The Best POS Systems for Restaurants in 2024: Top Picks to Streamline Your Business

The best restaurant POS system (point of sale system) can help a restaurant achieve the best results in optimizing sales, managing tables and streamlining operational tasks. 

Knowing which of the available providers best suits your business can be challenging, given how complicated restaurant POS software can be.

That's why we've put together the ultimate guide to help you evaluate which POS systems can do the most to help your restaurant flourish.

Epos Now 

A top POS system is Epos Now. Like many POS providers, Epos Now has specialized systems for retail and hospitality. We will look in detail at our hardware and software features specifically for restaurants, before we look at some of the other restaurant POS systems on the market.

Epos Now hardware

With in-house payment processing services, businesses using an Epos Now system can afford to create a table service plan that frees staff from the bar to take orders at the table.

The payment products can integrate smoothly and are designed as partner products of Epos Now’s POS terminal, POS80 receipt printer, and Epos Now cash drawer. These are the staple hardware items that most restaurants, hotel restaurants, food trucks, or takeaways might need.

• 15.6" HD touchscreen terminal to run your checkouts
• High-speed receipt printer
• Secure cash drawer 
• Order printer with the ability to split dishes for multiple kitchen stations
• Kitchen display system to create an immediate, visible communication channel between front and back-of-house teams.
• Countertop and mobile payment processing allow speedy completion of card transactions, a fully integrated transaction system, and simpler reports on card sales.
• The swipe card reader offers quick, secure login for staff members, aids with clock-in functions, and enables loyalty programs.
• Display screens can run advertisements wherever you need them, keeping customers updated on the latest offers and events.
• Checkout display screens streamline the sales process 

Kitchen communications

Quick service restaurants, for example, can use multiple tills printing immediately to order printers or a kitchen display screen. Separate order printers send food orders to the kitchen and drinks to the bar.

Full-service restaurants with complex kitchen setups can break down food orders further, with separate order printing for the sous chef, dessert chef, and any further kitchen stations, all with their own dishes or parts of dishes to prepare.

Epos Now's Kitchen display screens (KDS) can make a huge difference to efficiency, allowing orders to be altered once sent, with flashing notifications to ensure these are seen.

Epos Now KDS devices have audio capability and can function at multiple stations with order grouping, just like order printers. Both of these can also incorporate delivery and takeaway orders instantly so cooks and chefs can respond immediately without the need to wait for front-of-house processing.

Epos Now's restaurant software

Epos Now's POS software is simple, flexible, and contains all the functions any restaurant might need. 

Your menus can be divided into categories, with the option to have your recent bestsellers on the top-level screen to save sales time. Categories and products can be color-coded and numbered, so you have complete control over how to structure your menu.

And with the Product Plus feature, staff hold their finger on a product, and anything from allergen information and ingredients, to images, prep time can appear on the screen.

The table plan

The Epos Now table plan can split into sections, such as the garden area, front and back areas, and bar. Tables can be numbered and shaped, and given a default seating number to help staff set the correct number of covers when opening a tab.

Hotel restaurants will have tabs 1-99 pre-programmed to help ensure tabs can reconcile with their room expenses. 

Payment processing

Top restaurant POS systems like Epos Now will provide easy ways to take payments from multiple sources, and adjusted prices like delivery premiums can be preset. 

Epos Now's split bill function allows staff to easily move dishes from one tab/table to another and to merge tabs. Customers can pay by amount or pay for certain dishes, and it can help calculate and print specific parts of the tab.

Tipping

Most restaurants now use their POS systems to put tips through during transactions. For some, this also allows equal sharing between all staff, which the Epos Now gratuity reports make easy. The gratuity app simply adds an action button to your main screen to allow users to add an additional fee to the bill. 

If you have a default service charge, the Epos Now Back Office allows this to be added to all bills. This can be toggled on or off by staff at the customer's request.

Personalized setups with Epos Now

If you have special POS system needs and hardware that you want incorporated to run alongside a restaurant POS, then Epos Now can create more individual setups, using pre-owned hardware, favored hardware, or technology already being used.

Customer loyalty programs and hardware

Epos Now's restaurant point of sale can incorporate staff and customer swipe cards to help provide a more streamlined and personal service, encouraging repeat customers. 

