Restaurant POS: Which POS Software is best for your business

Managing a business online can be a daunting task, specifically when you're running a food business. In order to streamline the operations, Restaurant owners are always on a lookout for one-stop solutions for all their business needs. Fortunately, today there are ultimate solutions for restaurant business needs. Imagine getting your hands on a specialized POS (Point of Sale) software designed to manage and streamline operations in a restaurant, from accepting orders to delivering it to the customer's door and everything in between. To help you choose the best one, this article talks about top Restaurant POS packed with an array of features and benefits specifically tailored for the unique demands of the foodservice industry. Keep on reading to find out.

About Restaurant POS

A restaurant POS (Point of Sale) system is a specialised software and hardware solution designed to manage and streamline various operations in a restaurant setting. It serves as the central hub for processing orders, managing payments, and tracking inventory in a food service establishment.

Restaurant POS systems typically include hardware components like touchscreen terminals, printers, and card readers, along with software that provides functionalities such as menu management, table reservations, order taking, bill splitting, staff management, and reporting. These systems are often tailored to the unique needs of the restaurant industry, enabling efficient and accurate operations.

Some restaurant POS systems also integrate with other technologies, such as online ordering platforms, kitchen display systems (KDS), loyalty programs, and accounting software. By automating and organising tasks, a restaurant POS system helps enhance efficiency, improve customer service, track sales and inventory, and generate insightful reports for business analysis.

Wherefore, if you are on a lookout for best POS system or software for your Restaurant and willing to take your business to the next level; look no further - this article brings the list of top of the Restaurant POS software service providers. But before we dive into the list of POS system or software, allow us to introduce you to Restaurant POS features.

Point of Sale or POS systems for restaurants typically offer a range of features to streamline operations, enhance customer service, and improve overall efficiency. Below we are sharing some features.

Restaurant POS features

1. Order Management: POS systems allow servers to take orders directly at the table, inputting them into the system, which then sends them to the kitchen or bar. This feature helps to minimise errors and speed up the order process.

2. Menu Customisation: POS systems enable easy customisation of menus, including adding or removing items, updating prices, and displaying special promotions or limited-time offers.

3. Table Management: POS systems assist in managing table availability, reservations, and seating arrangements. They provide a visual representation of the dining area, allowing staff to track table status and optimise seating.

4. Inventory Management: Restaurant POS systems often include inventory tracking capabilities. They help monitor ingredient levels, track stock movement, and generate automated alerts when supplies run low. This feature helps prevent stock-outs and ensures efficient supply chain management.

5. Payment Processing: POS systems facilitate various payment options, including cash, credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, and gift cards. Integration with payment processors streamlines the payment process, provides accurate transaction records, and improves security.

6. Split Billing: Splitting bills among multiple guests is made easier with POS systems. The software calculates individual shares and enables seamless payment division, enhancing the customer experience.

7. Reporting and Analytics: POS systems generate detailed reports on sales, inventory, employee performance, and other key metrics. These insights help restaurant owners make informed decisions, identify trends, and optimise operations.

8. Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Some POS systems include CRM functionality, allowing restaurants to store customer information, track preferences, and provide personalized experiences. This feature helps build customer loyalty and supports targeted marketing campaigns.

9. Kitchen Display Systems (KDS): POS systems often integrate with kitchen display systems, replacing traditional paper tickets. KDS displays orders in real-time, reducing communication errors between the kitchen and serving staff.

10. Online Ordering and Delivery Integration: Many POS systems offer integration with online ordering platforms and delivery services. This allows restaurants to receive and manage orders seamlessly, increasing their online presence and reaching a broader customer base.

11. Employee Management: POS systems can include features for employee scheduling, time tracking, and performance monitoring. These tools help optimise labor management and ensure smooth operations.

12. Integration with Other Systems: POS systems can integrate with other restaurant management tools, such as accounting software, loyalty programs, and reservation systems. This integration reduces manual data entry and improves overall efficiency.

13. Cloud Kitchen Support: POS software with cloud functionality caters to cloud kitchens, which operate without dine-in spaces. These systems streamline order management, integrate with delivery platforms, and provide real-time data access. Cloud POS enables efficient operations, inventory management, and sales monitoring for delivery-centric businesses.

