Best POS for Restaurants

Point-of-sale (POS) systems have become a popular business tool in restaurants for various reasons. They allow restaurants to manage their orders and inventory efficiently while also offering menu customization and flexibility so that orders from customers can be easily personalized with a couple of clicks. To make your POS system purchasing decision easier, we’ve tested dozens of top POS systems on the market. We compared each POS system’s pricing, features, and benefits so you don’t have to.

When deciding on a restaurant POS system, it can often be difficult to figure out which solution will fit your budget and needs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the different pricing aspects you must consider when deciding on a POS system for your restaurant.

Pricing for POS systems varies depending on a couple of things, such as:

• Size of your restaurant
• Number of terminals needed
• Features of the system
• If the system is cloud-based

Subscription Rates

Most of the POS systems on the market utilize a subscription-based model. With this structure, you are charged either a monthly or annual fee. This fee varies depending on which features your plan offers. While you might find a basic POS system plan for $50 per month, the more expensive plans are packed with functionality and can cost several hundred dollars per month.

User Licenses

Some restaurant POS systems also charge depending on how many user licenses your restaurant requires. If you’re running a small restaurant, you might need only a handful of user licenses. If you’re running a large restaurant with many terminals, you’ll probably need more than just a few licenses. If you’re considering a restaurant POS system, always ask vendors about the cost of additional licenses. As your restaurant grows, this information is important to know.

Add-ons

Add-on services and hardware for your restaurant’s POS system will increase the overall cost. Some of these services include:

• Loyalty programs
• Online ordering
• Tableside ordering devices
• Accounting software
• Payroll services

Implementation Costs

These costs relate to setting up and configuring the POS system for your restaurant. They include:

• Hardware installation
• Menu setup
• Data migration
• Staff training

Some POS providers include implementation costs as part of the monthly or annual service plan fee, while others charge a separate implementation fee.

Category-Specific Expenses

Some restaurants have category-specific expenses that you need to consider. For example, if you’re running a quick-serve restaurant, you might need self-service kiosks. Or if you’re running a full-service restaurant, you might require tableside ordering devices or tablets for waitstaff.

Payment processing and cancellation fees are other considerations to keep in mind with pricing.

• Payment processing fees: These are fees payment processors charge for every transaction made through your restaurant’s POS system. The POS provider doesn’t control these fees, but they might partner with specific payment processors. Always compare the processing fees for each POS system.
• Contract terms and cancellation fees: Before deciding on a POS system for your restaurant, look closely at any contract terms you must abide by. If you choose to switch providers before your contract expires, be aware of any cancellation fees you might incur.

Let’s look at TouchBistro’s pricing as an example of a pricing structure for a POS system. Its pricing starts at $69 per month. POS software plans include:

• Menu management
• Floor plan and table management
• Reporting and analytics
• Tableside ordering
• Staff management
• Integrations

Some of the extra costs include:

• $25 for gift card features: You can sell physical and digital gift cards through easy-to-make templates.
• $50 for online ordering functionality: You’ll keep more profits instead of outsourcing order takeout to third-party providers.
• $99 for loyalty and marketing features: This can help you turn first-time customers into repeat ones.
• $229 for reservation functionality: This provides guests with a platform to make reservations.

There’s a wide range of key POS features your restaurant should consider when investing in a POS system.

User Interface

An easy-to-navigate and straightforward interface is one of the most critical features of the best restaurant POS systems. When your staff can quickly learn how to use your restaurant’s POS system, it reduces the time required to train them. It also reduces errors.

Order Management

The best restaurant POS systems have order management functionality, making it easier for servers to take orders at the table. Many POS systems come with tablets that make order placement and communication with the kitchen very effective. Ultimately, this creates a streamlined workflow that results in faster preparation and delivery of meals.

Inventory Management

Inventory management features give automatic, real-time updates on stock levels. Diving into these analytics can show the most popular menu items, which helps you tailor your stock-control strategies.

Online Ordering Integration

The best restaurant POS systems offer built-in online ordering integration or integration with third-party delivery services. POS systems allow staff to easily manage in-house and online orders from one interface.

