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Innovation & Efficiency: The Recipe for Success

May 26, 2023

The restaurant industry is an $800 billion industry in the United States and is constantly changing, and to stay competitive, restaurants need to embrace innovation and improve their efficiency. There are many ways restaurants can accomplish this and improve their bottom line and provide a better dining experience for their customers.

Advanced Technology

One of the key areas where innovation is taking place is the implementation of advanced technology. From artificial intelligence (AI) to automation, restaurants are leveraging cutting-edge tools to optimize various aspects of their operations. For example, AI-powered systems are used to analyze data and predict demand, enabling restaurants to manage inventory and reduce waste better. Additionally, self-ordering kiosks and tabletop tablets are becoming increasingly common, empowering customers to place orders and pay without requiring extensive staff interaction.

 

restaurant ordering technology

 

Workforce Management

Workforce management systems have emerged as invaluable tools for enhancing efficiency in labor scheduling, time tracking, and employee communication. These software solutions enable managers to optimize staffing levels, allocate resources effectively, and streamline internal processes. By automating routine tasks, such as scheduling and payroll, restaurants can free up valuable time for managers to focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences and improving overall operational efficiency.

Sustainability

Additionally, sustainability and eco-friendly practices are gaining momentum within the industry. Many restaurants are incorporating green initiatives into their operations, from reducing food waste and implementing recycling programs to using energy-efficient equipment and sourcing locally-produced ingredients. By embracing sustainability, restaurants contribute to a healthier environment and attract a growing base of eco-conscious customers.

Personalizing the Guest Experience

In the realm of customer experience, personalization and convenience have become paramount. Restaurants are leveraging data-driven insights to tailor menus, promotions, and experiences to individual preferences. Loyalty programs, mobile ordering apps, and personalized marketing campaigns enable restaurants to engage with customers more intentionally to create lasting connections. By harnessing the power of technology, restaurants can provide seamless experiences and build customer loyalty in an increasingly competitive landscape.

 

As the restaurant industry continues to evolve, embracing efficiency has become essential to staying competitive. By adopting innovative strategies, leveraging technology, and prioritizing sustainability, restaurants can streamline operations, enhance the customer experience, and ultimately achieve long-term success.

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Uber Eats is Taking Down Virtual Brands

Apr 06, 2023

Today, when a new virtual experience is announced, one might conjure up ideas of an alternate reality as seen in VR gaming or through the lens of a robot. But what about food from “virtual” or “ghost kitchens?” The food is real, but these eateries aren’t “traditional” restaurants.

Ghost kitchens have seen an incredible increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic was at its height, thousands of restaurants were forced to shut down their standard operating procedures. Many tried to adapt to a take-out-only model, and that is where ghost kitchens thrive.

What are Ghost Kitchens or Virtual Brands?

Ghost kitchens aren’t an illusion. They provide a food service for customers like traditional restaurants; however, the kitchen has no physical storefront. Ghost kitchens allow patrons to still make purchases for take-out or delivery.

On the other hand, virtual brands (sometimes referred to as “virtual kitchens”) are a bit different in that they’re an extension of a traditional, physical eatery that also offers take-out options.

virtual brands

Benefits of Ghost Kitchens and Virtual Brands

These ghost kitchens and other virtual brands have been successful over the last three to five years. And that success is expected to continue, even increase more. But what are the benefits of these ghostly food services?

Ghost kitchens offer many benefits to restaurants or chefs looking to strike it out independently. They require a lot less capital or start-up hurdles. There is no real estate to deal with, which significantly cuts operating or overhead costs.

But the most significant advantage is the size of the potential customer base. The vast majority of teenagers and adults have smartphones. That is the identical customer base ghost kitchens and virtual brands want to attract. Ghost kitchens can advertise on Uber Eats and GrubHub and see plenty of foot traffic – no pun intended.

However, delivery or take-out options can be limiting when developing a menu. Take-out food has to be travel-ready, and the food shouldn’t suffer during transit. Ghost kitchens that use third-party delivery – like Uber Eats and GrubHub – can also expect to lose a substantial profit. Those services can take 25-30% of a ghost kitchen’s sales.

Why is Uber Eats Removing Ghost Kitchens and Virtual Brands?

The biggest hurdle to starting and maintaining a ghost kitchen is those third-party delivery services. Uber Eats–one of the most popular food delivery services–is stopping ghost kitchens themselves.

Specifically, Uber Eats is removing duplicate menu offerings where virtual kitchens are mostly affected. The app argues that multiple listings of similar menus make the app cluttered rather than more manageable, easier to navigate, and ultimately, can drive customers to lower-quality options.

For the ghost and virtual kitchens that make it through the “decluttering,” new restrictions must be followed. Uber Eats will require that all ghost and virtual kitchens offer a menu that is at least 60% different from any other kitchen operating at the same brick-and-mortar location.

While customers will likely be happy with few options and a higher quality standard, restaurants could see some issues. They must craft a substantially different menu if a physical location is shared among several ghost or virtual kitchens.

Still, ghost and virtual kitchens are trending and are expected to continue. People still want the ease of restaurant eating without having to go physically to the restaurant. The Uber Eats crackdown will create better food and overall experience for everyone.

