Easiest To Use
Spring 2022
If you are a restaurant owner, having the best restaurant POS system is a top priority to help you run your restaurant operations. You may be using one already, but perhaps it’s time for a change. In this article, we share our top 4 favorite restaurant POS systems to consider for your store.
A point-of-sale (POS) system is a crucial element of all successful retail operations, and especially for restaurants in today’s market. Simply put, the POS system is where transactions are made in your restaurant. Historically, this would have been a cash register, but with today’s technology, POS systems allow restaurant owners to have mobility with cloud-based networks.
In addition to handling basic transactions, POS systems can also aid restaurant owners with other essential business functions, such as:
Because of the high volume of credit card transactions and cash flow passing through a restaurant on a regular basis, a POS system is not just a good idea for a business—it’s a necessity. POS systems can strategically track every sales transaction within your restaurant.
In addition to monitoring transactions, POS systems can also serve as credit card processors, making transactions safer and more secure for both your restaurant and your customers.
Computerizing these processes helps you to have a better handle on your bookkeeping, cash flow, and inventory all at once. As a business owner, you can also help to minimize employee theft as your employees will not be able to alter any of their computerized checks in the system without your approval.
When it comes to finding and choosing the best POS system for a restaurant, it’s going to come down to three fundamental things—what you want, what you are looking for, and what you need. The best restaurant POS system should not only cover all of the things you are looking for but also provide you with these basic benefits:
As you can see, a POS system is a critical tool for a restaurant, which is why finding the best POS system is so crucial for your business. With so many different features available, it can be tricky to narrow down your options. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to help you focus your priorities when choosing a POS system of your own.
Finding the best restaurant POS system will be dependent on your particular business needs but in an attempt to answer this question we reviewed the top 4 restaurant POS companies and wrote our honest reviews.
TouchBistro is thought by some to be the best restaurant POS system because of its attractive interfacing with easy-to-use features. Run your entire restaurant by using a single iPad, even if you lack an Internet connection. You can even sync devices if you decide that your operation should simultaneously run off multiple iPads.
Full-service restaurants looking for a sleek and straightforward POS system should turn to TouchBistro. For restaurant businesses with ten or fewer POS stations, TouchBistro is an excellent option.
The basic pricing model for TouchBistro is $69/month. Added features get combined with the monthly fees and are broken down as follows:
While TouchBistro is not the most extensive in terms of reporting and management features, there are additional add ons (listed above) that can be bolted on.
The Push X TouchBistro integration helps to improve some of your reporting capabilities by automatically sending your sales and labor data from your POS to Push Operations. Improve your accuracy with scheduling, planning, and forecasting with the help of the Push Operations integration.
Lightspeed Restaurant offers an iPad POS system for restaurants at an affordable price. Best of all, Lightspeed Restaurant works well for restaurants of all sizes and service styles, from quick service to full-service.
Restaurant owners looking for an affordable all-in-one POS system can find precisely what they’re looking for with Lightspeed Restaurant.
The basic monthly software fee for Lightspeed Restaurant is $69/month, billed on an annual basis. Added features, such as the powerful integrations listed below, come at an extra cost.
Lightspeed Restaurant can also handle payment processing, with a flat-rate fee of 2.6% + $0.10 for each transaction. If you are a high-volume restaurant looking for lower processing fees, you have the option to integrate with an outside processor at a fee.
If you’re looking for added features, such as KDS, customer-facing displays, QuickBooks integrations, etc, Lightspeed Restaurant has these capabilities.
Another powerful integration of the Lightspeed Restaurant POS is the Push X Lightspeed integration. Integrate an entire HR system with Push Operations, helping you save time and money as a business owner. Reduce errors, streamlining workflow, and lower labor and payroll costs through the help of the Push Operations integration.
Square for Restaurants offers an excellent POS system at a price competitors can’t beat. With an extremely easy to use interface, Square hits the nail on the head in terms of details specific to restaurant operations.
Restaurants looking for optimal customization in their POS system, including the ability to have a free system.
Square offers a free monthly plan with very basic features. It operates through an iPad, or you can opt to purchase a Square Register at $799/each. The more restaurant-specific reporting tools can be paid for at $60/month in the Plus version.
Processing rates are flat and pay as you go at 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction. For customers who pay through your free Square Online Store, you will be charged a higher rate of 2.9% + $0.30.
One of the most powerful integrations of Square is the Push X Square integration. With Push Operations, you can automate payroll, better understand labor, compare clocked hours, and take care of the employee’s HR lifecycle.
Squirrel is a web-based restaurant POS system that provides a wide range of POS solutions and services. Known for its modular and versatile system, restaurant owners can choose from multiple hardware options, payment processing methods, and operation styles.
Best for smaller to medium-sized businesses, Squirrel is an excellent POS system and is simple yet packed in industry-specific tools.
The essential cost for Squirrel is $60/month for one device. Any additional devices can be added at $20/month per device.
At this time, Squirrel has minimal integration capabilities, but the one that stands out the most is the Push X Squirrel integration. With the help of Push Operations, your Squirrel POS can help you pull in your restaurant and employee data to forecast your daily and weekly sales better.
Ultimately, as a restaurant owner, you need to prioritize finding a high-quality POS system to run your operation. Whether you are new to the industry or looking to improve your services, finding the best restaurant POS system for your restaurant will be a critical decision sure to play a critical role in the success of your restaurant.
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“In the labor numbers, we were reporting about a $300 to $400 difference than what we were getting through Push!”
-Tara Hardie, ZZA Hospitality Group, 16 locations
