by Imed Bouchrika, Phd
Have you ever experienced ordering an item from a restaurant menu on to learn a few minutes later that your order is not available? While this frustrates a lot of diners, restaurants that use a Point-of-Sale (POS) system are able to eliminate this scenario. Instead, they get real-time updates from the POS on what is available on the menu, which gives them a heads-up on what to advise customers.
POS software can improve restaurant management and increase efficiency in operations to which diners agree. In fact, 71% of consumers agree that restaurant technology improves guest experience (Restaurant Technology News, 2022). Legacy systems are still being used by the vast majority. Technology has become a powerful tool for entrepreneurs to automate and digitize tasks, and POS software is one of the most important assets of any restaurant. Some POS systems even integrate contract repository tools, CRM software and CMMS software features into their platform.
In this guide, we have listed the best POS software to assist you in finding a dependable platform for your business. To aid you in evaluating your options, the key features of each software are presented, along with pricing details, so you can thoroughly evaluate how it will benefit your operations. This guide also presents POS software statistics and trends to help you gain an overall picture of how this technology is revolutionizing various sectors and industries.
POS software for restaurant owners has evolved from managing transactions to having additional features such as inventory management, reservations management, online ordering, and loyalty programs. Indeed, technology has enabled restaurants to provide faster service, while becoming more personal at the same time. In 2021, approximately 50% of the restaurant industry across all segments shifted their resources toward adopting more technology in their business strategies (National Restaurant Association, 2021).
The growing demand for ordering food through mobile apps has prompted one in four restaurant owners to invest in technology while up to 51% of restaurant operators added online ordering to the services offered to customers (National Restaurant Association, 2021). POS software statistics all point to a direction of robust growth that is poised to help the industry recover and even exceed pre-pandemic profitability.
Source: 2021 State of Restaurant Industry by NRA
The POS software industry is expected to grow by over 6% between 2021 and 2028 (Grand View Research, 2021). To put this in context, in terms of revenue share, POS software end users make up 15.5 billion of the global restaurant market. The main drivers of the market growth will be full-service restaurants (FSR) which posted a 39% adoption rate (Grand View Research, 2021).
Aside from these developments, POS software trends are also worth noting as they will help determine overall strategy. Overall, 59% of restaurant operators cited improving digital customer engagement as their top strategic goal, followed by improving business analytics (41%), and improving employee productivity and retention (39%) (Hospitality Tech, 2022).
Source: Hospitality Tech 2022
Restaurant operators reap significant benefits from using POS software. Now that businesses are reeling from the pandemic, software solutions like payroll for small business are playing a crucial role in getting back to business while reducing costs. The following POS software trends will influence how restaurant operators manage their businesses.
Source: 2021 State of Restaurant Industry by NRA
The main challenges of using POS software include cost, privacy, and adaptability. Customers want to know how their data will be used when added to a restaurant’s database. Furthermore, when the number of available POS systems increases, the competition for end-users could lead to a significant reduction in costs and a race to improve each platform’s user interface, making the software more adaptable.
Competing in the hospitality management sector requires having the right tools to be able to provide seamless customer experience. As part of the service industry, hospitality management programs teach students to focus on creating experiences that will make the customer loyal. The following list of the best POS software has been identified by the Research.com team based on inventory tracking tools, sales reporting and analytics tools, customer and employee management tools, and mobile access.
Posist Restaurant POS is a versatile platform for restaurant owners who want to scale up their businesses. Annually, it handles nearly 80 million orders for over 10,000 establishments in more than 50 countries. Posist Restaurant POS has a unique program suitable for multi-chain restaurants and operators who want to scale up their business.
It can run on any device so that end-users can use the software on any existing platform. For operators with existing third-party technology or who would prefer to integrate any other technology, Posist Restaurant POS halves the overall implementation period, indicating better adaptability with Posist Restaurant POS.
By quote.
Toast is an accessible POS software that can assist with any tableside service for your customers. You can experience the convenience of portable technology that collects guest feedback and handles payments. It also automates the availability of your menu items so that you can get real-time updates through its cloud-based platform.
If you own multiple locations, Toast can also provide an overview of your locations’ performance. It can also summarize the revenue of your entire business. The Toast team also offers 24/7/365 support with on-site or remote training for your employees.
Toast POS Plan starts at $69 per month. The vendor also offers a free plan and other add-on services.
Foodics is an effective customer relationship management POS software that can store customer data. It facilitates loyalty programs, rewards, and gift cards to encourage customer loyalty.
With a 24/7 support team, you can stay on top of your business activities from a tablet. It also works offline and can provide real-time analytics when updated. It offers three packages, allowing you to match your needs with its services at fair prices. It has optional add-on features, such as table management and coupons.
Billed annually, Foodics pricing starts at SAR 199 per month.
Lightspeed is a complete POS software that facilitates contactless payments through QR codes. This cloud-based software allows for the collection of real-time data of any completed transactions and orders. You can make data-driven decisions to grow your business from inventory management and monthly sales reports.
Your customers can split the bill and pay their share using their phones. You can also manage your customers through a visible seating chart that lets you transfer food or drinks as your guests move around the restaurant. Lightspeed is also ready to handle online orders to boost your restaurant’s reach.
Lightspeed Restaurant pricing plans start at $69 per month.
Square Restaurant POS Software caters to all kinds of restaurants. Whether you own a quick-service, full-service, or casual restaurant, a bar, or a ghost kitchen, Square Restaurant offers features that can streamline your processes.