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Moving Forward: Trending Technology 

Feb 25, 2023

The restaurant industry is constantly evolving, and we’ll likely see new technologies emerge that will change how restaurants operate and serve customers. Here are some potential technologies that we might see in the coming in the future:

  1. Robotics and Automation: We may see more restaurants adopt robots and automation to perform cooking, cleaning, and serving tasks. This can help reduce labor costs and increase efficiency.
  2. Virtual and Augmented Reality: Virtual and augmented reality technologies can help restaurants create immersive dining experiences for customers. For example, customers can take virtual tours of a restaurant’s kitchen or view a 3D rendering of a menu item before ordering.
  3. AI-powered Personalization: Artificial intelligence can create personalized dining experiences based on customer preferences and previous orders. This can help restaurants improve customer loyalty and increase sales.
  4. Contactless Ordering and Payment: With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, contactless ordering and payment methods have become increasingly popular. In 2023, we may see more restaurants adopt technologies such as QR codes, mobile ordering, and mobile payment options.
  5. Internet of Things (IoT) Devices: IoT devices can help restaurants automate inventory management, food safety monitoring, and equipment maintenance. This can help reduce costs and improve efficiency.
  6. Voice-activated Assistants: Voice-activated assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant can take orders and answer customer questions. This can help reduce labor costs and improve customer service.
  7. Blockchain-based Supply Chain Management: Blockchain technology can be used to create a transparent and secure supply chain, allowing restaurants to track the origin of their ingredients and ensure food safety.

 

ob7
The OB7 Max 12 at Middleby Marshall Innovation Kitchen

 

turbo chef
Turbo Chef at at Middleby Marshall Innovation Kitchen

 

PUC restaurant locker
The PUC at Middleby Marshall Innovation Kitchen

 

The restaurant industry is poised for continued technological innovation in 2023 and beyond. Restaurants that adopt these new technologies will be better positioned to compete in a rapidly evolving marketplace and provide superior customer experiences.

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A Deeper Dive: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Uses in Restaurants

Feb 25, 2023

Artificial intelligence technology has been increasingly adopted in the restaurant industry to improve efficiency, accuracy, and customer experience. Here are some ways that restaurants are using AI technology:

  1. Chatbots and virtual assistants: Chatbots and virtual assistants can assist customers with placing orders, answering frequently asked questions, and making reservations. This technology can help restaurants reduce wait times and improve efficiency. They can provide 24/7 customer support without the need for human intervention.
  2. Menu Personalization: AI can help restaurants personalize their menus for each customer by analyzing their order history, preferences, and dietary restrictions. This can help restaurants increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  3. Inventory Management: AI can help restaurants optimize inventory management by analyzing sales patterns, weather data, and other factors to predict demand and minimize waste.
  4. Smart menus: AI-powered menus can display personalized recommendations based on customer preferences, previous orders, and dietary restrictions. They can also suggest wine pairings and highlight specials.
  5. Voice-activated ordering: Voice-activated assistants like Amazon’s Alexa can be integrated into the ordering process, allowing customers to place orders by speaking to the device.
  6. Kitchen automation: AI-powered kitchen automation systems can track food preparation and cooking times, alert staff when dishes are ready, and help chefs optimize their workflow.
  7. Fraud detection: AI algorithms can detect fraudulent transactions and prevent chargebacks, helping restaurants reduce financial losses.
  8. Predictive Maintenance: AI can help restaurants identify equipment that is likely to fail, enabling preventive maintenance to be carried out before a breakdown occurs. This can help reduce downtime and save money on repairs.
  9. Marketing: AI can analyze customer data to identify trends and preferences, enabling restaurants to create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with their audience.

 

Artificial technology can revolutionize the restaurant industry by improving efficiencies, order accuracy, reducing costs, and elevating the customer experience.

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New Food Equipment Technology

Feb 14, 2023

The days of long-winded menus, paper straws, and sneeze-shielded buffet tables are numbered. Make room for cooking robots, rotating pizza ovens, and salad dispensaries; these are just a few examples of food equipment technologies coming our way. With innovations that make dining more efficient, safer and fun, going out to eat might make a huge comeback.

 

Food equipment technology is on the rise again as more and more people venture out to dine after the lockdown in 2020, says Nation’s Restaurant News. There was no better place to see the showcase than at the 2023 North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) show in Orlando. After a five-year hiatus, the show featured equipment created to make both restaurant workers and patrons happy.

 

One of the most popular items at the showcase combined high tech with delicious food: a robotic pizza-making arm. The Middleby Robotics PizzaBot 5000 designed to offset the staff shortages still affecting the food industry, said Nation’s Restaurant News. With a four-part system, the PizzaBot can add sauce, cheese, and toppings to a pizza, has smart racks that detect temperature, and includes a conveyor oven. According to the article, it also functions as a nifty co-bot next to its human counterparts.

 

Another exciting addition to the food tech world brings up a solid question we’ve all been asking: Are buffets coming back? It’s quite possible with Vollrath’s new self-serve salad dispenser, says QSR. The touchless system looks like a tower of salad ingredients, each in its refrigerated case. At the bottom of each tower is a smart sensor that can detect if a bowl or plate is underneath, says the article, and each dispenser can be programmed to provide the desired amount of food to each customer.

 

Sustainability is on the rise, especially this year with on-premises gardens and hyper-local trends in high use, says Restaurant Technology News, which is why the Styrogenie is so amazing. This incredible machine liquifies styrofoam and turns it into an infinite amount of recyclable products, says Nation’s Restaurant News. Currently used for school lunches, countless fast-food restaurants can utilize it in numerous ways. According to the article, each tray or styrofoam item is turned into a small rectangle and picked up, distilled, and reused as another polystyrene product. This process helps create more products and keeps more garbage out of our landfills.

 

How could any food industry showcase be complete without representing the nation’s most beloved drink? Coffee. Hardtank nitro cold brew machines make cold brew coffee or tea in an hour, says Nation’s Restaurant News. This technology is incredible because it usually takes 12 to 24 hours to brew. The machine, which resembles a beer tap, recirculates water constantly, allowing extraction at any time. Having cold brew coffee anytime our heart desires is something to look forward to. Apparently, the world runs on it.

