How Smart Kitchen Workflow Improves Accuracy and Speed in Busy Venues

Why workflow matters

Every delay in the kitchen has a knock-on effect. A small mistake can become a longer queue, a missed seat, or a frustrated customer.

Good kitchen workflow solves this by giving staff what they need at the exact moment they need it:

• The correct order
• In the correct format
• At the correct station
• With the correct timing

When the information is right, the output is right.

KDS gives back-of-house complete clarity

Kitchen Display Screens replace paper tickets with a clear on-screen layout. Staff can see what’s cooking, what’s next and which dishes are waiting for completion.

KDS helps your kitchen:

• See orders instantly as they are placed
• Reduce mistakes from unreadable paper tickets
• Track prep times on a timer
• Organise items by course or priority
• Mark dishes as complete so front-of-house knows when to collect

Smart printer routing for traditional setups

Not every venue needs screens — many rely on kitchen printers. ACR supports precise routing rules to send each part of an order to the right printer.

For example:

• Drinks → Bar printer
• Starters → Hot pass
• Mains → Main kitchen
• Desserts → Dessert station
• Takeaway items → Dedicated collection printer

Clear modifiers prevent costly mistakes

Whether using KDS or printers, ACR systems display modifiers exactly where they matter:

• No cheese
• Extra chicken
• Gluten-free option
• Swap fries for salad
• Add sauce on the side

Front-of-house stays aligned

As soon as a dish is marked complete, front-of-house can see it. This prevents unnecessary trips to the pass and keeps the flow consistent during busy periods.

Linked workflow helps FOH:

• See completed items in real time
• Group dishes for tables
• Reduce waiting times
• Avoid shouting over the pass
• Deliver food at the right moment

Better accuracy means better margins

Accurate kitchen workflow isn’t just about smoother service — it directly protects your bottom line.

You cut:

• Wasted stock
• Remakes
• Incorrect orders
• Refunds
• Delays that reduce table turnover

And you gain:

• Faster service
• Better customer reviews
• More repeat business
• A calmer, more organised team

Build the workflow that suits your venue

ACR systems support:

• KDS screens
• Station-specific printer routing
• On-screen colour coding
• Prep timers
• Modifiers and notes
• Collection screens
• Linked handheld ordering