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Restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems are responsible forÌýhandling much ofÌýtheÌýessential communication during aÌýbusy lunch orÌýdinner rush.

POS systems forÌýrestaurants doÌýmuch more than simply handle transactions. They are responsible forÌýfacilitating vital communication between theÌýfront andÌýback ofÌýhouse, asÌýwell asÌýmanaging orders andÌýinventory. Choosing theÌýbest POS system forÌýaÌýrestaurant can make anÌýimmeasurable difference forÌýtheÌýrestaurant’s staff.

But what ¾±²õÌý²¹ÌýPOS system forÌýaÌýrestaurant, exactly? What are theÌýmost important qualities toÌýlook for, andÌýwhat are theÌýbest POS systems forÌýrestaurants?

This guide will cover everything you need toÌýknow about choosing theÌýright POS systems forÌýrestaurants.

What IsÌýaÌýPOS System forÌýaÌýRestaurant?

AÌýrestaurant POS system includes both theÌýhardware andÌýsoftware responsible forÌýtaking orders, processing payments, andÌýcommunicating order information toÌýtheÌýkitchen. POS systems forÌýrestaurants can include tablets, desktops, monitors, andÌýpayment processors, inÌýaddition toÌýsoftware technology.

POS system desktops andÌýtablets are used toÌýreceive andÌýrecord customer orders. From theÌýPOS desktop orÌýtablet, aÌýworker can enter order information, which then automatically calculates theÌýprice andÌýsends preparation instructions toÌýtheÌýkitchen. There, POS system monitors display theÌýinformation needed forÌýtheÌýkitchen toÌýprepare orders andÌýget them out onÌýtime.

After service isÌýcomplete, theÌýPOS desktop orÌýtablet isÌýalso used toÌýhandle payments. Workers can access theÌýPOS system toÌýupdate orders atÌýanyÌýtime asÌýwell.

AsÌýyou can see, aÌýrestaurant POS system ¾±²õÌý²¹Ìývital part ofÌýtheÌýrestaurant’s daily operations. Without it, service would beÌýaÌýlot slower andÌýaÌýlot less efficient. Restaurant POS systems handle aÌýheavy workload each andÌýevery day.

SoÌýwhat should restaurant owners andÌýmanagers look forÌýwhen choosing theÌýright POS system?

Most Important Benefits ofÌýRestaurant POS Systems

Payment processing

Payment processing isÌýjust one aspect ofÌýwhat aÌýrestaurant POS system should do, but it’s aÌýcritical one. POS terminals are used toÌýfacilitate all customer payments throughout theÌýday.

The best POS system forÌýrestaurants should beÌýcapable ofÌýhandling multiple different payment types. Cash andÌýcredit orÌýdebit cards are aÌýmust forÌýanyÌýPOS system. But several modern restaurant POS systems are also able toÌýaccommodate payment methods like Apple Pay andÌýGoogle Pay asÌýwell. Gift card payment processing can also beÌýaÌýcrucial function forÌýrestaurant POS systems.

The faster your restaurant’s POS system can handle payments, theÌýhappier your customers will be. And with theÌýhigh volume ofÌýtransactions processed byÌýemployees throughout theÌýday, seamless payment management isÌýcrucially important forÌýyour staff.

Sales management

Sales management refers toÌýtheÌýability ofÌýaÌýPOS system toÌýrecord, update, andÌýorganize all sales across theÌýrestaurant. This isÌýanÌýimportant feature forÌýowners andÌýmanagers, asÌýitÌýisÌýessential forÌýcalculating daily sales. Your restaurant’s POS system can make itÌývery easy toÌýassess how much money was made onÌýanyÌýgiven day. Sales management can also beÌývital forÌýtracking how much money isÌýowed toÌýtipped employees inÌýtheÌýrestaurant.

But sales management also serves aÌývery practical purpose during theÌýbusiest times forÌýaÌýrestaurant. Your POS system’s sales management functionality isÌýresponsible forÌýkeeping track ofÌýguest orders before, during, andÌýafter their service. The best restaurant POS systems make itÌývery easy toÌýsort, search, andÌýedit guest orders asÌýneeded.

Restaurant POS systems should also beÌýable toÌýhandle multiple order intake systems.Ìý Many restaurants handle aÌýhigh volume ofÌýboth dine-in andÌýtakeout orders. Takeout orders, inÌýparticular, may beÌýplaced remotely online orÌýmanually byÌýanÌýemployee. The POS system isÌýresponsible forÌýkeeping track ofÌýall orders that are input from each available source.

Inventory management

Many restaurant POS systems also have built-in inventory management functionality. This can automate theÌýprocess ofÌýkeeping track ofÌýyour inventory, including food items, inÌýtheÌýrestaurant. This ¾±²õÌý²¹Ìýhighly valuable andÌýpractical feature forÌýaÌýcouple ofÌýreasons. First, itÌýenables you toÌýsee just how much inventory you have inÌýstock andÌýwhen you need toÌýorder new inventory.