Reports and Analytics

The top POS systems give detailed reports and analytics on things like:

• Inventory
• Employee performance
• Customer trends
• Sales on menu items
• Staff schedules

Using this data, restaurant owners can determine their strengths and weaknesses. Reporting and analytics can help you take action and boost your return on investment while giving customers a better overall experience.

Customer Relationship Management

Successful restaurants prioritize developing and maintaining good relationships with customers. As a restaurant owner, you should consider a POS system with customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities that allow you to collect diner information. This might be anything from contact information to dining preferences. You can use the information to create marketing campaigns, promotions and loyalty programs to attract more customers.

Choosing a restaurant POS system is an important decision that can affect the success of your restaurant. In this section, we’ll walk you through how to make the right decision.

1. Determine Your Restaurant’s Requirements and Budget

When deciding which POS is best for your restaurant, you need to examine your restaurant’s requirements closely. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How big is your restaurant?
• What types of customers do you serve?
• What types of food does your restaurant offer?
• What POS features do you require?
• What is your budget?
• Do you need a cloud-based POS system?

While it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, it isn’t always the best option.

2. Research POS Systems

After you’ve decided on your restaurant’s requirements and budget, you can start researching POS providers. Some of the things to look for include:

• The POS provider’s track record
• Customer reviews
• Customer support options
• Customization options
• Frequency of system updates
• Hardware options and compatibility

It’s recommended to look for POS companies that have been in business for more than a few years and have established themselves in the industry. In most cases, an experienced provider has a better chance of having a stable product than a company that is relatively new.

3. Compare Features

After you’ve researched a few restaurant POS systems, start comparing features. Make a list of the POS systems that have caught your eye, and outline the features your restaurant can’t do without.

4. Start Testing POS Systems

Once you’ve compared features between vendors, you should contact the vendors you’re considering and request a demonstration. Try to involve some of your staff in this step so you can see how they like the POS system and if it’s easy to use. Most vendors are more than happy to provide detailed demonstrations of their systems.

If your restaurant already uses other software, testing its integration with the new POS system is valuable. Smooth integration will mean fewer headaches when you’re getting things set up.

When going through the testing phase, you should also evaluate the level of customer support you’re receiving. Are the POS vendor’s reps able to answer all of your questions?

5. Consider Scalability

Consider how well each system can scale with your business. If you plan to expand to new locations, you want to ensure the POS systems you are considering can accommodate that.

6. Pricing and Terms

Get final quotes and contracts from each vendor you are considering to see if there are any terms you should be aware of or if something was added that hasn’t been discussed.

7. Make Your Choice

Once you factor in all of the above, you can make your final purchasing decision.

A POS system offers many benefits for your restaurant. It can streamline operations and boost the customer experience.

Order Accuracy

Order accuracy is one of the most significant benefits of a restaurant POS system. Gone are the days when servers must memorize every menu item and customization that a customer can order. Most POS systems have a straightforward interface where servers can easily input what customers order right at the table. This lowers the chances of errors occurring. Orders are then automatically sent directly to the kitchen.

Order Processing

Since orders are sent directly to the kitchen, where chefs can begin making the meals, it significantly speeds up order processing. If your POS system comes equipped with table management and mobile ordering, customer wait times will be reduced considerably, creating a better experience for everyone.

Inventory Management

With a good POS system, you can automatically keep track of stock levels in real time as the menu items are being processed. This lowers waste and makes sure popular menu items are always available.

Reporting and Analytics

Helpful reports and analytics can give you information on peak hours of operation, popular menu items, employee performance and sales trends. This is vital information that can be used to make more informed operating decisions.

Table Management

A POS system with table management functionality allows you to optimize seating capacity, reducing wait times for diners waiting to be seated. Some POS systems offer visual table layouts so that staff can monitor available seats while managing reservations. A POS system like Clover offers tableside, counterside and curbside service.

Payment Processing

Another benefit of POS systems is straightforward and seamless payment processing. In addition, payment processing can also be done right at the table. Customers can pay right at the table and leave the restaurant whenever they’re ready, without waiting for their server to deliver their bill, take their payment, process it and then bring it back to the table.