Isometric Fast food checkout terminal. Card payment terminal in fast food restaurant.
Restaurant Point Of Sale systems are not just machines but a complete technology and an asset that will systematize your business and drive it to success.
While starting a restaurant, owners consider the cost of raw materials, perishable goods, kitchen equipment, furniture, interior setup, theme-based design & decor, and labor costs as major expenses.
The question here is can a restaurant or any other retail outlet survive with technology? The obvious answer is NO. Make technology your best friend if you wish to stay longer in your business and excel.
As a restaurant owner, you must accept that not all Restaurant Point Of Sale systems are made for you. Never settle for a POS system only because it is cheap or gives you a few freebies when you purchase it. You must always opt for a POS System used in the Restaurant business.
Different Types of Restaurant Point Of Sale systems for Restaurants
Modern Restaurant Point Of Sale systems offer different software features Your vendor can customize them to match your specific business requirements.
From the different types of Restaurant Point Of Sale systems available, restaurants and other food-related establishments use one of the following:
Traditional Form of POS System
When we talk about a Traditional POS system, we generally refer to a register-based POS system. While this POS system is popular amongst older or well-established restaurants, managing the system poses a major challenge.
Restaurants must hire dedicated employees to manage and operate this POS system which will hike your expenses as you can’t rely on the rest of the workforce to handle this POS.
Those restaurants that offer tableside service and have adequate wait staff to take care of the guests generally consider buying a traditional register-base POS system.
Although such Restaurant Point Of Sale systems don’t require complicated POS software, they can be slower, inaccurate, and less efficient than modern restaurant POS in payment processing.
The main reason tableside service restaurants depend mostly on Restaurant Point Of Sale systems like the cash register is that they are typically the least expensive option.
POS System with Touch Screen
To combat the flaws of the older Traditional POS system, OEMs came up with an advanced POS system called the Touchscreen POS System. This system offers a modern POS terminal that is faster, more accurate, and can handle complex payment processing.
Besides these features, touchscreen Restaurant Point Of Sale systems can take care of
- Inventory Management
- Customer Order automatically
- Online Ordering
POS System with a dedicated server
As the name suggests, a POS system bearing a dedicated server is the most expensive and requires the highest level of maintenance because of its complex architecture. If you ever plan to use this POS system, ensure that your vendor provides adequate technical support and has warranty packages to support the hardware.
Nonetheless, this POS system offers the best features and the deepest level of customization.
You will see dedicated server Restaurant Point Of Sale systems in restaurants that require detailed customization and offer larger menu options with various add-ons. Menu management is only part of what it does. It also manages your inventory, tracks employee performance, manages the online ordering, and schedules deliveries and takeaways. All in all a power-packed proposition for those who understand its value.
When you have spent a lot to own such a system, the question is, “Can I upgrade the system, add multiple terminals, or incorporate additional/new features into the software?” The answer is YES.
When you wish your restaurant could offer customers a unique and memorable experience, it is necessary to have a POS system that adds a WOW element to everything within your restaurant. That is what exactly this POS system does for your guests.
Cloud-Supported Restaurant Point Of Sale Systems
With a Cloud-supported POS System, you are a step closer to the latest technological advancements, which is amazing, but this system, too, comes with a few pros and cons.
Such a POS system is nowhere close to a POS System with a dedicated server, as you can’t expect it to offer all the features and customizations. This is a benefit as such systems are economical and don’t bleed your finances. They are easy to configure and need less technical expertise to set up.
Besides, you must not worry about your data as the Cloud Supported POS System Keeps your Multiple Outlets In Sync. This specialty is handy when you have multiple outlets to manage with one single repository for all your data needs. You can securely back up and store your data in the cloud and access it globally.
Your cloud-supported POS system comes with some brilliant features like
- Data reporting in real-time,
- Inventory management,
- Managing customer relationships,
- Table management system.
