POS resellers across the U.S. and Canada are feeling the pressure.
Margins are tightening, the restaurant tech stack is getting more complex, and client expectations are rising fast, especially when it comes to delivery and digital orders. If you’re just selling terminals and hoping for reorders, you’re playing a short game.
The good news? There’s a smart, scalable way to grow your business without overhauling your model: bundle in a Kitchen Display System and turn every restaurant into a source of predictable monthly revenue.
North American operators are leaning harder than ever on takeout, delivery, and hybrid ordering, often from multiple platforms at once. Paper tickets just don’t cut it anymore.
Enter the KDS: a digital screen that displays incoming orders directly from the POS or online channels, streamlining kitchen operations in real time. It’s not just a shiny screen, it’s a crucial layer of infrastructure.
For your clients, a KDS means:
- Fewer comps and missed items
- Faster ticket times and better throughput
- Better team communication (a huge win in a high-turnover labor market)
- Real-time visibility into dine-in, delivery, and third-party orders from apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash
And for you as a reseller? It’s a perfect wedge for recurring revenue.
The U.S. and Canadian markets have their own dynamics: strong competition, fragmented delivery platforms, and a growing appetite for automation without long-term lock-in.
Here’s how smart resellers are packaging KDS into their offering:
Include it in your "Premium Package"
Instead of offering KDS as an add-on, bundle it into a higher-tier POS package with remote menu updates, analytics, or priority support. That bumps up your average contract value — and justifies a monthly fee.
Offer it as a service (not just a product)
Think KDS-as-a-Service: hardware + software + support, all for a monthly subscription. This is especially attractive to independents and multi-unit fast casuals who want flexibility without upfront costs.
Leverage partner-friendly tools
Avoid vendor lock-in. Work with KDS platforms like Fresh KDS or open-API options that let you choose the hardware (iPads, tablets) and easily integrate with your POS stack. It keeps your offering nimble — and your margins intact.
Include managed services
Upsell things like:
- Menu syncing across platforms (huge for restaurants juggling DoorDash, Uber Eats, and in-house ordering)
- Performance dashboards
- Support and staff training
Each of these can become a recurring line item on your invoice.
How to Sell It Without the Hard Sell
Nobody wants another upsell. What restaurants want are fewer headaches.
Here’s how to position KDS in real-world terms:
"Fewer errors, less food waste." Help them do the math on how many $18 burrito bowls they lose per week from misfires.
"Faster onboarding." A KDS helps new cooks learn the ropes in hours, not weeks.
"See what’s working, and what’s not." Use analytics to pinpoint slow stations, bottlenecks, or inconsistent prep times.
Tell your clients this isn’t a tech upgrade. It’s a way to run a calmer, more profitable kitchen.
KDS and online ordering go hand-in-hand, so why not bundle them together?
If you're already helping restaurants connect platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or SkipTheDishes through middleware or a system like KitchenHub, this is your moment to offer a tightly integrated, high-value package.
By setting up the KDS alongside the delivery integration, you're not just providing two tools, you're giving your client total visibility into their order flow, from click to cook.
This approach simplifies troubleshooting (one platform, one support contact), and it sets you up as the go-to partner for kitchen operations, not just the POS vendor.
Some resellers are even charging a "Delivery Optimization Fee" for clients using all three: POS + KDS + delivery sync. It’s a practical cross-sell that delivers real operational impact, and creates an additional stream of recurring revenue.
Resellers across the U.S. and Canada are realizing something: you don’t have to be a massive vendor to build recurring revenue. You just need to bundle smarter.
When your client’s kitchen operations depend on your system, they’re not going anywhere. KDS gives you that stickiness, and a clear path to monthly income that scales with every install.
So next time you're setting up a POS, ask one simple question:
“Do you have a KDS yet, or should we build it into your package from day one?”
That’s not an upsell. That’s a retention strategy.