✔ It's worth noting that the specific features and capabilities of a restaurant POS system may vary depending on the software provider and the specific needs of the establishment.

There are several top-rated restaurant POS (Point of Sale) software options available in the market. Here are some of the best restaurant POS software solutions:

Best Restaurant POS System Software of All time

• Square
• Clover
• QPe
• TouchBistro
• Revel
• Lavu
• Lightspeed 
• SkyTab

Let’s talk in detail about these best Restaurant POS software.

1. Square: For small businesses

In addition to being ideal for small businesses, Square offers a user-friendly interface, easy setup, and a variety of hardware options, making it a popular choice for those starting out in the restaurant industry.

Square POS Software Features:

• Square's simplicity is its greatest strength, designed to be easily understood by workers.
• Customers have the option to receive receipts digitally or in print through email or text message.
• Square facilitates real-time inventory management.
• The Square Dashboard is accessible from any computer and provides comprehensive business-related information, including sales data and new client details.

2. Clover: For Quick-service Restaurants (QSRs)

Known for its sleek design and customisable features, Clover is a great fit for quick-service restaurants. It streamlines order management, integrates with popular third-party apps, and offers a robust selection of payment options.

Clover POS Software Features:

• Sleek Design: Clover is recognised for its sleek and modern design, providing an aesthetically pleasing point of sale solution for quick-service restaurants.
• Customizable Features: The system offers extensive customization options, allowing businesses to tailor Clover to their specific needs, including menu configuration, layout design, and employee management.
• Order Management: Clover streamlines order management, making it easy for staff to take orders, make modifications, and track order statuses efficiently.
• Third-Party App Integration: Clover seamlessly integrates with popular third-party applications, expanding its functionality and enabling businesses to incorporate additional features, such as online ordering or loyalty programs.
• Payment Options: With Clover, businesses have access to a wide range of payment options, including credit card processing, mobile payments, and contactless payments, providing customers with convenient and secure payment methods.
• Reporting and Analytics: The system offers comprehensive reporting and analytics tools, allowing businesses to gain insights into sales performance, inventory management, and customer trends to make informed business decisions.

3. QPe: Best Restaurant POS System to manage Offline and Online business

QPe provides a comprehensive solution for managing every kind of businesses, offering a range of features that bridge the gap between offline and online operations. With QPe's e-commerce integration, businesses can easily sell products through e-commerce website, online store or even social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. You need no technical expertise to start an online store with QPe.

Moving forward, QPe's Restaurant POS software management system connects the back office of retail stores, enabling seamless management of payments, inventory, deliveries, and personnel. It offers a centralised platform for handling all aspects of the business, from customer acquisition to retention, with powerful marketing tools. 

The all-in-one POS functionality of QPe allows businesses to efficiently place orders, manage discounts, and handle store products. It can be accessed on various devices, including laptops, making it suitable for different types of businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, and retail shops.

Furthermore, with QPe's POS management system, restaurants can easily generate kitchen order tickets (KOTs), manage manual bills, and more.

QPe POS Software Features:

• empower retail businesses to drive sales and streamline operations.
• inventory management, order creation, billing, and payment processing. 
• The robust e-commerce solution offered by QPe allows businesses to manage and expand their physical stores, e-commerce websites, point-of-sale systems, and social media platforms all in one unified platform.

4. TouchBistro: For all-in-one restaurant Management

As an all-in-one restaurant management solution, TouchBistro offers features for table-side ordering, menu customisation, inventory management, and staff scheduling. Its iPad-based system provides flexibility and mobility, making it popular among various types of restaurants.

TouchBistro POS Software Features :

• It offers tabletop order control for efficient order management.
• The software enables easy table management and floor plan optimization.
• It supports menu management for mobile payment and processing.
• It provides comprehensive employee management and scheduling features.
• It includes CRM functionalities for effective customer relationship management.

5. Revel: Best for iPad Users

Revel is highly regarded among iPad users, offering a sleek interface, intuitive design, and an extensive range of features. It excels in delivering a seamless and visually appealing POS experience for restaurants.

