Ticket Times
Ticket Times refers to how quickly a kitchen can prepare and serve food orders after receiving them. It's like a countdown timer that starts when a customer's order (ticket) arrives in the kitchen and ends when the food is ready to serve. Restaurant managers use this to measure kitchen efficiency and customer satisfaction. Similar terms include "order fulfillment time" or "kitchen response time." Good ticket times are crucial for any restaurant's success because they directly affect customer satisfaction and how many tables a restaurant can serve during busy periods.
Examples in Resumes
Reduced average Ticket Times from 25 to 15 minutes through kitchen reorganization
Maintained consistent Ticket Time under 20 minutes during peak hours
Trained staff to improve Ticket Times while maintaining food quality standards
Typical job title: "Kitchen Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Kitchen Managers
Professional Networks
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you improve ticket times in a struggling kitchen?
Expected Answer: Should discuss analyzing current workflow, staff training, kitchen layout optimization, prep work organization, and implementing systems to track and improve performance while maintaining food quality.
Q: How do you balance quick ticket times with food quality during rush periods?
Expected Answer: Should explain strategies for proper prep work, staff scheduling, station organization, and communication systems between front and back of house.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What systems have you used to track ticket times?
Expected Answer: Should describe experience with POS systems, manual tracking methods, or other tools used to monitor and improve kitchen efficiency.
Q: How do you handle multiple tickets during peak hours?
Expected Answer: Should explain prioritization strategies, team coordination, and maintaining organization under pressure.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Why are ticket times important in a restaurant?
Expected Answer: Should understand basic concept of customer satisfaction, kitchen efficiency, and how timing affects restaurant operations.
Q: What factors can affect ticket times?
Expected Answer: Should mention basics like preparation time, kitchen organization, staff coordination, and complexity of orders.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of kitchen timing
- Ability to read and process tickets
- Station organization
- Basic food preparation speed
Mid (2-5 years)
- Efficient kitchen workflow management
- Staff coordination during rush periods
- Multiple order handling
- Time management systems
Senior (5+ years)
- Kitchen efficiency optimization
- Staff training and development
- Process improvement implementation
- Performance tracking systems
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic kitchen timing
- Poor multitasking abilities
- Lack of experience with busy service periods
- No knowledge of kitchen workflow management
- Unable to demonstrate time management skills
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