 

Going out for a meal has always been fun, but with these technologies added into the mix, it makes it an experience. Here’s to a year full of innovative, efficient, and fantastic dining.

 

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POS Restaurant: the Expert Guide to Choosing the Right POS System

Feb 08, 2023

Ah, the POS system.  It’s either a lifesaver for restaurant owners or the bane of their existence. Choosing the right POS system for your restaurant is one of the most impactful decisions you can make.  In fact, out of all the questions we hear from restaurant owners, “which POS system should I use?” might be the most frequently asked.  And for good reason – the number of options (and their features) out there is overwhelming.  So, before we dive into the details, let’s review the basics.

Quick Definition of a POS System

What is a POS system?  A POS (or point-of-sale) system is a technology system used in restaurants and food service business to take orders, process payments, print receipts, track inventory and customer data, and handle several other functions.  POS systems consist of both software and hardware components.

Why Your Restaurant Needs a POS System

POS systems are the modern-day evolution of the cash register. As the cash register became digitized by the mid-1900s, the road its to broader capabilities opened. In 1973, IBM introduced the first computer-based POS system for restaurants – paving the way for the flood of innovation that continues today.

With IBM’s revolutionary POS system, the serving staff could relay orders to the kitchen instantly through remote printing. While common practice in today’s restaurants, this feature is just one of many that make a restaurant POS system not just desirable, but imperative.

Without a POS system, your restaurant won’t be able to compete due to the enhanced efficiency provided by these systems. And the fact that you’ll find a POS system in virtually every restaurant across the country.  According to SmallBizTrends, 95% of restaurant operators said that technology helps them to improve efficiency.

But how exactly does a restaurant POS enhance the overall efficiency of your business? Through its features.

Features of POS Systems

Restaurant POS systems boast many features, and each system offers different features.  That said, the following list of features is not specific to one POS software. Rather, it’s an aggregation of possible features:

  • Credit card or payment processing
  • Order taking
  • Table management
  • Guest management and tracking
  • Employee tracking
  • Inventory tracking and alerts
  • Online ordering
  • Reservations
  • Upsell and cross-sell capabilities
  • Cost and inventory management
  • Loyalty programs
  • Menu management
  • Cost management
  • Easy-to-use and quick interface
  • User support and training
  • 3rd-party integration
  • KPI reporting
  • Self-service ordering

POS Hardware in Restaurants

 

In order to provide these features, restaurant POS systems need to have not only powerful software, but also physical equipment – including (but not limited to):

  • register monitors
  • customer monitors
  • touchscreen displays
  • credit card readers
  • card readers for iPad (or tablet)
  • iPad (or tablet) stands and docks
  • handheld ordering devices
  • self-serve kiosks
  • receipt printers
  • cash drawers
  • label printers
  • kitchen printers
  • kitchen display systems (KDS)
  • digital menu board
  • scales
  • routers

Benefits of Using a POS System in Your Restaurant

As mentioned earlier, a POS system can greatly enhance the efficiency of your restaurant. Plus, restaurant POS systems can increase the profitability of your restaurant. While these are compelling (yet, broad) reasons to implement the right system in your restaurant, you will truly notice the benefits of a restaurant POS system in the nitty-gritty, day-to-day operations of your business.

Specifically, a POS system can help you:

  • reduce wait time for customers
  • scale to meet growing customer demand
  • be flexible in accommodating customers’ food and payment preferences
  • improve accuracy of data across all business operations
  • generate repeat business and greater sales
  • simplify the accounting process for your restaurant
  • minimize food shrinkage from theft
  • minimize food waste through enhanced forecasting and stock awareness
  • make data-driven business decisions through easily accessible reporting
  • reduce time spent by employees looking up menu items
  • protect restaurant data through cloud-based storage
  • streamline the workflow between the front-of-house (FOH) and back-of-house (BOH)

This last point warrants emphasis. When designed and set up properly, a POS system complements your team and supports them as they work to deliver the ultimate guest experience. A restaurant POS system should free your team members up from tedious, manual work and allow them to focus their energies on the human and creative side of their jobs.

And, if you want to take this a step further and empower your servers to delight your guests every time they visit, get a copy of our Server Training Guide below.

 

Potential Drawbacks of POS Systems

So, we’ve seen how a POS system can benefit nearly every aspect of your restaurant. But, any true overview of restaurant POS systems would be remiss not to explore any of their potential downsides.

For many restaurant owners, one of the biggest drawbacks of a POS system is the cost. Between the restaurant POS companies, the price of the system can fluctuate greatly.  Some platforms – like Square and Toast – offer a free monthly plan.

However, you’ll need to make a financial investment for hardware and enhanced services.  When getting started with a new system provider, there are often one-time hardware costs to get the system set up. These hardware costs can range from $600-$4000 depending on your needs and the system provider.

For software, you can expect to pay any where between $60-$360 per month.  Again, this number depends on the size of your restaurant and the fees of the provider.

In addition to the cost, there are a few other potential drawbacks to restaurant POS systems in general.  Please note, the following drawbacks are not shared by all software providers:

  • Limited or poor customer support
  • If you’re software provider is not cloud-based, then you only have access to your data on the hardware within your restaurant
  • Some systems can only operate online – meaning your whole system goes down if your internet goes down
  • Hidden fees built into your payment plan
  • Long contracts that lock you in despite the services (or lack thereof) your restaurant is receiving

How to Choose the Right System for Your Restaurant

Alright, you’ve seen why your restaurant needs a POS system.  You’ve reviewed the different features and hardware provided by restaurant POS providers.  You’ve weighed the pros and cons.  And now you’ve decided your restaurant should implement a system that meets all its needs.

