kitchen display screens supplier
Kitchen display systems (KDS) are digital kitchen monitoring screens that display incoming orders in restaurant kitchens. KDS route orders from the point-of-sale (POS) system to the correct kitchen stations. An excellent kitchen display system streamlines kitchen communication, reduces human error, and monitors cook times for each dish. The best restaurant KDS systems show a dish’s ingredients at the touch of a button and text customers when orders are ready.
Most kitchen display systems are built into restaurant POS systems and offered at an additional fee for hardware and software. We examined each kitchen display system and its corresponding POS systems based on price, ease of use, and features to arrive at our top recommendations.
Toast POS is one of our top-rated cloud-based restaurant POS systems, and its KDS offering is likewise a top performer. Toast’s KDS is the most customizable system on this list. You canhighlight individual ingredients and common allergens. Plus, users can choose their font size and how information is arranged on order tickets. This system also sendstext messages to customers when their orders are ready, and alerts servers in the POS app when they have food waiting in the kitchen.
Toast’s KDS operates on industry-grade hardware built to withstand the steam, grease, and hot temperatures of a restaurant kitchen. Toast’s touch-screen KDS tablets are rated at IP-54 for resistance to dust, steam, and water droplets. Apple’s iPads, on the other hand, are not IP-rated at all. iPads can also struggle in temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
All-day count view “All day” is restaurant-speak for “total” or “altogether.” Cooks say “all day” to refer to the total number of an item they need to prepare to fill all open orders. As in “how many burgers all day?” Toast’s All-Day count screen shows your all-day counts at a glance, so your kitchen team is never second-guessing what orders they have on deck.
Automated order-ready messages You can set your Toast KDS to send automated messages when you mark an order as complete on the KDS. Send SMS text messages to customers who ordered online, letting them know their takeout order is ready. Or, send an in-POS alert to your server staff to let them know their table’s order is up. These alerts help keep your kitchen flowing smoothly and keep cooked food from dying in the window.
Epson integration Toast is one of the many POS systems that integrates with the Epson KDS system. If your kitchen prefers a bump bar configuration, you have the option via this integration.
Toast’s KDS software is currently offered at $25 per screen, per month. If you need multiple screens, however, Toast will likely work out a lower per-terminal price for you. To get the best pricing, reach out to the Toast sales team for a custom quote.
Revel Systems’ KDS offers several dynamic viewing options: Expedite, Expedite Tile, Kitchen Screen, Production View, and Order Display, so cooks and expeditors can choose their preferred view. Revel Systems also supports a customer-facing Order Ready screen to display orders by customer name to identify which orders are ready for pick up. Orders on this screen can be further color-coded to separate to-go, drive-thru, and curbside pickups, a massive timesaver for restaurants that rely on multiple third-party delivery platforms.
Like most systems on this list, Revel runs its KDS on iPads. But if you want more rugged hardware or a larger screen, you can opt for a ViewSonic VSD243 smart display instead. Like Toast, Revel users need to purchase their KDS hardware directly through Revel, even if they plan to use iPads. Revel does not support hardware that is purchased through third parties.
Drive-thru tools The Revel POS includes a detailed workflow for drive-thru restaurants it calls Drive Thru XT. This module condenses order and payment screens to reduce button presses and logs vehicle information to ensure the correct orders are given to the correct customers. You can also track drive-thru orders separately from in-house orders on the Revel KDS.
Epson’s KDS is afreestanding hardware solution that partners with several POS brands. Epson is well known for its workhorse receipt and kitchen printers. In addition to their standard printers, Epson also designs and manufactures printers that support a robust KDS system. With printer-driven, ethernet-connected screens, Epson’s KDS does not need an internet connection to work, making this system the best for offline functionality.
Because Epson’s KDS leverages the information routed to your kitchen printers, it functions as more of a hardware than a software solution. In most cases, the only cost to add an Epson KDS to a compatible POS system is the hardware cost. However, your POS provider may charge a separate software fee for adding the KDS integration—so be sure to ask.
