Selecting the best electronic Point of Sale (ePOS) system for a restaurant is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the efficiency of operations, customer satisfaction, and overall profitability. The “best” system varies depending on the specific needs of the restaurant, including the type of establishment (e.g., fine dining, fast food, café), size, budget, and any unique requirements. However, several ePOS systems are consistently recognized for their comprehensive features, user-friendliness, reliability, and scalability. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the top ePOS systems for restaurants, including their strengths, weaknesses, and the type of restaurant they are best suited for.
1. Square for Restaurants
Square for Restaurants is a popular choice, particularly for small to medium-sized restaurants, cafés, and quick-service establishments. Known for its simplicity and ease of use, Square offers a robust set of features that can handle most of the daily operations of a restaurant.
Key Features:
- User-Friendly Interface: The interface is intuitive, making it easy for staff to learn and use, which is especially beneficial in high-turnover environments.
- Integrated Payments: Square provides seamless integration with its payment processing, reducing the need for third-party processors and offering competitive transaction fees.
- Customizable Layout: You can tailor the layout to match your restaurant’s needs, whether it’s for managing orders, table layouts, or quick-service options.
- Inventory Management: Square includes basic inventory management tools, helping to track stock levels and manage ingredient usage.
- Reporting & Analytics: Provides detailed reports on sales, customer behavior, and staff performance, allowing for data-driven decision-making.
Pros:
- No upfront costs for the software; you only pay for the hardware and transaction fees.
- Scalable plans, so you can upgrade as your business grows.
- 24/7 customer support.
Cons:
- Limited advanced features compared to some competitors, which might not be ideal for large or multi-location restaurants.
- Some users report that customer support can be slow to respond during peak times.
Best For:
Small to medium-sized restaurants, cafés, food trucks, and quick-service restaurants that need a reliable, cost-effective ePOS system with straightforward features.
2. Toast POS
Toast POS is a comprehensive ePOS system designed specifically for the restaurant industry. It’s highly regarded for its robust feature set, making it suitable for a wide range of restaurant types, from fine dining to fast-casual.
Key Features:
- Restaurant-Specific Features: Toast offers a wide range of features tailored to the needs of restaurants, including online ordering, delivery management, and loyalty programs.
- Customizable Menus: Easily manage and customize menus, including special items, modifiers, and pricing options.
- Order & Table Management: Advanced table and order management features help streamline service in busy dining environments.
- Hardware Flexibility: Toast offers durable, restaurant-grade hardware that’s built to withstand the demands of a busy kitchen or bar.
- Multi-Location Management: Ideal for restaurant chains or multi-location establishments, with tools to manage operations across several sites.
Pros:
- Extremely customizable, allowing restaurants to tailor the system to their specific needs.
- Integrated online ordering and delivery tracking, which has become increasingly important.
- Strong reporting tools for detailed insights into business performance.
Cons:
- Higher upfront costs for hardware and installation, making it more suitable for larger operations or those with a higher budget.
- Toast is primarily available in the United States, so international support may be limited.
Best For:
Mid-sized to large restaurants, fine dining establishments, multi-location restaurants, and any venue needing advanced features and strong customization options.
3. TouchBistro
TouchBistro is another highly regarded ePOS system, particularly known for its iPad-based interface. It’s a versatile solution that caters to a wide range of restaurant types, from full-service dining to cafés and bars.
Key Features:
- iPad-Based Interface: The system runs on iPads, making it easy to use and very portable, ideal for tableside ordering.
- Offline Mode: TouchBistro can operate offline, ensuring that service is not disrupted by internet outages.
- Table & Reservation Management: Provides comprehensive tools for managing tables, reservations, and waitlists, which is particularly beneficial for full-service restaurants.
- Staff Management: Features like clock-in/out and performance tracking help manage employee schedules and productivity.
- Flexible Payment Processing: TouchBistro integrates with various payment processors, giving restaurants flexibility in choosing their provider.
Pros:
- Very user-friendly and quick to set up.
- Lower cost compared to other high-end ePOS systems, making it accessible for smaller establishments.
- Strong customer support and training resources.
Cons:
- The iPad-based system may not be ideal for very large or high-volume operations where more robust hardware might be needed.
- Some users report limitations in inventory management features compared to competitors.
Best For:
Small to medium-sized restaurants, bars, cafés, and any venue looking for a portable, user-friendly ePOS system that doesn’t require significant upfront investment.
4. Lightspeed Restaurant
Lightspeed is a cloud-based ePOS system that is known for its advanced features and flexibility, making it a popular choice for more complex or upscale restaurant operations.
Key Features:
- Advanced Inventory Management: Lightspeed offers sophisticated inventory tracking, including ingredient-level management and automatic reordering.
- Omnichannel Capabilities: Lightspeed supports both in-person and online sales, providing a seamless experience across different channels.
- Customizable Floor Plans: Allows you to design and customize your restaurant’s floor plan, which is particularly useful for large dining areas.
- Integration with Third-Party Apps: Extensive integration options with accounting, marketing, and other third-party applications.
