Choosing the Right POS Hardware: Touchscreens, Printers & KDS

Introduction

When restaurants talk about POS systems, the conversation usually starts with software.
Features, dashboards, reports, and pricing plans get all the attention.

However, in real restaurant environments, hardware decides whether a POS system succeeds or fails.

A slow touchscreen, a jammed printer, or a confusing kitchen display can undo even the best software in seconds—especially during rush hours. This is why smart restaurants treat touchscreens, printers, and Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) as core operational tools, not optional accessories.

In this in-depth guide, we explain how to choose the right POS hardware setup for your restaurant and how FoodChow helps restaurants build reliable, scalable POS setups that actually work in real service conditions.

Why POS Hardware Matters More Than Most Restaurants Realise

Restaurants operate in a high-pressure environment:

• Loud kitchens

• Heat and moisture

• Fast-moving staff

• Continuous peak-hour stress

In these conditions, hardware performance directly affects:

• Order speed

• Billing accuracy

• Kitchen coordination

• Customer satisfaction

If a touchscreen lags, orders slow down.
If a printer fails, kitchens miss tickets.
If orders do not reach the kitchen clearly, mistakes increase.

This is why POS hardware should be chosen with the same seriousness as the POS software itself.

What a Complete Restaurant POS Setup Looks Like

A modern restaurant POS setup usually includes three essential components:

1. Touchscreen POS terminals (front-of-house)

2. Printers (counter and/or kitchen, where required)

3. Kitchen Display System (KDS) (back-of-house)

Not every restaurant needs every component in the same way.
The right setup depends on restaurant type, order volume, and service style.

Touchscreen POS Systems: Where Speed Begins

Why Touchscreens Are the Heart of POS Operations

Touchscreens are the primary way staff interact with the POS system.
Every order, modifier, payment, and correction passes through this device.

In busy restaurants, a touchscreen must be:

• Fast and responsive

• Easy to read

• Durable under daily wear

• Simple for new staff to learn

A touchscreen that struggles even slightly can create queues and frustration.

Key Features to Look for in POS Touchscreens

1. Screen Size and Layout

Larger screens (10–15 inches) allow:

• Clear menu visibility

• Fewer mis-taps

• Faster order entry

Cramped interfaces slow staff down.

2. Responsiveness

Orders should register instantly—even with multiple modifiers.

Delayed taps lead to:

• Wrong items

• Duplicate orders

• Staff frustration

3. Durability

Restaurants need touchscreens that handle:

• Heat and steam

• Occasional spills

• Continuous daily use

Consumer-grade devices often fail faster in restaurant environments.

4. Mounting and Mobility

Depending on your service style, you may need:

• Counter-mounted terminals

• Wall-mounted screens

• Handheld tablets for tableside ordering

Flexibility matters as your operation evolves.

Touchscreen Needs by Restaurant Type

• Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs): Fixed counter touchscreens for speed

• Dine-In Restaurants: Counter screens + handheld tablets

• Cafés: Compact but fast touchscreens

• Multi-Outlet Brands: Standardised devices across locations

Consistency across outlets reduces training time and errors.

POS Printers: Still Relevant in Many Kitchens

Despite digital systems, printers remain important for many restaurants.

Types of POS Printers Used in Restaurants

1. Receipt Printers

Used for customer bills and payment slips.

2. Kitchen Printers

Send printed tickets directly to kitchen stations.

3. Bar Printers

Help separate drink orders from food orders.

Printers work best when they are reliable, fast, and clearly configured.

What Makes a Good Restaurant POS Printer

A reliable printer should offer:

• Fast print speed

• Clear, readable output

• Low noise

• Stable connectivity (USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi)

Cheap printers often cause:

• Paper jams during rush hours

• Faded text leading to kitchen mistakes

• Frequent maintenance issues

Over time, these problems cost more than the printer itself.

Common Printer Issues Restaurants Face

• Orders printed at the wrong station

• Tickets lost or misplaced

• Network disconnections

• Ink or thermal paper issues

These problems are one reason many restaurants are moving toward Kitchen Display Systems.

Kitchen Display System (KDS): The Modern Kitchen Standard

What Is a Kitchen Display System?

A Kitchen Display System (KDS) replaces paper tickets with digital order screens in the kitchen.