KDS screen, wall mounting bracket, bump bar, KDS driver-enabled impact kitchen printerBump bar navigation panelPrices vary by resellerLinerless label printer with built-in KDS driver
Like Toast, Epson’s KDS operates on commercial-grade hardware. Epson monitors are rated IP-54, the exact same level of water and dust protection as Toast’s hardware. Commercial-grade hardware will likely function better than an iPad if your kitchen is particularly hot or steamy—like an Italian spot with a wood-burning oven and lots of boiling pasta water.
Epson’s KDS screens are driven by the printers they are attached to. You can print paper tickets on demand, or even linerless sticker labels—which are ideal for labeling takeout and delivery orders.
Like Lightspeed and Toast, Epson allows your staff to access recipe information directly from the KDS screen so there are never any mistakes from the kitchen. You just need to be sure to attach a recipe to each dish.
Fresh KDS earned a 3.32 out of 5 in our KDS evaluation. This system scored well for price—the seven-day free trial gave it a boost—and number of POS integrations. Advanced features like customer text messaging and an integrated order-ready display also earned points.
However, Fresh KDS could have scored higher if it offered recipe lookup tools (like Toast, Revel, and Epson) or had the ability to operate without an internet connection (like Toast, Revel, and Epson). Currently, like Lightspeed Kitchen and Square KDS, Fresh KDS needs a strong internet connection to function.
Like Revel, Fresh KDS includes an optional customer-facing order tracking screen. This is ideal for counter-service restaurants or those that do a high volume of takeout orders. When your kitchen marks a KDS ticket as completed, the order status on the tracking screen automatically updates to show customers their food is ready.
Fresh KDS offers three subscription tiers: Basic, Advanced, and Enterprise. Basic starts at $19 per month, Advanced comes in at $35 per month, and Enterprise requires a custom quote. Each subscription includes software for two KDS screens, though the system can support up to 10 screens at a single location.
Countertop iPad POS terminal with built-in card reader*Countertop or wall mounting bracket for iPad in Square Stand case*POS terminal with built-in card reader and customer-facing display
Every other KDS on this list processes voided items as separate tickets. These tickets will typically be marked with the same ticket or table number as the original ticket, but this can still lead to over-prepped food on a busy night. Square displays voided items in red directly on the original ticket. So, if table 25 cancels their soup order, your cooks will see it in real time.
Customizable views On each Square KDS, you can individually adjust the text size, the number of tickets displayed per page, and notification settings for new orders. This way, your cooks can view orders the way they prefer.
Free online ordering All of the systems on this list display online orders in the KDS. But Square for Restaurants is the only POS that includes a free online ordering site. In addition to receiving online orders directly in your KDS order stream, Square users have the comfort of knowing they aren’t paying any extra fees for those orders.
Lightspeed POS is a cloud-based POS that operates on iPads. Like the underlying POS, Lightspeed’s KDS module—called Lightspeed Kitchen—also runs on iPads. Pricing for Lightspeed Restaurant’s POS starts at $39 per month. The KDS software is an additional custom-quoted price. In the past, the KDS was available for just $12 per screen, per month.
Lightspeed Kitchen earned a 3.19 out of 5.00on our KDS ranking, putting it right on Square’s heels. It earned points for its recipe lookup “Show and Tell” functions and for its affordability. But Lightspeed Kitchen is not quite as customizable as Toast and Revel’s KDS (though restaurants looking for a simplified solution might prefer this).
Since Lightspeed Kitchen operates via a browser-hosted app, it needs an internet connection to work (unlike Toast, Revel, and Epson). Overall, however, the streamlined nature of Lightspeed Kitchen is excellent for keeping quick service restaurants and small, independent restaurants organized.
From the top left corner of the Lightspeed Kitchen screen, you can filter tickets by active, new, preparing, done, or archived status. Tickets can be moved from one order phase to the next with single or double taps.
