Restaurant POS software is used to process orders, making payments, and managing inventory levels. In essence, it can place everything regarding establishment’s sales in order. though it’s turning progressively indispensable for businesses across industries, not each restaurant is on board. Many smaller shops are still using analog cash registers and spreadsheets to process transactions and update inventory.
Thankfully, restaurants can choose among POS software solutions with different features and price points. Like anything else, finding the right one is about assessing your needs and how they should be met. To help you get started, here are three of the most important features to look for:
Inventory Tracking
Striking the delicate balance between having ingredients on hand and customer demand can make or break an operation. You can keep track of what you’re running out of and what customers aren’t interested in. Some POS solutions can even notify you when you’re running low on certain items—which is crucial during high-volume times. The last thing you want on a busy Saturday night is to run out of your bestselling item.
Sales Reporting
POS software can create sales reports and help managers track the performance of individual establishments in different locations. Such reporting highlights which items are selling quickly and shows businesses how to focus on the biggest revenue generators. This data can be critical for demand and revenue forecasting. Depending on the system, reporting capabilities may include total sales, sales for any given time period, sales per item or category, and sales by item or server
Customer Management
Some POS software has the capability to store basic customer data like names and contact information. This data can give sales managers and servers the ability to personalize the dining experience and thereby improve customer loyalty. the probability of selling to a new customer at between 5 and 20%, while the chances of selling to an existing customer are between 60 and 70%. By collecting customer details, retailers can identify valued customers and anticipate their orders. After all, there are few things as comforting as that age-old notion of going somewhere where everyone knows your name—and dinner order.
