Restaurant Point of Sale (POS) Software

The challenge for buyers looking for restaurant point of sale systems is that the majority of POS systems available lack restaurant-specific features, just as tip tracking, order entry, and recipe costing. To find a system with traditional POS functionality along with features to satisfy restaurant operation requirements, buyers usually turn to large retail suite vendors. We developed this buyer’s guide to help restaurant owners understand the market and begin their search to find the right POS systems for restaurants.

What Is Restaurant POS Software?

Systems exist for both large and small-scale establishments to support some to all restaurant requirements, including inventory, point of sale, accounts payable, and reservations. General ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable are typical features of POS systems. Historically, customer relationship management has played a small role in restaurant software, but social media is driving change and innovation in this area.

Inventory is perishable and in many cases replenished daily or even more often. Therefore, inventory management is a common requirement for buyers. Hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) management compliance are also important for regulatory and insurance purposes. Restaurant POS systems should also be able to adjust to different menus and prices for different times of day, and many systems have reservation functionality that integrates with web-based reservation services like OpenTable. Bars can often use the same systems as restaurants, but some owners may elect to use more specialized bar POS software systems.

Key Requirements for Restaurants

In evaluating software, restauranteurs should evaluate the following functions to meet their unique requirements:

Deployment Options

Many small restaurants just need basic cash register software to run payments. Typically, these types of buyers will use small business accounting software like QuickBooks or standalone POS applications. But some buyers seek more advanced features such as integrated inventory management, customer relationship management, food cost monitoring, and more. These buyers should consider a retail software suite with restaurant-specific features such as Aloha by NCR/Radiant Systems.

Software buyers for larger restaurant chains are typically looking for scalable solutions with sales reporting features, a centralized pricing structure, and robust inventory management. Systems like NCR or NetSuite would meet this requirements.

Market Trends

The restaurant market continues to be influenced by mobile, consumer-facing technology. Here are two trends to keep in mind as buyers begin on the restaurant software search:

• Consumer-facing technology. Restaurants are beginning to integrate iPad and consumer technology into the dining experience to meet client demands for faster checkouts, easier payment options with suggested gratuities, and entertainment such as gaming. In June 2012, the Wall Street Journal released a report about iPad apps that restaurants are rolling out to customers. Diners can order meals, pay bills, or play games from these devices.
• Servers using tablet hardware. In addition to consumer-facing iPad technology, we’re seeing an increase in iPads and mobile devices for line busting in quick service restaurant environments. Servers are using apps for iPhones, tablets, and other mobile devices to take orders in high-throughput restaurant locations.

Have an opinion on this guide? Email the authors. We appreciate the feedback.