Customer cards bring customer accounts up on the system so transactions can be entered by name, building loyalty points while improving reliability and reporting. Customers can quickly reorder a dish they had during their last visit if they’ve found their new favorite.

Top restaurant POS systems to consider

Check out the alternatives to Epos Now below:

1.Toast

Toast comes equipped with payment processing, inventory management, staff management, and extras like promo codes and gift cards. It’s designed to handle the daily grind of restaurant operations.

Pros

• Accepts multiple payment methods
• Tailored for the restaurant industry
• 24/7 live customer service at all pricing levels
• Works across multiple locations
• Lower restaurant POS system cost entry-level packages

Cons

• Hard to figure out exact costs due to scalable packages and pay-as-you-go options
• Cancellation fees and changing plans can be pricey
• Poor BBB rating, with no online presence to handle customer queries

2. Square

Square is a commonly-seen payment processing and point-of-sale platform used by all kinds of businesses of all sizes.

Pros

• Free to get started
• No monthly fees with the Basic Plan
• Range of hardware options to choose from

Cons

• Accounts can freeze if there’s unusual activity
• Not the best choice for high-volume transactions due to costs
• No phone support available

3. Clover

Clover is built for small and medium-sized businesses. With a range of software and hardware options, it caters to various needs in retail and hospitality. While it’s not the cheapest out there, Clover’s list of payment partners makes it an option for all kinds of businesses. According to Forbes:

Pros

• Competitive pricing
• Free 30-day trial
• Affordable hardware
• A good range of features
• Good for businesses already online
• 24/7 phone and email support

Cons

• Can’t apply online; you have to go through a sales rep
• Pricing details aren’t transparent
• No free plan available

4. TouchBistro

TouchBistro is built specifically for the dining industry, with features designed to streamline restaurant processes and improve the overall dining experience. According to Forbes:

Pros

• Lots of restaurant-specific features
• User-friendly interface
• Integrates with third-party apps
• Customizable to fit your restaurant's needs

Cons

• No free trial or free version available
• Only compatible with Apple devices
• Costs can add up quickly due to its à la carte pricing model

5. Lightspeed

Lightspeed is an established cloud- and browser-based POS system, with an iOS app. While it offers inventory management and 24/7 customer support, it might have more features than a new retail store really needs, especially when there are cheaper alternatives. According to Forbes.

Pros

• 24/7 customer support
• Each account gets its own account manager
• Strong inventory management capabilities

Cons

• More expensive than many other POS systems
• Long contracts
• Cancellation isn’t easy

What to look for in a restaurant POS system

What are the key features that make a POS system good and more advanced features that make it great?

The basics

A good restaurant POS system should have the essential features and then some:

• Easy to use: A good POS system should be intuitive, user-friendly, and easy to navigate, even when it's your new hire’s first day and they’re trying to remember the table numbers. You don’t want a system that sends everyone running to Google every time they need to split a check.
• Fast: A good POS system keeps things moving, tables turning, orders flying to the kitchen, and drinks landing on tables before customers start glancing at their watches.
• Inventory management: A good POS system helps you track inventory in real-time, so you know exactly what’s low, what’s out, and when to reorder.
• Reporting and analytics: A good POS system should give you the numbers you need: sales reports, employee performance, peak hours, and your top-selling items. Bonus points if it delivers them in a way that doesn’t look like tax season paperwork.
• Customer support: If you do need help, good customer support is like gold. You want 24/7 support.

What a great restaurant POS system does

If a good POS system is like that dependable server who never drops a tray, a great POS system is like the rockstar manager who makes everything run smoothly while keeping the customers and staff happy. Let’s get into it.

