Restaurant kitchens are fast-paced and have complex workflows. A bump bar provides kitchen staff with a smarter way to manage orders. It is a small keypad that can also withstand harsh temperatures and conditions in kitchens. While a kitchen display bump bar has many benefits, you’ll also need to know its basic features.
In this article, you’ll learn what a bump bar is, including its basic features and benefits. Bump bars can solve many problems restaurant kitchens face. Keep reading to find out how you can help restaurant owners find the right bump bar for their kitchens.
What is a Kitchen Display Bump Bar?
A bump bar is a keypad that is designed to be used with a kitchen display system (KDS). One of the reasons why a restaurant needs a KDS is to help manage and organize digital order tickets.
All incoming order tickets are displayed on a KDS screen. Each KDS device has a corresponding bump bar connected to it. Wired bump bars are the most commonly used in kitchens. However, there are wireless models available.
How a Bump Bar Works
A kitchen display bump bar works with a restaurant’s KDS and POS system. When a customer’s order is recorded in the POS system, the restaurant’s KDS also receives this information.
KDS devices display all active order tickets. Kitchen staff can easily scroll through each order using a bump bar. Kitchen staff can also route orders to specific workstations depending on the order items. They can also update the status of individual order items during order preparation.
A bump bar also helps kitchens clear or “bump” completed orders from the system. Once an order is marked as complete using a bump bar, this information is also relayed to the POS system.
Features of a Bump Bar for KDS
Caption: The 20-key bump bar for KDS manufactured by Bimi [Image: Bimi bump bar]
Bump bars are built to improve a kitchen’s workflows. Regardless of the restaurant type, a bump bar for KDS should work seamlessly with the restaurant’s operations. While a bump bar is easy to identify by its compact design, it also includes other standard features.
Durable Design
Caption: Bump bars are built to withstand harsh temperatures and damage from oil, water, and grease in restaurant kitchens [Image: Fresh KDS]
Kitchens are busy environments that experience extreme temperatures and humidity. Aside from this, cooks and kitchen staff handle oil, water, and other liquids. In these conditions, it may be challenging to manage orders using a touchscreen display.
A bump bar is built to withstand harsh kitchen conditions and make order management easier. The top bump bar manufacturers for KDS create durable bump bars to handle these conditions.
Bimi is one of the manufacturers that uses high-quality and durable components to make bump bars. Its bump bar devices for KDS are encased in a steel housing to protect them from dust and liquids. Each bump bar, including its keypad, is IP65-certified so it’s resistant to damage caused by dust, water, and oil.
Programmable Keys
Caption: Restaurant owners can customize the key functions on their bump bars [Image: Bimi Customized Bump Bar]
Bump bars typically have at least 15 keys. A bump bar has arrow, numeric, and function keys. The keypad is designed to enable cooks and kitchen staff to quickly go through orders by pressing the buttons.
Every kitchen works differently. Luckily, a bump bar’s keys can be customized to suit a kitchen’s operations. Keys can be remapped and new key combinations can be added for specific commands. For example, a key code can be programmed into the system for functions that require a manager’s approval.
Fast Tactile Response
In fast-paced kitchens, every second counts. A bump bar has a fast tactile response so kitchen staff can easily use it. Its keys don’t require a lot of force to register a command.
Let’s look at Bimi’s 21-key bump bar as an example. Its operating force is only 280gf. Because of this, kitchen staff don’t need to press the keys heavily while using the bump bar.
Ergonomic Design
Aside from this, a bump bar has an ergonomic design. For efficient operation, the keys are close to each other. Using the same example, the keys in Bimi’s 21-key bump bar are spaced 0.6mm apart. This design prevents kitchen staff from overexerting themselves while using the bump bar so they can focus on food preparation.
Integrates with KDS and POS
Kitchens centralize their order management processes using a bump bar. To do this, bump bars need to integrate with a restaurant’s kitchen display system and POS system.
Order information is automatically transmitted by the POS system to the KDS and bump bar and vice versa. Because of this, last-minute order modifications are immediately relayed to the kitchen staff. Similarly, kitchens use bump bars to notify servers when an order is completed.
You’ll need to identify the popular KDS and POS software when choosing a bump bar for your customers. Furthermore, you’ll also need to determine if a bump bar is compatible with the restaurant’s KDS.
Benefits of Using a Kitchen Display System Bump Bar
A KDS bump bar is a small device that can have a huge impact on a restaurant’s operations. By improving order fulfillment workflows, bump bars increase a kitchen’s efficiency. Furthermore, a bump bar streamlines communication between a restaurant’s front- and back-of-house staff.
