This guide explains the concept of expo stations within your KDS (Kitchen Display System) or printer setup, how they function, when to use them, and how they differ from prep stations.
What Is An Expo Station?
An expo station is any KDS device or printer that does not have any prep stations assigned to it.
When no prep stations are linked to a device, the system defaults it to an expo station.
As a result, every item from every order will appear on the KDS device or be printed, regardless of its category or prep area.
Key Point: If a KDS or printer has no prep station assigned to it, it automatically becomes an expo station.
When To Use Expo Stations
Expo stations are ideal when you want full visibility of all order items on a single device.
Use an expo station when:
You do not need to separate items by kitchen area or category (e.g., grill, salad, bar).
You want every order to appear or be printed in its entirety on a single KDS screen or printer.
You are operating in a small kitchen or simple setup where dividing orders is unnecessary.
Visual Indicators
Here's how you can tell a device is functioning as an expo station:
The device has no prep stations assigned in the SETTINGS > DEVICES > ADDITIONAL INFO
All items from all orders are visible on the device.
Actions taken on the device (like marking items as completed) are reflected across all other KDS devices.
What Is A Prep Station?
A prep station is a KDS or printer that is assigned specific categories of menu items based on how your kitchen is organized.
For example, a prep station might only receive items from the “Food” or “Bar” categories.
This setup allows different kitchen stations to see and prepare only the items relevant to them.
Key Differences: Expo Stations Vs Prep Stations
Feature | Expo Station | Prep Station |
Station Assignment | No prep stations assigned | One or more prep stations assigned |
Items Displayed | All items from every order | Only items tied to assigned prep stations |
Use Case | Full order visibility | Item/category-specific visibility |
Completion Syncing | Actions (e.g., mark complete) sync across all KDS devices | Actions are local to that device unless full order is completed |
Impact On Dashboard & Orders App | Marking an order as complete reflects across KDS, Dashboard, and Orders App | Marking an item/order as complete reflects only on the specific prep station KDS (not Dashboard or Orders App) unless the full order is completed |
Order Completion Behavior
On Expo Station KDS:
Marking an item or entire order as complete will sync across all KDS devices, and also reflect in the Dashboard and Orders App.
On Prep Station KDS:
Marking individual items as complete affects only that station's KDS.
Marking the entire order as complete will reflect across other prep station KDS devices, but not in the Dashboard or Orders App.
Important: Only expo stations can trigger full sync across KDS, dashboard, and apps when completing orders. Prep stations do not trigger this full sync unless explicitly handled elsewhere.
Summary
Expo Stations are best for unified views and full-order visibility.
Prep Stations are ideal for divided kitchens where each team works on specific parts of an order.
Understanding the behavior of each helps ensure accurate order tracking, better kitchen workflows, and proper syncing with your KDS system and reporting tools.
If you have any questions or encounter issues with expo stations, feel free to reach out to our Snackpass partner support team. You can contact us via live chat in your partner app, by phone at 866-868-2146, or through email at [email protected].