Comparison of Restaurant POS Software: A Guide

April 7, 2024

Comparison of Restaurant POS Software: A Guide

Choosing the right Restaurant POS (Point of Sale) system is crucial for the smooth operation and success of your restaurant. This guide provides a comprehensive comparison of popular POS systems like Square, Toast, Clover, Lightspeed, and TouchBistro to help you make an informed decision based on cost, features, ease of use, and integration capabilities. Here's a quick overview to help you understand which system might be the best fit for your restaurant:

Square POS: Best for small to medium-sized restaurants, offering ease of use and affordable pricing.
Toast POS: Designed specifically for restaurants, providing extensive features and customization.
Clover POS: Great for multi-location operations, known for its straightforward interface.
Lightspeed Restaurant: Ideal for detailed business analytics and inventory management.
TouchBistro: Perfect for establishments using iPads or tablets, with strong table management features.

Quick Comparison

POS System	Best For	Key Features	Pricing	Ease of Use
Square POS	Small to medium-sized restaurants	Online ordering, inventory alerts, customer tracking	Free to custom pricing	Very user-friendly
Toast POS	Restaurants needing customization	Online orders, kitchen display system, detailed reports	Free to advanced plans	Straightforward for staff
Clover POS	Multi-location operations	Online orders, stock tracking, loyalty programs	Basic to custom plans	Easy interface
Lightspeed	Business analytics & inventory management	Online ordering, custom reports, customer management	Starter to custom plans	User-friendly layout
TouchBistro	iPad/tablet use in service	Online ordering, stock tracking, customer management	Starts at $69/month	Simple and straightforward

Deciding on the best POS system for your restaurant involves considering your specific needs, budget, and the scale of your operation. This guide aims to simplify that process by comparing the top choices available.

Benefits of POS Systems

Here are some big pluses of having a POS system for quick service restaurants:

Faster order processing: Waiters can put in orders fast, and these orders go straight to the kitchen. This means customers wait less.
Enhanced order accuracy: When orders are put in digitally, there are fewer mistakes than writing them down. Happier customers mean better business.
Inventory tracking: POS systems let you know how much stuff you have left in real-time. So, you won't run out of things or waste anything.
Sales reporting: You get detailed reports that show what's selling best, when you're busiest, and how your staff is doing. This info helps you make your place better.
Labor cost monitoring: It helps you keep an eye on how much you're spending on staff and plan better for busy times. This way, you don't spend too much on wages.
Customer loyalty programs: These programs make customers want to come back and also help you collect their contact info.

For most quick service restaurants, the good stuff that POS systems bring, like quicker service, lower costs, and more money made, is worth more than what it costs to get one. The trick is to pick the right system that fits what you need and how much you can spend. Going for a system with tons of features might seem cool but could be too much for smaller places. The best way is to first figure out exactly what you need and then look at different POS options.

Key Features to Look for in Restaurant POS Software

When you're choosing a POS (point of sale) system for your quick service restaurant, there are a few must-have features to keep an eye out for. Here's a simple breakdown of what's important:

Order Management

It's important for restaurants, especially busy ones, to handle orders smoothly. A good POS system lets you easily add special requests to orders, split bills, and send orders straight to the kitchen. This helps get food out faster, cuts down on mistakes, and makes sure orders are right.

Inventory Tracking

Keeping track of your ingredients in real-time helps you waste less and avoid running out of stuff. The system should keep an eye on how much you have of each ingredient and let you know when it's time to restock.

Integrations

Being able to work with other apps is a big plus. For instance, connecting to an online ordering system or a loyalty program can make your POS system even better.

Analytics and Reporting

Getting the numbers on how your restaurant is doing can help you make smart decisions. Look for a system that can tell you about your sales, how much you're spending on staff, when your busy times are, what's selling well, and how your team is doing.

Customization

Every restaurant is different, so being able to tweak the system to fit your needs is key. This might mean changing the menu on the screen, setting up who can do what, or adjusting how things work day-to-day.

