Case Studies / NextGen Kitchen Display System
Restaurant
Business Optimization
Business Organization
Web App Development
Switchbox developed the NextGen Kitchen Display System (NextGen KDS) for a fast-casual Ohio restaurant group, translating complex digital order data into a visual, real-time fulfillment hub built for a diverse, multilingual workforce. The project served as a proof of concept for scalable, AI-ready kitchen technology built on Azure and React.
The Challenge
Scaling accuracy in a high-growth environment
Rapid growth exposed friction in existing systems. As online ordering volume surged, many restaurants noticed a discrepancy: digital orders were experiencing significantly higher packaging error rates compared to in-store orders.
The primary users—back-of-house employees—were struggling with a legacy fulfillment UI that was outdated, overly complex, and difficult to navigate, especially during peak hours. With a diverse workforce, the chaotic and inflexible UI meant that employees whose first language was not English faced additional hurdles in fulfilling orders accurately.
Recognizing that their current tech couldn’t keep pace with their growth, it became clear that an intuitive, cross-platform solution was needed that could be deployed across various brands and operating systems.
Our Approach
Architecting for the modern, multilingual kitchen
Switchbox approached this challenge by partnering with Priority Designs (UI/UX) and working closely with the restaurant group to understand the needs of back-of-house staff across a diverse workforce. We mapped out requirements for multi-tenant support and evaluated the existing Olo ordering integration.
We selected the latest .NET versions within a robust Azure cloud environment as the backbone, and chose the React.js framework Mantine for its flexibility in creating a highly responsive, visual user experience. The architecture was designed from the start for scalability, security, and eventual expansion across additional sub-brands.
What We Built
A multi-tenant, intuitive fulfillment hub
The Switchbox team developed a fully-custom NextGen KDS (Kitchen Display System)—a robust application designed to translate complex order data into a simplified, visual workflow.
Key technical highlights include:
Visual-First Interface: To eliminate language barriers, the UI features 1-to-1 image correlations for every order item, making the display instantly recognizable regardless of the user’s native language.
Real-Time Dual-Screen Sync: The system utilizes dual-screen technology, allowing different stages of a single order to appear on separate screens while remaining perfectly synced in real time.
Accessibility & Localization: Built with a dedicated language toggle and voice command capabilities to support a diverse team of operators.
Cross-Platform Versatility: The software was engineered to be multi-tenant and cross-platform (including Windows), ensuring it can scale across the entire organization and other sub-brands.
The Results
Proving technical excellence under pressure
The development of the NextGen KDS served as a powerful proof of concept for Switchbox’s ability to deliver high-spec, modern software on time and within budget. While the initial pilot in a handful of locations revealed that individual store-level customization would be required before a nationwide release, feedback from users was overwhelmingly positive.
The project stands as a testament to how AI-ready interfaces, real-time synchronization, and inclusive design can transform a complex, outdated process into a sleek, functional tool ready for the future of fast-casual dining.
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