- Reporting & Analytics: Provides detailed, customizable reports on sales, staff performance, customer behavior, and more.
Pros:
- Very scalable, making it suitable for both small and large operations.
- Excellent for restaurants with complex inventory needs.
- Strong multi-location management features, ideal for chains.
Cons:
- Higher cost, particularly for the more advanced features and multi-location support.
- Some users find the system to have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler ePOS systems.
Best For:
Upscale restaurants, multi-location chains, and establishments with complex inventory and reporting needs. It’s also ideal for restaurants looking to integrate their ePOS with other business software.
5. ShopKeep by Lightspeed
ShopKeep, which was acquired by Lightspeed, is an ePOS system that has maintained its popularity among small businesses, including restaurants. It offers a solid balance of features, ease of use, and affordability.
Key Features:
- Cloud-Based System: Provides the flexibility to manage operations from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Inventory Tracking: ShopKeep offers robust inventory management features that are suitable for smaller to mid-sized restaurants.
- Employee Management: Tools for managing staff schedules, clock-ins/outs, and performance tracking.
- Integrated Payments: Supports various payment options, including contactless payments, which have become increasingly important.
- Reporting: Detailed reporting features, though less extensive than some other systems like Toast or Lightspeed.
Pros:
- Easy to use and quick to set up, making it a good choice for restaurants without dedicated IT resources.
- Affordable pricing, with no long-term contracts required.
- Reliable customer support.
Cons:
- Not as feature-rich as some competitors, which may limit its usefulness for larger or more complex restaurant operations.
- Some users report that the reporting features could be more comprehensive.
Best For:
Small restaurants, cafés, and quick-service establishments that need a straightforward, affordable ePOS system with solid core features.
6. Revel Systems
Revel Systems is a powerful, feature-rich ePOS system that caters to a variety of restaurant types, from quick-service to full-service dining. It’s known for its flexibility and comprehensive feature set.
Key Features:
- Hybrid System: Combines cloud-based features with a local server, providing both flexibility and reliability even during internet outages.
- Kitchen Display Systems (KDS): Integrates with KDS to streamline kitchen operations and improve order accuracy.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Advanced CRM features allow restaurants to track customer behavior, manage loyalty programs, and tailor marketing efforts.
- Delivery Management: Tools for managing in-house delivery operations, including driver tracking and order dispatching.
- Multi-Location Management: Ideal for franchises or multi-location operations, with tools to manage operations across different sites.
Pros:
- Highly customizable and scalable, making it suitable for a wide range of restaurant types.
- Strong support for both front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
- Excellent for restaurants that need robust delivery and customer management features.
Cons:
- Higher cost, particularly for advanced features and multi-location management.
- The system can be complex, requiring more training for staff compared to simpler ePOS systems.
Best For:
Larger restaurants, franchises, or any establishment that needs advanced features, including delivery management and CRM. It’s also suitable for operations that require a hybrid system for added reliability.
7. Clover
Clover is a versatile ePOS system that offers a wide range of features, making it suitable for various types of restaurants, from quick-service to full-service dining. It’s known for its ease of use and flexibility.
Key Features:
- Customizable Hardware: Clover offers a range of hardware options, including portable devices for tableside ordering.
- App Market: Clover has a robust app market, allowing restaurants to add features and integrations as needed.
- Employee Management: Includes tools for tracking employee hours, managing shifts, and monitoring performance.
- Payment Processing: Integrated payment processing with support for various payment methods, including contactless and mobile payments.
- Customer Engagement: Features like loyalty programs, gift cards, and marketing tools help restaurants build and maintain customer relationships.
Pros:
- Very flexible, allowing restaurants to customize the system with apps and integrations.
- Easy to set up and use, with a user-friendly interface.
- Affordable pricing, with scalable options depending on the size and needs of the restaurant.
Cons:
- Some advanced features require third-party apps, which may incur additional costs.
- Not as feature-rich as some of the higher-end ePOS systems, which may limit its usefulness for large or complex operations.
Best For:
Small to medium-sized restaurants, quick-service establishments, and cafés that need a flexible, easy-to-use ePOS system with customizable options.
Conclusion: Which ePOS System Is the Best?
The best ePOS system for a restaurant ultimately depends on the specific needs of the business. Here’s a quick summary to help narrow down the options:
- For Small to Medium-Sized Restaurants: Square for Restaurants and TouchBistro are excellent choices due to their affordability, ease of use, and solid core features.
- For Large or Multi-Location Restaurants: Toast POS and Lightspeed Restaurant offer the advanced features and scalability needed to manage more complex operations.
- For Restaurants Needing Advanced Inventory Management: Lightspeed Restaurant and Revel Systems stand out for their robust inventory and back-of-house features.
- For Flexibility and Customization: Clover is a versatile option that allows restaurants to tailor the system to their needs through apps and integrations.
Each of these systems has its strengths, and the best choice will depend on factors such as the size of the restaurant, the type of service offered, the budget, and any specific operational requirements. It’s important for restaurant owners to consider these factors carefully and, if possible, take advantage of free trials or demonstrations to find the system that best meets their needs.
