The meaning of KOT
KOT stands for Kitchen Order Ticket. When a waiter, cashier or supported table-order flow submits an accepted food order, kitchen staff need to see the table or token context, dishes, quantities and relevant preparation notes.
A KOT is different from the invoice: the order can still be prepared before a final customer bill is settled.
What goes on a kitchen ticket?
A typical ticket shows an order reference, table or token, item names, quantities, preparation notes and time or status. The exact fields depend on the software and configuration.
A customer name or contact detail should only be displayed where needed for fulfilment.
How KDS differs from a paper KOT
KDS means Kitchen Display System: digital tickets and preparation statuses rather than only a printed slip. Staff can review and update accepted orders in the digital queue.
A restaurant can still issue normal bills without configuring KDS. Connected order capture and kitchen devices may require internet.
Example flow in Free Restaurant Billing
Set up sellable food items and applicable kitchen routing. Place a small counter, Table QR or captain order using a test account, and review it in Command Center.
When the order is accepted and routed, inspect the kitchen display for the correct items and notes. Mark the actual preparation stage, then review settlement in the billing workflow.