Second, theÌýsystem can automatically update toÌýindicate when anÌýitem isÌýout ofÌýstock. This can prevent delays andÌýcustomer dissatisfaction inÌýtheÌýevent that anÌýitem runs out after they have placed anÌýorder.

Automatic updates over theÌýPOS system allow employees toÌýstay informed about anyÌýitems that are unavailable inÌýreal-time.

Adaptability

Businesses often undergo change orÌýexperience unexpected circumstances. AÌýgood restaurant POS system should provide flexibility andÌýadaptability during times ofÌýchange. Cloud-based POS systems forÌýrestaurants can beÌýparticularly adaptable. Cloud-based POS systems back upÌýandÌýstore restaurant data digitally. This provides stability ifÌýyou lose internet access orÌýneed toÌýtransfer data from one location toÌýanother.

Cloud-based POS systems forÌýrestaurants can update over theÌýair. This also helps toÌýprovide real-time updates forÌýinventory, asÌýwell asÌýorder andÌýpayment adjustments, menu changes, orÌýanything inÌýtheÌýrestaurant.

What isÌýtheÌýBest POS System forÌýaÌýRestaurant andÌýBar? POS System Comparison

Now that you know more about what toÌýlook forÌýinÌýaÌýPOS system, you may beÌýwondering about your options. What are theÌýbest POS systems forÌýaÌýrestaurant? There are several highly effective POS systems available toÌýrestaurant owners. Each POS system has its own strengths andÌýweaknesses.

AsÌýaÌýresult, some may beÌýbetter suited forÌýcertain businesses than others. Rather than defining theÌýbest restaurant POS system, here ¾±²õÌý²¹Ìýcomparison ofÌýtheÌýhighlights andÌýfeatures ofÌýtheÌýbest available options.

Aloha

¾±²õÌý²¹Ìýhighly functional, simple POS system forÌýrestaurants with anÌýextremely wide array ofÌýfeatures. Aloha isÌýbuilt toÌýprovide just about every feature that aÌýrestaurant could need: from inventory management andÌýaÌýuser-friendly interface toÌýadvanced payment processing capabilities. Aloha isÌýtheÌýtrusted POS system forÌýseveral major chains, including Starbucks andÌýChipotle.

Aloha isÌývery simple toÌýuse forÌýrestaurant workers andÌýalso allows forÌýeasy, real-time menu updates. Aloha ¾±²õÌý²¹Ìýcloud-based POS system forÌýrestaurants that can continue working even ifÌýyour restaurant’s internet goes out. Aloha even offers fraud protection, which automatically reports anyÌýsuspicious activity from anyÌýAloha terminal orÌýtablet.

Other available features with Aloha POS systems include kitchen management software, customer loyalty programs, andÌýonline ordering capabilities.

Aloha restaurant POS systems start atÌýaÌýfree payment plan. Rather than paying aÌýmonthly fee toÌýuse Aloha’s system, restaurants are charged aÌýsmall transaction fee forÌýtheir sales. Aloha’s Premium plan starts atÌý$175Ìýper month, with aÌýsmaller transaction fee andÌýseveral additional features.

Clover

isÌýone ofÌýtheÌýbest restaurant POS systems forÌýhandling online orders. Clover POS systems have all ofÌýtheÌýbasic features that aÌýrestaurant could need andÌýare great atÌýintegrating remote orders andÌýdeliveries. Clover also boasts some excellent inventory management tools, asÌýwell asÌýeasy integrations andÌýexcellent live support.

But perhaps theÌýbiggest perk that Clover offers over its competitors isÌýits CRM app. Clover’s app allows restaurant owners toÌýdeliver exceptional customer reward programs andÌýstay inÌýtouch with loyal customers.

Clover even offers different features forÌýdifferent restaurant types. This means restaurant owners can tailor their services forÌý“full service” orÌý“quick service” sales management.

The cost ofÌýaÌýPOS system forÌýrestaurants often varies depending onÌýchosen features andÌýpayment plans. While Clover has aÌýlot toÌýoffer, its starting price ¾±²õÌý²¹Ìýbit higher than some competitors. Clover’s full-service restaurant POS systems start atÌý$84.95Ìýper month. However, it’s worth noting that Clover provides its own restaurant-grade hardware forÌýall clients asÌýpart ofÌýthat fee. Additional payment plans are available forÌýaccess toÌýmore advanced features.

Lightspeed

restaurant POS systems are arguably theÌýmost flexible systems available. Lightspeed’s software can very easily integrate with other equipment, allowing restaurants toÌýmanage everything they need from anywhere. Lightspeed also provides its own hardware systems, including card readers, iPad tablets, andÌýdesktop terminals.

