A restaurant POS system is a program that’s designed to help you capture and process customer payments, among other things. Most modern restaurant POS systems come with additional features to help you boost productivity and increase sales.
For example, your restaurant POS will likely have a built-in menu that enables you to select items and add them to an order with the tap of a screen. Inventory and sales are usually tracked, and a lot of restaurant software comes with built-in booking tools that enable customers to make reservations.
At their core, the top POS systems for restaurants are based on data collection and analysis. They collect sales data, enabling you to process transactions and keep track of your inventory. But this data can also be used to inform things like menu changes, opening hours, and the number of staff you need to employ.
High-quality restaurant management software should save your staff time, increasing efficiency and productivity. Orders can be taken and processed rapidly, which generally leads to better customer service and higher reviews.
You will also be able to keep track of stock and ingredient levels, enabling you to place orders ahead of time. There are even tools to help you streamline shift scheduling and employee timekeeping.
Cafes and food trucks are fast, high-pressure workplaces where efficiency is the key to success. With the right restaurant point of sale system, you will be able to work and deliver orders faster than ever before.
Many restaurant computer systems come with tools to help you implement a loyalty program. These can be especially useful for cafes that rely on regular small sales for returning customers. POS systems also make it easy to customize orders in fast-paced environments, which is something many cafe owners will appreciate.
There are numerous other features that some of the leading POS systems for restaurants offer. These are usually more specialized and specific to certain types of restaurants. Other noteworthy features to look for include:
This is by no means an exhaustive list, and there are loads of even more specialized features out there.
Selecting the right restaurant POS software can seem difficult, as there are a number of high-quality options on the market. But there are a few things to think about that should help you narrow your choice.
Start by thinking about what exactly you hope to get out of your system. Are you just looking for something simple that enables you to accept payments? Or do you need all of the bells and whistles with things like loyalty programs and contactless ordering?
It’s also a good idea to consider your existing hardware and software. Many POS systems can be used with simple desktop and/or mobile devices and require little specialized hardware. By getting something that is compatible with your current system, you will save money on new devices.
When it comes to software, look for something that integrates seamlessly with other major programs you’re using. For example, linking your restaurant manager POS to your accounting software will save a lot of manual data transfer.
You should set a budget before you begin your search and stick to it. Ensure you purchase a plan that supports the right number of devices. Many POS systems come with free trials or in-depth demos, and we’d suggest taking advantage of these to inform your decision.
In simple terms, a POS system works by providing a simple, user-friendly interface for you to accept payments, manage inventory and employees, perform CRM-related tasks, and more. There are a few different aspects of POS systems worth discussing.
Setting up a POS system is generally as simple as switching on your hardware device—such as an iPad, computer, or smartphone—and installing the software. Then, you will need to customize your user interface and the other aspects of your system to ensure you have access to the tools you need. For many businesses, this will involve different interfaces for different types of users, such as managers, employees, or customers. In many cases, your POS provider will help you with setup by providing a full demo of the software.
Following deployment, familiarize yourself with your system before using it in a real-world setting. Every system comes with a different user interface, but there will usually be options for accepting cash and credit card payments, processing returns, and taking orders (if applicable). You may also have access to a range of other business-specific features, such as an employee time clock.
Once again, the way the different hardware components of your POS system work together largely depends on the devices you’re using. In simple cases, a single tablet or smartphone is all you need to accept payments. Larger businesses may upgrade to several mobile devices connected to a single central terminal. In some cases, you may even have devices from several locations connected to your central POS processing terminal to ensure inventory and performance are tracked across locations.
When someone pays you with a bank card or other digital payment method, your system will need to collect a small number of financial details in order to process the payment. Because of this, many POS systems include security features such as end-to-end encryption, which means that this payment information is protected from the eyes of hackers and other malicious third parties.
Most POS software is available with a simple monthly fee, although a few systems charge a percentage of your sales instead. Prices can start at around $14 and increase from here, with more advanced systems becoming much more expensive, but offering plenty of features for the price. Percentage-based fees make for an excellent option for low-volume retailers.
It’s also worth noting that most POS systems offer some sort of free trial, enabling you to test the software before committing to a long-term subscription. Along with software subscription fees, you should budget for some sort of hardware purchases. Some systems offer specialized hardware as part of an initial startup package, some offer optional hardware for an extra cost, and others require you to provide your own tablet, smartphone, or computer.
There are a number of excellent POS system for restaurants on the market, and the right one for your business will depend on your business model, size, and aspirations.
Restaurant POS systems generally come with various inventory and order management tools and a range of other features. They enable streamlined transaction processing and collect data about every sale. Expect to pay upwards of $50 for a decent POS system.
The bottom line: If you don’t have a POS system for your restaurant or cafe, you need to get one.