Features of the Best Restaurant POS Systems
There are many POS software solutions on the market. What sets them apart is the features and the capabilities that they possess. Here are some of the key features that a good restaurant POS software needs to have:
Tracking Orders Fast and Accurately
One of the things crucial to a good restaurant management system is how fast you can get an order out to your customer while still serving them quickly. In addition, you want to be able to track online ordering transactions easily and accurately. It is not good if a customer has been waiting ten minutes for their order but the restaurant POS system shows that it has been ready for five minutes. This would make the restaurant loose a customer’s trust and loyalty.
Be Able to Display Menu Items Quickly
When you are in a busy restaurant, the customer is definitely not going to wait for their server to go over the extensive menu to see what they want. They will simply say they do not need it and leave. That would be bad for a restaurant business because every customer that leaves without placing an order is revenue lost. No matter how fast a server is at taking, entering and delivering an order it would not help if the customer does not place one. It is important to have a management system that you know will allow for easy, quick menu navigation.
In addition, your POS system should be able to handle multiple menus from different restaurants or locations. If a restaurant is short-staffed it would be difficult to have a manager dedicated just to looking up menu items. Having a system that can handle multiple menus from different places will help with decreasing wait times.
Handle Multiple Tabs in the Back Office
Having a good restaurant management system means being able to keep track of all aspects of your business. Having multiple tabs in the back office is crucial for this reason. You should be able to track sales, inventory, payroll, finance, marketing and your menu.
It is important that you are able to have these tasks done quickly even when you are busy with other things at the restaurant like taking orders or serving customers. Having a good POS system that can help you accomplish all of your daily tasks is crucial to having a successful restaurant.
Sale Prices and Discounts
It is important for a food establishment to be able to offer discounts and sale prices when appropriate. Whether you are trying to get rid of old stock or draw in new customers, offering these discounts and sales is a great way to boost revenue.
Your restaurant point of sale POS should be able to manage these discounts and sales properly so that it does not get out of hand. Having an effective restaurant management system will allow you to do this while also reducing the chances of overselling or running out of stock.
Ability to Attract Customers with Mobile Solutions
Mobile solutions are crucial in the restaurant industry these days. There are so many people using their phones to look up restaurants and check out menus. This has massively increased competition between food establishments, which means you have to find ways to attract customers to your business. Having a good mobile solution is one way to do this.
Your POS system should be able to provide you with a mobile app so that your customers can look up your menu and place orders on their phones. The more business you bring in through the mobile market, the less likely they are to go somewhere else.
Handle Orders from Multiple Devices
The customers of today have a plethora of devices that they can order from. They may use their phones, tablets or laptops. If your restaurant POS system is not able to handle orders from all of these devices then you are going to lose out on revenue.
Your customers should be able to order food anywhere they go without having any issues. The more devices that they can use the better because it means they will probably place more orders due to the convenience factor.
Benefits of Having a Restaurant POS System
There are so many benefits of having a restaurant POS system that cannot be ignored. They can help you increase your productivity while decreasing wait times and effort.
You will also see an increase in sales and revenue because the POS system will help you handle discounts and sales more effectively. Here are some of the main benefits of a good restaurant POS system:
Menu Management
It can be hard to keep track of your menu when you have over 100 options that are constantly being added. This is where a new restaurant POS system comes in handy because it will help you easily manage the entire menu.
There are so many benefits to having good management tools, including adding new items quickly without spending too much money or time.
POS Software Update
A POS software update can help you get rid of any bugs you have been experiencing with the system and also include new features. These updates are usually free which is great news for restaurants.
Having this ability to upgrade your software at no cost will allow you to make more money since there will not be any problems holding back your business.
Customer Management and Loyalty Programs
Most restaurant POS systems will allow you to collect customer data, which can be used for customer loyalty programs and marketing campaigns.
You can also use this information to see what items your customers like the most so that you will know what to include on the menu in the future.
This is a great way to make your customers feel appreciated while also boosting revenue since they are likely to return for more.
New Technology is Helping Restaurants
One of the best things about the restaurant industry is that it always has an influx of new technology to help run day-to-day operations. Things like POS systems can take some time to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, you will see why it is worth your time.
