This is part of a 5-part series:
- What types of restaurants need a point of sale system?
- Who Uses a Point of Sale System?
- When should you get a point of sale system?
- Where should you buy a point of sale system?
- How does a point of sale system work?
For quick service restaurant owners, coffee shop owners, and staff who need to streamline operations, improve customer service, and increase profitability, a restaurant point of sale (POS) system is the answer you’re looking for.
But, with so many options available, where should you get your restaurant POS?
What is a Restaurant POS?
At its most basic, a restaurant POS is a way to accept orders and process payments. However, the real value of a point of sale system is how it enhances the way you operate your entire restaurant business: from being able to take orders from various sources and managing multiple menus to streamlining communication with your kitchen and providing key reporting features.
Where to buy a restaurant POS?
Banks and Credit Unions
Many banks and credit unions offer some kind of POS system, so depending on where you bank, you may be able to add a POS to your selection.
While it might seem convenient to get a POS from your bank since you’re already using their services, a lot of times the POS systems offered by banks are expensive, have confusing fee structures, and are clunky and not intuitive to use. Overall, POS systems offered by banks are not the best fit for restaurants.
Retail Point of Sale System Companies
Retail POS companies, like Square, were created for retail environments first and have since grown into the restaurant space.
Typically, POS systems from these companies are pretty cheap to get started and easy for staff to use, which can be a bonus for operations just starting out.
But, because these systems weren’t created for restaurants, they lack features that restaurants and food trucks require on a daily basis. Before purchasing a POS from a retail-oriented company, be sure to check out all the features to make sure it will work for your type of business. A retail system might save you some money now, but consider if it’s worth the hassle and headache of switching to a restaurant POS down the road.
Restaurant Point of Sale System Companies
Choosing a POS system built specifically for restaurants is without a doubt the best choice, regardless of whether you’re running a food truck or a brick-and-mortar fast casual joint.
That said, there’s still some homework you have to do before choosing the restaurant POS that’s right for you. Different POS systems have different strengths. For example, some restaurant POS systems may have features that are more appropriate for larger-scale, full-service restaurants than for quick and nimble food trucks.
Start by thinking about what features you’ll need in your daily workflow, and make sure that the restaurant POS you’re considering has those features and not too many more. You want to leave room for yourself to grow, but if you know that you’re a food trucker for life and have no aspirations for a brick-and-mortar, then a restaurant POS with extensive features for full-service restaurants will just get in your way—and cost you money in the process.
Ready to use a restaurant point of sale system built for quick service restaurants, coffee shops, and food trucks?
The Table Needs POS is designed to help restaurant owners and food truck operators run efficient, profitable businesses. Featuring everything you need to operate your business – from accepting and processing payments and managing multiple menus to offering a built-in kitchen display system, online ordering, QR code menu ordering – Table Needs is the one-stop-shop for growing restaurants and food trucks.
Learn more about Table Needs Restaurant Point of Sale System today. Hit the link below to schedule a hassle-free demo.
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