One of the best ways to take control of your restaurant in the UK is to have an ePOS system. This tool lets you supervise every aspect of your operations from a single screen.
How do you find the best point-of-sale platform for your business? Does it matter what features are included with your investment?
This comprehensive guide will answer these questions while closely examining today’s top affordable ePOS systems for restaurants.
What are ePOS systems?
Restaurant ePOS software is like an intelligent till that does more than ring up your order. It stands for “Electronic Point of Sale,” and it’s a high-tech way for businesses to handle transactions.
Think of it as a digital helper for keeping track of sales, inventory, and customer information.
With an ePOS system, the service provider can quickly tap on a touchscreen to add up all the items on order, apply discounts if there are any special deals, and even process card payments.
The best systems do more than handle payments. They function like a business assistant, tracking how much inventory remains for the restaurant. That makes it easier to know when to reorder supplies. You can get sales reports that show where your best sales are and what items might need to come off the menu.
An ePOS system helps to keep things running smoothly. That’s why more UK restaurants are considering this investment right now.
List of the key features a robust ePOS system should offer
Today’s best ePOS systems for takeaways and more should include at least five essential features to ensure your business can use its advantages to the utmost.
Although every ePOS takes a different approach to providing positive outcomes, here is what you’ll want to watch for when evaluating products.
- Sales Reporting. Access insightful reports that break down sales trends, top-selling items, and customer preferences. This data can guide your business decisions.
- Multichannel Integration. With this feature, you can seamlessly integrate your ePOS with different online platforms and sales channels for consistent and up-to-date information for your restaurant to use.
- Payment Options. The best ePOS systems offer diverse payment methods like credit cards, mobile wallets, and even contactless options to cater to various customer preferences.
- Security Measures. Look for data protection and encryption options to safeguard sensitive customer information and your financial data within the scope of today’s regulatory framework.
- Scalability. As your business grows, your ePOS should be able to accommodate increased transactions and additional features without significant disruptions.
Once you evaluate an ePOS for these foundational features, your business could benefit from additional help outside its core elements.
Inventory management is among the best features to find with an ePOS ordering system. You can efficiently track and manage what you have in real-time scenarios, helping to avoid overstocking or running out of a popular item.
It is also helpful for an ePOS to provide ongoing support and updates. Times change, businesses evolve, and the system should be adaptable to those circumstances. Access to reliable customer support and regular system updates ensures that it functions smoothly as time passes.
A closer look at the best ePOS solutions for UK restaurants
All ePOS solutions should offer some level of custom support. With this capability, you can tailor your restaurant to match its needs instead of the reverse. Today’s best solutions include setting up product categories and configuring your promotions and discounts.
Here is a look at today’s top choices so that you can choose the perfect ePOS for your business.
Choice #1: Grafterr
With Grafterr, you’ll find an ePOS designed to let you sell anything from your restaurant with a seamless experience. The selling tools allow you to get paid multiple ways within the same setup, including the option to send invoices if you do catering.
The kitchen display lets you keep everything organised in the back, but you can automate order flow and cut costs with the QR Order and Pay feature.
As an ePOS platform, you can manage every operational area of the business from a single screen. You can tap into more functionality through this single resource than any other competitor right now.
- An interactive menu builder lets you create new items in seconds.
- Multiple types (takeaway, delivery ePOS, café ePOS system, and more) receive support.
- Marketing promotions and tools are built into the system.
- Stay on top of your table bookings and allow online reservations.
- Supply management and inventory control let you track individual ingredients.
- Live driver tracking offers more delivery management control.
Even if your UK restaurant takes orders across different channels, you can sync them directly to this ePOS platform. In return, you can serve customers faster than before.
Choice #2: Square
Square is a financial technology company that provides various services for businesses and individuals. Founded by Jack Dorsey in 2009, its ePOS enables businesses to process payments efficiently with mobile devices.
