Restaurant owners are always looking for ways to increase efficiency while improving the customer experience. The right technology plays a big role in that process; leveraged effectively, tools such as a kitchen display system can help your employees work faster, reduce error rates, and streamline operations.

A kitchen display system can transform a busy kitchen, especially if your restaurant has been relying on paper tickets. Before you upgrade, it’s important to understand how this tool works and how it integrates with your existing workflows and tech stack.

What is a kitchen display system?

A kitchen display system (KDS) is a digital solution that transmits orders directly from your restaurant’s point of sale (POS) system to a screen in the kitchen. It replaces a paper ticket system, enabling servers and chefs to interact with orders using digital tools.

Here’s how kitchen display systems work:

• Order management. Servers enter orders into the POS system using a central terminal or handheld device. The order is immediately sent to a screen in the kitchen, so chefs can see the details and start preparing the food right away. You can also integrate your online ordering system or third-party delivery app — that way, delivery and takeout orders go directly to the kitchen as soon as they’re accepted.
• Order tracking. The kitchen display system organizes orders by priority, so the kitchen crew can plan their workflows efficiently. It also highlights changes and special requests for each order to increase accuracy.
• Real-time updates. As the kitchen staff completes each order, they can mark items as completed in the kitchen display system. The system updates the order status in real time, so servers can track meals at a glance using the POS system — without leaving the dining floor or interrupting chefs while they work.

How a KDS can help your busy kitchen

Restaurant kitchens are busy places, with a variety of food-prep tasks happening at the same time. A kitchen display system can bring order to your operation, but it’s important to note that every system is different. As you’re evaluating options, keep an eye out for these key features:

• Touchscreen interface. Look for systems that have touch screens — that way, kitchen staff can quickly update an item status with just a few taps. You can even find a model that includes a customer-facing display to keep diners updated on the status of takeout and counter-serve orders.
• Customizable layout. Every restaurant kitchen operation is different, so many KDS options enable you to customize the screen layout to suit your space, workflow, and staff preferences.
• POS and online ordering integration. This is the most important feature of a kitchen display system; it integrates each part of your operation so orders flow smoothly from the front of house or online ordering system.
• Order tracking. Your KDS should make it easy to track the status of every order so servers and kitchen staff can monitor it quickly.
• Priority setting. Most kitchen display systems include priority settings to help your kitchen employees manage their tasks efficiently. Some systems use color-coding to help workers identify the oldest orders. Others allow you to input timing for each item on your menu; then, the system can prioritize items accordingly.
• Alerts. Customizable audible or visual alerts draw employees’ attention; you can use them to call out special requests or substitutions or to alert staff members when a ticket has been open for too long.
• Item routing. This feature enables you to route specific menu items through different prep stations so cooks can prepare them simultaneously.
• Reporting and analytics. These data-driven tools help you spot and resolve inefficiencies in your kitchen or front of house so you can optimize operations.

Every restaurant type has different needs. A small establishment or food truck might benefit from a simple, streamlined kitchen display system; a large restaurant with a high turnover rate likely requires a more robust solution.

Choosing the right KDS for your restaurant can have significant benefits:

• Increased order accuracy. Because kitchen display systems don’t rely on paper tickets, they tend to have a lower error rate — you don’t need to worry about lost or misplaced tickets, and your kitchen crew doesn’t need to interpret servers’ handwriting. Use a KDS with handheld restaurant POS terminals and you can improve accuracy even further; servers can input order details directly into the system.
• Efficient kitchen workflows and faster order processing. When a server inputs an order into a connected restaurant POS system, it’s transmitted to the kitchen display in seconds. Each item is prioritized and routed to the correct location automatically, allowing different stations to work in tandem. This process streamlines restaurant operations and enables the kitchen to run efficiently, so staff members can complete orders faster.
• Improved communication. Any time a server or kitchen employee makes a change to an order, the system updates it in real time. That means front-of-house and back-of-house staff can communicate efficiently. Some KDS devices can text servers or send an alert to their handheld devices when an order is ready for pickup, allowing them to make fewer trips to the kitchen.
• Easy online ordering integration. Seamless technology integrations streamline your takeout and delivery order processing, creating a smooth experience for all customers and allowing you to take advantage of built-in promotions and loyalty tools. The system connects to your third-party delivery service to let customers or delivery drivers know when an order is ready to go. These regular updates reduce wait time and improve order tracking at every step.
• Better restaurant management. Your restaurant POS system, online ordering system, inventory management system, and kitchen display system collect valuable data about every order. With AI-powered tools, you can analyze huge amounts of data at once and unearth useful insights for continuous improvement. If you notice long order-processing times from a specific prep station, for example, you might add another employee or work with staff to improve station layout.

Enhance online ordering 

A kitchen display system can enhance many aspects of your restaurant operation, including online ordering. From streamlining takeout and delivery to workflows to improving order processing times during the dinner rush, this convenient digital solution can do wonders for a busy commercial kitchen.To get the most from your KDS, look for a model that integrates with third-party online ordering partners such as Grubhub. By combining the optimization features of a digital display with Grubhub’s convenience and effortless delivery order tracking, you can take your restaurant to the next level. Learn more about what Grubhub can do for your business starting today.