OneHubPOS V2: Now Live. Smarter & Faster!
Explore Now
.webp)
POS systems have evolved dramatically over the years. What began as basic cash registers for tracking sales has now transformed into advanced cloud-based POS systems capable of processing transactions with just a tap or scan.
Now, here’s a key question: Should you stick with an on-premise POS system for greater control and reliability, or switch to a cloud-based solution for enhanced flexibility and ease?
With tech evolving and higher customer expectations, making the right choice is important for your business. So, let’s find out which POS system fits your business best and what the future holds.
So, what’s cloud-based POS vs traditional POS all about? Before you get into the future of POS systems, let’s talk about that:
Retailers get real-time inventory tracking to help them avoid stockouts and overstocking. It supports multiple payment options, including contactless and digital wallets. Omnichannel integration lets stores sync online and offline sales seamlessly. A cloud-based POS system for retail comes with built-in customer management tools to help personalize promotions and loyalty programs.
Restaurants benefit from mobile ordering and tableside payments, reducing wait times. Menu management allows quick updates for seasonal dishes or price changes. Kitchen display system integration improves order accuracy. Multi-location support in a cloud-based POS system for restaurants helps manage franchises easily. Additionally, real-time sales tracking enhances decision-making for peak hours and menu adjustments.
So, what is a cloud-based POS system? With a cloud-based POS system, you can run your business from anywhere—whether you're at home, in a café, or even on vacation. Instead of storing data on bulky in-store servers, these systems keep everything safe on remote servers, accessible through the internet. Some key features are as follows:
Check sales, manage inventory, and analyze performance in real-time, whether you're at a store, another location, or on the move.
No more manually updating software. Your POS stays up-to-date automatically.
Running a small café today but dreaming of multiple locations tomorrow? Cloud-based systems make it easy to expand. You can manage multiple locations from a single dashboard. Plus, adding these new locations is simple.
No huge upfront investment. Just a monthly or annual fee. Ideal for small businesses that want to keep costs low.
Does cloud POS work without the internet? Well, some cloud-based POS systems have an offline mode. This keeps your business running even if the internet goes down. They store sales data locally and sync it to the cloud when the internet is back.
Traditional POS systems resemble old-school cash registers but are enhanced with modern technology. They keep all your data stored right inside your business. They require a local server and hardware. Though still in use, they come with certain limitations. Some key features are as follows:
Everything is stored in-house. So, you own and manage your data. Ideal for businesses with strict security policies.
These systems require dedicated terminals, cash registers, and on-site servers, making them costly to install, upgrade, and maintain.
You can only access sales data from the physical location, making remote management difficult.
Software updates and new features require manual installations, often leading to outdated systems and compatibility issues.
Repairs and upgrades involve on-site servicing, increasing operational expenses over time.
No internet? No problem. Your business keeps running without disruptions.
Let’s look at the biggest trends shaping POS systems today and how they’re already making an impact.
Self-service kiosks are everywhere, from fast-food chains to retail stores. Why? Because people love speed. Plus, for businesses, a self-ordering kiosk cuts costs. In fact, 85% of restaurant tech leaders aim to implement self-service options.
Take McDonald’s, for example. Its self-order kiosks let customers customize their meals, order and pay instantly, and skip long lines. The result? Faster service and higher order values.
Big chain retail stores and restaurants remember your usual order. That’s POS analytics reports at work. Tracking purchase history and customer preferences using POS reports and not guesswork helps it offer personalized recommendations, targeted discounts, and even loyalty programs.
Businesses using omnichannel strategies see an 80% increase in additional store visits. So, POS systems are likely to be used for executing omnichannel strategies.
For example, Nike allows customers to shop online, reserve items, and pick them up in-store. Meanwhile, brands like Sephora integrate in-store and online purchases. So, if a customer buys a foundation online, its POS system remembers the shade when they visit their physical store.
Digital wallets, contactless payments, and QR code transactions are taking over. In the US, by 2027, about 94% of payments will be cashless. Think about how Apple Pay and Venmo have become second nature. Going completely contactless makes transactions faster and reduces security risks.
Customers don’t want to wait in line at a store. That’s what mobile POS is enabling. At stores like Foot Locker’s WSS, Cole Buxton, Samsung, and Apple, employees don’t stand behind a counter. They carry mobile POS devices. So, customers can pay anywhere in the store, dramatically increasing the revenue.
Thinking of “cloud-based POS vs traditional POS” to choose the best is about what works best for your business, operations, and long-term goals. To make the right call, you need to weigh flexibility, security, costs, and reliability.
Let’s break it down step by step.
Before buying a POS system, ask yourself:
A cloud POS is ideal because it lets you monitor sales and inventory in real-time, from anywhere.
Traditional POS is better as it works offline without depending on an internet connection.
Cloud POS is better because it offers easy multi-location management and centralized data access.
Traditional POS is better since it keeps sensitive data stored on local servers, reducing online security risks.
For example, a food truck owner constantly moves locations. A cloud-based food truck POS lets them track sales, accept payments, and check inventory on their phone. On the other hand, a high-end restaurant prefers an on-premise QSR POS to keep guest payment details secure while maintaining uninterrupted service during peak hours.
So, a small bistro just starting out might choose a cloud-based bistro POS with a low monthly fee. This way, it avoids the hefty upfront costs of an on-premise system. But a franchise with multiple locations might find an on-premise system cheaper in the long run since they won’t be paying monthly cloud fees forever.
A cloud-based POS system for restaurants needs a stable internet connection. But some offer offline mode to keep business running. Similarly, on-premise POS works even when Wi-Fi is down. As a result, both can work well for businesses located in areas with unreliable connectivity.
