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HiStone Kitchen Display (KDS)

What Are Kitchen Display Systems? Kitchen display systems replace paper order tickets with clear digital screens in the kitchen. When a server or customer places an order, it appears instantly on the right screen, colour-coded

HiStone Kitchen Display (KDS) – UK & Europe Supply from B-Spoke Systems

What Are Kitchen Display Systems?

Kitchen display systems replace paper order tickets with clear digital screens in the kitchen. When a server or customer places an order, it appears instantly on the right screen, colour-coded by course, time or preparation area. Chefs bump items as they are completed, and the pass can see at a glance which tables are waiting.

Kitchen display systems are now standard in quick-service restaurants and increasingly common in casual dining, pubs, cafés, hotels and food halls. They improve speed, accuracy and communication between front of house and the kitchen.

Benefits of Kitchen Display Systems

  • No lost tickets – orders cannot fall behind the grill or be misread.
  • Faster service – orders appear the instant they are placed.
  • Better timing – coursing and timers help dishes leave the kitchen together.
  • Clear allergy notes – modifiers are highlighted on screen.
  • Useful data – track preparation times and identify bottlenecks.
  • Less waste – no paper rolls or printer maintenance.

How Kitchen Display Systems Work

Kitchen display systems connect to your EPOS software over the network. Each screen can be set to show specific items, such as hot food, cold starters, desserts or drinks. A dedicated expo or pass screen shows complete orders so the head chef can coordinate each table. Many systems also send order-ready notifications to customer-facing screens in quick-service venues.

Choosing Kitchen Display Hardware

Kitchen environments are tough on technology, so the hardware matters.

Built for Heat and Grease

Choose sealed, fanless displays designed to resist dust, grease and steam. Our kitchen display systems are built for commercial kitchens rather than office use.

Screen Size and Mounting

Most kitchens use screens between 15 and 22 inches, mounted at eye level near each preparation area. Wall brackets and arm mounts keep screens away from direct heat and splashes.

Touch or Bump Bar

Touchscreens are quick and intuitive, while bump bars suit kitchens where chefs work with wet or gloved hands. Ask our team which option suits your software.

Software Compatibility

Our kitchen display systems run Windows or Android, depending on the model, and work with a wide range of hospitality EPOS software, including ICRTouch TouchPoint.

Kitchen Display Systems and Allergen Safety

Clear communication is vital for allergen management. Kitchen display systems carry allergy notes and modifiers directly to the screen, highlighted so they cannot be missed. The Food Standards Agency provides allergen guidance for food businesses, and the right technology helps teams follow it consistently.

Kitchen Display Systems in Different Venues

Quick-Service Restaurants

High order volumes, kiosks and delivery platforms make kitchen display systems essential. Order-status screens tell customers when food is ready to collect.

Restaurants and Pubs

Coursing, table timers and a pass screen help kitchens keep pace with the dining room on busy evenings.

Cafés and Coffee Shops

A barista screen keeps drinks orders in sequence and reduces mistakes at peak times.

Hotels and Multi-Outlet Venues

Route orders from restaurants, bars and room service to the right preparation area automatically.

Building a Complete Hospitality System

Kitchen display systems work best as part of a complete hospitality set-up. Combine them with all-in-one POS terminals at front of house, mobile POS systems for order-at-table and self checkout kiosk systems for self-ordering. See our hospitality EPOS systems page or read our article on restaurant EPOS hardware for more.

Kitchen Display Systems Frequently Asked Questions

Are kitchen display systems better than kitchen printers?

In most kitchens, yes. Screens are faster, cleaner and more accurate than paper, and they track preparation times. Some venues keep a printer as a backup.

How many screens does a kitchen need?

Usually one per preparation area plus a pass screen. A single café kitchen may only need one, while large kitchens may use five or more.

Can kitchen display systems work with my existing EPOS?

Often, yes. Tell us which software you use and we will confirm compatibility before you order.

Designing Your Kitchen Screen Layout

Every kitchen works differently, so the screen layout should reflect how food is prepared and plated. Start by mapping each preparation area, such as grill, fryer, cold starters, pastry and the pass, then decide which items each screen should show.

  • One screen per station – chefs see only the items they need to prepare.
  • A pass or expo screen – shows complete orders so tables leave together.
  • Bar and barista screens – keep drinks orders separate from food.
  • Order-ready screens – tell customers when collection orders are ready.

Mount screens at eye level and away from direct heat, steam and splashes. Arm mounts are useful where space is tight, letting chefs swing the screen into view when needed.

Measuring Kitchen Performance

Digital order screens record when each order arrives and when it is completed. Over time, this builds a clear picture of how long dishes take, which stations become bottlenecks and how busy periods affect ticket times. Managers can use this information to adjust staffing, menu design and preparation routines.

Many operators set target times for each course. Orders change colour on screen as they approach or exceed the target, helping the team prioritise without shouting across the kitchen.

Moving From Paper to Screens

Switching from printed tickets is usually straightforward. Many kitchens run screens and printers side by side for a short period while staff get used to the new process. Training is quick because chefs simply tap or bump each item when it is ready. Within a few services, most teams prefer screens to paper.

Delivery and Online Orders

Online ordering and delivery platforms have added a new stream of orders to many kitchens. Routing these orders to the same screens as dine-in orders keeps everything in one queue, prevents missed tickets and helps the kitchen plan its workload during peak times.

Hygiene and Cleaning

Screens in commercial kitchens need regular cleaning. Sealed fronts and smooth surfaces make this quick and easy, and there is no paper waste or printer debris to clear away at the end of each service.

Choosing Between Android and Windows Screens

Kitchen screens are available with different operating systems. Android models are often compact and cost-effective, with fast start-up and simple management. Windows models suit software that requires a full desktop environment or additional applications. Your EPOS software provider will usually recommend one platform, and our team can supply the right model and confirm compatibility before you order.

Why Buy From B-Spoke Systems

B-Spoke Systems has supplied point-of-sale hardware since 2003 and is the official UK distributor for HiStone. Every order follows our ISO 9001 certified process: stock held in Leicester, configuration and testing by our own technicians, UK warranty support and spare parts, and showroom demonstrations before you buy. Resellers and software houses can also use our trade services, including imaging, kitting by site and drop-shipping.

Get a Quote

To discuss your requirements, call 0116 260 3100, email sales@b-spokesystems.com or contact us online. You can also book a visit to our Leicester showroom or browse all of our EPOS hardware products.

B-Spoke Systems is the UK’s largest independent HiStone distributor.