For anyone who works in a restaurant, the POS system is a very familiar piece of equipment.
POS stands for point of sale, and practically all business transactions take place through this piece of technology. This ordering system has a number of capabilities, from tracking inventory to processing orders or communicating between servers and the kitchen. With so many functions, POS integration is of the utmost importance for your restaurant business.
If you are opening a new restaurant, you've got a lot to consider if you want to create a successful venue.
Whether you're opening a small restaurant that focuses on takeout or franchising a larger enterprise, you need to make sure your point of sale communications are the best they can be. To succeed in the restaurant industry, you need to provide exceptional customer service. Show customers that they matter and that their business is important to you by providing them the best food every time, whether it's for dine-in or delivery orders.
Your restaurant POS is one of the best tools you have to accomplish this and make life much easier for your entire staff. Getting your POS right is crucial to operating a smooth-running and successful restaurant. As you work to pick out the perfect system for you, here are a few tips to find that perfect point of sale system.
1. Find a POS System That Does It All
Overall, your POS functions as the true management system for your entire operation.
This means you need a program that can absolutely do it all. Everyone in your organization will be using the POS a little differently. Restaurant owners will be looking at sales totals, ways to operate more efficiently, and how to optimize the menu.
Hosts and managers will use the system to process takeaway orders and keep track of who is sitting where in the dining room. Servers and the kitchen staff use the POS for communicating each customer's order to the kitchen. The best restaurant will have a setup that caters to all of these needs. Track customer data while monitoring orders and managing inventory through one restaurant POS system. After all, if you're paying a monthly fee to use this software, you may as well get the most out of it.
One area that has significantly expanded over the past few years is online ordering.
This is yet another area your POS system can manage and streamline. With the right POS integration, you can take online payments and connect with delivery systems seamlessly. Even if the ordering process involves a third-party delivery app, you can stay on top of all your orders with programs like Cuboh. Mobile ordering through GrubHub, ChowNow, DoorDash, and Uber Eats is hugely popular, but with an integrated POS, all these mobile apps and online ordering websites will be combined for you to make use of with ease. Make pickup a breeze with the best online ordering system that works with your POS system.
2. Make It User-Friendly
Everyone in your restaurant is going to be using your POS system for different things. Make sure everyone is equipped to use it correctly. The last thing you want is to keep your loyal customers waiting because you can't figure out how to ring in a simple item. Most of these software systems are designed with restaurant owners and staff in mind, but be sure the vendor works for you before committing. Consider testing out the restaurant POS before you bring in the whole system so you know your team will have the tools they need to succeed.
3. Don't Try to Reinvent the Wheel
New restaurant owners may feel the need to control all aspects of their business. When it comes to your restaurant POS, though, don't try to start from scratch. It's not worth relying on your own online ordering system or trying to figure out different areas without integration. There are plenty of great POS systems with the key features you need. These systems were designed by experts and have worked for every shape and size of restaurant. Rely on these expert systems for your small business as the best way to make reservations, take online orders, and understand insights into your operations.
4. Understand and Manage Your Budget
Your restaurant POS is an investment. Restaurants of all sizes have to pay setup fees for any add-ons they require. Before you choose the right POS system for your venue, you need to know how much you are willing to spend. Don't fall in love with a great POS only to learn the additional cost is too high. Most of the newer, cloud-based systems are going to be around $1,500 or more.
Older systems can actually cost more than this. You will usually have monthly fees associated with the software, and these costs will depend on the number of machines and terminals you'll need. Look for reasonable discounts and vendors that can work with you to get the best restaurant ordering systems without having to spend a fortune. This will help you to please your diners while still offering them good prices.
5. Read Reviews and Ask for Other Opinions
The restaurant industry is rather large. There are plenty of other restaurant owners and managers that have come before you. As you search for a good restaurant POS, ask around for advice on what works best.
This is a great way to hear real reviews rather than the positive feedback the company will give you. Find people that you trust with their own successful operation. They will be able to tell you what the most useful features are and what you definitely need for your system. It's almost a no-brainer to get real advice and wisdom about working with these ordering platforms.
6. Consider the Scalability Aspect
Even if you are starting out with a small restaurant, chances are you have plans and goals for the future. Eventually, you may want to franchise or spread your business around to other areas. This can be hard when you invest in products that won't be able to grow with your organization. Invest in a restaurant POS that can help with your scalability. Programs that can give you real-time analytics and foster customer loyalty will help you make more revenue and plan for a bright future. Remember to think about where you're going while you're picking out your restaurant POS.
Once you’ve found the right POS for your restaurant, streamline things even further with Cuboh. Cuboh integrates your delivery apps and online orders with your POS and consolidates them into a single tablet. It’s the best way to grow orders, save time, and eliminate the common tablet chaos.
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