Restaurants in Kenya are increasingly adopting various types of POS (Point of Sale) systems to streamline operations, improve customer service, and manage inventory more effectively. The POS landscape in Kenya has evolved due to the rapid digitization of commerce and the proliferation of mobile money solutions like M-Pesa. Here’s an overview of the types of POS systems used in restaurants in Kenya, highlighting both international and local solutions:
1. Cloud-based POS Systems
Cloud-based POS systems are widely popular in Kenyan restaurants due to their flexibility, affordability, and ease of use. These systems store data in the cloud, making them accessible from any location with an internet connection.
Key Features:
- Accessible from anywhere via the internet.
- Automatic updates and backups.
- Integration with mobile money solutions (e.g., M-Pesa).
- Can be used across multiple devices (tablets, smartphones, and computers).
Popular Cloud-based POS Systems in Kenya:
- Toast POS: Although a U.S.-based system, it has been gaining traction in Kenya, particularly in upscale restaurants and chains. It offers seamless integration with restaurant-specific functionalities such as table management, order customization, and inventory control.
- Slant POS: A new entrant in the restaurant POS software market in Kenya, is an affordable cloud-based POS system that offers features like inventory management, menu management, Kitchen Display System (KDS), table management, QR code menu ordering, reporting, loyalty program and promotions.
- Revel Systems: A widely recognized POS system used in Kenya, especially by multi-location restaurants and franchises. It supports a range of features like CRM, kitchen display systems (KDS), and employee management.
- Square POS: Known for its simplicity, Square is also present in Kenya, primarily used by small to medium-sized cafes and restaurants. It offers features such as mobile payment processing and integration with online delivery services.
Local Providers:
- Kopo Kopo: This system integrates with mobile payments, including M-Pesa, which is essential for many Kenyan businesses. It offers features tailored for small businesses and restaurants.
- Zobaze POS: A cloud-based POS system focusing on small and medium-sized restaurants. It has features like sales tracking, order management, and mobile payments, which align with the Kenyan restaurant industry’s needs.
- Sokowatch POS: Initially designed for retailers, it has made inroads into the restaurant space, especially for those seeking better inventory management and seamless payment integrations.
2. Mobile-based POS Systems
Mobile POS systems are gaining popularity in Kenya because of the high mobile penetration rate and the convenience offered by solutions like M-Pesa. These systems are particularly useful for food trucks, small restaurants, and eateries that do not require elaborate setups.
Key Features:
- Portable and affordable, can operate via mobile devices.
- Easy integration with mobile money services (M-Pesa, Airtel Money).
- Suitable for smaller restaurants and fast-food outlets.
- Can be used for table-side ordering and payment processing.
Popular Mobile-based POS Systems in Kenya:
- M-Pesa Paybill and Lipa Na M-Pesa: While not a full POS system, it is a common mobile payment platform in Kenya that integrates with several POS solutions. Many restaurants use this as part of their payment acceptance, combined with traditional POS hardware or software for order management.
- Tuskys POS Mobile App: This POS solution is gaining popularity among small eateries for its simplicity and the ability to process payments on the go. It is affordable and integrates well with Kenya’s mobile money ecosystem.
- POSExpress: This mobile POS system has features like mobile ordering, payments, and customer management. It is particularly useful for small restaurants and food delivery businesses that require low-cost solutions.
3. All-in-One POS Systems
All-in-One POS systems are becoming more common in Kenya, especially in mid-to-large-sized restaurants, as they combine hardware and software into one package. These systems typically offer robust features such as customer relationship management (CRM), employee management, and advanced reporting.
Key Features:
- Full hardware-software integration.
- Advanced reporting and analytics.
- Robust customer relationship and loyalty program management.
- Inventory control and multi-location management.
Popular All-in-One POS Systems in Kenya:
- Lightspeed POS: Known for its all-in-one features, Lightspeed POS is used by many restaurants in Kenya. It offers hardware such as touch-screen terminals and receipt printers along with powerful software for inventory management, order tracking, and staff management.
- Ezee Burrp POS: A comprehensive system designed for hospitality, this solution is suitable for medium to large restaurants. It handles billing, inventory, kitchen order management, and even integrates with online ordering systems.
- Oracle MICROS: Used by larger restaurant chains and franchises in Kenya, MICROS provides a powerful all-in-one system, integrating everything from accounting, order processing, and supply chain management to customer interaction tools.