But, with the plethora of restaurant POS providers out there, how do you go about choosing the right one.  You follow 5 simple steps.

  1. Talk to your team.  Gather them for a meeting with the sole purpose of discussing your restaurant’s ideal POS system.  Write a list of features you and your team specifically want or need the system to do for your business.  Every restaurant is a little different – so make sure you get specific with these features. For instance – many systems will send an order to the kitchen or split a check, but how they do it may be very different.
  2. Check out restaurant industry review sites for ratings of different systems based on real user reviews. Here, you can compare many systems and dive into the weeds to suss out which service providers actually deliver on the features you identified in step #1.  In the following section, we have aggregated data from 12 of these restaurant POS review sites.  We’ve also included links to all of them at the end of this article.
  3. Schedule a few demos from different systems providers, either over Zoom or in person.  Ask them direct questions –  like:- Is there a long term contract or an early termination fee?- Are software upgrades and customer support included?  Or are there extra fess for these services?- Do you build and install the hardware on site in the restaurant? And provide in-person training for the set up?  Or do you just ship the hardware and expect us to set it up?
  4. Narrow your favorite restaurant POS providers to a short list of 2 or 3.  Then call their main support line and see how long you’re kept on hold.  Also, make sure to note if it’s a human or a robot providing the customer service.
  5. Gather final input from the key decision makers and team leads in your restaurant and pick the perfect system for you!

Comparing the Different POS Systems Out There

Now that you a method for selecting the right restaurant POS system, it’s time to explore the different options available to you.  Keep in mind, most of these POS software companies are located in the U.S. and may not be applicable in other countries.

Before we dive into the features, pros, and cons of each system – let’s take a bird’s eye view of the systems landscape.  We have aggregated and data from 12 different review websites in comparing 26 different POS systems for restaurants.  All scores are listed on a scale of 0-5 (5 being the highest).

In the farthest left-hand column, the specific systems are shown.  In the farthest right-hand column, the average score of each system across the review sites is listed.  The POS systems are not listed based on average-score ranking.  Instead, they are listed based on the number of sites that have provided a review of their system.

 

 

Time to zoom back in and dive into each restaurant POS system displayed above.  For each system, we’ll provide a direct quote about each system from the company itself, then we’ll list pros and cons sourced from the review sites we analyzed, and wrap up with the fees of each system. [Please note the evaluations listed in out Pros and Cons are not from our direct experience; they come from website and customer reviews found in the links listed at the end of this blog.]

Toast POS

From Toast’s website, “Run your entire restaurant on Toast.  Manage all on-prem and off-prem order sources in one system. Use restaurant-grade hardware that’s 3x faster than competitors.  Integrate your FOH and BOH to reduce ticket times by up to 40%.”

Pros 

  • Powerful menu customization
  • Tableside ordering and payment capable

Cons

  • They require a two-year contract for software subscriptions
  • Toast POS doesn’t work on iOS devices

Fees

  • Monthly plans: Free; $69; $165
  • Payment Processing Fees: 2.99% + 15¢

 

Lightspeed POS

From Lightspeed’s website, “A restaurant POS system that understands your needs on the floor.  Set up your front-of-house staff for success with an intuitive and responsive POS system that puts ease of use first. Access all your data and reports on your iPad, mobile phone or desktop computer with our cloud-based platform. From granular sales data to trending menu items to an overview of your business, all the information you need is in your restaurant POS software.”

Pros 

  • Versatile customer loyalty app (only as an add-on)
  • Ability to redistribute tips based on custom rules and create self-order kiosks

Cons

  • They have an early termination fee in their plans
  • Their flat-rate payment processing is costly for restaurants with high-volume sales

Fees

  • Monthly plans: $69 and up
  • Payment Processing Fees: 2.6% + 10¢

Clover POS

From Clover’s website, “Clover’s point of sale system and software syncs with the cloud, so you can track your sales, refunds, deposits, and reports, wherever you are or need to be. Use real-time and trending sales data to track your business’s performance via customizable reports that you control in your Clover dashboard.”

Pros 

  • Quick-service restaurant software plans are available
  • Free loyalty program

Cons

  • Unable to use existing tablets not purchased through Clover.
  • Long contracts and early termination fees

Fees

  • Monthly plans: $150; $195; $290 for full-service restaurants (hardware included in price)
  • Payment Processing Fees: 2.3% + 10¢

TouchBistro POS System

From TouchBistro’s website, “Guarantee order accuracy, reduce wait times, and serve customers with takeout, dine-in, or delivery – wherever and however they’re ordering. Find cost savings, reduce food waste, monitor staff performance, improve FOH-to-BOH communication, and more with easy-to-use tools and reporting.”

Pros 

  • Advanced table management
  • Tableside ordering

Cons

  • Loyalty programs and online ordering are add-ons for every plan.
  • Automatically renewed contracts than can be terminated early

Fees

  • Monthly plans: starting at $69; many add-on features are additionally monthly cost

Square for Restaurants

From Square’s website, “Try the powerful, free POS that businesses love. Free to use. Accept every payment. Hardware and software in one. Customize to your needs”

Pros 

  • No long-term contracts or installation fees
  • Unlimited POS devices on Square’s free plan

Cons

  • No reservation management
  • No credit card pre-authorizations

Fees

  • Monthly plans: Free; $60; additional payments for hardware and add-on features
  • Payment Processing Fees: 2.6% + 10¢

Revel Systems

From Revel Systems’ website, “Revel Systems was the first iPad POS platform to hit the market. We’ve been refining our product and working alongside our customers ever since to offer the most mature, cloud-based POS system available. At Revel, we understand that an intuitive, feature-rich solution that can quickly adapt—and even grow with you—isn’t an option, but a necessity.”

