In 2023, the fast–food industry worldwide generated over $570 billion in revenue, which was even bigger than the economic value of most countries. Many fast-food restaurants have integrated a POS system to cater to such a large number of customers. Knowing this increasing demand, we will review the 4 best fast food POS software based on their outstanding features and pricing plans.
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What is POS software?
A POS (point of sale) software is a system that helps retailers to handle their transactions with customers, inventory levels, and other management tools.
For many years, fast-food restaurants have served many different types of demands. Due to the complexity of orders and the large number of clients, it is highly beneficial to own a POS system. For example, customers can choose eat-in, takeaways, or online delivery. POS software can also fasten the check-out session. Meanwhile, there is also a need for efficient shift and ingredients inventory management tools.
A POS (point of sale) software is an indispensable tool designed to assist retailers in managing their customer transactions, keeping a close eye on inventory levels, and utilizing other management tools to enhance business efficiency. This modern solution has become particularly popular in various industries, including the fast-paced realm of fast-food restaurants.
For decades, fast-food chains have catered to diverse demands thanks to their versatility and widespread appeal. Integrating a fast food POS system is key with the complexity of orders and the sheer volume of customers frequenting these establishments. For instance, patrons can dine in, opt for takeaways, or even order online for delivery.
To further illustrate, statistics show that online food delivery revenue is predicted to reach US$1.02tn this year, highlighting the importance of an adaptable POS system. Such software dramatically accelerates the check-out process, helping businesses to streamline their services and optimize customer satisfaction.
Also, efficient management of employee shifts and precise inventory tracking of ingredients are integral aspects of fast-food franchise operations. A capable fast food POS system can help automate these processes, saving time and reducing potential errors. For example, a study revealed that businesses using POS systems observed a 16% reduced wasted inventory.
It’s safe to state that a POS system tailored for fast-food restaurants enhances speed and efficiency in transactions and ensures effective management of shifts and inventory. With technology ever-evolving, businesses must adapt and invest in such systems to stand out in the highly competitive fast-food market and ensure customer satisfaction. If you are looking for one, here are the top 4 fast-food POS software options for you to consider:
Top 4 POS software for fast food restaurants
ConnectPOS – The POS system for an omnichannel experience
ConnectPOS offers a range of advanced features to help fast-food restaurant owners manage their businesses efficiently. Let’s look at some of these features and their value to the restaurant industry.
Omnichannel Features:
ConnectPOS offers great omnichannel features that allow fast-food restaurants to sell their products online and offline. With the click-and-collect feature, customers can order online and pick up from the store, which helps save time and increase customer satisfaction. Real-time synchronization helps maintain a consistent database, reducing the occurrence of stockouts or dead stocks. According to a study by the National Retail Federation (NRF), businesses that have implemented omnichannel strategies see an average 9.5% increase in annual revenue.
PWA Consumer App:
ConnectPOS’s PWA Consumer App helps fast-food restaurant operators streamline the ordering process for their customers. The self-checkout feature allows customers to order easily and quickly, providing a better customer experience. Additionally, the app accepts various payment methods, including cash, cards, gift cards, split tenders, and layaways. According to a report by Statista, 48% of internet users in the US have used a mobile payment system at least once.
Pricing Plans:
For these advanced features, ConnectPOS offers reasonable prices with 4 plans:
- Basic – $19/ month
- Standard – $49/ month
- Advanced – $79/ month
- Premium – $99/ month
ConnectPOS offers four different pricing plans to suit different business needs. The Basic plan costs $19 monthly and is great for small businesses. The Standard plan costs $49 monthly and is suitable for businesses with multiple locations. The Advanced plan costs $79 monthly and provides advanced inventory management and reporting features. The Premium plan costs $99 per month and includes priority customer support. According to a survey by the National Restaurant Association, 68% of restaurant operators claim that labor costs are their biggest challenge. Therefore, a low-cost and efficient POS system like ConnectPOS can benefit small fast-food businesses.
Touchbistro – The POS app for a self–service experience
Touchbistro is an iPad POS system that is designed for fast-food-selling operations. It has become outstanding thanks to its self-service technology to boost sales and speed up other activities.
A smart customer kiosk is offered where customers can be guided step-by-step to make a custom order. This can not only ensure an accurate order but also save labor costs.
Although its strength is in the self-service experience, Touchbistro can still help fast-food business owners to maintain a smooth backend operation. With Touchbistro, store owners can manage staff schedules, customers’ redemption points, and payroll.
Pricing Plans:
The pricing plan starts at $69/ month for basic features such as a menu or staff management. If you want more advanced features, there are options to integrate them, including reservations (from $229/month), online ordering (from $50/month), loyalty (from $99/month), etc. This can be a concern for some businesses with tight budgets. However, these professional features can be worth it if you know how to use them wisely.
Toast – The POS system for online ordering
Toast is the next item on our best fast-food POS software list. It is an app with a mobile-friendly interface suitable for online ordering. In a fast-paced environment like fast-food restaurants, paying for one’s meals with their own devices is a time-efficient and labor-saving way.
POS Features:
Toast allows mobile and contactless payment types by scanning a QR code on the receipt.
Another feature that supports online ordering is menu engineering with real-time updates. The system ensures that cashiers and the back kitchen are always synced to keep track of inventory and orders more accurately.
Toast supports small businesses to get started with their POS system by offering a very affordable pricing plan. However, the price considerably goes up if you want more advanced features. Here is an overview of their pricing plans:
- Starter: From $0/month
- Essentials: From $165/month
- Growth: From $272/month
Loyverse – The POS software for small businesses
The final item on our list is Loyverse, which ensures easy fast-food sales and simple business management. With Loyverse, store owners can easily handle transactions, monitor stock levels, and develop a customer loyalty program. The inventory management tool helps restaurant owners stay up-to-date about the current stock situation and get notified whenever a food item runs low. In addition, there are also detailed analyses based on the sales data to keep track of the revenue and identify inaccuracies. Businesses can also use these reports to gain more insights into the best-selling items and make better decisions.
We would recommend Loyverse for small-sized fast-food restaurants that need basic features, as this app has more for free than almost any other fast-food POS. The free features you will get are:
- Point of sale: A user-friendly interface to manage sales transactions and serve customers efficiently.
- Dashboard: A central place to view and analyze key business metrics and data at a glance.
- Kitchen display: A real-time screen for the kitchen staff to see and manage incoming orders, ensuring streamlined food preparation.
- Customer display: A secondary screen for customers to confirm their order details and view relevant promotions or marketing materials.
In addition, there are several add-ons, including
- Employee management: $5/month/employee
- Advanced inventory: $25/month/ store
- Integrations (with third–party app): $9/month/store
Wrapping up
As you have gained some information about the top fast-food POS software, it is time for consideration. Remember that a suitable POS system depends on your specific business needs, such as size, number of locations, etc.
Source: Cloud POS