4. Tablet-based POS Systems
Tablet POS systems are highly adaptable, allowing restaurants to replace bulky hardware setups with sleek tablets. These systems are often cloud-based and are suitable for restaurants looking to reduce upfront investment costs.
Key Features:
- Portable and space-saving, replacing traditional cash registers.
- Cloud-based, allowing data access from anywhere.
- Suitable for both full-service and quick-service restaurants.
- Easy to scale with multiple devices for larger operations.
Popular Tablet-based POS Systems in Kenya:
- TouchBistro: This is one of the most popular iPad-based POS systems globally and has been adopted in Kenyan restaurants, especially in urban areas. It’s well-suited for full-service restaurants and offers features like tableside ordering, detailed reporting, and menu management.
- iKentoo POS: A tablet-based solution that has been gaining traction in Nairobi and other major cities. It provides real-time data and integrates with various third-party solutions, including online ordering platforms.
- Poster POS: A cloud-based POS system that works seamlessly on tablets. It is often used by cafes and quick-service restaurants. The system is particularly good at managing customer orders and syncing with delivery apps.
5. Self-service Kiosk POS Systems
In high-traffic areas, especially in major cities like Nairobi and Mombasa, restaurants are increasingly adopting self-service kiosk POS systems. These systems allow customers to place orders and pay without direct interaction with staff, increasing efficiency and reducing wait times.
Key Features:
- Customer-facing ordering interface, often with touchscreen technology.
- Integration with kitchen display systems and payment processors.
- Reduces labor costs by minimizing the need for cashiers.
- Provides an enhanced customer experience by reducing queues.
Popular Self-service Kiosk POS Systems in Kenya:
- Kounta POS: Used by several large restaurants and quick-service outlets, Kounta integrates well with kiosks and is known for its flexibility in managing high-order volumes.
- POSsible POS: A versatile system with kiosk functionality. It is often used in quick-service restaurants that cater to a high volume of walk-in customers.
- SambaPOS: This is an affordable solution for small to medium-sized businesses in Kenya that want to integrate self-service kiosks into their operations.
6. Customizable and Industry-specific POS Systems
Many Kenyan restaurants, especially those in niches like fine dining, hotel restaurants, or large catering operations, require more specialized POS systems that are highly customizable and designed to meet specific operational needs.
Key Features:
- Tailored features to specific restaurant types (e.g., hotel restaurant management, fine dining).
- Extensive customer management and reservation tools.
- Multi-location support and robust analytics.
- Custom integrations with accounting and inventory systems.
Popular Customizable POS Systems in Kenya:
- SoftTouch POS: A fully customizable POS system that is popular among high-end restaurants and hotels in Kenya. It offers features like customer loyalty programs, advanced reporting, and table management tools.
- Infor POS: Known for its flexibility and customization, Infor is widely used in hotels and resorts that have dining services. It integrates with room management and booking systems and provides advanced analytics for revenue management.
- Restaurateur by RanceLab: This POS system allows extensive customization, particularly for large, multi-location restaurants. It integrates customer feedback, online ordering, and mobile payments into one system.
7. Hybrid POS Systems
Hybrid POS systems offer the best of both worlds by combining the benefits of cloud-based and traditional systems. These systems work offline and sync data with the cloud when an internet connection is available. In Kenya, where internet connectivity might be unstable in some regions, these systems offer flexibility for restaurants that cannot afford downtime due to network issues.
Key Features:
- Offline functionality with data sync to the cloud.
- Local storage and backup for secure data management.
- Suitable for restaurants in areas with intermittent internet connectivity.
Popular Hybrid POS Systems in Kenya:
- ShopKeep: Used in both full-service and quick-service restaurants, ShopKeep is ideal for restaurants that want offline capabilities without sacrificing cloud features like reporting and customer management.
- Vend POS: A hybrid system that allows restaurants to continue processing sales even when the internet is down. It is used by small to medium-sized restaurants in Kenya that rely on stable performance in varied network conditions.
Conclusion
The POS system landscape in Kenya is varied, with solutions tailored to restaurants of all sizes, from small eateries and fast-food joints to large fine dining establishments. Cloud-based and mobile POS systems dominate due to the increasing reliance on mobile payments like M-Pesa, while hybrid systems ensure continued operation despite connectivity challenges. As Kenya’s restaurant industry continues to grow and digitize, the use of sophisticated POS systems will become even more widespread.