Choosing the right POS system can really help you focus on making your customers happy and growing your business. While you do have to think about cost, making sure the system fits what your restaurant needs is the best way to get your money's worth. Matching the system's features with what you need is how you find the perfect fit.

Comparative Analysis of Popular Restaurant POS Systems

1. Square POS

Ease of Use

Square POS is made to be super easy to use from the start. It has big, clear buttons that help you take orders, swipe cards, and manage your stock. For places like cafes or small eateries, it's great for quickly putting in orders, giving discounts, splitting bills, and taking different kinds of payments.

Features for Quick Service Restaurants

Here are some key features for fast-food spots:

You can take orders online.
Send receipts through text or email.
Keep an eye on your stock and get alerts when you're running low.
Track your customers and offer them special deals.
Get detailed reports on your sales, how much you're spending on staff, and more.

Pricing

Square POS has different price levels:

Free - $0/month
Plus - $60/month for each register
Custom pricing for big restaurants making over $250K a year

The free option gives you the basic software, payment handling, and standard features. Paying more gets you extra stuff like staff management, special customer deals, and help any time you need it.

Customer Support

Square has these support options:

Free Plan - Help online
Plus Plan - Email and phone help
Custom Plan - Your own support person

Paid plans get help 24/7. People really like how quick and helpful Square's support team is.

Integration Capabilities

Square can work with lots of other apps, like:

Order apps like UberEats
Money management like QuickBooks
Schedule tools like Homebase
Email tools like Mailchimp

There are over 140 apps you can connect with, so you can make Square work just right for your restaurant.

2. Toast POS

Ease of Use

Toast POS is made with restaurants in mind, and it's pretty straightforward for staff to pick up. It's got big buttons and simple steps for taking orders, handling payments, and keeping track of tables. Plus, you can change it up to fit what your restaurant needs, making things even smoother.

Features for Quick Service Restaurants

Here's what Toast POS brings to the table for fast food spots:

Easy to handle online orders for pickup and delivery
A system (Kitchen Display System) that helps the kitchen and front staff talk better
Detailed reports on how much you're selling, staff costs, and other important stuff
A way to keep an eye on your ingredients, including recipes and what's being wasted
Programs to keep customers coming back and tools to send them special offers
Lots of ways to change menus, buttons, who can do what, and how things work day-to-day

Pricing

Here's how much Toast POS might cost:

Free - $0/month but you don't get everything
Starter - $79/month for each terminal
Advanced - $129/month for each terminal

You might also pay extra for things like leasing equipment, a fee for each payment you take (2.5% + $0.15 for each one), and for extra features like online ordering or gift cards.

Customer Support

Toast POS is there to help 24/7 with email and phone, plus they've got a bunch of helpful stuff online. Depending on what plan you pick, you might even get your own person to talk to for help.

Integration Capabilities

Toast works with a bunch of other tools, like:

Accounting stuff like QuickBooks
Delivery apps like DoorDash and UberEats
Booking systems like OpenTable
Email tools like Mailchimp
Plus, over 200 other apps through Toast's own app store

This means you can connect Toast with other software you use, making everything work together nicely.

3. Clover POS

Ease of Use

Clover POS is made to be straightforward and easy for anyone to use. It has a clean layout with big buttons that are easy to see for doing things like taking orders, accepting payments, and getting to important features quickly. This means your team can learn how to use it without a lot of hassle.

Features for Quick Service Restaurants

Clover brings some handy features for fast food places:

Easy setup for online orders so you can manage pickups and deliveries without stress
Lets you split bills and take different kinds of payments
Keeps track of your stock in real time to help you avoid running out or wasting food
Custom reports that show you how your sales are doing, how much you're spending on staff, and other key info
Options for customers to order and pay right at their table
Built-in loyalty programs and options for gift cards

Pricing

How much Clover costs:

Basic - $69 per month
Register - $129 per month for each terminal
If you have more than one place, they'll give you a special price

You'll need to pay extra for the machines you use and any fees for processing payments. You can choose to pay month by month and not be stuck in a long contract.

