What is a kitchen display system (KDS)?
A KDS (kitchen display system) is a screen installed in the kitchen that shows orders as soon as they come in from the point of sale. It replaces or works alongside printed tickets: staff see every open order on the same screen.
A KDS needs software that supports it and a device to display it. Depending on the software, that device is a screen built for kitchens or a standard tablet. With a non-touch screen, a small kitchen keypad called a bump bar can be added, with each key programmed for a kitchen task.
Kitchen display or kitchen printer: what are the differences?
A kitchen display shows the order without paper, while a kitchen printer prints it on a ticket. The two options also differ in their consumables, in what they require from the software and in how they handle heat.
| Criterion | Kitchen display (KDS) | Kitchen printer |
|---|---|---|
| How the order is shown | On a screen | On a printed ticket |
| Consumables | No paper | Thermal paper, or an inked ribbon and ordinary paper for an impact printer |
| Software requirement | The software must support the kitchen display | The software must recognize the printer (driver, ESC/POS commands) |
| Heat and steam | A screen built for kitchens is generally better suited to high temperatures | Thermal paper greys in heat: the printer is mounted away from steam |
Both can work together: some software shows the order on the screen and also prints it on a kitchen printer.
What should you check before buying a kitchen display?
First, check that the restaurant’s point-of-sale software offers a kitchen display and which hardware it works with. Some software comes with its own screens, while other software runs on standard tablets. Have your reseller or the software publisher confirm compatibility before you order.
A kitchen can have a single screen or several, for example one per production area. Screens built for kitchens often come in large sizes that are easier to read from a distance.
How do you install a kitchen printer?
Mount the kitchen printer away from direct heat and from the path of steam, at eye level, with clear access to the paper roll. Connect it to the network with a cable and reserve its address on the router. On the network, it receives orders from several checkout stations, and a station that is switched off does not hold up the kitchen. Test it during a real service before you sign off on the installation.
What kitchen hardware does G4POS offer?
The G4POS catalogue includes the MG80, an 80 mm thermal printer that prints at 260 mm/s. It connects over serial, USB or Ethernet and accepts ESC/POS commands. G4POS sells its hardware mainly to resellers, who install it at the restaurant.
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