More Efficient Order Management
Caption: Bump bars work with KDS devices to improve order fulfillment workflows [Image: Lightspeed KDS]
While tracking orders using paper tickets is still common, it leaves a lot of room for errors. Line cooks may not hear the expediter’s instructions because of the kitchen’s noise. Mistakes can also happen when the order information on a paper ticket is difficult to read. Or worse, when a paper ticket gets lost.
Luckily, a kitchen display bump bar prevents these mistakes from happening. All order information is displayed on a KDS screen.
Line cooks and kitchen staff use the bump bar’s keys to navigate through the order queue. A kitchen display bump bar also enables kitchens to monitor various types of orders such as:
- Takeout
- Placed through a delivery app or website
- Curbside pickup
- Drive-thru
With better visibility and navigation features, kitchens can fulfill orders more efficiently. Staff can quickly plan their workflows by scrolling through the orders using the bump bar. They can use the key commands to view item modifications and requests.
Bump bars are strategically placed near KDS screens. When a line cook is ready to update an order’s status, they’ll use the bump bar to do so.
More Organized Order Routing
Restaurant kitchens often have different food prep stations. For example, the grill station and cold station have their own KDS devices and bump bars.
When a new order is entered into the KDS, an alert is sent to the kitchen stations. Another advantage of a KDS bump bar is that it can route orders to the right prep stations. With a quick press of a button, a salad order is routed to the cold station.
Kitchen display bump bars also enable different kitchen stations to effectively communicate with each other. When a prep station completes an order item, updates are sent to the other stations using the bump bar. This also ensures all kitchen staff receive the same information throughout service.
Streamlines Communication Between Kitchen Staff and Servers
Caption: Kitchen bump bars provide real-time updates to streamline communication between a restaurant’s front and back-of-house [Image: Toast POS]
A restaurant’s front-of-house and kitchen need to work together to provide customers with a good dining experience. When customers place their order, the server enters this information into the POS system. Then, the order is automatically displayed on the KDS screens. Afterward, kitchen staff use the bump bars to view the order information.
Similarly, order cancellations or changes are immediately sent to each prep station’s KDS screen. Let’s say a line cook is about to start preparing an order that was just cancelled. A KDS bump bar can be used to acknowledge order cancellations like this. With a quick press of a button, the line cook can relay to the kitchen that the update was noted.
Streamlined communication between the kitchen staff and front-of-house reduces order fulfillment errors. From the example above, immediate alerts about order cancellations prevent food waste.
When an order is ready to be served, its status is updated using the bump bar. Once an order is bumped, servers are also alerted. This process also ensures dishes are prepared on time and promptly served to the customers.
Improves Restaurant’s Speed of Service
Restaurants use speed of service as a metric to measure the effectiveness of their operations. Both the front-of-house and kitchen staff are evaluated on their speed of service. Servers will often provide an estimate of how many minutes it will take for a customer’s order to be served.
After the order is recorded into the system, the kitchen needs to ensure the order is served on time. In addition to improved communication and order management, bump bars are designed to keep up with busy kitchen staff.
As mentioned above, KDS bump bars are built to withstand harsh kitchen conditions. One of the ways a KDS works for a restaurant is that it displays order timers. This enables line cooks to keep track of their progress when preparing an order. This also ensures orders are tagged as complete using the bump bar on time.
During a restaurant’s peak hours, operating kitchen hardware like bump bars also contributes to order fulfillment speed. Unlike touchscreens, bump bars can be operated with quick presses using gloves or wet hands. Staff don’t need to spend too much time operating the bump bar and can focus on food prep instead.
Kitchen equipment shouldn’t slow down a restaurant’s service. Bump bars are a reliable way to ensure orders are fulfilled quickly without sacrificing the quality of service.
Boosts Customer Satisfaction
Customers go to a restaurant expecting their orders to be served on time. An efficient and organized kitchen ensures customers receive high-quality food and drinks quickly.
When a KDS bump bar supports a restaurant’s operations, kitchens have a better way of monitoring order preparation and completion. Furthermore, a bump bar-assisted system prevents long wait times and order errors.
A streamlined order fulfillment system creates happier customers. Moreover, satisfied customers are more likely to dine at a restaurant again.
The Key to More Efficient Kitchens
A kitchen display bump bar is an easy-to-use keypad that helps improve a kitchen’s workflows. It connects to a restaurant’s KDS and POS system to streamline order management. This also improves communication between kitchen staff and servers. When a restaurant’s kitchens are more efficient, it leads to more satisfied customers, too.