A cloud-supported POS system is a marvelous piece of engineering, yet it has a major drawback. Before you opt for this system, you must confirm that you have smooth and reliable internet connectivity at your outlets.
When your internet connection goes down, this system won’t work. You may have to talk to other retail outlets in your area to understand if the service provider offers a stable internet connection. To be prepared for the worst scenario, you must invest in a backup/secondary internet connection with a facility to switch when your primary connection goes down. With all being said, this is an additional expense for you.
Mobile Restaurant Point of Sale Systems
While considering different restaurant business models, how can we forget those owners looking for a flexible and portable solution? POS System for Mobile Restaurants is a solution designed for such restaurateurs.
Currently, such Restaurant Point Of Sale systems are earning great popularity irrespective of the size of the restaurants. Still, it is essential to understand that these products come with limited features and facilities, contrary to Restaurant Point Of Sale systems with dedicated servers.
If you add the elements of portability, flexibility, and convenience to the Cloud Supported POS System, it becomes its mobile version.
With a mobile point-of-sale system, you receive numerous advantages:
- The ability to accept orders and process payments throughout the restaurant.
- Processing orders and payments with improved accuracy.
- Helps deliver quality customer service.
- The superior speed with a reduction in waiting times.
Using a mobile point-of-sale system is advantageous for restaurants offering table-side service, quick service restaurants, and quick delivery or takeaway services.
How to choose a POS system?
Choosing the right POS system shouldn’t be a problem if you understand your business needs well. Compare the facilities you need vis-à-vis the features that the POS system offers. If you find an 85% match between the two, that POS system is for you.
If you are concerned about How To Choose The Best Pos System For Your Restaurant, you must ask the following questions.
- What is the type and size of your restaurant?
- Is the new POS system compatible with your existing one?
- Which are the most important features that your business needs?
- How much is your budget, and what additional resources do you have to arrange for funds?
Let’s understand these parameters in detail.
1. What is the type and size of your restaurant?
If your restaurant falls under the small and medium category, cloud-based or mobile point-of-sale systems will serve the purpose.
For a larger restaurant, you must consider a POS System with a dedicated server or a POS System with Touch Screen that has robust architecture and supports in-depth customization.
2. Is the new POS system compatible with your existing one?
Compatibility with your existing POS hardware and infrastructure is critical when switching to a new POS system. It is also crucial to determine if the new system is simple and easy so your employees can enjoy using it to the fullest.
3. Which are the most important features that your business needs?
If you come across a POS system whose functionalities don’t match your business needs, that system is not for you, however economical, attractive, or modernized it is. You must identify the features and software functionalities needed to run the POS system successfully.
Identify the POS features you need to run your restaurant business effectively and efficiently before choosing the POS system.
4. How much is your budget, and what additional resources do you have to arrange for funds?
Finally, don’t overlook your budget. Restaurant Point Of Sale systems come in various price ranges. Some Restaurant Point Of Sale systems can be quite expensive. So it is imperative to compare prices and find one that balances features and affordability.
To know about the Restaurant Point Of Sale systems Cost In The USA, you must consider the cost of Hardware and software.
When you consider the hardware of your POS System, you are talking about,
- Credit card readers,
- Cash Drawers,
- Stands and Workstations,
- WiFi Routers and Extenders,
- Order and Receipt Printers.
A handheld Tablet POS will start around $600, while a complete POS hardware for an authentic dine-in restaurant can begin at $2600. More sophistication comes at a higher price.
When you consider the software of your POS System, you are talking about
- CRM,
- Inventory Management,
- Sales Reports,
- Marketing Features,
- Employee Management.
A POS software offering the basic features may begin at $69 per month, while its advanced version may come close to $150 per month per terminal.
In addition, you can request a POS system demo from the preferred vendor before you decide on the right POS for your business.
A top-notch restaurant POS system cost can be quite expensive. Ultimately, you’ll have to choose a POS system that suits your budget and needs.