• Integrates everything: Whether it’s your customer relationship management (CRM), loyalty programs, online ordering, or even your accounting software, everything should work together in beautiful harmony. No more jumping between platforms, no more errors because someone manually entered something wrong.
• Customizable menus: Got a pop-up event with a special menu? No problem. Want to add modifiers for “extra spicy” or “hold the onions”? Easy. A great system makes tailoring your offerings as simple as clicking a few buttons.
• Mobile ordering: The best POS system for restaurant businesses lets servers take orders right at the table using mobile POS devices, cutting down any miscommunication between front of house and the kitchen. Orders go straight to the kitchen display system (KDS), so no more lost tickets, and fewer “I didn’t order this!” moments.
• Online ordering: The world has gone digital, and so should your restaurant. A great POS system for restaurants integrates seamlessly with your online ordering platform. When your customers are ordering takeout or delivery, the process should be smooth and stress-free – for them and you, with no juggling between different apps or systems.
• Loyalty and CRM features: A great POS system doesn’t just track sales, it can help you understand your customers. We’re talking loyalty programs, personalized promotions, and even tracking who loves your truffle fries so you can send them a little nudge next time they’re nearby.
• Real-time data on the go: A great POS system will likely be a cloud-based POS system that lets you check in on your restaurant wherever you are. Whether you’re at the beach, the grocery store, or the dentist, you can see sales numbers, check on your staff, and even update the menu right from your phone.
• Table management: Table management tools help you see your entire restaurant at a glance. You can track which tables are occupied, who’s ordering appetizers, and which server is about to get swamped. A great POS system helps avoid double-seating servers and keeps everyone happy – from the kitchen to the customers.
• Scalability: Thinking of expanding? A great POS system grows with you. Whether you’re opening a second location or launching a food truck, you don’t want to be shopping for a new system every time you grow. Look for a system that can handle multiple locations… and all the craziness that comes with them!

Evaluating restaurant POS systems

Assess your needs

Are you a small café, a full-service restaurant, or a fast-paced quick-service joint? The best restaurant POS system for one place might not be the best for another.

If you’re a full-service restaurant, table management and kitchen display systems (KDS) are essential features. If you're juggling delivery services, look for a restaurant POS system that integrates with delivery management tools. Are you managing multiple locations? You’ll need something scalable with multi-location management and real-time reporting.

Do you have existing equipment like receipt printers or cash drawers? Some POS providers offer hardware packages, while others allow you to use your own POS system hardware. Those upfront costs can add up. And don’t forget about the monthly software fees and payment processing fees. It’s easy to focus on POS systems and forget about the long-term restaurant pos system cost.

Research your options

There are loads of restaurant POS systems out there, so you’ll want to find one that suits your specific needs.

• Core features: Make sure the POS system offers the basics – things like order tracking, payment processing, inventory management, and employee management. A good system will streamline your front of house operations and cut down on manual data entry. You want something that helps you stay on top of menu management, team management, and shift scheduling without stress.
• Cloud-based POS system: This allows you to access your restaurant data from anywhere, making it easy to manage your business remotely. Plus, it automatically updates, so you’ll always be up to date.
• Integrations: The best restaurant POS system should connect with your accounting software, loyalty programs, inventory management tools, and delivery services. The smoother the integration, the easier it is to manage your entire restaurant business in one place.
• Restaurant-specific features: Features like table management, menu customization, and kitchen display systems are restaurant-specific essentials. You also want to look for sales analytics and customer data tracking. These insights can help you refine your marketing features and improve customer satisfaction.
• Hardware costs: Some systems come with a hardware package, while others work with your existing equipment. Just keep an eye on costs like POS terminals, a mobile iPad POS system, a receipt printer, cash drawer, and customer displays.
• Payment processing: Watch out for the hidden costs. Some POS systems lock you into their own payment processing, which might not offer the best rates. And if you’re interested in a cash discount program, some systems allow you to pass those fees to your customers.

Get a demo

This will give you a feel for the user-friendly interface and whether the system meets your specific needs. You’ll also get a firsthand look at the menu items, counter service plan, or full-service capabilities and see how well the POS system fits into your current setup.

Don’t forget to ask about early termination fees, monthly fees, and how quickly the POS provider responds to support requests.

Conclusion

In 2024, the best POS systems for restaurant businesses are designed to help you manage everything from quick sales to intricate operations, like kitchen communication and payment processing. With solutions like Epos Now, restaurants can optimize their inventory, improve customer service, and speed up transactions with ease. Choosing the right POS system tailored to your needs will streamline your processes, leaving more time to focus on what matters most—your customers and growing your business.