Customer Support

Clover offers different kinds of help:

Basic - You can email or chat online
Register - You can call or chat online any time, day or night
Custom - You get your own person to help you out

People usually find Clover's support quick and helpful.

Integration Capabilities

Clover works with lots of other apps, like:

Accounting tools like QuickBooks
Delivery services like DoorDash and UberEats
Tools for talking to customers like Mailchimp
Apps for scheduling like Homebase
Apps for taking orders like ChowNow

This means you can connect Clover with other programs you use to run your restaurant smoothly.

4. Lightspeed Restaurant

Ease of Use

Lightspeed POS is built to be straightforward and user-friendly for restaurant teams. It has a simple layout with big buttons for important tasks like taking orders, handling payments, and managing seats. You can quickly set it up to show your restaurant's layout, menus, and who can do what. This makes it easy for new staff to get started.

Features for Quick Service Restaurants

Lightspeed has features that fast-food places will find useful:

You can take orders online or over the phone.
Customers can order and pay right at the counter.
Servers can take orders and payments at the table.
It tracks your stock in real-time.
You get custom reports on sales, how much you're paying your team, and other important stuff.
It has tools to help you keep in touch with your customers.

Pricing

Lightspeed has different plans based on what you need:

Starter: $69 per month
Advanced: $129 per month
They can also make a special plan just for you.

You'll also pay fees for processing payments, which are 2.6% + $0.10 for each sale.

Customer Support

Lightspeed offers help through:

A website with lots of information
Email and live chat
Phone calls

You can get help anytime, day or night. People say Lightspeed's support team is really good at helping out.

Integration Capabilities

Lightspeed works with more than 250 other apps, like:

For accounting: QuickBooks, Xero
For delivery: DoorDash, Uber Eats
For scheduling: Homebase
For marketing: Mailchimp

This means you can connect Lightspeed with other tools you use to run your restaurant smoothly.

5. TouchBistro

TouchBistro

Ease of Use

TouchBistro is made to be simple and straightforward for restaurant teams. It's got a clear layout with big buttons so you can quickly do things like take orders, handle payments, and look after tables. Setting it up to show your seating plan and menus is easy, which means new staff can get the hang of it fast.

Features for Quick Service Restaurants

TouchBistro has a bunch of handy features for places like pizzerias or fast food spots:

You can take orders over the phone or online.
Waiters can take orders and payments right at the table.
It keeps track of your stock as it changes.
You get reports that show you sales, how much you're spending on staff, and other important stuff.
It helps you keep track of your customers.
You can add other apps to do even more.

Pricing

TouchBistro's cost starts at $69 a month. You can add more features if you need them, like:

Tools for loyalty programs and marketing
Setting up online ordering
Offering gift cards
Taking reservations

You pay every month for the plan and extra features. There are also fees for handling payments.

Customer Support

You can get help from TouchBistro through:

Phone
Email
Live chat
A website full of useful info

They're there to help 24/7, and people say they're really good at solving problems fast.

Integration Capabilities

TouchBistro works with a lot of other software, like:

For keeping track of money: QuickBooks, Xero
For delivery: DoorDash, UberEats
For marketing: Mailchimp
For booking tables: OpenTable
For managing staff: Homebase

This means you can connect TouchBistro with other tools you use to make running your restaurant smoother.

Choosing the Right POS System for Your Restaurant

Picking the best POS system for your restaurant is super important if you want things to run smoothly and make more money. Here’s what to think about when looking for a POS system:

Restaurant Size and Volume

If you have a small place with just one location, your needs will be different from a big chain of restaurants. Small spots might just need simple order and payment options, while big places might need fancy stuff like keeping track of stock and sales across different locations.

Types of Cuisine and Service Model

The POS system should match the kind of food you serve and how you serve it. For example, places where waiters take orders at the table might want features like splitting bills easily, while places that do a lot of takeout and delivery might focus on those features.

