KDS, for Kitchen Display System, refers to the kitchen screen that shows orders in real time instead of paper tickets. It's become standard in fast-casual and is spreading fast in traditional restaurants.
How it works in practice
An order is placed (QR at the table, kiosk, server app, delivery aggregator). Instead of printing on a roll, it appears in real time on a kitchen screen — tablet, iPad or USB monitor. Each order is a "card" with:
- Table or order number.
- Requested dishes and options.
- Allergens and notes in large text.
- A timer (time since the order was taken).
- "In preparation" / "Ready" buttons to move the ticket forward.
Difference vs a POS
The POS records the sale, computes the total, prints the customer receipt and handles VAT (NF525 in France). The KDS doesn't handle money: it drives kitchen production. They're complementary: a POS + a KDS = a complete chain.
Multiple stations
In an organised kitchen (hot / cold / pizza / bar / dessert), each station has its own screen and receives only the relevant dishes. The "Pass" server gets the consolidated view for plating.
Field benefits
- No more lost, greasy or torn tickets.
- Visibility of elapsed time on each order (clear priorities).
- Customer modifications (no onion, no gluten) visible in large text.
- Smooth room/kitchen communication ("dish ready" notification).
- Kitchen reporting (average time per dish, per station) for steering.
KDS pricing
Free QR menu. Rush Start and Rush for fast food; Table Start and Brigade for restaurants; Signature combines the modules. Website & app and AI Intelligence have dedicated offers. See current pricing.
Which restaurants?
- Free QR menu. Rush Start and Rush for fast food; Table Start and Brigade for restaurants; Signature combines the modules. Website & app and AI Intelligence have dedicated offers. See current pricing.
- Traditional restaurant with QR ordering or delivery: very useful.
- Multi-station kitchen (pizza + burger + dessert): huge gain.
- Small bistro with 2 cooks, paper OK: lower priority.