How Does Restaurant Kitchen Ordering System Boost Revenues?

“Quick summary” The rise of technology has brought about amazing transformations in the restaurant industry. And, over time - we have discussed a lot of new and exciting technologies, such as POS systems and self-ordering kiosks.  And, another such technology that is helping the restaurant industry is the kitchen ordering system.

The old practice of writing dish names on small pieces of paper and bringing them to the kitchen counter has become obsolete. Instead, the development of technology has transformed the process. Now, kitchen order tickets (KOT) are swiftly generated and easily sent to kitchen display devices situated within the kitchen.

Implementing computerized Kitchen Order system systems has been shown to drastically minimize order mistakes. Restaurants that use digital KOT systems instead of manual handwritten orders report significant 60–80% reductions in order errors on average. 

It makes no difference how big or small your company is. The majority of restaurants, regardless of size, can profit from a kitchen ordering system. To know more about what a kitchen ordering system is, how it benefits your business, and other things around it - keep scrolling. 

What is a Kitchen Ordering System & How Does it Work? 

As we all know the kitchen is at the heart of restaurants and managing the back-end operations in the restaurants always be effective for your business. 

A kitchen order management system is a computerized system that enables restaurants to accept customer orders and handle them in the kitchen. A modern kitchen order system is intended to replace verbal orders or handwritten ticket orders, which have traditionally been used in restaurant kitchens.

The system is usually linked to the restaurant's point-of-sale (POS) system and has a touchscreen interface that patrons can use to place orders. It establishes a continuous line of communication between your front- and back-of-house workers.

The information displayed comprises the order number, the items ordered, and any specific instructions. It also lets kitchen personnel prioritize orders and track the state of food preparation, ensuring that clients receive their meals on time. KOMS can also be used to track inventory levels, generate reports, and monitor kitchen activity. 

The Challenges of Traditional Order Systems

Traditional order systems in restaurants, which often rely on manual processes and face-to-face interactions, can pose several challenges. So, understanding your business, addressing the process, and your problems, and finding the right problems are more than important to ensure seamless operations and enhanced customer experience.

Here are some common issues associated with traditional order systems:

• Human Error: Manual order-taking in traditional systems is prone to human error, as waitstaff may misinterpret or mishear customer requests. This vulnerability can result in inaccuracies in the order, leading to customer dissatisfaction and potentially damaging the restaurant's reputation.
• Inefficiency: Traditional order systems, especially those relying on paper-based methods or verbal communication, can be inefficient, particularly during peak hours. The time-consuming nature of these systems can lead to delays in order processing and extended wait times for customers, negatively impacting the overall dining experience. 
• Communication Breakdowns: Miscommunication between front-of-house (servers) and back-of-house (kitchen) staff is a common issue in traditional systems. This breakdown can result in the preparation of incorrect orders, causing further delays and contributing to customer dissatisfaction. The lack of seamless communication channels hinders the restaurant's ability to provide efficient and timely service. 
• Order Tracking Challenges: Traditional systems may lack efficient order tracking mechanisms, making it challenging to monitor orders from placement to delivery. This deficiency can hinder the management of order fulfillment, potentially leading to delays and impacting overall service efficiency.
• Data Management Issues: Traditional systems may fall short in collecting and analyzing customer data effectively. This limitation restricts the restaurant's ability to gain insights into customer preferences, track order trends, and make informed, data-driven decisions that could enhance overall operations.
• Scalability Concerns: As a restaurant grows, traditional order systems may become increasingly challenging to manage or you also need to scale your staff as per the demands - which is also quite troublesome. The lack of technological support can lead to operational inefficiencies, making it difficult to scale operations effectively and potentially compromising service quality as the business expands.

Benefits of Implementing a Kitchen Order System

Improved Efficiency

When a kitchen is busy, every minute matters. There is nonstop activity from the time an order is placed until the food is served. It is simple for mistakes to be made and for cook times to start sliding in such a hectic setting. A kitchen ordering system can help to boost productivity by cutting down on errors and meal preparation time. 

By clearly showing orders and tracking progress, the system ensures that each item is prepared correctly and quickly. Furthermore, the system can generate useful data that can be used to improve kitchen operations. 

