Payments, invoicing, inventory management, employee management—a powerful POS software makes it easier to manage your restaurant on a day-to-day basis. What solutions does it provide?
What is POS software?
Every restaurant needs a cash management system to process sales. POS software not only allows you to manage your establishment's sales, it can have many other features.
POS systems help restaurateurs improve their customer experience and optimize business operations related to sales, cash flow, food inventory, and accounting.
Additional features include a payment terminal, order management, analytics, and table reservations. Some restaurant POS software also offers advanced features, such as food costing and an integrated marketing suite to help restaurant professionals budget and create and execute outreach campaigns.
Most point-of-sale systems and software can be used by other foodservice businesses, such as cafes and bars.
A point-of-sale software (or POS terminal) for a restaurant or cafe is a combination of a device and software that allows your establishment to manage its sales in an optimized way. It allows you to control every aspect of your business, down to the penny, to increase your revenue.
The system typically includes a central computer terminal, a cash drawer, and a monitor. You may have a touchscreen, a keyboard, and scanners (for scanning barcodes, QR codes, etc.) and a number of peripherals such as barcode readers, receipt printers, and credit card machines. All of these devices connect to the central terminal via cable or wirelessly. Applications like Sunday can be integrated with your POS to provide enhanced functionality.
Tracking sales with POS software improves your back-office management. You can, in fact, monitor your restaurant's performance precisely thanks to data and statistics.
Thanks to your software's dashboard, on computer, phone, or tablet, it is possible to see what you are selling, where, to whom, and which of your waiters or waitresses is making the best sales.
List of POS Software for Restaurants
There are many restaurant POS software on the market, but prices and features vary.
Lightspeed
This is a complete POS software (order taking, fast checkout, remote management, etc.) that is very easy to use.
Sumup
With its mobile and table-based ordering system, it allows for efficient automation of your operations. You can process orders faster thanks to a streamlined point-of-sale process and access table management features. It allows you to create your own seating plan and keep an eye on order status at a glance on your iPad-powered point of sale.
Zettle
Zettle allows you to track sales in real time, visualize your restaurant's performance, manage inventory efficiently, and also comply with French tax regulations.
Zelty
Zelty offers an ultra-complete solution for multi-site catering. It covers all your needs for managing cash registers, Click & Collect, centralized orders, deliveries, and even allows for highly efficient remote control.
Popina
Popina is a complete and versatile POS solution. It allows for reservations, room management, expense report management, restaurant voucher management, online ordering, and Uber Eats delivery management.
What criteria should you consider when choosing your restaurant POS software?
Here are the main aspects to consider when choosing your point of sale system for your restaurant or cafe:
- Possibility of mobile and contactless payment
- Online reservation system
- Ability to accept all types of payments and integrate with multiple payment systems
- The ability to manage delivery or click & collect
- The ability to manage tables
- Efficient inventory management
- A clear and user-friendly dashboard that produces easily understandable reports and allows you to make the best decisions in real time.
How much does restaurant POS software cost?
Point-of-sale systems can be free, with a per-transaction fee, or paid. A paid POS can cost anywhere from €15 to over €100 per month, depending on your software and hardware needs.
Paid monthly plans vary from one provider to another. Be sure to do your research before choosing yours.
