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The Benefits of Restaurant iPad POS Systems
You’re already using a basic POS system to take food orders and ring up sales. Now learn how switching to an iPad POS system can benefit your restaurant.
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There are many types of point-of-sale (POS) systems for restaurants, some more basic than others. If you’re ready to take your food and beverage business to the next level, you may want to consider switching to a POS solution designed specifically for iPads. These systems let you conduct operations, track your inventory and accept gift cards directly from the iPad.
In addition, restaurant iPad POS systems can be mobile or stationary, allowing you to ring up customer orders from any location. You may even already have an iPad that’s compatible. Learn how an iPad-based POS system can benefit your restaurant and the top vendors that’ll provide the software your business needs for it to all work.
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How an iPad POS system can benefit your restaurant
Restaurants have unique POS needs and tablet-based systems are often a great solution. If you are considering a restaurant iPad POS system, here are a few of the features and benefits these types of POS systems offer restaurants.
Tableside payment processing
With iPad POS systems, sales have the luxury of being mobile. Many restaurants today put iPads at tables so customers can order and pay without talking to a server. When customers’ checks are ready, you can process their payments right at the table. Instead of waitstaff taking a credit card or gift card to the POS cash register and bringing back a receipt for signature, the diner can provide their payment and signature directly on the iPad. This streamlines the payment process for both customers and your employees.
Inventory management
Modern iPad POS systems offer sophisticated inventory tracking that goes beyond counting your stock. These systems can track ingredient inventory in real-time, automatically deducting items as orders are placed. Advanced features include predictive ordering based on historical data, automated low-stock alerts and waste tracking capabilities. You can also receive detailed analytics showing which menu items drive the most revenue per ingredient cost, helping you price your menu and reduce food waste.
Cloud access
The information your iPad POS processes is stored in the cloud. This means that you can access your account from any internet-enabled device. If you need to make changes to your inventory, you can do so easily from your desktop computer. When you make changes from there, the system will update automatically so you can see your changes on the iPad in real time.
Easy setup
One of the most significant benefits of using an iPad POS system is how easy it is to set up and use its POS features. All that is required to operate an iPad POS system is an iPad, the cloud-based software and a credit card reader, which is often provided by the credit card processor your POS provider partners with. [Read related: The Best Credit Card Processors of 2024]
After setting up your account, employees can use their assigned iPad instantly to assist customers and place orders. The simplicity of an iPad system ensures that nearly everyone can use the program without needing in-depth training. If you need to offer employees training, many POS system providers can help you get started.
Best iPad POS systems for restaurants
There are several highly rated iPad POS systems on the market, but the right one for your business will depend on your specific needs and your budget. We spent hours researching and analyzing various options to help business owners like you find the best POS system for your restaurant. Here are a few of our top choices for iPad POS systems.
Lightspeed
Lightspeed offers POS systems for the restaurant, retail and golf industries. For restaurants, pricing starts at $69 per month for their Starter plan. The system includes advanced features such as multi-location management, integrated payments and real-time analytics. You can add restaurant-specific features like a customer-facing display system, a kitchen display system (KDS), an order pickup screen, accounting and property management integrations, gift card capabilities and delivery integrations. Check out our Lightspeed review to learn how it can benefit your business.
CAKE
Another top iPad POS system is CAKE by Mad Mobile. It is especially useful for restaurants needing an efficient POS system. Paid plans start at $59 per month (annual) or $79 (monthly) and include hardware, menu management, payment processing, quick response code payments and 24/7 support. It also offers commission-free online ordering, gift cards, marketing, loyalty programs, kiosks, KDS and a guest manager. Read our review on CAKE to learn more.
Square
Square is an excellent POS option for quick-service, fast-service and fast-casual restaurants as well as bars, breweries and ghost kitchens. The Square for Restaurants Plus plan is now $49 per location per month, offering advanced features like coursing, ingredient-level tracking and team management tools. Square also provides AI-powered sales forecasting and automated inventory ordering. The platform integrates seamlessly with Square’s other products, including Square Online for e-commerce, Square Marketing for customer engagement and Square Capital for business financing. Read our Square review to learn more.
TouchBistro
This all-in-one POS system is compatible with iPads, iPad Pros and iPad Minis. Plans start at $69 per month. TouchBistro has more than 200 restaurant-specific features, such as ingredient-level tracking, tableside ordering and payments, drag-and-drop table management tools, customer management and loyalty programs. Check out our TouchBistro review to learn more about how it can benefit your business.
How to turn your iPad into a POS system
There are only a few things that you must have when using your iPad as a POS system. These are the iPad, a card reader and the POS software you choose. Follow these steps to set up your iPad as a POS.
1. Set up the iPad.
Since they are generally meant for personal use, the default iPad settings are often geared toward non-business use. You’ll want to change them before you use an iPad as a POS. First, create a new Apple ID for business purposes only. If you use your personal ID, your personal information will be available on the device.
Next, configure your iPad for commercial use by disabling automatic updates to prevent disruptions during service hours. Turn off Siri and other consumer features that could interfere with operations. For kiosk-style setups, disable the screen lock and auto-sleep functions to keep the display active. Adjust the auto-brightness settings to maintain consistent visibility in your restaurant’s lighting conditions. If you are concerned about what employees or customers may do on the iPad, you can set up guided access. When the tablet is in guided access mode, it will allow you to access only the apps that you choose.
2. Find and set up a POS.
Download your chosen POS app from the App Store, ensuring you select the business version if multiple options exist. Many POS providers offer dedicated onboarding support to help with initial setup.
Once you’ve downloaded the POS software, sign into your merchant verification service to begin processing payments. You’ll also need to add your menu items and the number of tables at your restaurant. You may need to enter your inventory as well so that the POS system can keep track of it for you. The POS system will guide you through this process. Set up employee profiles with appropriate permissions and PIN codes for secure access. Test all features thoroughly before going live, including order placement, payment processing and receipt printing.
3. Add peripherals.
Many businesses find that they need peripherals for the iPad POS. These include a receipt printer, tablet stand and cash drawer. You can purchase equipment bundles to ensure that everything is compatible. Be sure that they’re also compatible with your POS software and iPad device. Once you have connected your card reader and peripherals to your iPad, you are ready to use your iPad as a POS.
Whitney Sanchez contributed to the reporting and writing in this article.
