Kitchen Display System (KDS): How to Manage Orders in Real Time

The kitchen display system (KDS) is a real-time digital screen that replaces paper tickets in the kitchen — showing incoming orders, their table numbers, item details, and preparation status. RestaurantManage's KDS receives orders via WebSocket in under one second, whether they come from the QR menu, waiter app, or cashier panel. This guide explains how to set up and use the kitchen display to streamline your back-of-house operations.

How Does the Kitchen Display Receive Orders?

Every order placed through RestaurantManage — whether from a customer scanning a QR code, a waiter using the mobile app, or a cashier entering it manually — is sent to the backend via API and broadcast to the kitchen display through a real-time WebSocket connection. The order appears on the kitchen screen within one second, showing the table number, ordered items with quantities, any special notes, and a timestamp. There is no polling or manual refresh — the display updates automatically as new orders arrive, ensuring kitchen staff never miss an incoming order.

How Do I Update Order Status?

The kitchen display organizes orders by status in a clear visual workflow. When a new order arrives, it shows as Received. A kitchen staff member taps the order to move it to Preparing, indicating the kitchen has started working on it. Once the food is ready, they tap again to mark it as Ready — this notifies the waiter or cashier that the order is waiting for pickup. The entire status flow is: Received → Preparing → Ready → Served. Each status change is broadcast in real time to all connected screens including the customer's order tracking page.

How Do I Set Up the Kitchen Display?

1. Choose a device: Use any tablet, laptop, or monitor with a web browser. A 10-inch tablet works well for small kitchens.
2. Log in: Sign in with a kitchen-role user account at restaurantmanage.com.
3. Open the kitchen panel: Navigate to the kitchen display page. The screen auto-refreshes and stays connected via WebSocket.
4. Mount the screen: Place the device where all kitchen staff can see it — ideally near the prep station or pass.
5. Test with a sample order: Scan your QR code and place a test order to verify it appears on the display.

What Does the Kitchen Screen Show?

Each order card on the kitchen display contains all the information a cook needs: the table number prominently displayed at the top, a list of ordered items with quantities, any customer notes or special requests, allergen flags if applicable, and the time elapsed since the order was placed. Orders are color-coded by status — new orders are highlighted to draw attention, preparing orders show a distinct color, and ready orders move to a separate column. This visual layout helps kitchen teams prioritize and prevents orders from being forgotten during busy service periods.

Tips for Efficient Kitchen Display Usage

• Use a dedicated device: Keep the kitchen display open full-time on a mounted tablet — don't share it with other tasks
• Assign roles: Designate one person (usually the chef de partie or expeditor) to update order statuses
• Keep the screen clean: Mark orders as Served promptly to avoid clutter on the display
• Use sound alerts: Enable browser notifications so staff hear when a new order arrives
• Check WebSocket status: The connection indicator at the top shows green when connected — if it turns red, refresh the page

Related Guides

• QR menu: How customers scan and place orders from the table
• Cashier panel: How orders move from kitchen to payment
• KDS deep dive: In-depth article about kitchen display systems