Kitchen Display Systems: The Way to a More Efficient QSR
One of the biggest reasons to consider deploying a kitchen display system (KDS) is the growing quick service restaurant (QSR) market. Verified Market Research predicts a 5% CAGR with growth from $261 billion In 2020 to $386.55 billion in 2028. Restaurants that want a share of that growing revenue – and hang onto as much margin as possible — need to find ways to operate more efficiently.
That’s no small feat as labor shortages continue. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports more than 1.4 million job openings in accommodations and food services. Factor in that QSRs have one of the highest employee turnover rates, ranging from 50% to 100% annually, and it’s a safe bet that just about every QSR has a help-wanted sign in the window.
As a result, QSRs face the challenge of keeping up with a growing demand with fewer employees – and meeting customer expectations for quick, accurate, fast food orders. It takes more than an employee at the counter handwriting orders or entering them into the point of sale (POS) system and sending them to the kitchen.
A kitchen display system gives QSRs a better way to manage orders.
What a Kitchen Display System Brings to QSR
A kitchen display system integrated with a QSRs POS system saves time with each order. As soon as a customer places an order at the counter, the drive-thru, or at a self-service kiosk, it appears on a display in the kitchen. No paper is required. Furthermore, there’s no lag in getting the right parts of the order to the right food prep stations, and orders are prioritized. A KDS eliminates the guesswork in deciding which order to work on preparing menu items and ensures all parts of orders are completed at the same time.
These KDS-POS integration features provide QSRs with a range of benefits, including:
Streamlined processes
Relying on a kitchen display system to communicate orders directly to the kitchen automates the process and saves time. A KDS also enhances operations by improving communication between the front and back of the house. Bump pads enable kitchen staff to clear them when the order is ready. A KDS also makes training new employees easier, so they can work independently and begin providing value sooner.
Simplified IT environment
Using a kitchen display system also eliminates the need for kitchen printers – and printer paper, printheads, and IT service expenses. A simpler IT environment is easier for the restaurant to maintain and reduces the costs of paper and other consumables.
It’s also a more sustainable system than kitchen printers. By reducing paper use, restaurants can advance their green initiatives and appeal to customers committed to protecting the planet.
Better customer experiences
Consumers choose QSRs for the food they love but also for fast service. A KDS integrated with a POS system enables the quickest service possible, keeps lines in the restaurant and the drive-thru short, and keeps guests happy. Additionally, because orders instantly and accurately appear on displays in the kitchen, restaurants can reduce errors, ensuring customers receive exactly what they request, including modifiers, allergen information, and other details.
It’s Time to Make Changes and Overcome Current Challenges
A more adaptive and automated way to manage orders can help QSRs operate efficiently, overcoming labor shortages in both the kitchen and front-of-house. Additionally, KDS systems can help restaurants overcome even other challenges, such as the rise of Online Ordering. Orders for off-premises dining have grown 300% faster since 2014 than dine-in. With the need to adapt to meet these customer demands, a kitchen display system that interfaces with a POS and online ordering system can help restaurants manage new online ordering offerings accurately without adding staff.
Furthermore, in a time of historic inflation, implementing a KDS can be part of a restaurant’s strategy to optimize operations and save money by reducing food waste, IT maintenance, and labor costs. QSRs searching for solutions to current challenges need to consider using a kitchen display system that works flawlessly with their POS system. NCC has the information you need.