It is particularly beneficial for restaurants in the UK that need a more convenient or affordable way to accept credit card payments.
You have access to several tools with this ePOS, including appointment scheduling, online stores, and restaurant management.
Square’s user-friendly approach and clear fee structure have made it a popular choice for those seeking ePOS support. When evaluating its features, you will want to consider the occasional holds on funds and the need for a dedicated customer service line for restaurants.
Overall, Square has made significant strides in simplifying financial services and empowering businesses and individuals to manage their finances more efficiently.
Choice #3: SumUp
Established in 2012, SumUp offers a range of devices that allow merchants to accept card payments quickly, using smartphones or tablets as their point-of-sale system. The goal is to deliver a simple and accessible solution.
You’ll find a transparent pricing model awaiting you, which appeals to restaurants looking for a cost-effective payment processing solution.
The services are offered in several countries, making it an appropriate solution for UK owners requiring cross-border support.
Most of the ePOS system for restaurant support is centred around payment processing, so it isn’t as comprehensive a solution as others. It lets you track transactions, generate reports, and configure your business tools to streamline workflows.
There can also be occasional connection issues when using its card reader. The menu management resources can sometimes lag, but the overall user experience remains positive. You can even track loyalty points with it.
If you need an affordable and convenient way to accept payments, especially as a new restaurant, a startup, or a pop-up, you’ll find the support you need.
Choice #4: Epos Now
Founded in 2011, Epos Now offers a comprehensive range of hardware and software to help businesses manage transactions, inventory and customer interactions efficiently. You can manage your staff scheduling and evaluate your restaurant’s metrics from this all-in-one solution.
Epos Now’s greatest strength is its versatility, which you’ll find with the Kitchen Display System. This tool lets you sync your front and back of house. When new or updated orders come, an audio alert lets everyone know to check the screen.
It offers multiple station views and order grouping while reducing waste in expeditor mode.
Since it is a feature-rich ePOS, you can expect to have a steeper learning curve to navigate compared to a more straightforward platform. The interface can feel a little overwhelming at first. Still, it does an excellent job of providing what your restaurant needs once you get to know it better.
If you can invest some time to get acquainted with all its features, you’ll find Epos Now is a robust and adaptable choice that can streamline your operations.
How to choose the correct ePOS for your business
Picking the right ePOS system for your business is like finding the perfect puzzle piece that completes another part of the overall picture.
For most UK restaurants, the decision breaks down into the following steps.
- Know Your Needs. Think about what your restaurant requires. Do you run a small café with a few items, or do you have a bustling establishment with an extensive menu and dozens of tables to manage? List the features you must have, like sales reports, inventory tracking, and customer loyalty programs.
- Choose Your Interface. The best ePOS systems don’t require a computer science degree to use. Look for an option with a user-friendly UX that everyone can quickly learn.
- Compatibility. What devices are you comfortable using? Some ePOS systems run on tablets, while others work best on traditional registers, so ensure the one you pick is compatible with your current or planned equipment assets.
- Scalability. Think about the future! If you plan to expand your UK restaurant, you’ll want an ePOS system to grow with you.
- Payment Options. Check whether the ePOS system supports various payment methods, like credit cards, mobile payments, and even digital wallets. The more options you have, the easier it is for customers to pay.
- Integration. If you already use accounting resources or inventory management tools, consider how your preferred ePOS system integrates with them.
- Cost. Budget is always a crucial consideration. Some ePOS systems charge a flat fee, while others have a subscription model. Remember to factor in the hardware costs, like tablets or receipt printers!
- Security. The ePOS should manage sensitive information while meeting or exceeding the current regulatory standards.
If the ePOS provider offers a trial period, it helps to take advantage of that opportunity to see if the setup fits your UK restaurant’s business needs and workflows.
This guide highlights how to choose the perfect ePOS for your UK restaurant. Each business has unique needs to consider, so analysing all the best options is an investment worth making. That way, you can find the right fit and ensure it grows with you!