The cloud-based POS provider manages security updates, encryption, and fraud detection. With an on-premise POS, however, you manage security independently. But you also need dedicated IT support to handle updates and data protection.
Cloud POS scales easily. Perfect for growing businesses adding new locations. But on-premise POS is harder to scale. Each new store may need separate infrastructure and IT support.
For example, a fast-growing online beauty brand opens its first physical store. A cloud-based POS system for retail perfectly integrates both online and in-store sales. But a luxury watch store with a single high-end location doesn’t need multi-location management. So, they stick with an on-premise system.
The evolution of POS systems is driven by technological advancements, shifting consumer behaviors, and evolving business needs. With AI-driven insights, better security, and automation, POS systems will continue to offer businesses smarter, faster, and more efficient ways to manage transactions and customer interactions.
And what about “cloud-based POS vs traditional POS”? If remote access, scalability, and automatic updates are your priorities, a cloud-based POS is your best choice. If you prioritize data control, security, and reliability, on-premise POS still has its place.
Whichever option you choose, investing in the right POS system will help your business stay competitive. With OneHubPOS, enjoy seamless payments, advanced POS analytics for actionable insights, and self-service features that your customers will appreciate. Book a demo today!
%20(1)%20(1)%20(3).webp)
The Northeast Acquirers Association (NEAA) 2025 event wrapped up recently, and the OneHubPOS team was on the ground, soaking in all the insights and innovations. This year's event was buzzing with discussions around the evolving payments landscape, emerging technologies, and strategies for navigating the future of merchant services.
%20(1).webp)
For ISOs, MSPs, acquirers, and PayFacs, NEAA 2025 offered a wealth of knowledge and opportunities. Here are our top takeaways:
One of the most prominent themes at NEAA 2025 was the growing demand for integrated solutions. Merchants are increasingly seeking platforms that seamlessly combine POS systems, payment processing, inventory management, and other essential business functions.
Many restaurants and retail stores are turning to fully integrated solutions that help streamline their day-to-day operations. For example, Starbucks uses a custom POS system that integrates payment processing, customer loyalty programs, and inventory tracking. This allows them to provide a seamless experience for both customers and staff while gathering valuable data on purchasing patterns and preferences.
With the rise in cyber threats, security was a top concern at NEAA 2025. Discussions revolved around the latest encryption technologies, tokenization methods, and fraud prevention strategies.
The Target data breach in 2013 exposed the credit card information of millions of customers, costing the company over $18 million in settlements and damaging its reputation. Since then, the retail industry has focused heavily on improving security protocols, including adopting encryption, tokenization, and PCI DSS compliance to protect sensitive customer data.
Data analytics continues to be a game-changer in the payments industry. NEAA 2025 highlighted the importance of leveraging data to gain insights into merchant behavior, identify trends, and personalize customer experiences.
Companies like Amazon and Square are leaders in using data analytics to optimize merchant operations. Amazon analyzes customer data to provide highly personalized recommendations, while Square provides merchants with dashboards that track sales, customer preferences, and peak business hours.
Contactless payments have become increasingly popular in recent years, and NEAA 2025 confirmed that this trend is here to stay. Discussions focused on the latest contactless technologies, including NFC, QR codes, and mobile wallets.
Apple Pay and Google Pay have led the charge in contactless payments, making it easy for consumers to tap their phones or smartwatches to make secure payments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, contactless payment usage surged, and businesses that adopted contactless solutions saw increased customer satisfaction and faster checkout times.
Ultimately, the success of any payment solution depends on the customer experience it provides. NEAA 2025 emphasized the importance of creating seamless, intuitive, and personalized experiences for both merchants and their customers.
Disney is known for its exceptional focus on customer experience, even when it comes to payments. Their MagicBand system acts as a contactless payment solution, room key, and FastPass all in one, providing a seamless experience for park visitors.
NEAA 2025 provided valuable insights into the current state and future direction of the payments industry. As ISOs, MSPs, acquirers, and PayFacs, it's essential to stay informed, adapt to changing trends, and partner with innovative solution providers.
OneHubPOS is committed to empowering our Partners with the tools and resources they need to succeed in today's dynamic market. Explore how OneHubPOS can transform your merchant experience—Schedule a free demo today!
What if your POS crashes on the biggest shopping day of the year? When you find your POS system down, you'll only be left with clueless cashiers, grumbling customers, and vanishing sales.
This scenario is a nightmare that many small businesses have faced. The wrong POS system or failing to use it right can harm your revenue and slow operations. Consequently, your customers run to your competitors. So, let’s go through some commonly-made POS mistakes and how to resolve them to make sure POS mishaps don't happen to you.
Many business owners overlook key features, fail to train staff, or prioritize cost over quality. The result? Pretty serious problems! Let’s find out more.
Are all POS systems the same? Well, NO! Still, many business owners pick a system without considering whether it meets their specific industry needs.
A restaurant POS comes with a table management system. On the other hand, a retail store POS has powerful SKU tracking. Choosing a generic POS can lead to:
For example, on June 15, 2019, 1800 Target stores faced a POS outage for two hours. Right before Father’s Day! Registers stopped working. Consequently, customers couldn’t check out.
The reason? A system error that couldn’t handle the high transaction volume. This incident cost approximately $50 million in lost sales and frustrated customers who abandoned their carts.
Before buying a POS system, make sure it is built for your business needs. It could be high transaction volume, industry-specific functions, smooth scalability, or more.
Suppose a clothing boutique sells a jacket online. But it still shows the jacket as available in-store. This can cause confusion when a customer walks in to buy it.
