Configure Prep Times by Item and Modifier for the Kitchen Display System

Description: Learn how to configure the Kitchen Display System (KDS) Prep Times in Lighthouse Business Manager (LBM) to allow you to set the expected cook time of individual items.

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For information on using Prep Times on the Kitchen Display System (KDS), visit the Use Standard or Advanced Mode for Prep Times article.

To watch more how-to videos, visit our video section.

Overview

Prep Times allow you to define how long individual menu items and modifiers take to prepare. These times are used by the KDS to control when items appear on kitchen screens so that all items on a ticket can be finished at the same time. By setting accurate Prep Times, you help streamline kitchen workflow, improve order accuracy, and enhance the speed of service.

What Prep Times Do

Prep Times are not just reference values; they directly influence how the KDS manages kitchen timing. The system uses your configured times to determine:

• When each item should appear on a station’s display
• How long an item is expected to take to prepare
• How to stagger item firing so the entire order completes together
• How modifiers change preparation time (e.g., “well-done” adds additional minutes)

The KDS combines the item’s base Prep Time with any modifier adjustments to calculate the total preparation time for that item.

Configure Prep Times for Items

1. In Lighthouse Business Manager, navigate to SkyTab Settings > Menu > Items.
   
2. Select the item you want to edit.
   
3. In the Preparation Time section, enter the base amount of time it takes to prepare that item.

This value represents the standard cook or prep duration before any modifiers are applied.

Configure Prep Times for Modifiers

1. In the same item edit screen, locate the Modifier Sets section.
   
2. Expand a modifier set to view its assigned modifiers.
   
3. Enter additional Prep Time for any modifier that affects how long the item will take to prepare.
   
   The KDS will automatically add the modifier time to the base item time. If multiple modifiers are selected on an order, all applicable times will compound to create the overall Prep Time for that item.
4. Select Save after making changes.

Example

If an item has:

• Base Prep Time: 8 minutes
• Modifier “Extra Crispy”: +2 minutes
• Modifier “Well Done”: +3 minutes

Then ordering both modifiers results in a total Prep Time of 13 minutes.
The KDS uses this combined time to determine when the item should be fired so it finishes with the rest of the ticket.