Revel POS Software Features:

• Sleek iPad Interface: Revel is known for its visually appealing and user-friendly interface, optimized for iPad users.
• Intuitive Design: The system's design is intuitive, making it easy for restaurant staff to navigate and utilize its features efficiently.
• Extensive Feature Set: Revel offers a wide range of features, catering to the specific needs of restaurants, including order management, tableside ordering, inventory tracking, and reporting.
• Seamless POS Experience: With its smooth and efficient workflows, Revel ensures a seamless and streamlined point of sale experience for restaurant operations.
• Customisation Options: The system allows businesses to customise menus, layouts, and workflows to align with their unique requirements, providing flexibility and adaptability.

6. Lavu: Best for Pizzerias

With a focus on pizzerias, Lavu provides specialised features like pizza customisation, delivery management, and ingredient inventory tracking. Its intuitive interface and pizza-specific tools make it a top choice for pizza-focused establishments.

Lavu  POS Software Features: 

• It offers a robust selection of over 300 POS features, providing businesses with a comprehensive solution for their point of sale needs.
• Extensive Integrations: The system supports 15 in-house integrations and over 30 third-party integrations, allowing businesses to enhance and extend its features by seamlessly integrating with other software and services.
• Platform Compatibility: It's worth noting that Lavu is not compatible with Android devices.

7. Lightspeed Restaurant: Best for Cafes

Designed with cafes in mind, Lightspeed Restaurant provides features like tableside ordering, ingredient tracking, and customer relationship management. Its comprehensive toolkit helps cafes streamline operations and enhance the overall dining experience.

Lightspeed Restaurant POS Software Features :

• Lightspeed Retail offers comprehensive POS features for businesses.
• It allows users to create a single purchase order for multiple vendors, streamlining the ordering process.
• Users can easily add multiple versions of a single item, such as different colors or sizes, enhancing inventory management and product organization.
• Lightspeed Retail assists in maintaining an accurate inventory log, keeping track of stock levels and ensuring efficient stock management.
• The system enables "On the spot transactions," allowing businesses to process transactions quickly and efficiently.
• Regardless of operating multiple locations, Lightspeed Retail maintains a location-based inventory record, providing visibility and control over inventory across different store locations.

8. SkyTab: For table-side Restaurants

SkyTab is specifically designed for table-side service, allowing servers to take orders, process payments, and split bills right at the table. Its handheld device offers convenience, speed, and enhanced customer interaction.

SkyTab POS Software Features: 

• Table-side Service: SkyTab is designed specifically for table-side service, enabling servers to take orders, process payments, and split bills directly at the table.
• Handheld Device: The system comes with a handheld device that offers convenience and mobility, allowing servers to efficiently serve customers without having to go back and forth to a stationary POS terminal.
• Order Taking: Servers can quickly and accurately take orders using the handheld device, ensuring prompt service and minimizing errors.
• Payment Processing: SkyTab enables secure and efficient payment processing, allowing customers to conveniently pay at the table using various payment methods.
• Bill Splitting: The system offers the functionality to split bills among multiple guests, providing flexibility and convenience for group dining experiences.
• Enhanced Customer Interaction: SkyTab enhances customer interaction by enabling servers to provide personalized service, answer questions, and address customer requests right at the table.

Each of these POS systems offers unique features and benefits that cater to specific needs in the restaurant industry. They enhance operational efficiency, streamline processes, and provide a seamless customer experience.

FINAL THOUGHTS

In summary, a restaurant POS (Point of Sale) system is a specialised software and hardware solution that streamlines operations in a restaurant. It manages orders, payments, inventory, and generates reports.

Key features include order management, menu customisation, table management, inventory tracking, payment processing, split billing, reporting, and integration with other systems. Popular POS software options for restaurants include Square, Clover, QPe, Lavu, TouchBistro, Revel, Lightspeed, and SkyTab.

No surprise, implementing a restaurant POS system improves efficiency, customer service, inventory management, and decision-making. So you can choose a system that meets your restaurant's specific needs for optimal results.