There’s no doubt that a restaurant POS system can make your life easier. From self-ordering to table management and payments, a good POS system can automate many of the tedious tasks that come with running a restaurant.
Over the last two years, ease of use and convenience has shot to the forefront of importance for consumers.
To help you choose the right POS system for your restaurant, we’ve put together a list of 7 must-have features. Let’s take a look!
The Features Your Restaurant POS Needs to Grow
As diner behavior shifts and new trends emerge, your restaurant POS needs to accommodate them—or risk falling behind. In order to stay ahead of the curve and keep customers (and staff) happy, you need the right technology.
1. Mobile Payments
One of the most important features to look for in a restaurant POS system is the ability to accept mobile payments. Mobile payments are growing in popularity, with nearly half of consumers saying they would like to use them more often.
Giving your customers the ability to pay with a phone, watch or just the tap of a card is vital for the future of your business. Mobile payment terminals are expected, and if your restaurant doesn’t have them you could be missing out on a lot of business.
2. Online Ordering
If you don’t already have online ordering, now is the time to implement it. With an online ordering system, customers can place orders directly from your website or mobile app. This is a great way to increase sales and boost customer satisfaction.
An online ordering solution is great for cafes, coffee shops, or any restaurant that experiences a lot of to-go orders. You can keep your lines short for walk-in customers and minimize wait times.
3. Table Management
A table management system can help you optimize your floor plan and seat guests more efficiently. With this feature, you can see a real-time map of your restaurant and drag and drop tables to rearrange them as needed.
Having your entire restaurant at your fingertips is an invaluable time-saving tool. Your team can keep turnover moving consistently and avoid leaving any table empty for too long.
4. Self-Service Kiosks
Self-service kiosks are becoming increasingly popular in restaurants. They can help reduce wait times and increase order accuracy. Guests can place their own orders at the kiosk and pay for their meal without ever having to interact with a server.
In the past, this type of solution was only for fast food. However, with growing concerns over safety and sanitation, self-service kiosks are becoming more popular in all types of restaurants.
5. Scalability
As your restaurant grows, you’ll need a POS system that can grow with you. Look for a system that offers scalability, so you can add more terminals and users as needed.
Do your payment terminals easily integrate with peripherals? The addition of customer-facing screens, thermal printers, and EMV card readers can help you streamline the order process and reduce wait times.
6. Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are a great way to reward your best customers and keep them coming back. With a loyalty program, guests can earn points for every purchase they make. These points can then be redeemed for discounts, freebies, or other perks.
Having a system that rewards repeat customers helps drive more revenue. It’s not just for restaurants either. Any retail or service provider can benefit from loyalty programs as well.
7. Analytics
Analytics is one of the most important, yet often overlooked features to look for in a restaurant POS system. With this feature, you can track your sales, monitor your staff’s performance, and identify areas for improvement. This information is vital for making data-driven decisions that can help your business grow.
Let’s say you launch a new flavor of doughnut at your cafe. Being able to see the number of Peanut Butter Dream Supremes sold in the first 3 months will tell you whether it’s a success. Or perhaps you want to pinpoint when the rush comes on certain items. Analytics will help you plan your inventory and staff accordingly.
Getting Started with a New Restaurant POS
Making the switch to a new POS system can be a big decision. But with the right features in place, you can streamline your operations, improve your customer service, and boost your bottom line.
The right restaurant POS system can make a world of difference for your business. By choosing a system with these 7 must-have features, you can streamline your operations, improve your guest experience, and boost your bottom line.
Need help choosing a restaurant POS system? Our team can help. Contact us here to get pricing and find the solution to meet your needs.
