Kitchen display in AlienPOS: the kitchen sees each order as it is taken
When a waiter takes an order on AlienPOS, the order goes to the kitchen screen, so the kitchen knows what to prepare and in what order.
Last updated: 27 October 2026
What a kitchen display is for
A kitchen display is a screen in the kitchen that shows the orders taken at the counter and at the tables. Cooks read the orders there, rather than from paper tickets or from a call across the pass. Its value shows most in a busy hour, when orders arrive faster than a shout or a printer can keep up.
How it works in AlienPOS
- A waiter or the cashier takes the order on the iPad, from the touch menu.
- The order goes to the kitchen screen as soon as it is taken.
- The kitchen prepares the items in the order it needs them.
How many screens you need depends on your kitchen. Ask us how many a plan includes.
An example
Example with made-up numbers. A lunch rush brings six tables in ten minutes. Each order appears on the kitchen screen when it is taken, so the grill can start table 4 while table 7 is still ordering at the counter.
Ask us before you buy
- How many kitchen screens does a plan include, and what does an extra screen cost?
- Can orders be sent to one station, such as the grill or the bar, so each station sees only its own items?
- What happens to open orders when the internet drops?
- Can the kitchen mark an item as ready, and can the counter see it?
Ask us in writing. The full checklist is in the kitchen display guide.
Questions about the kitchen display
Is a kitchen display the same as a kitchen printer?
No. A kitchen display shows orders on a screen. A kitchen printer prints tickets. Some restaurants use both. Ask which one fits your kitchen before you buy.
Does AlienPOS run on iPad?
Yes. AlienPOS is a cloud point-of-sale system built for iPad, with a touch-screen ordering interface.
Where can I read more before I buy?
Read our kitchen display checklist. It lists seven checks, from routing and stations to what happens when the internet drops.