Whether you currently have a restaurant or are planning to open one, you’ve probably asked yourself this: Do I need a POS system for my restaurant?
To manage your restaurant and collect payments from guests, you need a point-of-sale (POS) system. However, modern POS systems aren’t just about processing payments anymore.
The best restaurant POS systems come with various features, giving you more information about your guests.
In this article, we’ll be answering your top questions about restaurant POS software, including what a POS system for a restaurant is and how to use it. Then, we’ll show you how to choose the best one for your business.
What does POS stand for?
POS stands for point-of-sale. Put simply, a POS system allows retailers, including restaurants, coffeeshops, bars,…etc., to process customer payments.
If your guests want to pay using a credit or debit card, you’ll need a POS device to facilitate and process those transactions.
What is a POS system in a restaurant?
For restaurants, a POS system allows you to collect some data about your customers and store it in one place. It offers a smaller version of a customer relationship management (CRM) system.
Restaurant POS software provides you with customer insights without having to log in from multiple devices.
When you sign up with a point-of-sale company, you get a POS device. To access the data, you can do so from a tablet, phone, or desktop.
For online businesses, or those that offer takeout or food delivery, they get a web-based POS system at checkout.
How does a restaurant POS system work?
A restaurant point-of-sale system can contain anywhere from a handful of features to dozens of features. It depends on the size of your F&B business and your needs.
Restaurants will often have the POS device so they can process payments from guests’ debit and credits. However, if your restaurant offers online ordering and delivery, you may have a cloud-based POS as well.
Every time a guest places an order and pays for it, the POS logs the payment information along with the items ordered.
In other words, every aspect of the transaction is logged into the POS software. It may also coordinate this information with your inventory.
If you’re using restaurant reservation management software like SerVme, you can benefit even more from your restaurant POS integration.
POS systems can run on Apple or iOS, Android, or Windows. It’s important you make sure which operating system you’re using and if the restaurant POS software is compatible with that system.
What does a restaurant POS system do?
Point-of-sale software initially helped businesses, including F&B operators, process transactions and make it easier for customers to pay them. However, that’s not all they can do.
The features of a restaurant POS system will differ from one company to another. However, essential features include:
Secure transactions (for customers)
Payment processing (online & on-premise)
Tracking important sales data and patterns
Manage refunds, payment cancellations and errors
Reduce human errors
Manage in-store and online ordering
Basic reporting
Other restaurant POS system features, which vary from one POS software to another, include
Inventory management
Kitchen display system
CRM features
Multi-store or multi-venue management
Advanced reporting features
Restaurant POS analytics and system reports
Payments aside, one of the top reasons restaurants use POS software is to generate POS system reports.
These are reports that highlight aspects about customers and their buying patterns.
Here are a few things you can understand through POS system reports:
Top-selling menu dishes
Top side order menu items
Sales reports
Discount reports
Revenue by shift
Among others.
Best POS systems for F&B operators
There are several factors that will determine which POS system you’ll choose for your restaurant.
These factors include:
The size of your business
The number of branches or venues you manage
The features you’re looking for
How much you’re willing to invest
However, when it comes to the best POS systems for restaurants and F&B operators, we’ve got a few recommendations.
As reservation management software, SerVme integrates various restaurant POS systems.
What to look for in a restaurant POS
To choose the right restaurant POS system for your business, you need to ask and answer the following questions:
What essential features do I need in the restaurant POS?
Is the restaurant POS compatible with the devices in my restaurant? (Mobile phones, tablets,…etc.)
Does the POS system provider offer human support?
Does the POS system I’m choosing integrate with other software in my restaurant?
What reporting capabilities does the POS system offer? Are the compatible with my needs?
Using restaurant POS with SerVme
SerVme is a table and reservation management software for restaurants and F&B concepts of all sizes. Part of using SerVme is integrating with POS systems for restaurants.
By combining reservation management software and a restaurant POS system, you get more power over your restaurant and your marketing and operations.
With SerVme and POS reports, you can
Gain more insights into your guests and their buying habits
Create personalized marketing campaigns
Transform in-house dining experiences
Deduct reservation fees from the final bill
Compare sales periods
Make decisions about new and current menu items
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about restaurant POS systems.
Is SerVme a point of sale system?
No. SerVme is a restaurant reservation and table management system that integrates with a point of sale system.
Does a restaurant POS system need internet connectivity?
Generally, yes, a cloud-based POS system needs an internet connection. An internet-connected POS system offers more reliability in handling transactions and provides access to real-time data from any location.
That said, a POS device will work offline and can operate in areas where there are power cuts. You should get clarification on this information when contacting a POS system provider to ensure smooth operations.
Is hardware included in the POS subscription?
Most of the time, hardware is included in all POS system subscriptions.
How much does a restaurant pos system cost?
Restaurant POS systems usually offer a tiered pricing structure. Each tier offers a number of perks for a set monthly or annual price.
If you’re using restaurant reservation, waitlist, and table management software like SerVme, you can get a good deal on restaurant POS system pricing through our network.
Further reading
15+ Ways to Increase Restaurant Sales in 2024
11 Reasons Your Restaurant Needs SerVme’s Reservation Widget
Reserve with Google for Restaurants: What Is It & How It Works
How to Make the Most of SerVme’s Restaurant Table Management Software
Increase Direct Reservations using Facebook & Instagram with SerVme
Discover How to Create Hyper-Personalization in Your Restaurant with SerVme’s Auto-Tagging Feature
Nada Sobhi
Operations
