A control system and method of controlling a conveyor-type dishwasher is disclosed, with the dishwasher including a plurality of sequentially arranged work stations, each of the stations performing an operation on ware located therein such as washing, rinsing, drying and the like. A conveyor carries the ware into the dishwasher, past each of the stations, and out of the dishwasher. A sensor mounted at a reference point adjacent the conveyor near the entrance for ware to the dishwasher senses the presence of ware items on the conveyor as the items are carried past the reference point. Positional advance of the conveyor is monitored to define a current conveyor position and track movement of the items through the dishwasher. Controls responsive to the sensor start operations within each of the stations in response to movement of the conveyor sufficient to carry items from the reference point to the station, and stop operations in response to movement of the conveyor sufficient to carry the items from the station.