Restaurant cash registers are becoming a thing of the past.

Things like your favorite comfortable jeans and your grandmother’s apple pie recipe probably should never be replaced. But when it comes to your restaurant’s old-school cash register, a modern makeover is definitely in order. Once you understand the updated equipment in the realm of payment processing for bars and restaurants, you will say goodbye to that creaky old register once and for all.

Cash registers defined.

In short, your cash register is there for the sole purpose of processing payments. You input the necessary data, and the machine spits out a receipt. The register contains a keypad and display for inputting information and a cash drawer for storing bills and coins. When connected to a reader, more modern ones can also process credit card transactions.

Point of sale systems defined.

Think of your point of sale (POS) system as a cash register on steroids. While it definitely processes payments quickly and securely, this is just the beginning of its capabilities. The computer-based hardware and software also allows you to track inventory, launch a customer loyalty program, enhance relationships with your patrons, manage your employees, and create invoices. If after viewing the distinctions between cash registers and POS solutions you are still feeling a nostalgic attachment to your current set-up, take just a few more minutes to get a sense of the many advantages a modern POS can bring to your eatery or bar.

Ability to instantly update your menu from anywhere.

Back before COVID-19, your restaurant was probably like most others. You had a paper menu that didn’t change, perhaps augmenting it with daily specials written on a board or on a separate page at the table. The pandemic virtually forced many establishments to embrace touchless options such as tableside and kiosk ordering. Combined with the power of a POS, this innovation gives restaurateurs much more freedom and flexibility.

Thanks to a POS, you can now change menu options and seasonal offerings from an off-site computer that will be immediately transmitted to all of your locations. This provides added choices for customers while allowing your chefs to have fun and be creative.

Maximum inventory management.

It should be one of your main goals to serve the fresh food that customers want. Rarely if ever should you run out of ingredients or walk into the cooler only to discover that your produce has gone bad. Your POS is equipped with a full set of inventory management tools that help to ensure that you never fall below your high standards.

With the help of your POS, you can keep track of every ingredient and menu item in your kitchen. The system can be set up to alert you when things start to run low so that you have plenty of time to re-order. Combined with the system’s reporting feature, you are also able to gather insights about food usage and the popularity of individual items or dishes, thus providing you with all you need to serve the delicious, fresh foods your patrons want.

Help customers plan their next meal.

The smartphone and computer now give patrons a way to make reservations for upcoming lunches or dinners on their own and in advance. Your POS can assist with this task and also help customers find their preferred seat in your dining-room thanks to its ability to feature a physical map of your site. One look at your POS can tell you and your hosts where the busiest parts of the floor will be throughout each shift so that you can delegate responsibilities accordingly.

Integrate with your third-party online ordering software.

You may already work with an outside company or software that makes it possible for customers to order online for pick-up or delivery. With a POS, you don’t need to get rid of this system; modern solutions can easily integrate with online ordering platforms. As a result, you can be just as efficient as ever or even more so when it comes to accepting customer payments and preparing food.

Bring staff management into the 21st century.

If you are still using a paper timesheet system or a time clock from the 1990s, you’re missing out on the efficiency and accountability of the digital scheduling and other employee management features contained in your POS solution. Clocking in and out can be done directly through your restaurant’s POS, and you can always have a snapshot of the complete staff schedule at your fingertips. If modifications need to be made or communications sent to individuals or the entire group of servers, you can do it with just a few clicks. The system’s reporting features also enable you to see each person’s hours, overtime, tips, time off, and other performance data that you can use for training and feedback purposes.

Integration with third-party accounting software.

We hope you’re not attempting to take care of your books manually and that you already use software such as QuickBooks or Xero to maximize accuracy and efficiency in this regard. If you are, your modern POS can easily integrate with these systems. This enables you to have greater access to the information these programs contain, making you better able to view income and expenses and come up with intelligent forecasts and marketing decisions.

Offer more payment methods.

Your current register can accept cash, checks, and credit cards, and this is a great start. However, today’s customers are leaning toward also wanting to make contactless EMV payments via Apple Pay, Android Pay, and other options. In addition to giving you the freedom of movement that linking with a handheld card reader provides, your updated POS system will also be able to accept all of these secure touchless options.

Ongoing access to software updates.

Your cash register represents the definition of stability. You use the same features today that were available when you bought the equipment, with no ability to update or improve it. By contrast, the developers of a cloud-based POS are constantly enhancing it and ensuring that it is as secure and efficient as current knowledge allows.

Although there was a time when cash registers fulfilled the payment needs of restaurants and bars, that day has gone by. Talk to your merchant account provider about incorporating a POS into your eatery, and you will probably be shocked at how affordable and easy it will be to set up the equipment and software. After that initial learning curve, you, your employees and customers will wonder how you ever did without your restaurant point of sale solution.