Let’s dig down to find out how the kitchen order system improves efficiency: 

• Menu, orders & inventory in sync: With the right software, you can also sync your inventory and menu for your restaurant, making it easy to quickly determine what supplies are needed to make a particular meal. By doing this, you can keep expenses down and guarantee that your clients are always responded to promptly.
• Out-of-the-box features: The majority of kitchen display systems come with features that help increase productivity in the kitchen, like routing capabilities that direct each ticket to the appropriate station and color-coded labels that show the status of an order. These resources support accountability and help every member of your back-of-house crew maintain the operations.
• Analytics & reporting: In-depth analytics and real-time reporting offer a plethora of information on the functioning of your kitchen that you can utilize to increase efficiency. Key performance indicators that can be utilized to pinpoint operational inefficiencies and offer performance feedback include order time, expected preparation time, and ticket fulfillment time. 
• Universal platform for order management: Improving kitchen efficiency is particularly crucial for off-premise restaurant operations. If you're juggling takeout, delivery, and dine-in orders at the same time, data from your kitchen display system can help you guarantee that order fulfillment times don't get too long and ensure timely orders.

Improved Communication 

Poor handwriting or verbal communication can lead to a variety of problems. Most consumers will not accept mistakes such as serving the wrong side dish or dressing. With KDS and its real-time communication features, it eliminates these kinds of possibilities. The most significant advantage of KDS systems is that they speed up and simplify communication between front-of-house and back-of-house employees. Let’s find out how it helps in effective communication. 

• Improved back-of-house and front-of-house operations: KDS systems make it simpler for restaurant employees to stay informed about client orders and kitchen operations by giving them real-time access to information from numerous locations. This eliminates the need for manual data entry, improving back-house and front-house communication while increasing efficiency and accuracy. 
• Seamless orders management & fulfillment: When you have a best-in-class kitchen ordering system, the front-house employees enter everything in the kitchen ordering system and it is displayed to the back-of-house as well as entered into the system, without any communication or lengthy process.  The wait staff is able to see the status of a specific order and inform the customer as necessary.
• Automated alerts for customers & employees: Some KDS options allow text messaging to be sent to customers waiting for in-store orders, takeout, or pick-up in quick-service restaurants, or to staff in full-service restaurants when food is displayed in the window. Instant alerts to servers or customers help streamline operations and ensure your visitors get their food as soon as it is available. Put another way, food is never delivered cold, which increases client retention and satisfaction. 

Improved communication between the front and back offices of your business results in faster order fulfillment and shorter wait times for customers. This, in turn, leads to higher customer satisfaction and eventually higher sales and revenues.

Enhanced Customer Experience

A restaurant's top priority should always be its customers' pleasure. Happy customers are more likely to return and post favorable reviews, as well as suggest the restaurant to others. Numerous elements influence customer happiness, and the greatest technology, such as a kitchen ordering system, guarantees a better dining experience for patrons. 

• Customized services: A KDS can improve restaurant performance by removing the need for frequent trips to the kitchen to check on orders. This approach gives your wait staff more time to get to know the customers, their individual meal preferences, and any specials.
• Customer loyalty programs: Every restaurant has devoted customers, and it's critical to take care of them. KDS allows them to enter information about their favorite meals or particular needs into the system, eliminating the need to repeat it each time. Additionally, businesses can send them customized SMS messages or surprise them with gifts on key occasions.
• No missed orders: The kitchen order system ensures that no orders are missed. It displays new orders and adds them to the queue. All orders are filled in this manner, therefore clients have nothing to complain about. In addition, the client is kept fully updated on the status of their order.
• Higher clarity, faster processes: KDS eliminates the need to print paper receipts or distribute unintelligible details scrawled on chits. Cooks may start preparing right away because the order information is promptly reflected on the kitchen screen. Such clarity of information cuts down on waste of time, which leads to faster order processing and delivery. 

Inventory Management

Maintaining precise inventory levels is critical for any restaurant operation. A shortage of food can result in dissatisfied consumers and decreased sales, whereas an excess of food leads to wastage of inventory and increased expenses. A kitchen ordering system can help to improve the inventory process and limit the possibility of errors. 

Here’s how the kitchen ordering system helps in inventory management for a restaurant: 

• Availability of the right ingredients: KDS systems let restaurants keep track of their inventory levels and expiration dates. It ensures that the proper components are always available while also increasing overall kitchen efficiency.
• Real-time order tracking: Tracking orders in real-time guarantees that only the necessary amount of food is made. It eliminates waste and enables eateries to make fewer orders more frequently, keeping food fresher and tastier. 
• Understanding client behavior: A restaurant kitchen operations system can assist in identifying patterns in client ordering behavior, allowing establishments to alter inventories accordingly. It offers a number of advantages that raise a restaurant's productivity and profitability. 
• Monitoring the consumer patterns: The kitchen ordering system takes into account the many types of supplies and ingredients that a restaurant employs. This guarantees that restaurants can precisely monitor their consumption and modify their ordering accordingly. 
• End-to-end restaurant management: Integration with Kitchen Display Systems allows for improved kitchen management. These mechanisms guarantee that services are delivered on schedule. Without any possibility of human error, the ticket time is greatly reduced.

