A kitchen display system (KDS) replaces paper tickets and kitchen printers with a screen that shows every order the moment it is placed. Orders from the till, self-ordering kiosks and online channels appear in one place, so chefs can see what to cook, in what order, and how long each ticket has been waiting.
What is a kitchen display system?
A KDS is made up of software from your EPOS provider and a kitchen display screen mounted at each prep station or on the pass. When a server or customer places an order, it is sent straight to the right screen. Staff bump items as they are completed, and the system tracks preparation times for reporting.
Benefits of a KDS over kitchen printers
- No lost or unreadable tickets: orders cannot fall off the rail or get splashed.
- Faster service: orders reach the kitchen instantly, including from kiosks and delivery apps.
- Better timing: colour-coded timers show which orders are running late.
- Lower running costs: no paper rolls or printer ribbons in the kitchen.
- Useful data: see average prep times by dish, station and shift.
What to look for in KDS hardware
Kitchens are hot, wet and greasy, so a kitchen display screen needs to be tougher than a normal monitor. Check for:
- A sealed, IP-rated front panel to resist oil and water.
- A screen large enough to read several orders from a distance.
- VESA mounting for walls, shelves and arms.
- Wired Ethernet for a reliable connection, with Wi-Fi as backup.
- An operating system that matches your EPOS software.
HiStone HD220R and HD220E kitchen display systems
The HiStone KDS range is built for commercial kitchens:
- HiStone HD220R (Android) – 21.5-inch Full HD screen, IP54-rated front panel, Rockchip RK3568 quad-core processor, Android 11, 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and VESA 75 or 100mm mounting.
- HiStone HD220E (Windows) – 21.5-inch Full HD screen, IP54-rated front panel, Intel J3455 processor, Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, 4GB RAM (expandable to 8GB) and a 128GB SSD, with dual-band Wi-Fi.
Both have a slim, bezel-free design that is easy to wipe clean, and both are accredited for use with ICRTouch software.
Android or Windows KDS?
Choose the HD220R if your kitchen display software is an Android app, or the HD220E if your EPOS runs a Windows KDS module. If you are not sure, your EPOS provider will tell you which platform they support.
Complete the kitchen with HiStone EPOS
A KDS works best alongside fast front-of-house hardware. Pair it with HiStone EPOS tills, mobile EPOS tablets for table service, and self-ordering kiosks to take more orders at peak times.
Kitchen display system FAQs
Do I need special hardware for a kitchen display system?
Yes. A kitchen display system should use a screen built for heat, grease and splashes, such as the IP54-fronted HiStone HD220R or HD220E. Consumer monitors and tablets are not designed for a commercial kitchen.
How many KDS screens does a kitchen need?
Small kitchens often use one kitchen display system screen on the pass. Larger kitchens add a screen per station, such as grill, fryer and cold prep, so each chef only sees the items they need to make.
Can a KDS work with self-ordering kiosks?
Yes. Orders from tills, self-ordering kiosks, mobile EPOS and delivery platforms can all be routed to the same kitchen display system, as long as your EPOS software supports it.
Is a kitchen display system better than a kitchen printer?
For most busy kitchens, yes. A KDS removes lost tickets, shows order times and gives better reporting. Some sites keep one printer as a backup.
Order HiStone KDS hardware
B-Spoke Systems supplies HiStone kitchen display systems from stock in Leicester, and can image and test each unit before dispatch. Browse the EPOS hardware range or contact our team for a quotation.