Many businesses don’t check integration features before buying a POS. Later, they find themselves:
The result? Increased errors and harder decision-making.
Your POS should connect perfectly with your accounting, inventory management, eCommerce, and CRM systems.
Even if your POS is marketed as “intuitive,” your staff will still require adequate training to avoid costly errors. Well, this is not entirely true. Without proper training, employees may struggle with the POS, leading to slower transactions and more errors. Plus, customer frustration rises.
Suppose you have an ambitious plan to launch a new self-ordering kiosk. But what's the point if the lack of well-trained staff won’t let you reap the expected benefits? Customers will try to place orders but won't get any assistance from staff members about operating the system. The outcome: Long wait times, frustrated customers, and abandoned orders. Instead of speeding up service, it would slow them down.
Even the most “user-friendly” POS requires staff training to avoid slowdowns and costly mistakes.
A business can’t function properly with inaccurate inventory tracking. Yet, many business owners pick a POS that lacks advanced inventory features. This leads to overstocking, stockouts, and lost sales.
A POS should offer automated stock tracking, bulk import/export, and real-time updates to keep inventory accurate and efficient.
Going for the cheapest POS option is tempting. But in the long run, this decision can cost way more. The ROI justifies the cost of POS systems for small businesses.
Small businesses, often operating on limited budgets, are more prone to making this mistake. On top of that, not reading the fine print makes the business suffer even more when stuck in a bad POS contract. Even when they want to switch, they face a huge exit fee. In fact, they’re likely to end up paying more in the long run than if they pick a better system upfront.
Instead of choosing the cheapest option, look at long-term value, scalability, and transparent pricing. Also, read POS system reviews. You can also look for trial versions at budget-friendly pricing. For example, you can get started with OneHubPOS at just $1!
When you find your POS system down during peak hours with no quick support response, your customers leave and you lose sales. The store could lose thousands of dollars in revenue during just a few peak hours. All because they didn’t prioritize customer support when choosing a POS!
A POS provider should offer 24/7 customer support, troubleshooting guides, and proactive assistance to decrease business disruptions to the least.
Your business needs a POS system that’s built for efficiency, automation, and long-term scalability. OneHubPOS puts an end to common mistakes with customized solutions, smooth integrations, user-friendly interfaces, advanced inventory tracking, transparent pricing, and reliable customer support.
OneHubPOS is built to cater to specific industries. So, you can get the features they need. Plus, no unnecessary add-ons or costly customizations!
With real-time data synchronization, you don’t have to worry about manual errors, duplicate entries, or delayed updates. This leads to better decision-making and smoother operations.
A POS should be easy for staff to learn and use. Otherwise, it slows down operations.
OneHubPOS provides real-time inventory tracking so you always know what’s in stock.
While some POS providers do not disclose their transaction fees, costly add-ons, or expensive contract termination fees, OneHubPOS keeps pricing clear and fair.
OneHubPOS prioritizes the best customer support. So, businesses get help when they need it. Thus, issues don’t lead to lost revenue.
The wrong POS system can lead to lost revenue, inefficiencies, and frustrated customers. Common mistakes, like choosing the wrong system, ignoring integrations, failing to train staff, mismanaging inventory, prioritizing price over quality, and underutilizing customer support, can all hurt a business.
But with OneHubPOS, you get:
Ready to streamline your business and avoid costly POS mistakes? Book a demo today and discover how OneHubPOS can boost efficiency, sales, and customer satisfaction!
%20(1).webp)
Lunch and dinner rushes vs. slow afternoons. Busy weekends vs. quiet weekday mornings. Friday night rush vs. late-night stragglers. Not all hours are equal. Every business faces staffing challenges—too few employees during rushes and too many during slow hours.
What if you could predict demand and schedule accordingly? That’s where POS data helps.
Instead of relying on guesswork, use POS data analytics to track sales patterns and identify peak hours. This blog explores how POS reports help optimize scheduling and best practices to cut costs while boosting efficiency. Let’s dive in!
Understanding when your business experiences the most traffic helps prevent staffing nightmares.
People tend to dine out in predictable waves—lunchtime (12 PM to 2 PM) and dinner (6 PM to 9 PM) see the highest foot traffic. Weekends are even busier as families and groups eat out.
After-work hours see a rise in shoppers, while weekends bring larger crowds. Holiday shopping seasons (Black Friday, Halloween, and Christmas) are peak traffic periods.
Many customers stock up before the weekend or holidays, leading to rush on Friday evenings and before big celebrations. Late-night spikes also happen just before closing time.
Without proper staffing, your business might have to face:
Instead of hiring too many employees when it's slow or too few when demand is high, using POS data analytics helps businesses with:
Your POS analytics report collects valuable data daily about customer behavior, sales, and staff for better results. Analyzing these insights can help you schedule staff efficiently, cut unnecessary labor costs, and improve customer experience. Here are ten ways to leverage POS reports for smarter staffing decisions.
Tracking sales trends by the hour, day, or week helps identify peak times, ensuring adequate staffing during rush hours while avoiding overstaffing. In the sales over time POS report, you can set daily and hourly filters to track revenue patterns over different timeframes.
For example, a coffee shop's all-in-one POS system shows that sales peak between 8 AM 10 AM (morning coffee rush) and 1 PM to 3 PM (lunch break). Scheduling more baristas during these hours and reducing staff in the afternoon can maximize the shop’s efficiency without overspending on labor.
Tracking order volume shows when the most orders happen. Knowing this from the order counts analytics report can help you schedule the right number of staff during peak hours.
For example, a retail store POS shows that even though weekdays seem quiet overall, the lunch break from 12 PM to 2 PM consistently has high order counts. This means the store should schedule extra cashiers only during these hours instead of the entire day.
The transaction history report provides an hourly breakdown of transactions, including counter-specific POS data. It helps you find out if specific checkout counters get overwhelmed while others remain idle.
For example, a liquor store POS shows that although Fridays are busy, the real congestion happens between 7 PM and 9 PM at one particular checkout counter. Placing an extra cashier at that counter during those hours can improve the store’s service without hiring extra employees for the entire shift.
The day-wise report gives a big-picture view of how different days perform, helping businesses decide which days need more staffing. It also shows how discounts and promotional ideas impact sales trends.
For example, a cloud kitchen POS notices that Saturdays consistently bring in 40% more sales than weekdays. Instead of hiring more full-time employees, bringing in part-time staff every Saturday can manage cloud kitchen operations and optimize labor costs.
The employee shiftwise report includes hours worked, order count, sales, pay, and more. It tracks how productive each employee is during their shifts. It helps you identify if current shift assignments align with actual sales volume. You can set up flexible work hours or split shifts to match demand.
For example, a fine-dining restaurant POS shows that the dinner rush brings in the most orders, but servers from the afternoon shift are still on the clock. Staggering shifts and calling in the evening team an hour earlier can improve the restaurant’s service without unnecessary labor costs.
Discounts and promotions can drive traffic. So, they often justify hiring more staff. A sales by discount report tracks how discounts affect foot traffic and peak sales periods. So, you can adjust staffing before major promotions.
For example, while running a “Wednesday Discount Day,” a pizzeria POS shows that only a few extra customers come in. Instead of adding staff, the pizzeria can redistribute existing employees to manage stock replenishment and checkout speed.
Different payment methods affect checkout speed. POS data reveals if cash transactions slow down lines during peak hours. Businesses can schedule extra cashiers or promote contactless payment options.
For example, a grocery store finds that 70% of evening customers pay in cash, causing long queues. Assigning more cashiers at peak times can speed up the store’s transactions and improve customer satisfaction.
POS data tracks customer demographics, helping businesses adjust staffing based on customer preferences based on the age group. If certain customers shop more at specific hours, trained staff can be scheduled accordingly.
For example, a beauty specialty store finds younger customers visit in the evening and spend more time browsing. Assigning beauty consultants at those hours can help the store keep service on point and boost sales.
Some products sell more during specific hours, creating a need for specialized staffing. POS data highlights these trends to optimize shift planning.
For example, a bistro POS shows that their dessert sales peak from 9 PM to 11 PM. To handle demand, the bistro can assign extra staff to their dessert counter during those hours for faster service.
POS data helps businesses manage online and in-store sales simultaneously. If online orders peak when the store is busy, staff can be redistributed efficiently.
For example, a quick service restaurant POS shows high online pre-orders in the morning but peak walk-ins in the evening. Adjusting staff schedules can help the QSR ensure both order types are handled smoothly.
Say goodbye to guesswork in staffing. POS data takes the guesswork out of scheduling! By tracking sales trends, order volumes, and employee productivity, you can:
Why struggle with overstaffing or understaffing when you can make data-driven decisions? OneHubPOS gives you the insights you need to staff smarter, not harder. Ready to optimize your workforce? Book a demo with OneHubPOS today!
%20(1).webp)
Lost bottles, suspicious discounts, and "missing" cash. Liquor store theft is no joke. Whether it's customers slipping pricey whiskey into their bags or employees manipulating transactions, liquor store theft is a major profit drain. Why? Because alcohol is small, valuable, and ridiculously easy to resell. But you can stop it!
A well-optimized POS system can help you monitor inventory, track suspicious transactions, and prevent both internal and external liquor store theft. Let’s break down how smart POS features can help you.
Let’s first understand why liquor stores are particularly vulnerable to theft:
Premium whiskey and tequila can cost hundreds of dollars, making them prime targets for theft and resale on the black market. Also, some customers may even attempt “refund fraud.” They steal a bottle and later return to the store claiming they purchased it.
Unlike electronics or luxury handbags, liquor is compact. So, it is easier to hide alcohol bottles under clothing, in bags, or even in pockets. A thief can easily grab a bottle and walk out without raising suspicion.
Employees may commit fraud by voiding sales, issuing fake refunds, or undercharging friends. Some may even steal bottles themselves, especially in stores that don’t have proper employee tracking.
Many small liquor stores still rely on manual inventory counts or outdated cash registers. Without automated tracking, it’s hard to detect when stock goes missing.
The more cash you handle, the easier it is for employees or even an outsider to pocket money without being caught. Without strong cash-handling policies, liquor store burglary becomes a daily risk.
Let’s dive into the best ways to prevent liquor store theft using a liquor store POS system that tracks everything, from suspicious patterns in sales to staff activities:
A POS system automatically tracks every sale and updates your inventory in real time. This serves as your first line of defense against liquor store theft, instantly identifying missing stock before losses add up. It also reduces the risk of employee or vendor theft.
To prevent liquor store theft, use your POS system to:
For example, if your POS reports show 10 bottles of Jack Daniel’s sold, but only eight remain on the shelf, you can immediately investigate the missing two.
Every cashier should have a unique login ID for the POS system. This ensures every transaction is linked to a specific employee. So, you can hold employees accountable for suspicious transactions. Consequently, it prevents fraudulent refunds and unauthorized discounts.
So, to stop theft before it starts, use your POS system to:
For example, if voided sales only happen during a certain employee’s shift, that’s a red flag.
