Restaurant Hardware Guide · 2026

The
Hardware
That Runs
Your Restaurant.

iPad · Android · EloWorks with anything
0%Hardware markup
$0Required from us

PlateFlow runs on any screen with a browser. No proprietary lockup. No hardware fees. Pick what fits your kitchen, your budget, and your service style.

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Works with: iPad · Android tablets · Elo commercial touchscreens · Windows laptops · Any modern browser
01

Kitchen Display.

Your kitchen is hot, steamy, and covered in grease. Your KDS needs to survive all of it while staying readable from across the line.

Premium
GRILL · 4 TICKETS
#1042 · T2 · 2:30
#1043 · T3 · 5:12
#1044 · T5 · 8:45
#1045 · PICKUP
Elo I-Series 5 Steel
$900 – $1,200 · 15" / 22"

Stainless steel chassis, IP-rated against water, grease, and steam. The screen your line cook will not destroy.

  • Chemically strengthened glass — responds to wet and gloved fingers
  • PoE — single ethernet cable for power and data
  • Android 14 with remote management via EloView
  • VESA mount: wall, pole, shelf, or ceiling
  • IP65 front bezel rating
Setup: 10 min
View at Elo →
Mid-Range
EXPO · 3 TICKETS
#2012 · T1 · 1:45
#2013 · T4 · 4:20
#2014 · T6 · 6:10
Elo I-Series 4
$500 – $700 · 15" / 22"

Commercial-grade Android touchscreen. Same Elo quality, lighter build. Perfect for kitchens that aren't directly over the grill.

  • 10-touch PCAP display, Full HD
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
  • Chrome kiosk mode → point at your KDS URL → done
  • WiFi or ethernet
  • Lighter chassis — easier to mount
Setup: 10 min
View at Elo →
Budget
KDS · IPAD
#3041 · 2:15
#3042 · 5:30
iPad + Waterproof Case
$380 – $500

Works great as a starter. Use Safari in Guided Access mode. Not truly kitchen-rated, but gets the job done in cooler prep areas.

  • iPad 10th Gen ($329) + waterproof case ($50–80)
  • Cases from CTA Digital, ArmorActive, Compulocks
  • Wall mount via VESA adapter or table stand
  • Use existing iPads you already own
  • Note: can struggle with greasy fingers, not fully kitchen-rated
Setup: 5 min
View at Apple →
How to Set Up Your KDS
  1. Mount your screen near the prep station (wall or shelf mount recommended)
  2. Connect to your restaurant's Wi-Fi or ethernet
  3. Open Chrome (or Safari on iPad)
  4. Navigate to: yourdomain.com/wp-admin/admin.php?page=pf-kds
  5. Log in with your PlateFlow manager credentials
  6. Select your kitchen station (e.g., "Grill", "Salad", "Expo")
  7. Set to fullscreen / kiosk mode:
    • Chrome Android: Menu → "Add to Home Screen" → open from home screen
    • iPad: Settings → Guided Access → enable → triple-click home button
    • Elo: Use EloView to lock to the KDS URL
  8. Orders will appear automatically as they're placed
Pro tip: Use ethernet instead of Wi-Fi in the kitchen. Steam and metal equipment degrade Wi-Fi signal.
02

Point of Sale.

Your POS needs to be fast, reliable, and pair with a payment terminal. PlateFlow works with Stripe Terminal for card-present payments.

Premium
POS · REGISTER 1
BURGER
FRIES
SALAD
DRINK
Elo E-Series + Stripe Terminal
$1,200 – $1,500

Purpose-built POS workstation. Clean cable management. Perfect for full-service restaurants with a dedicated register.

  • Add Stripe Reader S700 for contactless + chip + swipe
  • Edge Connect: barcode scanner, NFC, cash drawer trigger
  • Integrated all-in-one chassis
  • Commercial-grade for 12+ hour daily use
Setup: 15 min
View at Elo →
Mid-Range
POS · I-SERIES 4
PIZZA
PASTA
WINE
DESSERT
Elo I-Series 4 15" + Stripe
$800 – $950

Compact all-in-one. Pair with Stripe Reader S700. Wallaby stand for clean countertop installation.