Pros 

  • Fast food and drive-through specific services
  • Highly customizable for restaurants

Cons

  • Expensive onboarding
  • Many service features come at extra cost

Fees

  • Monthly plans: starting at $99 per terminal
  • Payment Processing Fees: 2.49%

SpotOn Restaurants

From SpotOn’s website, “Whether you need simple mobile payment technology or a fully-integrated restaurant management system, we’ll work with you to customize the right set of tools for your business. And as those needs evolve, and your business grows, we not only have the existing technology to support you, but are constantly innovating to help you future proof your business.”

Pros 

  • Highly customizable POS system
  • Excellent tools for  reservations, booking, and mobile orders and payments

Cons

  • Toast POS doesn’t work on iOS devices
  • Pricing is custom-quoted based on each restaurant

Fees

  • Monthly plans: N/A
  • Payment Processing Fees:1.99% + 20¢

Zettle POS System

From Zettle’s website, “Whether you want more sales, more customers or more efficiency, we’ve got the tools to help your business achieve more every day. We make modern point-of-sale (POS) products designed to simplify every workday. Take payments and track every sale, all in one place.”

Pros 

  • No monthly fees
  • Strong inventory management

Cons

  • No system upgrades or add-on features available
  • No CRM or ability to operate offline

Fees

  • Monthly plans: Free
  • Payment Processing Fees: 2.29% + 9¢

Lavu POS

From Lavu’s website, “We know what works in restaurants—because we’ve been in your shoes. We are restaurant people who understand the unique challenges that face new and growing restaurants, so we created solutions to solve them.”

Pros 

  • Unique features like  a sandwich creator, Bluetooth scale integration and ID badge scanning
  • Strong self-service kiosk option

Cons

  • Expensive hardware leases that may be difficult to terminate
  • No purchase ordering

Fees

  • Monthly plans: $79; $159; $299 (up to $20 off each monthly plan if using available discounts)
  • Payment Processing Fees: $25/mo per terminal to work with 3rd party processors

Harbortouch Bar and Restaurant POS

From Harbortouch’s website, “With our all-in-one point of sale platform, you can manage all orders from one place. Our commercial-grade hardware was built for high performance, speed, and reliability. All of our technology will reduce your ticket times and increase profits.”

 

Pros 

  • No early termination fees
  • Free hardware with all packages

Cons

  • System errors and bugs reported
  • Poor customer service reported

Fees

  • Monthly plans: $29; $39
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

Aloha POS System

From Aloha’s website, “Everything you need in an easy-to-use platform, with kitchen solutions, digital ordering, reporting & analytics, and management tools. Over 100,000 restaurants trust NCR to help them run their operations, drive sustainable growth and create frictionless guest experiences.”

Pros 

  • Easy to use
  • Versatile system with a lot of capabilities

Cons

  • Accessing restaurant reports is difficult according to some reviews
  • Software runs slow and requires frequent updates according to some reviews

Fees

  • Monthly plans: Free; $175
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

Loyverse

From Loyverse’s website, “Turn your smartphone or tablet into a powerful POS. Manage sales, inventory and employees with ease; engage customers and increase your revenue. Whether you have single or multiple stores, our tools help run your business.”

Pros 

  • Easy to use and set up
  • Free customer loyalty program

Cons

  • Limited integration capabilities
  • Limited reporting functionality

Fees

  • Monthly plans: Free; ($9-25/mo for add-on features like employee and inventory management)
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

EPOS Now

From EPOS Now’s website, “Our POS system enables you to adapt, gain new customers, increase profit and remain future proof.​ Set up, onboard, and train staff in minutes​.  Online, delivery, collection, and multi-channel ready​.”

Pros 

  • Great customer support
  • Ease of use

Cons

  • Unable to identify actions taken based on user name or location
  • Reported freezing when too many users were logged in at once

Fees

  • Monthly plans: N/A
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

Upserve

From Upserve’s (now Lightspeed Restaurant) website, “Simplify and scale with a one-stop restaurant POS system. Let guests order and pay via QR code with Order Anywhere. No wait time for the bill. No apps to download. No friction.”

Pros 

  • Easy to use, intuitive system
  • Great customer service

Cons

  • Periodic connection failures
  • Tracking real inventory difficult

Fees

  • Monthly plans: $69; $189; $399
  • Payment Processing Fees: 2.6% + 10¢

Nobly POS

From Nobly’s website, “Our easy to use iPad EPOS system is packed full of great features that help you grow your business. We’ve specially designed our software to cater for the hospitality industry.”

Pros 

  • Ease of use, sleek design
  • Good customization

Cons

  • Inability to round taxes
  • Mixed reviews on customer service

Fees

  • Monthly plans: N/A
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

NCR Silver Pro Restaurant

From NCR Silver’s website, “Total NCR Silver brings together easy-to-use POS hardware and software – plus intuitive cloud-based inventory, loyalty and e-commerce – All-in-one.”

Pros 

  • Simple user interface
  • Strong inventory management

Cons

  • Questionable system reliability over time
  • Not available on Android

Fees

  • Monthly plans: N/A
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

Aldelo POS

From Aldelo’s website, “Aldelo’s Cloud-native Restaurant POS system, Aldelo Express, is a full-featured restaurant tech platform to enable restaurants and bars simplify operations and maximize efficiency. Aldelo (…) provides an end-to-end eco-system of products and services to help restaurants and bars achieve more with fewer staff.”

