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Kitchen display system review

Toast KDS

Toast's kitchen display, a module of Toast POS that turns a Toast device into a prep or expo screen. Toast prices the module, the screen licenses and the hardware by quote.

By ToastParent company: Toast, Inc.
Not enough data to score
Toast also offers: POS systems, Card processing, Online ordering, and 5 more

Not enough verified data yet

We've verified 9 of 12 key facts for this kitchen display system. Until we reach 80%, this page shows what we have, with sources, and it isn't a full review.

Our verdict

A solid kitchen display if you already run Toast: station routing, all-day counts and documented local-network operation during outages. You'll need a quote for the module, each screen and the hardware, and it stays inside the Toast contract.

What we like

  • Toast documents that in-store orders keep reaching the KDS over your local network during an internet or Toast outage.
  • Routing by prep station, all-day item counts, kitchen productivity reports and order-ready texts to guests.

What to watch

  • The module, the screen licenses and the hardware are all by quote.
  • It only works with Toast POS and Toast hardware.
  • It falls under the Toast Merchant Agreement, which renews for a year at a time and charges the software fees left in the term if you leave early.

How the score breaks down

RTC ScoreNot enough data

Methodology v1.0.0

We could verify less than 60% of what we score, so we don't rank it.

Data completeness55%

We could verify 55% of the scoring data

Strongest points
Keeps working without internet, Routing by station, Kitchen time reports
Weakest point
Published pricing

Score by criterion

  • 12-month cost of 2 kitchen screensWeight 26%No data
  • Keeps working without internetWeight 9%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Routing by stationWeight 8%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Support 24/7Weight 8%No data
  • Kitchen time reportsWeight 7%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Initial termWeight 7%No data
  • Published pricingWeight 6%Weakest0.0 out of 10
  • POS systems it works withWeight 6%1.4 out of 10
  • Choice of kitchen screensWeight 6%5.0 out of 10
  • All-day item countsWeight 4%10.0 out of 10
  • Bump bar supportWeight 4%No data
  • Early termination feeWeight 4%2.5 out of 10
  • Notice to avoid renewalWeight 3%10.0 out of 10
  • Order-ready text to the guestWeight 2%10.0 out of 10

All the data, with sources

Each value links to its source. "Not published" means the vendor doesn't disclose it; "Unconfirmed" means we looked and couldn't confirm it. Data points we have for fewer than four vendors are left out until we can compare them.

Pricing
Data pointValue
KDS license per screenQuote onlySource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
How the license is chargedPer screenSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)A KDS module on the account plus a subscription or license for each additional screen, all by quote.
Published pricingQuote onlySource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Kitchen screen from the vendorQuote onlySource: Toast (opens in a new tab)Toast sells 22-inch and 14-inch kitchen screens through Toast Shop, without public prices.
Installation feeQuote onlySource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
POS and hardware
Data pointValue
Type of KDSPart of its own POS (needs that POS)Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Works with these POS systemsToastSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)
Kitchen screensOnly the vendor's screensSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)A Toast device switched to KDS mode, or a Toast kitchen screen from Toast Shop.
Runs onThe vendor's own kitchen screenSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)
In the kitchen
Data pointValue
Routing by stationYesSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)
If the internet goes downIn-house orders keep reaching the screens over your local networkSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)Toast recommends a wired connection with Wi-Fi off on each KDS.
Kitchen time reportsYesSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)
All-day item countsYesSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)
Bump bar supportUnconfirmedSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)The KDS page and the getting-started guide don't mention bump bars.
Order-ready text to the guestYesSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Contract and exit
Data pointValue
Initial termQuote onlySource: Toast (opens in a new tab)The initial term is set in each restaurant's order form.
Notice to avoid renewal30 daysSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Early termination feeOn subscription plans, the software subscription fees left in the term; on pay-as-you-go, $150 for each month left. Plus any processing fee tied to software you got at a discount.Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)
How the early termination fee worksThe fees left in the termSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Support
Data pointValue
Support 24/7UnconfirmedSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)The KDS page and the KDS guides don't state Toast's support hours.
Language
Data pointValue
Website or help in Spanish for the USYesSource: Toast Support Center (opens in a new tab)Toast's Support Center articles can be switched to Spanish; the sales pages are in English.

More about Toast KDS

How we score