Lightspeed’s flexibility isÌýmatched byÌýits wide array ofÌýessential features toÌýprovide theÌýbest restaurant customization onÌýtheÌýmarket. This makes Lightspeed among theÌýbest POS systems forÌýaÌýrestaurant andÌýbars, asÌýwell asÌýcafes andÌýfast food restaurants. Lightspeed isÌýtheÌýtrusted POS system ofÌýFive Guys restaurants, asÌýwell asÌýmany fine dining andÌýbistro restaurants nationwide.

Lightspeed’s payment plans start atÌý$69Ìýper month, plus aÌýsmall transaction fee. More advanced plans range from $189ÌýtoÌý$399Ìýper month. Restaurant owners can also customize their own Enterprise plan forÌýaccess toÌýall ofÌýtheÌýfeatures they need andÌýnothing they don’t need.

Square

stands out asÌýtheÌýcheapest POS system forÌýrestaurants. Square isÌýfree toÌýget started with andÌýcharges aÌýtransaction fee ofÌý2.6% +Ìý10Ìýcents forÌýin-person orders. Online order processing fees increase toÌý3.3% +Ìý30Ìýcents.

For that low price, Square users receive access toÌýall theÌýbasic features that aÌýrestaurant POS system should include. Square POS systems can easily process most payment types, offer sales andÌýinventory management, andÌýoffer great menu customization. Available Square hardware includes desktop monitors, handheld card readers, andÌýSquare tablets.

The affordability andÌýaccess toÌýessential features make Square one ofÌýtheÌýbest POS systems forÌýsmall restaurants andÌýfood trucks. However, Square users doÌýnot have access toÌý24/7Ìýcustomer support. InÌýaddition, many advanced features are not available via theÌýfree payment plan.

Toast

POS systems are built toÌýaccommodate all types ofÌýrestaurants. From cafes toÌýpizzerias toÌýfine dining establishments, Toast systems are highly adaptable. Toast isÌýsoÌýrestaurant-specific that theÌýPOS equipment isÌýeven designed toÌýwithstand heat andÌýgrease spills.

Toast’s POS systems are highly intuitive forÌýworkers toÌýuse andÌýcan easily accommodate all types ofÌýorders. Online orders, deliveries, andÌýtable-side orders are all easy toÌýmanage from Toast POS systems.

Toast also offers some quality analytics tools, asÌýwell asÌýgreat real-time inventory management forÌýrestaurants. And asÌýaÌýcloud-based POS system forÌýrestaurants, Toast clients never need toÌýworry about their data orÌýsales security.

Toast’s starter plan isÌýfree, andÌýclients even receive their basic Toast POS hardware forÌýfree. Options include aÌýcountertop kit, aÌýhandheld kit, orÌýaÌýcustomer self-service kit forÌýquick-service restaurants.

Transaction processing fees with Toast POS systems start atÌý2.49% +Ìý15Ìýcents. Advanced plans are also available starting atÌý$69Ìýper month, with aÌýbuild-your-own plan also available forÌýrestaurants requiring high customization.

TouchBistro

¾±²õÌý²¹Ìýlocally-installed POS system, meaning itÌýisÌýnot entirely cloud-based like others onÌýthis list. However, TouchBistro POS systems doÌýstill back upÌýandÌýstore data onÌýtheÌýcloud.

TouchBistro POS systems were built specifically forÌýrestaurants, andÌýthat shows inÌýtheir standard features. TouchBistro users can easily process multiple payment types, manage their inventory, andÌýmanage dining reservations. TouchBistro isÌýalso noted forÌýits excellent 24/7Ìýlive support features inÌýcase users run into difficulties.

However, TouchBistro does lag behind some other systems inÌýterms ofÌýbasic features. For instance, online ordering processing isÌýonly available asÌýanÌýadd-on rather than being aÌýstandard part ofÌýaÌýpayment plan.

However, TouchBistro does not charge anÌýadditional processing fee forÌýonline orders, which isÌýfairly unique. ItÌýcan also beÌýsomewhat difficult toÌýcancel your service with TouchBistro ifÌýyou plan toÌýchange POS systems. But this isÌýonly aÌýproblem ifÌýyou are dissatisfied with your TouchBistro service.

Given theÌýwide availability ofÌýfeatures andÌýease ofÌýuse, many restaurants find TouchBistro toÌýbeÌýaÌýhighly effective POS system.

TouchBistro POS systems start atÌý$69Ìýper month, with additional plans andÌýadd-ons available toÌýsuit client needs.

Other Digital Restaurant Management Tools

POS systems forÌýrestaurants are one ofÌýmany essential pieces ofÌýequipment that restaurants rely on. ToÌýlearn more about important restaurant-management software, read ºÚÁÏÃÅ’s guide toÌýmust-have restaurant software. OrÌýread about how ºÚÁÏÃÅ can help restaurants grow their online presence with these ºÚÁÏÃÅ success stories.

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• Examples ofÌýOnline Food andÌýRestaurant Businesses Powered byÌýºÚÁÏÃÅ
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• What Are theÌýBest Restaurant POS Systems?