Pros 

  • Ease of use
  • Menu search functionality

Cons

  • Poor system reliability over time
  • Limited statistics and analytics

Fees

  • Monthly plans: N/A
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

Linga rOS

From Linga’s website, “From industry-leading integrations to customizations to fit your specific business needs, LINGA is the best solution that can adapt to your restaurant. A truly all-in-one solution to restaurant management, versus searching for 3rd party integrations.”

Pros 

  • Strong customer and sales data
  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • Difficult to navigate for inexperienced users
  • Questions around customer service quality

Fees

  • Monthly plans: $40; $70; $110
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

Mad Mobile Restaurant POS

From Mad Mobile’s website, “Full Service System For Restaurants. Seamless ordering, payments, communication, and more to run a successful restaurant.”

Pros 

  • Robust capabilities and features
  • Easy to learn

Cons

  • Lacking strong customization
  • Some customers experienced downtime

Fees

  • Monthly plans: N/A
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

POSist

From POSist’s website, “Our restaurant technology platform allows restaurant operators to grow at scale, improve bottom-line efficiency and deliver consistency in guest experience.”

Pros 

  • Easy to use and set up
  • Strong CRM capabilities and seamless integrations

Cons

  • Reports format is not user-friendly
  • Limited flexibility in downloading reports

Fees

  • Monthly plans: N/A
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

Rezku POS System

From Rezku’s website, “Restaurants use Rezku POS to compete at a higher level. Our comprehensive, custom branded ordering platform allows restaurants to spotlight their brand without spending a fortune.”

Pros 

  • Great customer service
  • Strong real-time data reporting

Cons

  • No tools or resources for host stand
  • Sporadic software issues

Fees

  • Monthly plans: Free; $99
  • Payment Processing Fees: 1.99% and 15¢

Maitre’D

From Maitre’D’s website, “Maitre’D POS provides all the functionality restaurant owners need to handle every part of their business operation, regardless of their size. Integrated with PayFacto’s payment processing solutions, you can handle credit and debit card payments quickly and securely.”

Pros 

  • Strong reporting
  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • Outdated software system prone to crashing
  • Poor design in certain aspects

Fees

  • Monthly plans: starts at $99
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

BrewPOS

From BrewPOS’s website, “BrewPOS is a full-featured Point of Sale system built for restaurants, bars, and breweries. Tried, tested, and true, BrewPOS offers a unique solution to point of sale for the restaurant industry.”

Pros 

  • Easy to use and navigate
  • Strong reporting

Cons

  • Complaints about advanced functionality (which may have been developed since)
  • Customization not intuitive

Fees

  • Monthly plans: $69; $129; $169; $199; $249; $299; $349; $399 (based on number of terminals)
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

POSitouch

From POSitouch’s website, “Since 1985, POSitouch continues to provide turn-key point of sale systems and business management solutions to over 50,000 restaurants and bars. Specializing in serving multi-unit chains and some of the most recognizable foodservice brands, POSitouch offers a premium POS system at an affordable price.”

Pros 

  • Ease of use
  • Detailed reports

Cons

  • Several reports of system crashing
  • Complaints about credit card integration

Fees

  • Monthly plans: $29-$199 for cloud-based system
  • Payment Processing Fees: N/A

Cake POS

Cake POS has been acquired by Mad Mobile restaurant POS. So, please navigate to that section to get the overview, pros, cons, and fees of this system.

Final Considerations for Your Restaurant’s POS System Decision

As we’ve seen there’s a whole lot that goes into deciding which POS system is right for your restaurant.  The main takeaway is: don’t rush into a long-term commitment until you’re ready.  Many of these software platforms will offer significant discounts if you sign up for an annual or multi-year contract.  While this is great from a cost savings perspective, the last thing you want is to be locked into a system that isn’t right for your restaurant.

So, review the steps on how to choose a restaurant POS system.  Consult with your team.  Reach out to other restaurant owners who have used the systems you’re considering.  Then, make a fully-informed decision.

If you need help with any aspect of your operations along your journey or want to open more locations, reach out to Synergy to see how we can help.

Restaurant POS FAQs

What are the different types of POS systems?

The different types of POS systems are traditional (or legacy) POS systems, touchscreen (or tablet-based) POS systems, cloud-based systems, dedicated server systems, and mobile restaurant POS systems.

What are the most common operating systems for POS devices?

The most common operating systems for POS devices are Android, iOS, and Microsoft.  Typically, Android and iOS are used in small- to medium-sized restaurant POS systems.  Windows is usually recommended for larger businesses or stores with multiple locations.

What is the difference between POS and CRM? 

POS stands for point of sale, while CRM stands for customer relationship management.  Based on their names, POS systems are more focused on transactions with your customers, while your CRM is more focused on developing relationships with your customers.


Review Sources

G2: https://www.g2.com/categories/restaurant-pos

Software Advice: https://www.softwareadvice.com/retail/restaurant-pos-software-comparison/p/all/

Capterra: https://www.capterra.com/restaurant-pos-software/

tech.co: https://tech.co/?s=pos+systems

U.S. News & World Report: https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/business/point-of-sale/best-restaurant-pos-systems#compare

Forbes Advisor: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-restaurant-pos-systems/

Fit Small Business: https://fitsmallbusiness.com/best-restaurant-pos-system/

NerdWallet: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/small-business/restaurant-pos-systems#our_picks_for_best_restaurant_pos_systems

Merchant Maverick: https://www.merchantmaverick.com/best-restaurant-pos-systems/

Trustpilot: https://ca.trustpilot.com/

posusa: https://www.posusa.com/restaurant-pos-systems/

GetApp: https://www.getapp.com/retail-consumer-services-software/restaurant-pos/

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Restaurant Trends: Digital Cafes

Dec 13, 2022

Let’s begin with defining convenience. Ten years ago, a quick service lunch meant going inside a restaurant, reviewing the menu, telling a staff member what you’d like, and waiting a few minutes before getting your tray and sitting down with other lunch-goers. Today, that sort of convenience is unrecognizable. According to QSR, completing orders through apps, relaying orders to touch screen kiosks, and picking up food from drive-thrus is the way of the “time-pressed” future. Digital cafes are popping up nationwide to help fit customers’ needs quickly and efficiently.

