Tangent: I’m a programmer who currently works as a cook. Kitchens are operating systems and many principles from OS design are applicable if you want to streamline service. Instead of programs, the kitchen must run multiple orders concurrently and efficiently. Containers, lowboys, refrigerators and the walk-in cooler are different cache/memory levels and become smaller the closer they are to your station. Batch processing (cooking, plating, finishing, etc.) will increase throughput, but sometimes latency is more important (you might want to immediately plate and finish an order if the customer has been waiting an hour). If chef says “on the fly” they want that order to preempt any existing orders in progress.

The term “operating system” might seem overly general but I think it’s pretty apt.