26-04-07 More efficient kitchen operations on the way for JDW

Pub operator JD Wetherspoon is always looking for ways to increase the efficiency of its pubs and to increase the quality of service offered to customers. In the most recent strive for excellence, JDW searched for a way to enhance the efficiency of communication between serving staff and the kitchen.

After looking at a number of options, JDW decided to invest further in the Kitchen Management System (KMS) offered by Zonal, which is already installed in many JDW venues. The Kitchen Management System is fully integrated into Zonal’s EPoS equipment so staff only need to enter details once.

The project to install the remaining 178 sites (500 or so already having Zonal KMS) started in October 2006 and was completed on schedule in February 2007.

Zonal’s highly regarded training team carried out training on a site-by-site basis, usually about a week after equipment installation.

The system uses order display screens in both the kitchen and serving areas to provide essential information in real-time. As soon as orders are placed in the bar or restaurant areas, order details along with customer preferences, such as well done steak or no cheese on a pizza, are displayed in the kitchen allowing kitchen staff to begin preparing the meals immediately.

Once a meal is ready, the server’s display is updated in real-time, ensuring that customers receive their meals as soon as they are prepared.

The rapid and accurate turnaround of customer orders allows JDW to increase customer satisfaction and increase the number of customers that can be served thereby maximising revenue earning potential.

Coloured timers are displayed on each order giving an instant indication of how long the order has been with the kitchen staff, for example, when the timer turns red, it means the orders are being prepared too slowly. Overall performance can be reviewed by the site manager, who can identify poor performance in the kitchen and serving areas to ensure that all customers benefit from the highest quality service at all times.

Zonal Senior Account Manager Andy Cavanagh said: “Food is an important aspect of J D Wetherspoon’s overall business and the kitchen screens help staff prepare the food for customers more quickly, and to their exact requirements.”

“The screens also give staff an overall picture of the food ordered as well as those meals that have been served and those that are still to be served. Ultimately the customers benefit as the food is prepared and served more efficiently.”