With Square Restaurant, you can update your menu and manage repeat orders. You can even monitor staff performance from the platform. For those with a limited budget and who want to begin using POS software on their existing devices, this product is a good option. You can also facilitate online, delivery, and dine-in orders using Square Restaurant POS.
Pricing for Square Restaurant POS Software starts at $60 per month. The vendor also offers a free plan.
SoftTouch POS has a stable, cloud-based platform with various features, such as inventory management, liquor dispenser monitoring, landed cost integration, and more. It has many customer-friendly features that encourage brand loyalty by managing reward programs and gift card disbursement.
Whether you provide counter or table service, drive-thru, takeout or delivery, SoftTouch POS has efficient integration for all restaurant owners. With comprehensive functionality, this platform can aid your business as you scale while at the same time securing your data.
By quote.
SpotOn, formerly Appetize, allows for easy integration with other popular platforms to ensure you can transfer your company’s data securely. You can connect it with QuickBooks, QSR online, DoorDash, and more. It has a multi-location management option for fine dining, quick service, and casual full-service restaurants.
If you want to scale your business through marketing, Appetize can help as it stores guest data and enrolls them to loyalty programs. It can capture your customers’ emails to facilitate digital wait listing and contract tracing.
SpotOn pricing starts at $60 per month for one station.
Heartland Digital Dining has an award-winning support team that promises to answer your call within 30 seconds or less. Customer service is at the center of this POS software, bringing convenience to any tableside assistance your employees provide.
Your team members can collect orders and effectively respond to any questions from your customers with this handheld POS platform. You can also keep track of valuable information, including the ability of your employees to sell your products and which meals are the most profitable.
Heartland Digital Dining pricing packages start at $89 per month.
BPA Restaurant Professional is a comprehensive platform that manages everything from supply coordination to global payroll software management. It reduces team workload so you can focus on other aspects of the business and cut down on costs in the long run.
You can use BPA Restaurant Professional for reward programs, gift cards, labor management, food recipes, and more. This POS can also process your earnings with Clearent or Global Payments integrated, allowing for greater flexibility when customers want more payment options.
The single station software license of BPA Restaurant Professional is priced at $70, plus, $55 per month for support.
Sapaad is a user-friendly platform, offering restaurant owners cloud-based services. It facilitates online ordering with its delivery management system, allowing you to cater to customers who prefer takeout or delivery services. It also services dine-in customers with its tableside payment features, kitchen display systems, QR ordering, and offline mode.
You can use Sapaad to manage your inventory and ensure that you fully stock your kitchen. It also offers a customer profile feature that lets you customize your services toward your target market or develop a strategy based on your current customer base.
Pricing starts at $59.99 per month. Sapaad offers a 14-day free trial.
Beyond Menu POS is a bilingual POS platform that allows you to switch the interface from Chinese to English seamlessly. You can customize your menus and delivery fees, giving you more flexibility to cater to different locations. BeyondMenu POS also offers driver management support to ensure you stay on top of every process involved in the business.
The software supports caller ID, so you can provide your customers with the personalized service they deserve. It also has an autocomplete address feature to make it easier for your customers to add their addresses to the system.
Pricing for BeyondMenu POS is $250 for the one-time set-up fee, plus, $100 each for additional stations.
Floreant POS is an open-source POS software that provides business owners with a free option to manage their restaurants. It uses Linux and Raspberry PI, so your hardware for this POS platform can be low-cost. Moreover, as an open-source program, you can modify Floreant POS to suit your needs.
Floreant POS stays on top of industry trends by actively updating the software daily. Depending on your business needs, you can upgrade it with new plugins. Floreant POS supports taxes, tableside service, kitchen control, and more.
Free
onePOS is an all-around POS platform that provides cloud-based services to restaurant owners. It supports online ordering, kiosk services, and kitchen displays to ensure a streamlined process for your business. You can also use it to offer your customers various payment methods that are integrated with EMV, Google Pay, NFC, ApplePay, and more.
Stay on top of company activities on any device with onePOS as it is accessible on Windows, Android, and iOS. The onePOS team can also help you migrate your data from your previous platform
By quote.
Pure iPos is a cloud-based platform that helps your team manage your restaurant’s day-to-day tasks. It allows you to focus more on delivering excellent customer service and delicious meals rather than administrative tasks such as billing and monitoring sales.
For billing purposes, Pure iPos offers flexibility. If your customers want to split the bill, you can easily do so with Pure iPos. For every sale made, PureiPos automatically updates your inventory. In this way, you can stay on top of how much you need to order from your vendors and keep your kitchen inventory optimized.
Price:
By quote.
2ndKitchen 2Go is a free POS software that can help you scale your restaurant business by partnering with nearby businesses in your area. It partners your company with local establishments to ensure the swift delivery of meals to customers.
2ndKitchen 2Go increases customer satisfaction as the proximity factor enables an average five-minute delivery time. You can also have your business featured in online menus to improve your market reach. 2ndKitchen 2Go helps you gain access to potential customers in residential communities, hotels, bars, and more.
Commission-based pricing.
Using POS software can streamline operations and increase sales through digital engagement and mobile transactions. Indeed, if you want to scale your business, adopting this restaurant technology will benefit not just your internal operations, but your customers as well.
With POS software in place, you can focus more on formulating growth strategies and less on administrative tasks. Be sure to consider your budget and your business requirements before deciding which POS software to use. You can also consider investing in suitable inventory management platforms and CRM software to automate other areas of your business and build a solid foundation for growth.
References:
