Trying to run and grow a restaurant using old, outdated processes like handwritten order receipts is a huge waste of time and energy. Even if you don’t have the same customer base as the big chain restaurants, there are some things you just can’t skimp on, and your point-of-sale (POS) system is one of them.
A point-of-sale system is like a computerized cash register, it has the ability to manage inventory, creates an easier order-taking system, increases profits, and will increase the overall productivity of your service and kitchen staff. Now, the process of determining which POS system best suits your business needs can be very confusing. Finding the right system, at an affordable price, that includes everything you need, and is also compatible with your merchant card processor, can sometimes seem like a nightmare.
As a smaller restaurant, don’t be fooled into buying the more complex POS systems. Larger restaurants and fine dining establishments may need things like multiple server stations, hostess station systems, bar server stations, and multiple kitchen printers, but as a small restaurant this is not the case. A centrally located server station and kitchen printer is more than enough for most small restaurants. Resist buying all the bells and whistles, a POS system is expensive, you don’t need to increase your balance due by buying a machine that doesn’t match the size of your business.
Here are the top 4 things to look for when buying or leasing a restaurant POS system:
1. Learning curve: Expect there to be a learning curve with your new system. You will need to become an expert on the system and also train your staff. The dealer you buy or lease your equipment from should offer these training services, but if possible, select a system that is easiest to learn.
2. POS System Maintenance: Things in a restaurant tend to get greasy, spill food on them, and get dirty quickly. You realize this better than anyone, so remember that it’s important to keep your machines very clean. Your staff will need to be very careful not to spill liquids on them and if they do, they should be cleaned up immediately. In some cases, damage caused by lack of preventative maintenance and user-inflicted damage can void any dealer-provided warranty.
3. Do you have the space?: Although the hardware itself may be relatively small in size, make sure you can store your printers and monitors in the right places. This equipment tends to be sensitive to heat, so for kitchens that use ovens, fryers, and other things that heat up quickly, it’s best to keep printers away from those areas.
4. Find a trusted dealer: The needs of your type of business are very specific, and working with the best, most reputable distributor is one of the most important keys to your success.