A restaurant POS is hard to change once you're open. Answer these ten questions before you sign, and you'll avoid most of the regrets owners mention later.
Service and hardware
- What's your service style? Counter, full-service, bar, or a mix. It drives everything else.
- How many stations and handhelds? Count the busiest hour, not the average one.
- Printers or kitchen screens? And how tickets route by station.
Menu and operations
- How complex is your menu? Modifiers, combos, time-based pricing.
- Online ordering and delivery? Do orders flow into the same POS?
- Tips and payroll? Tip pooling, reports and integrations.
Money and terms
- Is processing bundled or separate? Bundled systems can't switch processors.
- What's the total monthly cost? Software, hardware and processing together.
- How long is the agreement? And what does leaving early cost?
Want someone to check your numbers?
Send one recent statement and get a plain-English breakdown of every fee, with options side by side. Free, no obligation.
Support
- Who do you call on a Friday night? And who helps with setup before you open?
Pricing programs
Many restaurants pair their POS with dual pricing so card sales help cover processing. Make sure your POS supports it cleanly, including tips and receipts.
Start early
Give yourself 30 to 60 days before opening. See the new business payment checklist or our restaurant page.
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rates and rules change; confirm current details before acting.