 

Big fast food chains are jumping aboard the digital train, like McDonalds, Taco Bell, and Wingstop, says The Street. Some have beefed up their technology, like apps, drive-thrus, and rewards, and some have gone further, eliminating dining space altogether. Last year, Wingstop, a chicken chain that began in Texas, opened its first “restaurant of the future.” With no register and no front staff, their zero-cash approach operates with ordering screens. According to the article, Wingstop’s eventual goal is to transition to online and app orders exclusively.

 

Chipotle, back in 2018, opened its first drive-thru-only restaurant, Chipotlane, with tremendous success, says RIS. Their no dine-in storefront offered food exclusively through their drive-thru service. Last year, they opened what they’re calling the Chipotle Digital Kitchen, which features a drive-thru, and walk-up ordering window for convenience. The restaurant will operate through an app, online, and delivery orders (like Urban Eats), but also have a small outdoor patio area for dining.

digital ordering
A kiosk as seen at Burger Boss

 

Fast food giant McDonald’s is also testing the waters with digitally-operated stores. Slower to embrace the full digital experience, McDonald’s created a more customer-forward store in Fort Worth, Texas, says The Street. Half the size of its regular stores, this one has a conveyor belt for online pick-up orders, shelves for delivery services, and kiosks for customers who haven’t looked at their phones in awhile. This solo restaurant serves as a guinea pig for the company to see how successful (or not) it is for their chain.

 

In 2021, Taco Bell opened its digital-only location in New York City’s Times Square. Eliminating contact completely, customers order through kiosks and grab their food from locked cubbies, says the New York Post. A hint of human existence appears as each order is made in an open kitchen, and then placed in a heated cubby with a lamp that turns pink when ready. With the entering of a code number on a touchscreen, customers can extract the order and be on their way, says the article.

 

Lunch has become a quick, efficient, and high-tech experience thanks to these chains. There are a lot of opinions about how much human interaction is being eliminated through these technologies. But the customer has spoken; digital cafes are gaining traction. Whether you’re out to lunch on your break, picking up an order for a customer, or simply trying out something new, lunchtime has come a long way. Keep up with restaurant technological trends on the Synergy Blog.

 

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Restaurant Digital Ordering Trends

Aug 02, 2022

Technology has permeated every corner of the restaurant industry, from how we vet prospective hires to how our customers order their meals. The pandemic helped solidify this shift, forcing the last few “analog” diners to adopt digital ordering.

But how will the past few years of takeout and online orders influence restaurants in the future? Here are a few trends you need to know.

Gen Z Prefers Online Orders

If a restaurant owner wants their business to thrive for years, they need to keep an eye on what Gen Z is doing. This demographic makes up over 20% of the U.S. population, ranging in age from 10 to 26. As this group gets older, they’re likely to gain greater consumer influence and purchasing power – which means restaurants should adjust to suit Gen Z’s needs.

According to research from Technomic, Gen Z is the group most likely to order food online. About 9% of Gen Z-ers ordered food for pickup from a restaurant. In contrast, Baby Boomers (long considered the most powerful generation) only ordered online for pickup 4% of the time. As Gen Z and subsequent generations age, online ordering will likely become a significant portion of restaurant sales.

 

ordering online

App Orders Reign Supreme

Online ordering increased substantially during the pandemic – but where are people placing their orders specifically?

According to research from Restaurant Technology News, nearly 60% of digital orders are placed through a restaurant’s mobile app. This is great news for restaurant owners; if diners order directly through your company’s app, you don’t have to worry about paying commission fees to apps like DoorDash and Grubhub.

Of course, if you don’t have a mobile app for your restaurant, you will miss out on this massive share of the online market! This is a major reason why restaurants should invest in their online presence through websites and apps.

A Breakfast Boom

Finally, restaurants have seen a significant shift in when diners place their orders. While 6 p.m. on Friday is still the most popular time for diners (both in person and online), breakfast orders – between 5 and 10 a.m. – have tripled between 2021 and 2022. This trend can impact a restaurant’s needs in a big way, from the number of employees they schedule during morning shifts to the quantity of breakfast ingredients they order.

If you keep a close eye on trends like these, you can make subtle adjustments that allow your restaurant to flourish in the digital age and beyond.

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Restaurant Technologies in 2022

Jul 07, 2022

A mention of the word “technology” is usually associated with entertainment, phones, space travel and the like. It isn’t generally associated with brands like Chick-fil-A or McDonald’s. However, you probably should get used to it. A wave of creative adjustments and tech tweaks are making their way through restaurants to make the dining-out experience smoother, faster, and more fun.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) hasn’t been a stranger to our culture in the past decade, and it’s about to become even more familiar. In an article from cnbc.com published in March of this year, a new staff member named “Chippy” joined the Chipotle team to help season their tortilla chips. The company wanted to make their employees’ work more fun, less monotonous, and streamlined; thus, Chippy, the robotic arm from Miso Robotics, was born. Chippy makes the very popular side item the exact same way every time. Chippy is stationed in their Chipotle Cultivate Center in Irvine, California at the moment, with plans to roll out more Chippy’s throughout the country if all goes well. Chipotle also uses artificial intelligence on their website with Pepper, a concierge chatbot, and may be making progress with an automated delivery car in the future.