Reduced Wastage & Expenses

Another amazing benefit of getting a kitchen ordering system for your restaurant is reduced wastage and expenses. KDS systems help restaurants reduce food wastage by tracking and preparing orders accurately. This minimizes the environmental impact of restaurants while saving money on food expenditures.

Let’s see how it helps in minimizing costs: 

• Reduced food wastage: The KDS allows users to view all orders placed in the server kitchen. This minimizes food waste and keeps the food from overcooking. Rather than writing the orders down on paper, the server enters them into a handheld point-of-sale gadget. It has a connection to the KDS network. It reduces errors and product waste by keeping all employees informed about it, which saves money and resources. 

  You can save 10-15% on operational costs by minimizing food waste and increasing kitchen efficiency. These consist of writing paper purchases, printing kitchen orders, and printing receipts. 

• Reduced staff costs: It also helps in lowering the growing expense of labor. You may handle your order-taking activities with a smaller staff as well. Thus, a kitchen ordering system will help you cut down on operating costs while also streamlining your restaurant's operations.
• Going paperless: There are two advantages to becoming paperless. The costs come first. Thus, you can lower the cost of paper by doing away with paper or by sticking with the conventional ordering procedure.  It costs roughly $50-60 for each case, and restaurants generally need one every week, so it was a no-brainer to use kitchen display screens in the kitchen and go paperless in the front of the house as well. 
• Environment impact: Second, your printing expenses are significantly reduced when you do away with paper tickets. The advantage to the environment is also evident, of course. According to Toast, restaurants that replaced their kitchen printers with kitchen display screens saved 6,300 trees in 2018 alone.

Boosts Employee Efficiency & Management 

Employees are among the most important factors that can make or break your business. Employee satisfaction is equally important to a restaurant's success as customer satisfaction.

• Staff flexibility: Restaurant kitchen software allows restaurant owners to provide employees with the flexibility and autonomy they need to set their own shift times. This would in turn instill in them a sense of loyalty to the service they are providing. 
• Saves time: The restaurant kitchen ordering system will assist restaurants with scheduling by eliminating the need to manually tally each employee's shift and plan. You would save a ton of time because you wouldn't have to deal with spreadsheets or worry about juggling and switching around your employees' shifts.
• Keeps staff up-to-date: Restaurant kitchen software keeps your staff up to date on changing schedules, preventing misunderstanding and errors, while also ensuring maximum efficiency and streamlined restaurant business operations. 
• Access to crucial & consolidated data: With the use of a kitchen ordering system, all staff members may access consolidated data, eliminating the need for mental acrobatics to recall who has taken a week's leave and who has requested a day off. This is because restaurant kitchen software handles everything. The staff's responsibilities are well-defined, and they only act in accordance with their roles. The new KOT technology allows for better communication between employees than ever before. 

Efficient Supply Chain Management 

Supplies chain management is among the most important yet complex tasks in restaurant management. Getting quality supplies at the right price and quality can help your restaurant streamline its overall operations. It ensures that no customer gets empty-handed because of less stock and no supplies going into the bin because of excess ordering - while also effectively managing supplier relationships and staying within your budget. 

Kitchen ordering systems can have a significant impact on supply chain management. It helps in simplifying the ordering and receiving of supplies and can help to keep inventory levels at optimal levels while simplifying restaurant processes. This, in turn, can help to lower the overall cost of goods sold while increasing consumer satisfaction.  

Let’s find out more about its benefits: 

• Easy to restock: With the best kitchen ordering system, you can make it easier to refill and reorder items from suppliers. The ordering process may be automated by the system, allowing you to set up recurrent orders and ensure that you never run out of essential supplies.
• Track all supplier information in one place: It is simple to keep track of who you must purchase items from and when you have access to all of your supplier information in one location. This centralized data source enhances overall visibility and accessibility, making it easier for restaurants to manage and analyze supply chain data.
• Order Accuracy: The system helps ensure order accuracy by reducing manual intervention in the ordering process. Automated order creation based on real-time inventory data minimizes the chances of errors in quantities, specifications, or product selections. 
• Supplier Performance Analysis: The system allows restaurants to track and analyze supplier performance. This includes assessing delivery times, order accuracy, and the quality of products received. This data helps in making informed decisions about ongoing collaborations.
• Integration with Accounting Systems: Integration with accounting systems allows for better financial tracking of supply chain-related expenses. This includes monitoring costs associated with purchases, delivery fees, and other supply chain management expenses. 
• Compliance Monitoring: For restaurants dealing with perishable or regulated items, the kitchen ordering system helps in monitoring compliance with food safety standards and expiration dates. 

