Desktop-header-image-1

Header-image-mobile

Restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems play a vital role in the restaurant industry. They enable restaurant proprietors to monitor sales, oversee inventory, manage table reservations, and generate detailed reports. A robust restaurant POS system can significantly impact a restaurant’s financial performance.

Numerous restaurant POS systems are available, and we’ve undertaken the research to simplify your decision-making process. Our evaluation took into account factors like pricing, user-friendliness, feature sets, customer feedback, and compatibility with third-party integrations. Based on our assessment, we’ve identified the top restaurant POS systems.

Custom hardware, intuitive software

A restaurant POS system is specialized software designed to streamline restaurant operations. It encompasses various functionalities, such as inventory management, menu updates, guest tracking, and floor management. Additionally, some restaurant POS systems incorporate Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools to facilitate upselling and cross-selling to patrons.

Barcode Scanner

A barcode scanner is a crucial tool for swiftly scanning items and maintaining precise inventory records.

Touchscreen monitor

A spacious and clear touchscreen monitor facilitates effortless navigation and reduces the necessity for extra hardware like a mouse and keyboard.

Printer for receipts

A high-speed printer for receipts plays a crucial role in maintaining efficient checkout processes by swiftly and accurately printing customer receipts.

Cash Drawer

A durable cash drawer is essential for securely storing both cash and credit card receipts.

Printer for kitchen

A dedicated kitchen printer is a valuable tool for optimizing kitchen operations and ensuring accurate order preparation. Unlike standard printers, these specialized printers are designed to withstand the heat and demands of a kitchen environment. Using a dedicated kitchen printer helps maintain order accuracy and efficiency in food preparation.

Mobile POS

A mobile POS system offers businesses flexibility by enabling them to take orders and process payments directly at the customer’s table. This enhances the dining experience, improves order accuracy, and speeds up the payment process, all contributing to greater customer satisfaction.

Credit Card Terminal

A secure credit card terminal is essential for processing customer payments safely and efficiently. It ensures that transactions are conducted securely, protecting both the customer’s sensitive financial information and the business’s integrity.

Display for customers

A customer display serves the important function of showcasing the items being purchased, along with the total cost, to the customer. This not only helps in preventing errors during the transaction but also fosters a sense of transparency and trust between the customer and the business.

Managing inventory

A comprehensive system can assist you in effectively monitoring your food and beverage inventory, while also allowing you to manage recipes and ingredient costs efficiently. Most POS systems come equipped with notification features that promptly alert you in cases of shortages or when supplies are running low. This proactive approach helps maintain a well-stocked kitchen and ensures smooth restaurant operations.

Sales Reporting System

Accurate and current sales data play a crucial role in helping restaurants make informed decisions about their operations. Knowing which products are performing well, identifying peak business hours, and understanding customer preferences are vital insights. An effective POS system offers real-time sales reporting, customizable report generation, and the capability to export data to other software platforms.

Table management system

An effective table management system significantly enhances the efficiency and precision of service, especially during peak hours or when your staff is limited. It should enable you to efficiently handle reservations, seating assignments, and the overall flow of diners within your restaurant.

Custom hardware, intuitive software

Payment processing

A reliable and secure payment system is a fundamental requirement for restaurants. An effective POS software should have the capability to handle credit and debit card transactions while also accommodating diverse payment methods, including gift cards, mobile payments, and contactless transactions, ensuring a seamless payment process for customers.

Customer-Relationship-Management

Maintaining records of customer orders, preferences, and feedback is essential for tailoring a personalized dining experience and fostering stronger customer relationships. An effective CRM system empowers you to execute targeted marketing campaigns and incentivize loyal patrons through rewards, enhancing overall customer engagement.

Online food ordering

As the trend of online food ordering continues to grow, it becomes increasingly essential for restaurants to implement an integrated online ordering system that seamlessly connects with their POS software. This integration not only streamlines the ordering process but also minimizes errors, ultimately enhancing the overall customer experience.

Selecting the right restaurant POS system involves evaluating your restaurant’s unique requirements. Factors like the restaurant’s size, cuisine type, and the presence of multiple locations need to be considered in your decision-making process.

Once you’ve identified your restaurant’s requirements, it’s time to focus on specific features. Consider features like online ordering, gift card support, loyalty program integration, and table management as part of your evaluation process.

Additionally, take into account the cost of the POS system. Hardware costs can vary significantly, so it’s crucial to find a system that aligns with your budgetary constraints.

Lastly, it’s advisable to read customer reviews when making your POS system selection. Doing so can help you steer clear of common problems or challenges associated with particular restaurant POS systems.

Utilizing a POS system in restaurants offers numerous advantages, with time and cost savings being paramount. Automation of tasks like inventory management and reporting empowers restaurant staff to prioritize critical responsibilities, enhancing overall efficiency and resource allocation.

POS systems provide restaurants with the advantage of boosting sales. They incorporate features like upselling and cross-selling, motivating guests to increase their spending during their dining experience, thus contributing to enhanced revenue generation for the restaurant.

Moreover, POS systems play a crucial role in enhancing restaurant customer service. They offer features like guest tracking, enabling restaurant staff to access guest information swiftly. This capability enables staff to deliver superior customer service by providing personalized and efficient service to patrons.

Custom hardware, intuitive software

Comprehending the expenses and fees associated with your restaurant POS system is crucial for managing costs in an industry with thin profit margins. Various systems entail initial costs for hardware and software, while others involve monthly fees for support and maintenance. Additionally, many systems impose charges for processing credit card transactions. To provide you with a clearer understanding of the expenses you may encounter, here’s a breakdown of typical pricing and fees:

Hardware: Certain POS systems necessitate the acquisition of hardware components like terminals, printers, and barcode scanners. The cost for these hardware items can vary significantly, spanning from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, contingent upon the specific system’s requirements and capabilities.

Software: In addition to hardware expenses, you might encounter costs associated with the software itself, either through an upfront purchase or by choosing a monthly subscription plan.

Processing fees: Should you decide to utilize the POS system for credit card transactions, it’s important to be aware of the associated processing fee. Typically, this fee encompasses a percentage of each transaction, along with a set fee for each transaction processed.

Maintenance & Support: A common practice among these systems is to impose a monthly fee for support and maintenance, which aids in covering expenses related to software updates, security measures, and round-the-clock customer support.

Training: Certain systems may impose a fee for training and setup services, while others provide these services free of charge. It’s advisable to inquire about this aspect when considering a POS system.

Extra hardware: In case you require additional hardware, like extra terminals or a kitchen display system, it’s important to be prepared for additional expenses. These supplementary hardware components often come with their own associated fees.

 

Selecting the ideal POS system for delivery and takeout hinges on your unique needs. Notably, well-regarded options encompass Touch Bistro, SpotOn, Square, and Clover, renowned for their capabilities in online ordering, delivery management, and mobile payment processing.

The cost of a restaurant POS system can fluctuate based on your feature requirements. While some systems can be relatively expensive, others offer more budget-friendly options. Notably, providers like Touch Bistro even offer free plans. It’s possible to discover restaurant POS systems available for under $100 per month, providing flexibility for various budgets.

Although the software is the central component of a restaurant POS system, the hardware is equally vital. There are several types of hardware accessories that can help make your everyday chores easy and quick. These include, self-service kiosk, touchscreen display, card readers (iPad), etc.

Indeed, numerous restaurant POS software systems offer integration with accounting software. This integration streamlines the transfer of financial data from the POS system to the accounting software, minimizing the need for manual data entry and enhancing precision. Moreover, it facilitates real-time tracking of sales, expenses, and other financial metrics, empowering you to make well-informed business choices.