When an order is placed:

• It appears instantly on the kitchen screen

• Modifiers are clearly visible

• Order status can be tracked

No paper. No confusion. No delays.

Why Restaurants Are Rapidly Adopting KDS

A KDS helps kitchens:

• See orders clearly in real time

• Track preparation time

• Prioritise orders

• Reduce missed or lost tickets

In busy kitchens, this visibility changes everything.

Key Benefits of Using a KDS

• Faster order preparation

• Lower error rates

• No paper dependency

• Cleaner kitchen environment

• Better communication between front and back of house

Most importantly, kitchens stay calmer, even during peak hours.

KDS vs Kitchen Printers: A Practical Comparison

Aspect	Kitchen Printers	Kitchen Display System
Order speed	Moderate	Instant
Error rate	Higher	Lower
Paper usage	Continuous	None
Order tracking	Limited	Real-time
Long-term cost	Higher	Lower

Many restaurants start with printers and move to KDS as volume increases.

Choosing the Right POS Hardware Setup by Restaurant Type

Quick-Service & Takeaway Restaurants

Best setup:

• Counter touchscreen

• Receipt printer

• KDS for kitchen speed

Focus: speed and accuracy.

Dine-In Restaurants

Best setup:

• Counter touchscreen

• Handheld tablets for tables

• KDS for kitchen

• Optional receipt printer

Focus: smooth service and fewer staff interruptions.

Cloud Kitchens

Best setup:

• Central touchscreen

• KDS only

• No printers needed

Focus: online order efficiency and preparation speed.

Multi-Outlet Restaurants

Best setup:

• Standardised touchscreens

• KDS in every kitchen

• Centralised reporting

Focus: consistency and scalability.

How FoodChow Supports a Reliable POS Hardware Setup

POS hardware delivers the best results when paired with software built for restaurant workflows.

With FoodChow, restaurants benefit from:

• Smooth touchscreen order entry

• Reliable printer integration

• Real-time KDS order flow

• Centralised order management

• Clear performance reports

Instead of managing separate tools, restaurants operate with one connected POS ecosystem.

Common Mistakes Restaurants Make When Choosing POS Hardware

Mistake 1: Buying Based on Price Alone

Low-cost hardware often fails when you need it most.

Mistake 2: Mixing Incompatible Devices

Not all hardware works smoothly with all POS platforms.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Kitchen Workflow

A POS setup must serve both front and back of house.

Mistake 4: Overcomplicating the Setup

More devices do not always mean better performance.

How the Right POS Setup Improves Daily Operations

When hardware is chosen correctly:

• Orders move faster

• Errors drop

• Staff training becomes easier

• Customers experience smoother service

This creates a direct impact on revenue and reputation.

Future-Proofing Your POS Hardware Setup

Restaurants grow and change.
Your POS setup should support that growth.

Future-ready hardware should:

• Support software updates

• Allow device expansion

• Integrate with new ordering channels

• Remain reliable under higher volumes

This flexibility protects your investment.

Final Thoughts: Hardware Choices That Actually Matter

Touchscreens, printers, and KDS are not technical details.
They are operational decisions that affect your restaurant every day.

The right POS setup:

• Speeds up service

• Reduces mistakes

• Keeps staff focused

• Improves customer satisfaction

When hardware and software work together—as they do with FoodChow—restaurants gain control instead of chaos.

If you are planning a new POS setup or upgrading an existing one, focus on reliability, clarity, and integration. Those choices pay off every single service.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Do restaurants still need POS printers?

Yes. Many restaurants still rely on printers, although high-volume kitchens benefit more from KDS.

2. Is a Kitchen Display System better than kitchen printers?

Yes. A KDS reduces errors, improves speed, and removes paper dependency.

3. What touchscreen size works best for restaurants?

Most restaurants perform best with 10–15 inch touchscreens.

4. Can one POS system support both printers and KDS?

Yes. Modern POS platforms support flexible hardware setups.

5. Is POS hardware expensive to maintain?

Reliable hardware reduces downtime and lowers long-term costs.

6. Can cloud kitchens operate without printers?

Yes. Many cloud kitchens use only KDS.

7. Does POS hardware affect staff training?

Yes. Simple, responsive hardware reduces training time.

8. Should multi-outlet restaurants standardise hardware?

Yes. Standardisation improves efficiency and support.

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