Data Insights

Data is everything. The more you know, the better you can optimize your restaurant kitchen. And, with the best-in-class kitchen ordering system, restaurant operators have comprehensive access to crucial data insights - which includes a complete overview of all the operations and processes along with results and other important data. 

• Order Trends and Popular Items: The data about order trends help restaurants identify popular items, peak ordering hours, and seasonal preferences. This information enables menu optimization, allowing businesses to promote and highlight high-demand items and adapt their offerings to meet customer preferences.
• Peak Hours and Staffing Optimization: Analyzing the data on peak ordering hours allows restaurants to optimize staffing levels. Businesses can schedule more staff during busy periods to ensure efficient order processing, minimize wait times, and enhance overall customer satisfaction.
• Customer Preferences and Behavior: The system can provide insights into customer preferences, including popular dishes and ordering patterns. Understanding customer behavior allows restaurants to tailor marketing efforts, create targeted promotions, and enhance customer engagement, leading to increased loyalty and repeat business.
• Upselling Opportunities: Insights into customer order history and preferences create opportunities for upselling. Restaurants can strategically promote additional items, upgrades, or special offers based on individual customer profiles, maximizing revenue per order.
• Performance of New Menu Items: When introducing new menu items, the system can track their performance. Restaurants can analyze sales data, customer feedback, and order frequency to assess the success of new additions. This information helps in refining the menu and optimizing offerings based on customer preferences.

Managing Online Orders & Seamless Processing 

With online ordering growing in popularity, you need a smooth method for managing all orders placed off-premises. Therefore, make sure the kitchen order system you use for your restaurant allows for both online and dine-in orders. 

Here’s how the kitchen ordering system works. 

Chefs can receive orders and begin cooking instantaneously when KDS is connected with an online ordering platform. Without requiring a staff member to manually reenter the order, orders placed through your online ordering system can be directed directly to the kitchen display screens.

Some kitchen ordering systems allow you to specify permissions such that an administrator must approve all online orders or cash-only orders before they are sent, if that is how you would for your online orders to be authorized before they are delivered to the kitchen.

What other things does it cover? 

• Real-Time Order Management: The system provides real-time visibility into incoming online orders. Kitchen staff can view and manage orders as they are placed, enabling quicker response times and improved efficiency in preparing and fulfilling orders.
• Customization and Special Requests: The system allows for easy customization of online orders to accommodate customer preferences and special requests. Whether it's modifying ingredients, selecting preferences, or adding notes, the kitchen ordering system ensures that these instructions are communicated clearly to the kitchen staff.
• Integration with POS System: Integration with the Point of Sale (POS) system streamlines the entire order management process. Online orders seamlessly flow into the POS system, providing a centralized platform for tracking sales, managing inventory, and generating accurate reports.
• Order Tracking and Status Updates: Customers and restaurant staff can track the status of online orders in real time. The system provides updates on order preparation, cooking, and delivery, enhancing transparency and allowing for accurate communication with customers.
• Data Insights for Optimization: The system captures data on online ordering trends, popular items, and customer behavior. These insights enable restaurants to optimize their online menu, tailor promotions, and enhance the overall online ordering experience based on customer preferences.
• Payment Integration: Seamless integration with online payment systems allows customers to pay for their orders online. This enhances the convenience of the ordering process and reduces the time spent on payment processing at the restaurant.

Tips on How to the Right Kitchen Order System For Restaurants? 

With so many kitchen ordering systems to choose from, it's critical to examine several factors in order to make the right decision and set your restaurant business for success. 