Some employees might give unauthorized discounts to friends or themselves. So, make sure you keep track of voids, discounts & refunds to flag unusual activity before losses pile up.
Here's how to do It:
For example, if an employee voids multiple transactions right before closing, your POS system should flag it for review.
Some liquor brands are prime targets for theft due to their small size, high resale value, or popularity. Apart from that, the following items disappear off shelves more often than you’d think:
When you're aware of high-risk items in your store, you can place them under surveillance. Plus, if you know that a bottle of something as expensive as Macallan 18 has gone missing, your POS can help you confirm whether it was actually sold.
Selling liquor to minors is illegal. Age verification is a must. While manual ID checks are an option, they increase the risk of accepting fake IDs.
So, use a POS system with built-in age verification before finalizing a sale. Here's how it works:
Cash transactions could be a risk factor for liquor store burglary and fraud. An outsider may just break into the cash drawer. On the other hand, some employees may skim cash from the register, fake transactions, or fail to record sales properly.
To limit handling cash, you should:
So, if an employee says there was $500 in the register but your POS report shows there should be $600, you immediately know there’s a problem.
Most modern POS systems generate automated reports to track refunds and voids. These reports help identify suspicious discounts or underreported cash sales.
Here's how you can decrease liquor store theft and fraud using your POS analytics:
For example, if refunds only happen late at night when one specific employee is on shift, that’s a clear red flag.
Some employees or customers may walk out with bottles that were never scanned at checkout. So, require barcode scanning for every sale. Nothing should leave without being logged. With automated scanning, you can also optimize checkout speed in your store.
For example, if a customer walks out with a bottle of vodka that doesn’t appear in the system, your POS should flag the transaction as incomplete.
Theft often occurs when employees get too comfortable in a certain role or shift. Frequent shift rotations can help you decrease the chance of collusion between employees. They also help prevent employees from figuring out loopholes in the system. Consequently, you're more likely to notice fraudulent activities.
So, use your POS system to automate employee scheduling. Set up your employees’ shift rotations in a way that:
For example, if an employee always works the closing shift and there’s a recurring cash shortage, rotating shifts may expose the issue.
Liquor stores don’t just face theft from employees and customers. Sometimes, suppliers can shortchange your stock. But if you comprehensively check vendor deliveries, you can prevent fake invoices and missing stock issues and flag inconsistent supplier behavior.
So, here's how you can use your POS to decrease the chances of the shortchange:
For example, if your invoice says you paid for 20 cases of beer, but your POS count only reflects 18 cases, you know there’s a problem.
Paper receipts are easy to lose, fake, or manipulate. Digital receipts prevent fake refund scams where customers claim a refund without proof of purchase. Also, thanks to having clear transaction records, you can have fast audits and fewer disputes.
Here's how to do it using a handheld POS system:
Suppose a customer claims they bought a $200 bottle of whiskey. But they lost the receipt. Then, your POS should have a digital record of the purchase. If it doesn’t exist, the refund request is fake.
Liquor store theft and fraud don’t have to be a cost of doing business. Smart POS tracking, employee monitoring, and inventory management can help you decrease revenue leaks and run a more secure, profitable liquor store.
Ready to stop liquor store theft for good? OneHubPOS gives you real-time tracking, employee monitoring, and unbeatable security features. Protect your profits—Book a demo today!
.webp)
Imagine losing a sale because your system couldn’t process a digital payment. Or spending hours manually tracking inventory when you could automate it in seconds. That’s the difference between a traditional cash register and a modern POS (Point of Sale) system.
For some, cash registers bring a sense of familiarity—perhaps from watching a family member use one in their store. For others, it’s the simplicity of how to use a cash register. A cash register completes basic transactions, so why fix what isn’t broken?
But as businesses grow, new challenges emerge. Inventory starts getting harder to track. Reports need to be manually compiled. Customers start expecting faster, more convenient payment options. At this point, many business owners begin to wonder about POS system vs cash registers.
This guide isn’t about dismissing cash registers. They've served businesses well for decades. Instead, we’ll explore what both options offer and where they fall short. Let’s explore how a POS system can add value beyond just processing transactions.
To determine which is better in the 'cash register vs. POS' debate, let's start with the basics.
A traditional cash register primarily serves one function: handling transactions. It allows businesses to:
Cash registers have been the backbone of retail and hospitality for decades. They’re simple and affordable. How does a cash register work? Just scan items, enter discounts, select payment methods, and ensure accurate cash handling and receipt printing.
But despite their reliability, they come with limitations. There’s no inventory tracking, no automated reports, and no way to analyze sales trends. If your business handles high transaction volumes or a diverse inventory, a traditional cash register may no longer be sufficient.
However, a POS system does everything a traditional cash register does — and more.
POS technology makes it easier to scale operations, manage tasks, and improve customer experience.
Here are the possible pain points of your business without a POS system:
If your business is growing, these limitations can start slowing you down.
A cloud-based POS system offers powerful features that can transform business operations. Here’s how:
For instance, a clothing boutique can use a POS system to track best-selling sizes and colors, ensuring timely restocking.
Let’s say you own a coffee shop. A POS system can show you which drinks sell the most in the morning versus the evening. Accordingly, you can further come up with marketing ideas.
For example, in a quick service restaurant, a restaurant POS system allows customers to tip electronically and pay seamlessly—resulting in higher satisfaction and faster table turnover.
For example, if you run a salon, you can send appointment reminders, offer discounts to repeat customers, and suggest services based on past visits with the help of your POS reports.
Switching from a traditional cash register to a POS system for small businesses feels like a big step. Let's tackle the most common worries.