From quick service to multi-location restaurants, Bimi manufactures bump bars for all types of kitchens. It offers 20- and 21-key bump bars with highly programmable keys to suit a restaurant’s operations. Each bump bar is IP65-certified and designed for continuous use. To learn more, contact Bimi today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a bump bar used for in a commercial kitchen?
Commercial kitchens use bump bars to manage digital order tickets. When kitchen staff press a bump bar’s keys, they can easily scroll through the queue and view order information.
Kitchen display bump bars are used to update order information. As an order goes through various kitchen stations, progress updates are sent using a bump bar. When an order is complete, a bump bar is used to notify kitchen staff and servers.
Bump bars also come with standard buttons such as “hold” and “recall.” These commands enable staff to organize the order queue and view completed orders.
2. Is it easy to maintain a bump bar?
Yes, a bump bar is easy to maintain. It has a sealed membrane keypad that is easily cleaned. Even if you use a wet rag, the keypad won’t be damaged.
Furthermore, bump bars also include firmware upgrades. Thanks to this, the device’s features are always updated to prolong its lifespan.
3. Is using bump bars to manage orders better than using paper tickets?
Yes, it’s better to use bump bars to manage orders than paper tickets. While paper tickets have been traditionally used for order management, they come with issues. Paper tickets can be lost along with order details. Tickets with illegible handwriting can also cause errors. In this environment, verbal calls can also lead to mistakes due to miscommunication.
To solve these issues, bump bars streamline order information. All kitchen stations have access to detailed order information. In addition, order updates and changes are instantly displayed on the system. Kitchen staff simply need to use the bump bar to view order details.
4. How do bump bars perform in extremely hot or cold areas in a kitchen?
Bump bars are built to withstand extreme conditions experienced in kitchens. They’re typically encased in metal frames for durability. These metals don’t bend or warp in extreme temperatures. This prevents the bump bar’s components from being damaged in these conditions.
For example, Bimi’s bump bars operate under temperatures ranging from -20°C to 70°C. Because of this, its bump bars can be used in cold rooms and hot grilling stations.
5. Is it easy to train new kitchen staff to use a kitchen display bump bar?
Yes, it’s easy to train new kitchen staff to use a kitchen display bump bar. These devices have an easy-to-use and intuitive design. New kitchen staff can quickly be onboarded on the basic functions of a bump bar.
They’ll easily get up to speed on how to navigate the order queue using the arrow keys. If a kitchen has specific workflows using the bump bar, trainees can focus on learning this instead.
6. Are bump bars waterproof and greaseproof?
KDS bump bars are IP65-certified which means they are resistant to water and grease. Bump bars work even if kitchen staff use them with greasy or wet hands. The keypad’s sealed membrane ensures the device is protected from hot oil and water spills.
7. How can restaurant kitchens customize a bump bar’s key functions to suit their workflows?
Restaurant kitchens can customize a bump bar’s key functions to suit their workflows using the device’s USB HID interface. Because of this, restaurant owners can easily configure the bump bar’s functions using their current POS and/or KDS apps.
Kitchens can also remap the bump bar’s keys and add new combinations to suit their workflows. However, the level of customization might be limited to the number of keys in a bump bar. But additional drivers aren’t needed for key customizations.
8. Why is it better to use bump bars instead of touchscreens?
In a fast-paced kitchen environment, touchscreens aren’t as reliable as bump bars. Continuous tapping on a touchscreen may slow it down, especially after continuous use. Touch panels might also freeze when handled poorly. Greasy or wet hands can easily smudge the touchscreen which reduces the readability of order information.
Bump bars solve these problems because their tactile keys won’t slow down kitchen operations. These devices are also built for continuous use in demanding kitchen environments.
9. Are bump bars compatible with all POS and KDS software?
No, bump bars aren’t compatible with all POS and KDS software. The good news is the bump bars are compatible with most POS and KDS software. Bump bar manufacturers ensure their devices can be easily integrated into a restaurant’s current software ecosystem.
You’ll need to check if the bump bar is compatible with the KDS device’s operating system. Luckily, most bump bars are compatible with Windows and Android operating systems which are commonly used in kitchens.
10. Can you use a bump bar on multiple KDS devices?
No, you cannot use a bump bar on multiple KDS devices. A bump bar is designed to be connected to one KDS device at a time. This is especially true for wireless bump bars.
Each prep station in a kitchen typically has its own KDS screen. In this setup, each station’s bump bar is placed near the KDS device for accessibility. A strategic setup like this ensures bump bars are seamlessly incorporated into a kitchen’s workflows.
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