Takeaway order printer: which one to buy and how to set it up

Most UK takeaways need one 80mm thermal receipt printer at the counter, connected to a PC or tablet that keeps the orders screen open. Online orders then print a kitchen ticket the moment they're accepted. Hot, greasy kitchens sometimes use an impact printer instead, because thermal paper fades with heat. Standalone GPRS printers work without a PC, but tie you to one ordering company. This guide compares the options in pounds and shows the setup.

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Do you need a printer for online orders?

Not always, but most takeaways want one. A printed ticket:

• Goes on the rail so the kitchen cooks in order.
• Goes in the bag so the driver and customer can check the order.
• Shows notes and allergies in black and white, not on a screen someone has to read.

The alternative is a kitchen display system. A screen suits busy kitchens with several stations. A printer is cheaper and survives grease and steam better.

Types of takeaway order printer

Paper: 80mm wide rolls are standard for kitchen tickets. 57mm or 58mm rolls suit small card-machine-style printers. Buy BPA-free thermal rolls in boxes of 20 or more. A box of 20 rolls of 80×80mm costs about £14.16 ex VAT (£16.99 inc VAT) from a UK supplier. 57mm rolls are sold in similar boxes.

Which printer suits your takeaway?

• Counter with a PC or tablet, one kitchen: an 80mm thermal printer by USB or Ethernet. It's the simplest and most reliable.
• Kitchen right next to the fryer or grill: an impact printer in the kitchen, and a thermal printer at the counter for bag tickets.
• No PC, no Wi-Fi: a GPRS printer or a tablet with mobile data. Check whether your ordering system supports it first.
• Busy kitchen, several stations: a printer per station, or a KDS.

Connection tip: Ethernet (LAN) is the most reliable in a busy shop. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth printers can drop out when the microwave or a phone gets in the way.

What a good kitchen ticket shows

• Order number and time.
• Collection or delivery, with the time the customer wants it.
• Each dish, quantity and option (size, extras, "no onions").
• Allergy and dietary notes, in bold. Allergen information for the 14 allergens must be available for online orders before and at delivery.
• No prices on the kitchen copy. Prices go on the customer bill.
• For delivery: name, address and phone (on the bag copy only).

How to set up auto-printing with Menuthere

Menuthere prints a kitchen ticket (KOT) and a customer bill for every order. Printing is included on every plan, including Free. It works with any printer your PC or browser can print to, plus a Windows app for auto-print with no print dialog. Bills can show UK VAT at 20% or 0% per item.

HowTo: print online orders automatically

1. Connect your printer to the counter PC or laptop and check it prints a test page.
2. Install the Menuthere Windows app on that PC. It prints straight to the printer without a print dialog. Set the paper size and text size there. (You can also print from a web browser, but a print dialog appears each time.)
3. Open the dashboard on that same device and keep it open during service.
4. Go to Settings → Printing → Auto accept and print and switch on Print automatically.
5. Under What to print, pick KOT only, Bill only, or Bill + KOT.
6. Pick when each prints. The KOT usually prints at Accepted. The bill usually prints at Completed, or earlier if it goes in the bag.
7. Optional: auto-accept. Turn on Accept orders automatically, either instantly or after the order has rung for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
8. Allow pop-ups in the browser if asked.
9. Place a test order from your own ordering page.

Good to know:

• The KOT and bill are separate print jobs, so each can go to its own printer.
• Food and drinks can print to different printers, for example one in the kitchen and one at the bar.
• Kitchen tickets show the dishes, quantities and notes, with no prices.
• Printing runs on the device where the order is accepted.
• Only recent orders auto-print, so opening the dashboard later won't print a backlog.
• Menuthere doesn't publish a list of printer models or connection types. If your PC or browser can print to it, Menuthere can use it. Test with your own printer before service.
• The Android, iPhone and Windows apps ring until someone presses Accept.
• GPRS or SIM printers are not covered in Menuthere's docs.

See kitchen printing for more.

Troubleshooting: why isn't my order printing?

Printer or kitchen screen?

Small and medium takeaways usually do best with a printer. See our kitchen display system guide if you're busier.

Where Menuthere fits

Menuthere gives your takeaway its own ordering page for collection and delivery, with 0% commission. Orders ring on the Android, iPhone and Windows apps until someone presses Accept, and can print a kitchen ticket by themselves on your printer. You don't need to buy a printer from us or rent one.

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