Are POS systems really worth the investment? While a POS system requires a higher initial investment than a cash register, it pays for itself over time. The true cost of POS systems is justified as they let you:
So, if you spend 5-6 hours per week manually tracking sales and updating inventory, a small business POS system can automate this, freeing up time for business growth.
Still worried about the cost? Look for POS providers with affordable monthly plans instead of high upfront costs.
“I'm used to my cash register—will a POS system be too complicated?”
Is this what you’re thinking? Well, modern POS systems for small businesses are designed to be user-friendly. They have intuitive touchscreens and easy navigation. As easy as using a smartphone!
Many POS providers offer free training and customer support to ensure a smooth transition. When upgrading from a cash register to a POS system, you can train staff about must-knows and hacks to operate POS systems efficiently within a few hours rather than weeks.
Consider a POS system with an affordable trial plan to test its usability before committing. OneHubPOS lets you find this out at just $1!
What if you’re using a POS system and your internet goes down? Will your business stop? The answer is NO, but only if your cloud-based POS system has an offline mode. In an offline mode:
So, even if you’re in an area with unstable internet, you can continue selling products without disruptions.
Not sure if it's the right time to switch? If you relate to any of these situations, it might be time to upgrade. The following table sums up “POS vs cash register”.
The verdict for “POS system vs cash register”: A POS system isn’t just a replacement for a cash register. It’s a growth tool.
If your business is facing challenges with manual processes, limited payment options, or lack of insights, upgrading to a POS system can be a game-changer.
Don't let outdated systems hold your business back. Upgrade to OneHubPOS today—Schedule your demo now and experience the difference.
Managing a liquor store is more complex than a typical retail business. With strict regulations, fluctuating prices, and constant inventory tracking, precision is key.
That’s why having a dedicated POS (Point-of-Sale) system is essential. But not just any POS will do. You need one that caters to your store’s unique needs.
This blog explores why liquor stores need a specialized POS system and the must-have liquor store POS system features for 2025 to ensure smooth operations, regulatory compliance, and profitability.
Liquor stores face challenges that go beyond scanning barcodes and processing payments. Unlike general retail businesses, liquor stores deal with:
Selling alcohol to minors isn’t just bad for business—it’s illegal. According to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, all US states and territories must have a minimum purchase age of 21 to avoid losing 10% of their federal transportation funds. In fact, some states forbid those who aren't of legal drinking age from even entering liquor stores at all.
Liquor sales must comply with complex state and local laws, including taxation and reporting requirements. A POS system should automate tax calculations, generate reports, and track sales for audit readiness.
Alcohol is both valuable and highly regulated, making theft prevention and inventory tracking crucial. Without strong inventory management, businesses risk shrinkage, loss, and compliance violations.
Federal excise duties vary based on drink type: 13 cents per 1.5-ounce shot of liquor, 4 cents per 5-ounce glass of wine, and 5 cents per 12-ounce beer bottle or can.
Unlike general retailers, liquor store owners can’t just choose any supplier. They must work with state-mandated or licensed distributors, limiting procurement flexibility. The stores need streamlined vendor management, supplier order tracking, and compliance with purchasing regulations.
Alcohol sales fluctuate based on the seasonal trends, holidays, and major events. Liquor stores need a smart system for advanced forecasting to help them stock up before peak seasons and avoid overstocking during slower months.
Many liquor stores handle a significant portion of cash transactions, which increases security risks and reconciliation errors. Liquor stores need strong cash management features, fraud detection, and smooth payment processing to avoid discrepancies.
A great liquor store POS helps you stay compliant, manage inventory, and increase revenue. So, before buying a POS system for liquor system, make sure it has these features:
Nobody wants to deal with hefty fines or legal trouble for selling alcohol to minors. That’s why an age verification system is a must-have in your liquor store POS. A great system will:
Liquor stores operate under strict regulations. In the US, taxes vary based on alcohol type and location. A manual mistake in tax calculations can lead to an audit nightmare. A POS with automated tax mapping saves hours of manual calculations every month. Look for features like:
Liquor stores stock thousands of products, from craft beers to premium whiskeys. So, if you’re constantly out of best-sellers like tequila or whiskey, you’re losing repeat customers. A POS system simplifies inventory tracking with:
Since wines and craft beers have a limited shelf life, smart inventory tracking helps ensure older stock is sold first, reducing waste.
Not all liquor is priced the same way. Plus, some customers buy in bulk. Your chosen liquor store POS system should:
Liquor store owners have limited supplier choices. So, managing vendor relationships is important. A top-tier liquor store POS system will:
So, if a supplier is consistently late, your POS should flag it so you can switch vendors before running out of stock.
Understanding what sells and what doesn’t can help manage your inventory and improve profits. A good liquor store POS system should:
For example, if your POS shows flavored rum sales declining, you can adjust orders and shift focus to trending products like ready-to-drink cocktails. Moreover, holiday sales data from last year can help you stock up on champagne before New Year’s Eve rush.
Liquor stores handle various payment methods, including cash, credit, and digital transactions. A POS system should ensure secure and efficient processing by:
Employee theft is a real concern for liquor stores. After all, alcohol is a high-theft product. A liquor store POS system should proactively prevent theft by offering:
Loyal customers deserve perks! A liquor store POS system should:
A liquor store POS system with purchase history tracking lets you send personalized deals on a customer’s favorite whiskey. You can offer a ‘Whiskey Lover’s Club’ where customers earn a free bottle after 10 purchases. This keeps them coming back.