 

 

During COVID-19, restaurants suffered a tremendous amount. But for Chick-fil-A, the silver lining was their drive-thrus, accounting for over 8 million dollars in revenue for more than half the stores in the country, according to QSR Magazine. However, their popularity has recently made picking up food a little complicated. QSR Magazine wrote that the restaurant’s drive-thru system caused some problems last year, including zoning violations and major backups while waiting for food. To speed up the process of drive-thrus, Chick-fil-A has made an express drive-thru lane only for customers who have ordered ahead on their app. Their solution seems to be working; during testing, customers found their wait time to be less and enjoyed the experience of a separate lane where their food was already paid for and ready to go.

To further entice the app-using crowd, McDonald’s is introducing its virtual summer camp, Camp McDonald’s, on July 5. Loaded with weekly in-app performances, menu hacks, and merchandise, McDonald’s is only asks for a $1 per day admission fee, according to Restaurant Dive. When customers check the app, they will find a different offer each day, including a free McFlurry, or a free Happy Meal with purchase. They can unlock access to limited edition merchandise that they’ve dubbed a “Merch Drop,” collaborations according to Chewboom.com, like a front row seat to virtual musical performances featuring BIBI, Omar Apollo, and Kid Cudi.

In 2022 it shouldn’t be too much of a shock that the food industry uses technology to attract and maintain customers. It feels like second nature, as we’ve already gotten used to self-checkouts, contactless payments, QR codes, and even augmented reality menus. What makes a great restaurant these days has gone way beyond the food, it seems, to a broader sense of experience. Technology has helped to make a meal at a restaurant not only an experience, but an adventure.

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Need to Optimize Your Restaurant Operations? Robotics and AI Can Help

Apr 24, 2022

The last two years have taken a toll on the restaurant industry. Operators have been forced to find ways to improve their operations, overcoming obstacles and challenges from the pandemic. We’ve heard the news about labor shortages that have impacted the ability to serve customers. According to recent data from the National Restaurant Association, four in five restaurants are understaffed.

Labor challenges, supply chain disruptions, and the continued growing demand for off-premise dining have brought robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to the forefront of many operators’ minds. Certainly, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated challenges have accelerated this and forced operators to look at ways to automate and optimize their day-to-day business.

Recently, QSR Magazine shared an article about How Restaurants are Using Robotics and AI to Relieve Operations Headaches, highlighting ways robotics and AI can provide solutions to the problems restaurants face today. They share the example of Picnic, “a modular and configurable pizza assembly system…adopted by many restaurants to save time and money.”  The Picnic system can make up to 100 pizzas per hour with a single, unassisted operator.  Miso Robotics incorporates robots and AI in automating repetitive, back-of-house tasks, such as cleaning silverware and utensils. This technology helps provide impactful kitchen insights, aids in running more efficient kitchens, and frees up staff time.

 

robot tech

 

But beyond robots, what is artificial intelligence?  Simply, it is intelligence that didn’t happen naturally, but rather by a human to allow a computer to mimic human behavior.  Siri and Alexa are good examples of AI. They can answer questions when asked; however, they don’t get to know their users over time or learn the wants or anticipate the needs of their users. Machine learning takes AI up a notch.  This technology allows computers to take in information and use complex algorithms to learn from it to make predictions about events or human behavior based on historical patterns. Netflix and Spotify use machine learning to identify your likes over time and suggest new content you might enjoy.

So what are some of the benefits of using AI in an independent restaurant? Our friends at Pop Menu highlight several common uses of AI to optimize your restaurant operations.

 

Front-of-House

  • AI Phone Answering – technology that can take messages, make reservations, guests to a waitlist, or even answer commonly asked questions, freeing up your staff to provide on-premise service and avoid missed calls.
  • Voice Ordering – Guests can use their smart devices to place restaurant orders on the go. This same technology can be implemented at self-service kiosks or drive-thrus, allowing guests to place orders verbally, without touching anything.
  • Self-Serve Options – this includes customizing menu items utilizing a kiosk, allowing the splitting of the check, and paying from tableside tablets or even their device.
  • Kiosks that Personalize Customer Experiences – KFC is experimenting with kiosks with facial recognition technology that can recognize repeat visitors and tailor their experience based on their past orders and preference. Commonly collected guest data from online orders and digital marketing can be used to provide personalized service, such as dish recommendations.

Back-of-House

  • Integrated Inventory and Purchasing with your point of sale (POS) systems. AI-enabled software can track historical inventory and purchasing data and recommend quantities to order based on that data. It ensures you have enough inventory on hand and helps cut down on food waste.
  • Smarter Staffing and Scheduling – AI-enabled software tracks staffing and sales data to determine trends or patterns in busy and slow times. This data helps to schedule staff appropriately for the expected traffic and sales during each shift.
  • Optimized Delivery Processes – AI can help delivery drivers find the best and fastest routes for multiple deliveries, using map data to avoid traffic and other potential delays. AI can also keep customers aware of their order status by following along on a map or sending text notifications.
  • Data-based Insights and Predictions – McDonald’s started using predictive AI technologies in drive-thru orders. By looking at the data of what customers ordered and when they were able to anticipate busy periods and could predict popular item orders.  Stores using this technology reduced their wait times by 30 seconds on average.
  • Automated Marketing and Remarketing – many AI tools are available that use automation to send out marketing emails, social media posts, and targeted ads. AI marketing can also retarget recent guests, encouraging them to return for a visit.

 

AI technology in the restaurant industry will arguably be critical in moving the industry forward.  However, customers will expect some human interaction when dining – so it will be essential to find a balance between technology and human connections. While it may seem intimidating, AI technology is here to stay.