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Restaurant Point of Sale (POS) Software
Restaurant software must support five different serving models, self-serve, fast food, pick up, dine in, and delivery. Inventory is perishable and in many cases replenished daily or even more often. Hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) management compliance are important for regulatory and insurance purposes. Point of sale and order taking must adjust to different menus and prices for different times of day. Reservation systems can range from none, to paper and pen, to an automated system with tie-ins with web-based reservation services like Open Table. Bars can often use the same systems as restaurants, but some owners may elect to use more specialized bar POS software systems.
General ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable are typical. Payroll systems must handle tips correctly, and assist in enforcing and documenting hours and breaks for minors. Historically, customer relationship management has played a limited role, but social media is making changes. It is increasingly common for restaurants to send out offers via email and text messaging.
Key Requirements for Restaurants
In evaluating software, restauranteurs should evaluate the following functions to meet their unique requirements:
| Tip tracking and time clock | IRS regulations for tips are strict. The restaurant system needs to properly track, estimate and report tips for the IRS as well as state and local authorities if appropriate. The system must also track hours worked by the staff, track breaks, and track compliance for juvenile workers. |
| Order entry | For servers, the view of the restaurant system is the order entry and check handling system. With a handheld device or a kiosk station, the order must be quickly and correctly entered. The order entry system must also handle special orders. |
| Kitchen printing | Once an order is entered, it must be printed or displayed in the kitchen. The system should split the order by kitchen station if appropriate. At the same time, the system will adjust inventory. Advanced systems will sequence the dishes so a table’s order is completed at the same time. |
| Check handling | Checks should be generated by the ordering system. The check system should also suggest tip amounts. Quick service and fast food restaurants will have order entry and check handling integrated at the counter, table service will separate check printing and payment from order entry. Advanced systems will have table side check presentation and payment. |
| Spoilage reporting | Restaurants have perishable inventory that must be tracked and documented. The system must identify expired inventory to be removed from stock and provide compliance documents. |
| Recipe costing | Recipe costing is a key function for a restaurant system. The system must check recipes against inventory and labor costs to determine actual costs and profitability for each dish. |
| Reservations, queue management, seating | If the restaurant takes reservations, the system must record the reservation, manage the queue, and balance seating between servers. Advanced systems will send reminders to customers by text or email and will activate restaurant-provided pagers when seating is available for a party. |
| Menu management | The menu management tracks dishes and prices. Advanced systems will also provide layout options and feature pictures. The menu system provides nutrition information and special dietary information where required. |
| Inventory management | In addition to producing the spoilage reports, restaurant inventory sotware systems track inventory use and costs including economic reordering points. It should also produce management reports to help detect theft and over-portioning. |
| Inventory receiving | Restaurants can receive inventory multiple times a day. Fresh inventory can also vary in price frequently. The system should accept advance shipment notice (ASN) reports from suppliers and prepare inventory receiving reports to confirm amounts and prices. |
| Customer relationship management | Newer restaurant systems can send targeted offers to customers by email and text messages. The system must have a way for customers to “opt out” of future offers. |
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2TouchPOS
We recommend 2TouchPOS for restaurants and bars that have one to five locations. This vendor provides integrated hardware and software, requiring that users only have a high-speed internet connection to get started.
POS Prophet Systems
A POS with a 60-day money-back guarantee? Certified Microsoft Partners have developed POS Prophet Systems, and they’re confident it can help small businesses and retail facilities.
The Assistant Manager
Lode Data Systems' The Assistant Manager (TAM) is a best-of-breed point of sale system that we highly recommend for numerous specialty retailers. In addition to the core POS application, includes inventory and CRM features.
Aprego Food Service Touch Screen POS
We recommend Aprego POS for both full-service and quick-service restaurants. Food service features include an integrated scale, employee management, a deliveries module, and online food ordering. Solution is installed on-premise.
NetSuite Multi-Channel Retail Management Suite
With NetSuite’s retail software, restaurant managers can integrate their POS, inventory, and marketing operations. Can be used for customer marked based on purchase history or demographics- perfect for restaurant promotions.
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Ambur Restaurant POS
Ambur is a revolutionary POS system that runs on iOS. Bars, cafes and restaurants can use Ambur with iPads, iPhones and iPod Touch in tandem with tradition POS hardware to provide powerful, customizable mobile functionality.
Openbravo Professional Edition
Openbravo's intuitive interface makes it easy to access rich POS features quickly. Delivers full range of POS and inventory management functionality, plus a module to help restaurants manage dining space and reservations.
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