Features and Functionality

Think about what you really need to help your restaurant work better. This includes things for the front (like managing tables) and the back (like tracking how much you’re paying your staff). Also, make sure it can grow with your business.

Ease of Use

It’s important that the system is easy for your team to use and that you can change things yourself without too much trouble. Being able to check on things like sales reports by yourself is a big plus.

Budget

Make sure you can afford the system with all its costs, including the monthly fees, payment processing, and any machines you might need. Don’t pay for stuff you won’t use, but also don’t forget about ongoing costs.

Customer Support

Since a POS system is so important, look at what kind of help you can get. This can be things like 24/7 support, online guides, or communities where you can ask questions.

Thinking carefully about these things will help you find the right POS system that fits your restaurant’s needs and budget. Choosing the right system can really help your restaurant do better.

Implementing a POS System in Your Restaurant

Setting up a POS system might sound tough, but if you take it step by step, it’s pretty doable. Here’s a simple guide to get your POS system up and running smoothly in your restaurant:

1. Assess Your Needs

Start by figuring out what you really need. Think about:

How many cash registers or screens you’ll need
What types of payment you want to take
If you need to keep track of your stock
Whether you want to take orders online
If you need a way to manage tables or reservations
The kind of reports you want to get out of the system

Focus on the features that will make a big difference in how your place runs and makes money. This helps you not spend too much but still get a system that makes things better.

2. Choose Your Software

Now that you know what you need, look at a few options that fit. Things to compare include:

How much it costs
How much help and training they offer
What equipment you need
If it can work with other software you use
If it can grow with your business

Pick the one that seems to offer the best value for money. Trying out a demo to see how easy it is to use is also a good idea.

3. Purchase Hardware

You’ll likely need to buy or lease equipment like screens, printers, and card readers. Go for stuff that’s tough and fits well in your space.

Tip: Leasing can help you avoid spending a lot of money all at once.

4. Set Up Your System

Work with the company you chose to get the software installed and set up. Spend time putting in your menu, customizing settings, and making sure it does everything you need. The better it’s set up from the start, the easier it’ll be to use.

5. Train Your Staff

Make sure your team knows how to use the system. Let them practice with it until they’re comfortable. Pick a few people who are really good with it to help others.

6. Refine As Needed

Keep asking your team how it’s going and if there’s anything that could be better. Adjust things and add new features over time to get the most out of your system. As your restaurant changes, make sure your POS system keeps up.

By following these steps, you can pick, set up, and get a lot out of a POS system that’s just right for your restaurant. With some planning and ongoing tweaks, it can be a great tool for making your customers happy, making work easier, and helping you make better decisions.

Pros and Cons

Let's take a look at the good and not-so-good points of some top restaurant POS systems to help you figure out which one might work best for your place. Here's a simple table to show what's up with each one:

POS System	Pros	Cons
Square POS	- Super user-friendly - Good prices - Can work with lots of other apps	- Not the best for big restaurants - Extra costs for payments and machines
Toast POS	- Made just for restaurants - Lots of cool features and ways to make it yours - Keeps a close eye on your stock	- Costs can add up with extra stuff - Might take a bit to learn everything
Clover POS	- Easy to get the hang of - Lots of choices for machines - Works well if you have more than one spot	- Not as many app connections as others - Pricing can be a bit tricky
Lightspeed	- Easy to use - Great for keeping track of business - Connects with money apps	- Paying for payments can be pricey - Menu stuff could be better
TouchBistro	- Great for iPads and tablets - Has cool features for tables and keeping track of customers - Help available all the time	- Limited ways to take payments - Getting extra features means paying more

Each POS system has things it does well and areas where it might not meet your needs. Think about what your restaurant really needs, like how you want to take orders, if you need to keep an eye on your stock, and how you want to handle payments. Also, consider how easy it is to use, how much it costs, and if it can grow with your business.