Show and Tell function Lightspeed Kitchen’s KDS includes a Show and Tell function that shows a detailed image and item description on the KDS screen when a cook clicks on the menu item. This stops short of the recipe look-up function supported by Epson and Toast, but ensures your cooks are reminded how to plate a dish and review a list of its ingredients.
Lightspeed Kitchen is a paid add-on to the Lightspeed Restaurant POS. The software is offered at a custom-quoted price from Lightspeed. Contact their sales department for full pricing.
See why we recommend Lightspeed Restaurant for cafes and as the best available iPad POS for restaurants. Plus, explore Lightspeed Kitchen’s POS features in our full Lightspeed Restaurant review.
We compared 10 of the most popular kitchen monitoring systems based on the most frequently cited kitchen pain points. We weighed each KDS’s available hardware, offline functionality, ticket layout, and customization options. We also considered each system’s overall price. Based on these criteria, Toast emerged as the clear winner, with an overall score of 4.48 out of 5.00.
We prioritized tools that send automated text updates to customers when their orders are ready or support multiple hardware types. We also looked for kitchen monitoring systems that include recipe lookups and menu images at the click of a button.
We looked for systems that log preparation times and provide reports that measure your kitchen’s productivity. We also awarded points for KDS screens that work during an internet outage in offline mode.
Toast POS has our favorite KDS module. With options like text message notifications, customizable alerts, and kitchen-specific features like all-day counts, Toast’s KDS supports the widest range of restaurant styles. Combined with Toast’s excellent online ordering, delivery management, team management, and reporting functions, the Toast KDS creates a full spectrum restaurant management solution at a competitive price. Visit Toast for a demo, or to get started for free today.
The kitchen display system replaces old printer and paper-based systems, which eliminates the costs for printer consumables while improving the communication between the kitchen and the front house staff. As result, KDS provides quicker turnaround time, less mistakes, and more satisfied customers.
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Home kitchen display systems make the process of simple cooking. They are also easy to install and set up the fridge magnets, so it is easy to see all the different types of fridge magnets, and they are easy to install.
Even the majority of the kitchen display systems are equipped to display ears, earphones, and computers from the ears, and everything ready to be put. It is is possible to locate various kitchen display systems for kitchens to have the most look at the counter from the wholesalers on Alibaba.com to have a large variety of LEDs and earphone displays for all purposes.
A kitchen display system, or KDS, is a digital screen system that manages customer orders for restaurants. It replaces paper order tickets and helps restaurants organize, prioritize, change and track orders. A KDS can run $10 to $25 per month per screen plus the cost of hardware.
Using a KDS can be a good idea for most restaurants — even places with small kitchens, such as a coffee shop or cafe. Here’s why, and where to get a KDS.
An order is placed electronically.When a server inputs an order, it is routed to a digital display in the kitchen. Without a KDS, inputting a customer order would likely lead to thepoint-of-sale systemprinting a small receipt-like ticket in the kitchen.
The order is routed automatically.With paper tickets, someone will have to manually organize and prioritize orders to ensure a table gets all its food together. But a KDS can route various components of an order to the appropriate place (the grill or the fry station, for example), if a business has multiple screens.
Staff can access details easily.Recipe details and photos can appear on the screen. The KDS can also track inventory, as opposed to relying on a white board that displays handwritten information like dishes or ingredients that have run out, for instance.
A KDS typically is a flat-screen monitor, often mounted to a wall at eye level in the kitchen. Some kitchens have monitors at multiple locations, though one is sufficient for many. The monitors usually have touch screens, though some have a separate input device, such as a keypad. A KDS might run on a standard tablet, such as an iPad; others are designed and built using proprietary hardware.
It can make analysis easier.A KDS can also use the data generated over time and create reports. These reports can help your business become more efficient. For example, you’ll be able to see if it’s taking longer than expected to get certain dishes out of the kitchen, or if certain days or times see drops in performance.