Here are some of the key considerations you need to keep in mind: 

1. Customization at the core: Since every restaurant is different, the system you select should be able to be tailored to meet the specific requirements of your establishment. It is probable that your restaurant already has systems and applications in place, so the software you choose should be able to integrate with them. 
2. Simple to use & integrate: It's challenging enough to run a restaurant; adding a new management system should streamline and automate tasks. So, make sure the kitchen ordering system you choose for your restaurant is easy to use and can seamlessly integrate with your existing tools to simplify operations and boost efficiency. The selected system should be intuitive to restaurant managers and staff, or easy to train how to use it.
3. Costs & Budget: Another thing to consider before making the decision is the fees and costs of the kitchen ordering system. Make sure to look out for different systems available in the market and their functionalities as well. Based on the features you need and its pricing, you can choose the right one. Numerous businesses provide management software at various price points. The top tier is ideal for a multi-site full-service restaurant concept, while the lowest tier can work well for a small, single-location café. It is crucial to take into account both the initial out-of-pocket expenses and the system's monthly cost to your business. 
4. Scalability & Support: Choose a kitchen ordering system that can scale with your business and the vendor provides you with robust customer support as well. As your restaurant grows, the system should be able to accommodate increased order volumes and additional features without compromising performance. You can also prioritize a system from a reliable vendor with a reputation for customer support. Ensure that the system has minimal downtime and that the vendor provides adequate training and support to address any issues that may arise.
5. Register for demos and free trials: When assessing whether a kitchen ordering system is a good fit, nothing compares to your own experience. The simplest approach to get these experiences for yourself without having to pay any money is to take advantage of free trials and demos. Aside from that, since the kitchen ordering system interacts directly with staff, it's simple to obtain their feedback as well. Considering all the things and your experience with the system, you can make a decision. 

Future Trends in Restaurant Technology

The restaurant industry is continuously evolving, and technology plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of kitchen ordering systems. So, getting a kitchen ordering system is not just enough, you need to be aware of the top trends and customer preferences as well to further cope with the hot technologies that can help you streamline operations.

Here are some of the exciting trends that you will see concerning to kitchen ordering systems for restaurants: 

• Contactless and Mobile Ordering: The demand for contactless experiences in restaurants has increased because of the rising safety and convenience needs. Mobile ordering allows customers to browse menus, place orders, and make payments using their smartphones without any staff interaction. This trend is expected to continue, providing a streamlined and efficient way for customers to interact with restaurant services.
• AI and Machine Learning: Artificial Intelligence and machine learning technologies are the trendy buzzwords that we have been hearing for quite some time now and they are also surely going to revolutionize kitchen operations. These systems can analyze historical data to predict peak hours, optimize inventory levels, and even suggest menu adjustments based on customer preferences. AI-powered kitchen ordering systems enhance efficiency and support data-driven decision-making.
• Augmented Reality (AR) for Training and Guidance: Augmented Reality for employee training is another growing trend that can be used to enhance staff training in the kitchen. By overlaying digital information onto physical objects or surfaces, AR can provide step-by-step instructions, improving training efficiency and helping kitchen staff execute tasks accurately, without wasting much of the restaurant's crucial resources. 
• Automated Inventory Management: Automated inventory management systems leverage technology to streamline the tracking and management of restaurant inventory. These systems can automatically update inventory records, track ingredient usage, and generate alerts for restocking. This automation reduces manual efforts, minimizes errors, and helps prevent stockouts or overstock situations.
• Augmented Reality Menu Displays: Augmented Reality can enhance the dining experience by adding a digital layer to physical menus. Customers can use AR-enabled devices to access additional information, images, or videos related to menu items. This interactive experience adds a novel dimension to the way customers explore and choose their meals.
• Environmental Sustainability Features: Environmental sustainability is becoming a key focus in the restaurant industry. Kitchen ordering systems can incorporate features that support sustainable practices, such as lesser paper usage due to lesser usage of notepads, paper receipts, etc. Furthermore, restaurants can even adopt best practices to decrease energy consumption and minimize food waste. These features align with the growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious dining options.

Conclusion

The unsung hero of a well-functioning kitchen is a kitchen ordering system. Implementing a KDS in your restaurant can improve efficiency, income, and output. 

From giving your kitchen staff more insight into prep times and identifying modifiers for a better visitor experience to assisting your employees in performing their duties more effectively - a feature-rich kitchen ordering system can streamline it all. 

The synchronized front-house and back-end activities can lead to seamless dining experience for the customers. It can ensure accuracy while accelerating your processes and increasing production and income. An effective system allows you to simplify other elements of your business operations through integrated marketing, sales tracking, and inventory management capabilities.

On top of it, Implementing a KDS that directly connects to your point-of-sale platform could be the most important thing you can do for your restaurant operations. It's like beautiful harmony when you invest in a top-notch kitchen order system with an effective restaurant point of sale.