  • Stripe Reader S700 ($349) for payments
  • Wallaby countertop stand
  • Chrome kiosk mode → POS URL → done
  • Same Android interface as KDS
Setup: 10 min
View at Elo →
Budget
POS · IPAD
TACO
SODA
iPad + Stripe Reader
$680 – $780

Most restaurants already have an iPad — just add the reader and you're taking payments in under 10 minutes.

  • iPad 10th Gen ($329) + Stripe Reader S700 ($349)
  • Countertop stand ($50–80)
  • Works with any iPad running Safari
  • Cheapest way to go live today
Setup: 5 min
View Stripe Reader →
How to Set Up Your POS
  1. Place your touchscreen at the register area
  2. Connect the Stripe Reader S700 via Wi-Fi or USB
  3. Open Chrome or Safari → yourdomain.com/wp-admin/admin.php?page=pf-server
  4. Log in with your manager PIN
  5. Connect your Stripe Terminal in PlateFlow: Settings → Payments
  6. Test a transaction ($1 charge, then refund)
  7. Optional: receipt printer — Epson TM-T88 or Star TSP143 via USB or network
  8. Optional: cash drawer plugs into the receipt printer's DK port
Pro tip: Name your registers (Bar, Host, Main) in settings so reports show sales by station.
03

Self-Order Kiosk.

Let customers order themselves. Kiosks increase average ticket size by 20–25% and free up staff for hospitality.

Recommended
TAP TO BEGIN
Elo I-Series 4 22" on Floor Stand
$800 – $1,000

22-inch portrait display on Elo Wallaby floor stand. Customers browse, customize, pay, and go.

  • Portrait orientation for menu browsing
  • Wallaby floor stand — stable, professional
  • Add Stripe Reader S700 for payment at the kiosk
  • Chrome kiosk mode → your ordering URL
  • EloView remote management
Setup: 20 min
View at Elo →
Budget
START
iPad on Floor Stand
$500 – $650

iPad 10th Gen on a lockable floor stand. Perfect for cafés, fast casual, and small footprint kiosks.

  • iPad 10th Gen ($329)
  • Lockable floor stand from Compulocks, CTA Digital, or Heckler
  • Add Stripe Reader for payment
  • Guided Access mode for kiosk lockdown
Setup: 15 min
View Compulocks →
04

Server Handhelds.

Tableside ordering and payment. Take orders at the table, split checks, process payments — all from a phone or small tablet.

Any phone iPhone or Android, running Safari or Chrome. $0 if your servers already own one.
iPad Mini $499. Larger screen, easier menu browsing for busy sections.
Stripe Tap to Pay Contactless payments directly on iPhone — no reader needed.
Server login yourdomain.com/wp-admin/admin.php?page=pf-server
05

Receipt Printers.

Print receipts, kitchen tickets, and gift cards. All PlateFlow-recommended printers work with standard thermal paper and are supported out of the box.

Recommended
EPSON TM-T88VII
CAFERIO PIZZA
──────────────
MARGHERITA · $18
CAESAR SAL · $12
──────────────
TOTAL · $30
Epson TM-T88VII
$350 – $400

The industry standard. Works with every POS system if you ever switch. Ridiculously reliable.

  • USB + Ethernet + WiFi connectivity
  • Supports QR codes on receipts (gift cards, reviews, reorders)
  • 80mm thermal paper, auto-cutter
  • Plugs into cash drawer via DK port
  • 20+ year reputation for reliability
Setup: 10 min
View at Epson →
Budget
STAR TSP143IV
PLATEFLOW
──────────────
ORDER #1042
TABLE 3 · 6 GUESTS
──────────────
READY · CLEARED
Star TSP143IV
$280 – $350

CloudPRNT compatible — can receive orders from online platforms directly. Compact and splash-resistant.