Your kitchen doesn’t have a good place to mount a KDS.In addition, the hardware might not suit your needs; some KDS setups operate exclusively on a touch screen, which could be difficult to use in some environments.
What would starting small look like, e.g., could you set up a KDS only in the central hub of your kitchen, likely where the printer is now? In what ways could you grow into the system?
Overview:Lightspeed’s well-priced KDS aids kitchen staff in coordinating delivery, pickup and in-house dining with helpful icons. Other kitchen-friendly details — such as the ability to quickly scan wait times with color coding on each digital ticket or a breakdown of which dishes see the biggest delay — make this a good option.
Overview:It costs more than the others, but Toast offers a few features the others don’t. The company says its custom-made device is built for abuse, withstanding higher temperatures than iPads, for example. It also supports multiple languages and lets the kitchen ping servers (or guests) via text or an app when their food is up.
Customer Display System (CDS) XT is a best-in-class solution for engaging consumers, up-selling products and rewarding employees with opportunities for increased tips.
Intelligent kitchen display systems automatically dispatch orders to the kitchen after categorizing each order item to ensure easy identification. This improves order management by streamlining the cooking process and increasing staff efficiency.
Intelligent kitchen display systems can also be configured to schedule orders for delivery at specific times to help chefs avoid mistakes and reduce food wastage. Additionally, chefs can review the order schedule to prepare for later courses and ensure food is ready at the designated serving time.
With the GoTab KDS, your kitchen managers and expeditors get to identify and address issues at the source, and follow up with guests to ensure the order is accurate, right from the start.
Reinvent the way you run your kitchen with the Epson Kitchen Display System (KDS) Controller. Ideal for quick-service restaurant (QSR) and small-restaurant environments, this easy-to-use controller digitizes, routes and displays your order information without the need to connect to a printer. The compact, fully configurable KDS Controller fits in small spaces and can be customized—on its own or paired with an Epson receipt or label printer—to support your kitchen’s workflow, using intuitive Windows®-based configuration utility software. Additionally, you can set up as many as nine stations throughout your kitchen, so you can be sure the order information is handled by the right station at virtually any time.
The KDS Controller is POS agnostic and compatible with traditional and tablet POS systems, making installation easy. It also supports multiple display devices, including touchscreens from Elo™ and MicroTouch® as well as bump bars from Logic Controls®, offering flexibility to meet your staff’s preferences. Engineered for reliability, the controller connects to your local network but does not require an Internet connection; moreover, integrate with an Epson POS printer to help optimize your workflow. The KDS Controller comes with a 1-year limited warranty, with options to purchase Epson Preferred℠ Plus Extended Service Plans for up to 5 years total coverage, including upgrades to Spare-in-the-Air™ (SITA). We’ve got you covered with our world-class service and support to give you peace of mind.
Designed to improve productivity of high-volume restaurant kitchens, We offer Android, Windows and Linux based touch screen PC solutions ranging in screen size from 7” to 32”. These touch screen displays are purpose built for Point of Sale (POS) and Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) for order processing. Geekland’s reliable and durable line of POE touch screen monitors, tablets and AIO computers are specifically designed to withstand the high temperature and smokey environments of kitchens. The touch screen displays support both POE and wireless ( WIFI ) capability that offer flexibility in installation and support.
These mounting systems are attached directly to the ceiling or other flat horizontal overhead surface to support all types of VESA compatible screens.
Applications include Kitchen Display System mounts, POS Terminal mounts, Monitor mounting brackets, Industrial process screen mounts, Digital Signage, KIOSKS in commercial kitchens, retail, offices, industry, medical, maritime, schools, laboratory and many other environments.
The Micros Kitchen Display System elevates food service operations to the next level. A graphically-oriented software application available with our Cloud POS solutions that displays and monitors food orders as they enter the kitchen, the KDS system dramatically improves performance both in front and back-of-house.