Do you own multiple stores? Or want to monitor sales remotely? Well, in either case, cloud-based access is a lifesaver. If you manage multiple locations, cloud-based POS ensures all stores stay synced without manual updates. Your POS should:
Customers want to grab their drinks and go. A long checkout line can drive customers to competitors. So, your POS should ensure a quick checkout with:
Online orders and curbside pickups on the rise. A POS that syncs with Uber Eats or DoorDash expands your reach. So, a POS should support:
Manually inputting sales data wastes hours. A liquor store POS should make bookkeeping easier by:
If you open a second location, your POS should scale seamlessly without buying a whole new system. Your POS should grow with your business by:
Look for liquor store POS systems with optional features like e-commerce integration so you can grow without switching platforms.
A liquor store POS system is a critical business asset that ensures compliance, accuracy, and efficiency. So, make sure your POS system ticks all these boxes. After all, a great POS doesn’t just keep the cash register ringing—it keeps your business succeeding.
Managing a liquor store is tough. But your POS system shouldn't be. With OneHubPOS, you get:
Ready to transform your liquor store’s efficiency? Book a demo today and experience how OneHubPOS can streamline operations, boost security, and maximize profits!
.webp)
Ever had a guest stare at the menu puzzled? Or someone who just asks, “What’s good here?” without giving much to work with? That’s when you have to step in and make menu suggestions!
A good menu suggestion helps guests decide, enhancing their dining experience and building trust. Ultimately, it can increase your revenue. A well-thought-out suggestion can turn a first-time visitor into a regular.
So, how do you make spot-on menu suggestions? Here’s a complete guide.
Some guests know exactly what they want. But some need a little nudge in the right direction. That’s where they need a good recommendation. Menu suggestions might seem like just listing the best-selling dishes, but you have to help guests find something they’ll genuinely enjoy. It’s a mix of understanding their preferences, considering the occasion like holidays, and sometimes even adding your personal favorites.
Here’s why it matters:
When you recommend menu suggestions, you create great moments for your restaurant guests. Here’s how you can suggest dishes to your guests:
Ask your executive chef to curate 8 to 12 dishes that highlight the strengths of your quick service restaurant while ensuring smooth restaurant operations. Here’s how to create the perfect recommendation list to make it easier for restaurant staff to guide guests confidently:
A restaurant POS system’s menu management features can help customize your QSR menu in real-time. As a result, your staff can always recommend available and profitable dishes. It also improves POS analytics. So, you’ll know what’s working!
Guests can tell when menu suggestions are genuine! So, do not “recite” the menu. Instead, suggest dishes you personally love. Passion sells. So, if you’re excited about a dish, your guests are likely to be too.
Here’s how to do it right:
You can say:
Some guests love bold, exciting flavors. But some just want a cozy, familiar meal. Your job is to guide them to a dish that feels just right.
Here’s how to talk about such dishes:
Not all guests will immediately know what they want. A little prompting can go a long way in helping them decide. Just ask the right questions:
This helps determine dietary preferences and restrictions.
This determines portion size and meal type (comforting vs. refreshing).
This helps suggest sauces or dressings.
This prevents offering something they can’t eat.
This narrows down dishes based on spice tolerance.
This helps tailor suggestions to their comfort level.
This checks for specific ingredient preferences.
What if your guests are still unsure? Just rule out what they don’t want to make choosing easier!
If guests sense you're only recommending high-priced dishes, it can come across as insincere. They might hesitate to trust your suggestions. Instead, focus on dishes that deliver great taste and value. Consequently, guests can enjoy their meal and return for more.
At the same time, don’t hesitate to suggest mid-range options that enhance the dining experience without significantly raising the bill. Offer mix-and-match options or small upgrades so that guests can customize their meal without feeling like they're being upsold. Here’s how:
Too many choices can overwhelm guests, so offer three well-balanced entrée options to simplify their decision. Provide variety: one light, one hearty, and one unique. For example:
Here’s what you can say:
You can also create, manage, and suggest a combo deal using your QSR POS for added value.
Not every guest will say yes when you first recommend a dish. And that’s okay! Do not leave them hanging. Have a backup plan. Choose alternatives based on:
Here are phrases you can use:
Want to make the dish sound irresistible? Don’t just mention the dish name. Instead, describe it using mouthwatering words. Bring out the flavors, textures, and ingredients. This way, you can turn things around and ensure the guest leaves happy.
Here are three ways to do it right:
Ever had a guest light up because you remembered their last order? This small gesture makes a big impact. If a customer loved the pumpkin risotto last time, you could say, “You really enjoyed the pumpkin risotto. Would you like to try our butternut squash ravioli today? It has that same rich, comforting flavor!”
A restaurant POS system manages and tracks customer orders without manual errors. The next time a regular walks in, you can quickly check their favorite dishes and make personalized menu suggestions.
Guests get disappointed when their favorite dish isn’t available. But you can make a thoughtful suggestion to turn things around. Don’t just say, “We don’t have that.” Here's how to offer a similar alternative with enthusiasm. Here’s how:
This way, you can turn things around, deal with the customer, and make them happy.
But honestly, wouldn’t it be even better to avoid the situation altogether? A reliable handheld POS system tracks inventory in real-time, ensuring you always know what’s available.
At the end of the day, when you recommend menu dishes, you want to enhance the guest experience, not just sell food. Whether it’s suggesting a chef’s signature dish, offering personal favorites, or guiding guests based on their preferences, there’s no single right way to do it. The best approach? A combination of these methods tailored to each guest.
Want to make menu suggestions easier? OneHubPOS can help! With detailed menu insights, customer preferences, and sales data at your fingertips, you can recommend menu dishes in an effortlessly informed way. To know more, book a demo today!
