Kitchen Display System (KDS) Setup Guide

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Hardware · 5 min read

What Is a KDS?

A Kitchen Display System (KDS) replaces traditional paper tickets in your kitchen. When a server enters an order on the POS terminal, it instantly appears on a screen in the kitchen. Kitchen staff can view orders in real time, bump completed items off the screen, track prep times, and manage order flow digitally — no more searching through piles of paper tickets.

A KDS connects directly to your OnePOS system over your local network, so orders appear the moment they're placed. No delays, no lost tickets, no illegible handwriting.

Benefits of KDS

Switching from paper tickets to a digital kitchen display delivers immediate improvements:

• No more lost or smudged tickets — digital orders don't fall on the floor or get splashed with sauce
• Real-time order tracking — see exactly what's in queue, what's being prepared, and what's done
• Automatic routing — send appetizers to the cold station, entrees to the grill, and drinks to the bar automatically
• Prep time tracking and alerts — color-coded timers warn when orders are taking too long
• Reduce food waste from misread orders — clear, digital text eliminates handwriting confusion
• Faster table turns — streamlined kitchen flow means food gets out faster
• Better communication — expo can see all stations at once and coordinate plating

Hardware Requirements

You'll need the following for each kitchen station:

• KDS display — touchscreen recommended, 15" or larger for readability in a busy kitchen environment
• KDS bump bar (optional) — a physical button bar as an alternative to touchscreen; useful in greasy/wet environments where touchscreens are harder to use
• Network connection — must be on the same local network as your POS terminals (wired ethernet strongly recommended for reliability)
• Mounting hardware — wall mount bracket or counter stand, depending on your kitchen layout
• Power supply — standard outlet near the mounting location

Step 1: Physical Setup

Proper placement makes a big difference in daily use:

1. Mount the display at eye level for kitchen staff — they shouldn't have to look up or down constantly.
2. Connect the display to power and to your network via ethernet cable.
3. Position the screen away from direct heat sources and steam (avoid mounting directly above fryers or steam tables).
4. If using a bump bar, mount it at a comfortable reach height below the display.
5. Ensure staff can reach the touchscreen or bump bar comfortably without leaving their station.
6. Route cables safely — use conduit or cable covers to protect from kitchen hazards.

Step 2: Configure Stations

Set up your kitchen stations in OnePOS so orders route to the right screens:

1. In OnePOS, navigate to Settings > Kitchen Display.
2. Create your stations based on your kitchen layout. Common examples:
   • Grill — burgers, steaks, grilled chicken
   • Fry — french fries, fried appetizers, wings
   • Cold/Salad — salads, cold appetizers, desserts
   • Expo — sees all orders for final quality check
3. Assign menu categories to each station (e.g., all items in the "Burgers" category route to the Grill station).
4. Set the display order — oldest orders first is recommended so nothing gets forgotten.
5. Assign each physical KDS screen to its corresponding station.

Step 3: Routing Rules

OnePOS supports several routing configurations depending on your kitchen complexity:

• Simple routing — all items go to one screen. Best for small kitchens with one or two cooks handling everything.
• Category routing — different food types go to different stations. Burgers to grill, salads to cold station, fries to fry station. This is the most common setup.
• Course routing — fire appetizers first, hold entrees until apps are bumped. Great for fine dining where course timing matters.
• Expo screen — a dedicated screen that shows ALL orders across all stations. The expo chef uses this to coordinate plating and ensure complete orders go out together.

You can combine these — for example, use category routing for individual stations plus an expo screen for the expeditor.

Step 4: Customize Display

Adjust the display settings to match your kitchen's needs:

• Font size — use a larger font for easier reading in a busy, smoky kitchen. Staff shouldn't have to squint.
• Color coding — configure time-based colors:
  • Green = normal (order just came in)
  • Yellow = approaching time limit (e.g., 10+ minutes)
  • Red = overdue/rush (needs immediate attention)
• Alert sounds — set an audible chime for new orders so staff knows to check the screen.
• Auto-bump timer (optional) — automatically clear completed items after a set time if staff forgets to bump them.
• Order grouping — display all items for a single table together so the kitchen can plate and send as a group.

Need help choosing the right KDS hardware or getting it installed? Contact our team — we provide on-site installation and training to get your kitchen running digitally.