KDS facilitates queue management. Once the food is delivered, the table moves to the back of the queue, enabling the restaurant kitchen staff to start preparing the next order. This dynamic system optimizes kitchen operations, allowing for a smoother flow of orders and reducing the chances of bottlenecks.

Environmental Benefits:

Aside from its operational advantages, a KDS also contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach in the restaurant industry. By eliminating paper tickets, the system significantly reduces paper waste. Traditional kitchen printers consume more energy and require high-quality printing paper, leading to unnecessary environmental impact. In contrast, a KDS utilizes energy-efficient LED screens, reducing energy consumption and minimizing the carbon footprint. Additionally, it reduces food waste by reducing the amount of operational errors.

Flexibility with Technology:

Implementing a KDS doesn't necessarily require investing in dedicated hardware. In a well-ventilated kitchen environment, a Google smart TV can serve as an effective display for the system. This flexibility allows restaurants to leverage existing technology and adapt to their specific needs.

Conclusion:

The Kitchen Display System (KDS) has emerged as a game-changer in the restaurant industry, outperforming traditional paper tickets in terms of efficiency, coordination, customer satisfaction, and environmental sustainability. By digitizing the order management process, a KDS streamlines operations, ensures synchronized food delivery, and minimizes waiting times. Additionally, the system significantly reduces paper waste and energy consumption associated with traditional kitchen printers. So, why wait? Embrace the advantages of a KDS and make the switch to a more efficient and eco-friendly future for your restaurant.

Reduce error connected to billing the wrong item to the wrong table down to 0.0%
Reduces waiters error in delivering items to the wrong table down zero to 0.0%
Reduces time in maintaining a digital table plan
Increases customer experience and satisfaction because the same numbered QR code can be used to display a digital menu with pictures and translated in 8 languages. It allows also for prepayment

Setting a numbered QR code on the table reduces ordering errors. Reduces maintenance efforts in table planning and increases client experience: the same numbered QR can be used by the client to see the menu. Or even order!

Digital table plans are annoying to set up and most of the time the cause confusion. Think about when a group of people is coming and you need to “merge the two tables in one” to avoid debiting items on two tables: you might end up billing only one table, while the items of the other will be debited to the next client. Think about the client that is sitting at the table next to the bar and his items need to be transferred to another table. And you forget “to move” the ordered items with him. Or, even worst, you debit them to the wrong table

Also, while table plan do make absolute sense to the manager doing them, for their employees (especially new one) might be difficult to understand. How many times do you see waiters walking around asking who ordered those items? Yes. You might put a number on the table to avoid confusion. But how many time, does that number gets moved around causing items to be ordered and delivered to the wrong table? There is more efficient ways to work and to invest precious time to focus on the client instead of maintaining a digital table plan. Start now by setting up a free digital menu with pictures and translations?

4 minutues

Why should a restaurant use digital menus instead of paper Menu?

The digital menu accessible to clients via their own smartphone are updatable in real time from any phone or laptop. This allows restaurant for real time price changes or to temporarily hide product which are out of stock. It also allows to add in few seconds new selling product. Having a menu on the table at all time, saves time! The client does not need to wait the server/waiter to bring him the menu to start reading it. As a result, the table turnover increases as well, bringing in more sales revenues to the restaurant.

Clients, can filter the food by allergens and exclude the items to which they are allergic to. Also, they are able to see the items in 8 languages and with pictures. This reduces the number of misunderstandings and increases their experience and satisfaction.

Having our digital menu increase on line and social media presence on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TripAdvisor. They have the option to add those links at the bottom of the menu. The client can be redirect there, so that he has the possibility to rate, follow or like your restaurant. The more people interact on line, the higher the number of people coming (assuming your offering is also good).

Last but not least, owners are able to run promotion in certain time ranges. For instance, if you have raw materials close to expiration day, you can reduce their stocks by offering a product discount before having to dispose them at a full loss. Or in case you have a bar and would like to schedule regular happy hours/discounts between certain working hours. Discounts lead to an increase the number of guests and sales volume.

There are always people who will continue preferring the old-fashioned paper menu. Especially elderly ones. It is good practice to have a couple of paper courtesy menus available for them to read. They could be edited and printed daily.

2 minutues

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