  • USB, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth options
  • Compact footprint — fits any counter
  • Splash-resistant for front of house
  • CloudPRNT support for direct online orders
Setup: 10 min
View at Star →
06

Complete Packages.

Not sure what you need? We've put together complete hardware packages for every type of restaurant. Buy the hardware yourself from any retailer — we'll help you configure it.

Starter
Starter
$1,100
  • 1× iPad 10th Gen (POS)
  • 1× Stripe Reader S700
  • 1× iPad countertop stand

Perfect for: food trucks, pop-ups, small cafés

Get Started Free
Setup: self-guided, ~30 minutes
Professional
Professional
$2,800
  • 1× Elo I-Series 4 15" (POS)
  • 1× Stripe Terminal
  • 1× Elo I-Series 4 22" (KDS)
  • 1× Epson TM-T88VII receipt printer
  • 1× Wall mount kit

Perfect for: casual dining, pizzerias, fast casual

Start Free Trial
Setup: remote-guided (1hr video call included). Includes 30-day free Pro trial.
Enterprise
Enterprise
Custom
  • Multiple POS stations
  • Multiple KDS (grill, salad, expo, bar)
  • Self-order kiosks
  • Server handhelds
  • Receipt + kitchen printers, cash drawers
  • On-site installation
  • Staff training + Wi-Fi optimization
  • Dedicated account manager + SLA

Starting at $249/mo per location + hardware costs

Contact Sales
Includes half-day or full-day onboarding

All prices approximate. Check retailer for current pricing. PlateFlow does not mark up hardware or earn commission on hardware sales.

07 · On-Site Installation

We'll Set It
All Up
For You.

Deploying technology in a restaurant is different from an office. You've got grease traps, steam hoods, limited outlets, and a team that needs to serve dinner in 4 hours.

What's Included
  • Site survey — we assess your layout, power, and network before we arrive
  • Hardware procurement — we source and ship everything you need
  • Network setup — ethernet to every KDS, Wi-Fi optimization for front of house
  • Mounting — wall-mount KDS, countertop POS, kiosk floor stands
  • Software configuration — menu import, station setup, printer mapping, payment testing
  • Staff training — hands-on for managers, servers, and kitchen
  • Go-live support — we stay through your first dinner service

Available in the continental US. Starting at $1,500 per location. Included free with Enterprise annual plans.

Schedule a Site Survey About Enterprise
08

Questions.

Do I have to buy hardware from PlateFlow?
No. PlateFlow runs in any modern browser. Use whatever hardware you already have or buy from any retailer. We never mark up hardware or require specific devices.
Can I use my existing iPad?
Yes. Any iPad running iOS 16+ with Safari works perfectly for POS, KDS, or kiosk mode.
What about payment processing?
PlateFlow integrates with Stripe Terminal for card-present payments. You'll need a Stripe Reader S700 or WisePOS E at each payment station.
Do I need internet?
Yes, for real-time order sync. We recommend wired ethernet for KDS screens and reliable Wi-Fi for POS. Our enterprise installation includes network assessment.
What's the cheapest way to get started?
An iPad you already own + a Stripe Reader S700 ($349). That's it. Sign up for the free plan and start taking orders today.
Can I use a regular TV as a KDS?
A regular TV/monitor works as a display-only KDS (no touch). Pair it with a $30 wireless keyboard for bump bar functionality. For touch, you need a touchscreen monitor or tablet.
What receipt printer should I get?
Epson TM-T88VII. It's the industry standard, supports QR codes, and works with every POS system if you ever switch.
Do you offer discounts on hardware?
No — we don't sell hardware at all, so we can't discount it. The flip side: we also don't mark it up. You get the same price any other buyer would, without a middleman.

Ready to go
live today?

Free to start. No credit card. No hardware required from us.

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