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Glossary

KDS (Kitchen Display System): what it is

A KDS (Kitchen Display System) is the kitchen screen that receives, displays and organises orders digitally, replacing the classic paper ticket or the order shouted at the pass.

When an order is taken in the dining room (or comes from a QR menu or online), it appears immediately on the kitchen display, sorted by station and priority. The KDS tracks prep time, flags delays and signals when a dish is ready for the pass.

Why it speeds up service

A KDS cuts misreads, eliminates lost tickets and gives the kitchen clear control at peak: you see at a glance what’s queued, what’s late and what’s going out. Connected to the reservation system, it lets you anticipate the load — you know how many covers and when — and coordinate front and back of house better.

Here are the digital restaurant tools for 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What does KDS stand for?
KDS stands for Kitchen Display System: the kitchen screen that receives and organises orders digitally, replacing paper tickets and shouted orders.
What is a KDS used for in the kitchen?
To receive orders in real time, sort them by station, track prep times, flag delays and reduce errors and lost tickets during peak service.

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