It's smart to try out a few to see how they feel before you decide. And remember, picking one that can change as your restaurant does is key.

Conclusion

Choosing the right POS system is really important for quick service restaurants to work better, make more money, and keep customers happy. This guide has shared the main points to think about when picking a POS system that fits your restaurant's needs.

Key Takeaways

Look at your restaurant's size, how you serve food, how busy you are, and how you do things to figure out what you need from a POS system.
Think about costs, what equipment you'll need, how easy the system is to use, how you can make it fit your needs, and if it can work with other software you use.
Make sure the system can handle orders well, keep track of your stock, give you useful reports, and be customized to show what you need.
Pick a system that can grow with your business.
Don't forget to consider ongoing costs like fees for handling payments and options for getting help.

Finding the right POS system can really help restaurants of all sizes. Take your time to look around, try things out, and understand all the costs involved. Choosing the right system is about more than just the upfront cost. It's about making things run smoother, understanding your business better, and giving your customers a great experience.

By carefully thinking about what your restaurant needs, trying out different systems, making sure you know all about the costs, and getting your team ready, you can find a POS system that becomes a key part of your restaurant. The benefits of having everything run more smoothly, making better decisions with good information, and keeping your customers and staff happy are worth the effort. Let this guide help you as you start looking for and setting up the best POS system for your quick service restaurant.

Appendix: Methodology

This guide took a detailed look at different restaurant POS systems to help restaurant owners figure out which one might be the best fit for their business.

Evaluation Criteria

We looked at a bunch of important things to compare POS systems:

Features: We checked out what each system can do, like handling orders, keeping track of what's in stock, managing staff, and giving you reports on how things are going. The more useful features a system had for quick service restaurants, the better its score.
Ease of Use: We saw how easy it is to get the hang of using the system and setting it up. Systems that were simple for staff to use got better scores.
Cost: We looked at all the costs involved, from buying the software and hardware to ongoing fees for processing payments. Systems that had clear and fair pricing got higher scores.
Support: We checked how good the customer support was, including if they offer help all the time and how you can reach them. Systems with better support options scored higher.
Scalability: We considered if the system can grow with your restaurant, whether you're just starting or have multiple locations. Systems that can adapt to different sizes scored better.

Comparison Methodology

To make a fair comparison, we looked at top systems using the criteria above. We gave each system a score for each area we checked, then added those up to get an overall score. Systems with higher scores are ones that fit quick service restaurants really well according to our checks.

The idea here is to give restaurant owners a clear way to see how different POS systems stack up based on what's most important. While every restaurant is unique, this guide aims to highlight systems that do a great job with the basics for most quick service spots.

What is the number one POS system for restaurants?

Square POS is often seen as the best choice for many restaurants. Here's why:

It has plans that start for free, making it budget-friendly.
It's simple to set up and use.
It offers a bunch of features that restaurants find really helpful.
It works well with other tools you might use for things like accounting and delivery.

Square POS is designed to help restaurants work more efficiently and can grow with your business, no matter the size.

How do I choose a POS system for my restaurant?

Here are some tips for picking a POS system:

User interface: It should be easy for your team to use for orders and reports.
Integration capabilities: It's good if it can share data with other software you use.
Features and functionality: Make sure it has what you need, like managing tables or taking online orders.
Cost: Consider all costs, including the hardware and any monthly fees.
Scalability: Choose one that can grow with your restaurant.
Support: Check that you can get help when you need it, through things like chat or phone support.

How would you decide which is the best POS system?

To find the best POS system, look at:

What hardware you'll need
If it's easy for your staff to use
If it works with other software you have
If it's secure for taking payments
If it has the features you need
If it fits your budget
If it can grow with your business
If the customer support is good

Evaluating these points will help you pick the right system for your needs and goals.

What POS system does McDonald's use?

McDonald's uses a special system called NewPOS NP6, which is made just for them. It handles things like orders, payments, keeping track of stock, and works with their other systems like the drive-thru and self-order kiosks.

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