The restaurant industry has become increasingly technology-driven and choosing the right POS system can make all the difference. In this article, we will explore some of the top POS systems available for full-service restaurants. Learn all about their features, benefits, and more, to help you make an informed decision for your business.

Why do full-service restaurants need POS systems?

Full service restaurants require POS systems for several reasons:

1. Streamline and simplify the ordering process: POS systems help to manage the process of taking orders, and the software can be programmed to meet the specific requirements of a restaurant. By streamlining the ordering process, waitstaff can take and process orders more quickly, leaving them more time to spend on customer service.
2. Reduce errors in the kitchen: POS systems ensure that the orders entered by the waitstaff are accurate, minimizing mistakes in the preparation of orders in the kitchen. Customers receive their meals exactly as they requested and increase overall satisfaction.
3. Track inventory: Through real-time inventory control, POS systems can help restaurants to track their ingredients and supplies, respond to changes in demand, and make smarter, data-driven decisions about their menu.
4. Manage employee schedules and time: POS systems can help managers maintain employee schedules, monitor employee time and attendance, reduce overtime, and minimize human error.
5. Generate sales reports and analyze business data: With a POS system, it is possible to generate sales reports quickly and easily. By analyzing business data, restaurant owners can understand trends and make informed decisions that impact the bottom line.
6. Increase convenience for customers: POS systems allow customers to split checks, make payments via mobile or EMV-enabled credit card, and send tickets directly to the kitchen. This can help to expedite the process and increase customer satisfaction.
7. Accept various payment types: With a POS system, restaurants can accept cash, credit/debit cards, mobile payments, making it easier for customers to pay in a way that suits them.
8. Provide better control over operations: With all the critical data collected in one system in real-time, POS systems give restaurant owners, managers, and other stakeholders a clear view of the operation and control over the business. This helps minimize risks and improve overall efficiency and performance.

What features should I look for in a full service restaurant POS system?

When looking for a full service restaurant POS system, here are some crucial features that you should keep in mind:

1. Order Management: A POS system should be able to take and manage orders quickly, including the ability to modify or split orders, track the status of each order, and assign them to specific tables.
2. Menu Management: The system should have a flexible and customizable menu setup that is user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to change.
3. Table Management: Table management functionality is critical to full-service restaurants. The POS system should enable users to move and merge tables, manage open or closed checks, and see table statuses at a glance.
4. Inventory Management: With inventory management capabilities, you should be able to track inventory levels, manage ingredient sourcing, and generate alerts when inventory is low.
5. Employee Management: The POS system should be able to track employee schedules and hours, provide clock-in/out functionality. It should also be able to handle tips and commissions.
6. Payment Processing: The system should support multiple payment options, including credit/debit cards, mobile payments, cash, and gift cards. It should also be able to split payments between multiple guests and handle discounts and gratuities.
7. Reporting and Analytics: The POS system should provide real-time data on sales, labor, inventory, and more. This helps restaurant owners and managers make informed decisions and optimize their operations.
8. Integrations: Look for a POS system that integrates with other essential tools like accounting software and third-party delivery platforms.
9. Ease of Use: Finally, the POS system should be intuitive and easy to use for all users in the restaurant, from wait staff to management.

Overall, the right full-service restaurant POS system can help increase efficiency, reduce errors, improve the customer experience, and drive revenue growth. So, choose the system that meets the unique requirements of your restaurant.

Use Case Scenario

John owns a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has 25 tables. 

This is how a POS system helps him to streamline operations and improve customer experience.

• Order Management: When a customer arrives at the restaurant and is seated at a table, the waitstaff use the POS system to take the order. They select the table number and then choose the items the guest would like to order. The order is then sent directly to the kitchen for preparation. The POS system also allows the waitstaff to modify the order, including adding or deleting items and splitting orders.
• Table Management: The POS system keeps track of the status of every table in the restaurant. When a table has placed an order, the status of that table changes to “In-Progress.” Once an order is delivered to the guest, the waiter marks the table as serviced. The system also allows for merging, splitting, and moving tables if necessary.
• Inventory Management: The POS system helps track inventory levels in real-time and alerts staff when items are running low.
• Reporting and Analytics: This feature allows the staff to review which items are selling and when peak hours are. Based on this, they can make better-informed decisions about his menu and staffing levels.
• Payment Processing: The POS system supports multiple payment options, such as cash, credit/debit cards, and mobile payments. When the customer pays the bill, the system can split the check between multiple guests and also handle tips.
• Employee Management: The POS system tracks employee schedules, hours worked, and tips earned. It also provides various permissions, roles, and access levels for managers, waiters, and support staff.

At the end of the day, the full-service restaurant POS system really helps John increase customer satisfaction and profitability.

Top 5 full-service restaurant POS systems

Here are some of the top retail store POS systems available on the market today:

1. Revel POS: Revel POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically for the hospitality industry. Revel offers a range of features, including online ordering and delivery, and so much more. 
2. Toast POS: Toast is a popular cloud-based POS system used by many full-service restaurants. It’s known for its robust management tools, such as inventory management, staff management, and menu customization. Toast also provides order management, table management, and reporting features.
3. TouchBistro POS: TouchBistro is a system for managing restaurants and a complete point-of-sale solution formulated to stimulate restaurant functions. It offers a broad range of features that boost earnings, optimize operations, and improve customer satisfaction. Its exceptional characteristic resides in the emphasis that is placed on the hospitality industry.
4. Aloha POS: NCR Aloha, a technology platform that operates on the cloud, enables restaurant proprietors to adopt digitalization. The subscription to this platform comprises various provisions such as fixed and mobile point-of-sale systems, and more. The use of Aloha is prevalent among numerous personnel in comparison to other POS. An impressive count of restaurants trusts and utilizes it worldwide.
5. Brink POS: The Brink POS system by PAR Technology is a cost-effective restaurant point of sale system packed with. It offers comprehensive capabilities, including online ordering support, table reservations, and gift card management. All these features can help busy restaurants operate more efficiently and successfully. Thanks to its cloud-based architecture, the system is suitable for all types of companies. Furthermore, restaurant owners can use Brink PAR to monitor sales and expenses, as the system integrates with popular accounting programs.

Overall, make sure to carefully evaluate the needs of your full-service restaurant. With BestPOS consulting, we can help assist you in finding the best point-of-sale system suited for your business.