You should make sure to invest in a restaurant POS system if you want to improve your customer service and increase sales while saving money and time. This will help keep you ahead of the competition and ensure that your business is always profitable.
Inventory Management
It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your inventory so that you do not get stuck with the food you cannot sell. A POS system can help you easily monitor prices and expiration dates for all of your items.
You will be able to track how much inventory you currently have and compare it with previous sales, which can give you an idea of what items to buy more of.
This is the perfect solution for any restaurant owner who wants to see an increase in revenue by cutting back on food waste.
How to Choose a Restaurant POS for Your Business
When you are looking for a restaurant POS system, it’s important to consider two things: price and functionality. You want to make sure that you don’t spend too much money on a system with features that your business doesn’t need.
The best way to do this is by choosing a software package that comes with almost everything you will need upfront. There should be no need to upgrade and this will help you save money because you won’t have to pay for features that you will never use. Some of the key considerations to consider when picking a restaurant POS system include:
Your Business Needs
What kind of business do you have? How many employees will be using the POS system? How much money is your company willing to spend on a restaurant POS system? Are you planning to use your POS system on mobile devices or computers? These are pertinent questions to ask yourself when it comes to the choice of POS software.
Payment Processing Fees
Almost every restaurant POS system on the market today will allow you to process credit card payments. However, it’s important that you consider how much these fees cost and what kind of convenience they offer. Some systems charge a percentage of the total transaction while others just charge a flat fee per swipe.
Customer Support
Look for a service that provides fast and effective support. You want something easy to contact for help whenever you run into any problems. It’s also wise to look for a POS system that comes with full training resources so your staff can learn how to use it without issue.
Pricing
You will pay more depending on the features of the POS system you choose. Some of these systems come with almost everything you need, while others will require you to pay transaction fees or upgrade regularly. These can add up quickly and it’s important to avoid this when possible.
It’s also a good idea to take a look at reviews for the software you are considering before making any purchase. This is the best way to learn more about how well the POS system works and if it is easily compatible with your current hardware.
Hardware Requirements
It’s also important to consider the hardware you need for your restaurant POS system. You will need a printer that is compatible with your software, but you also want to look at the speed of this printer and any special features it might have.
Make sure you can connect your POS system with existing devices like cash drawers or receipt printers before making a purchase so you don’t have to spend more money.
Ease of Use
Many POS systems today come with an easy-to-use interface that your staff will enjoy using. You can usually find reviews online for the software you are considering and this is the best way to see if it works well on a daily basis.
Scalability
If you are opening a new restaurant, you will want to use a POS system that can be easily scaled up as your business expands. Look for something that will grow with your needs and make sure the software you choose is worth the money before making any purchase.
You also want to look at how easy it is to manage inventory with this POS system. You want the option to easily track what items are selling and how much you have left at any given time. This will help your business save money across the board as long as it is easy enough for everyone in your company to use.
Getting started with a POS system can be tough, but choosing one that works well for your needs doesn’t have to be. A good restaurant POS system will make it easier for you to run your business without any issues down the road.
A POS system is a necessity for your restaurant if you want to run it as efficiently as possible, but finding one that works well can be difficult without the right questions and considerations.
How Much Does a Restaurant POS System Cost?
Most restaurant POS systems cost between $2,000 and $5,000 upfront. However, it’s important to remember that there are transaction fees with most systems. These are usually around 2-3% per transaction, which can add up quickly depending on how many people you serve each day.
This means that the average POS system will cost restaurants between $40,000 and $100,000 per year in charges. If you have a smaller restaurant it might be better to look into an affordable one that costs less upfront, while a larger restaurant might benefit from the extra features of a more expensive system.
Our Verdict
If you are looking for the best restaurant POS system, this guide will help you in that direction. It is important to always remember that no POS software is similar to the other. You might find that it works well for your business, but you might not like how it operates.
The best way to get a feel for this is by using the trial versions offered by many companies, and this will make choosing restaurant point of sale systems easier than ever before. Overall, TouchBistro and Lightspeed are the best POS systems.
Make sure you choose your system carefully and always think about how it will work for your business in the future. If you don’t like something about it, then that can hold you back down the line and make operations tougher than they need to be.