.webp)
Long queues, impatient customers tapping their cards, and staff juggling handwritten orders—does this describe your business’s busy hours? A single wrong entry can result in a messed-up order and a complicated refund process. A frustrated customer is likely never to return. Meanwhile, you might not have any idea how much stock you just lost to errors.
Does this sound stressful? A reliable POS system keeps everything organized. It manages payments, inventory, reporting, and customer experience. But how do you find a POS system that fits your business perfectly?
This guide explores key factors to help you choose the right POS system and use it effectively. Let’s get started!
Downloadable Checklist :✅ POS System Buying Checklist
A POS (Point of Sale) system helps businesses process sales, accept payments, manage inventory, and track customer data. This allows for smoother operations, increased efficiency, and an improved customer experience. Plus, POS reports give you real-time insights into customer preferences, seasonal trends, and sales performance.
At its core, a POS system consists of three main parts:
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how a POS system works:
This complete interaction a customer has at the point of sale is called a POS experience. So, what exactly is a POS experience? A smooth POS experience involves faster checkouts, fewer errors, and a better customer experience. As a result, it can significantly boost your revenue.
Do you have a clunky or outdated system? Or don't have a POS system at all? Then, long lines, frustrated customers, and even lost sales might be a common sight for your business. So, here are the key aspects to think of when choosing the best POS system for your business.
Some POS systems charge a flat monthly fee. Others take a percentage of each transaction. Before committing, ask the following questions:
You might be offered an all-in-one pricing. But some POS providers charge separately or extra for:
Always read the fine print before committing so that you're aware of the true cost of your POS system.
Not all POS systems require brand-new hardware. Some work with existing devices. This can save you money. Ask the following questions:
Many modern POS systems support iPads, Android tablets, and even smartphones. However, POS systems that require exclusive terminals and accessories can add to the overall cost. So, you should opt for a system that supports:
Thinking about switching to a softPOS solution? Some providers, like OneHubPOS, allow you to use your existing Android hardware. So, no need for expensive new equipment!
Your POS system should support multiple payment methods to match customer preferences. Ask the following questions:
Rather than just processing guest payments, a great all-in-one POS system manages everything, from sales to staff, for better results. Consider features like:
Irrespective of your business type, look for real-time stock tracking and low-stock alerts to prevent shortages. Your chosen system should also have easy-to-read reports to help you track revenue, peak hours, and best-selling items.
If you have multiple employees, choose a POS with clock-in/clock-out features and role-based permissions to manage staff efficiently.
Complying with federal, state, and local laws, look for age verification features if your convenience, specialty, or liquor stores sell the following prohibited items:
QSRs, food trucks, pizzerias, and cloud kitchens should look for a restaurant POS system that integrates with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub.
Tech issues can disrupt your business. So, good support is a must. Ask the following questions:
Avoid systems that only offer email support as they're likely to have long response times.
Having 24/7 support is more crucial for liquor stores, late-night bistros, food trucks, or similar businesses that operate outside standard business hours to ensure you’re never stuck if something goes wrong.
Your small business will evolve. So, your POS system should grow with you. Ask the following questions:
If you plan to open more retail stores or QSRs at multiple locations, choose a cloud-based POS that supports multiple outlets under one dashboard.
Here’s how to get started with using a retail POS system:
The more familiar you and your team are with the must-knows and hacks to operate POS systems efficiently, the smoother your business operations will be.
Choosing the right POS system helps you run your business smoothly, keep customers happy, and boost profits. Focus on pricing, hardware, payments, features, and growth. Pick a system that works for you now and can grow with your business in the future. A user-friendly, feature-packed POS system saves you time. It also decreases manual errors and improves your customer experience.
Looking for a fast, reliable, and affordable POS system? OneHubPOS offers smooth payments, inventory tracking, and powerful analytics. No long-term contracts. No hidden fees. Book a demo now!
85% of food retailers say theft and fraud are the most serious challenges hurting their business. These are not just occasional shoplifters sneaking a candy bar into their pockets. Grocery store theft has evolved into organized retail crime and self-checkout scams.
So, what can you do? The good news is that there is a way to be proactive and equipped with the right tools to reduce grocery store theft and protect your profits. Let’s discuss more in this blog.
Grocery store theft refers to any unauthorized taking of goods or money from the store. It happens in different ways, from customers shoplifting to employees manipulating transactions.
Shoplifting means stealing items from a store while posing as a customer. Here are a few ways shoplifters do it:
As disappointing as it may sound, your staff might be a bigger threat than shoplifters. Employee theft often happens over time. It leads to major losses. Common methods include:
Not all losses are due to outright theft. Sometimes, manual errors or fraud contribute to shrinkage:
Theft is the most commonly faced challenge for grocers, as per FMI – The Food Industry Association’s annual comprehensive research analysis, “The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2024” report. So, to help you navigate grocery store theft prevention, we suggest a mix of technology, store layout improvements, and employee training, as below.
Your store’s design can either encourage or discourage theft. Thoughtful layout choices and strategic signage can make a huge difference. Here are some tips to decrease grocery store theft through careful store design:
There should be no blind spots. So, arrange aisles and shelving to make every part of the store visible to staff or cameras. Place mirrors and make open spaces to remove hiding places.
Display clear anti-theft signs. But instead of aggressive messaging like "Shoplifters Will Be Prosecuted," go for a more customer-friendly approach:
These small changes can indeed prevent theft. But what's great is that your honest customers won't feel uncomfortable.
You can't ignore setting up security cameras and other surveillance tools to identify and prevent grocery store theft. After all, your staff cannot be present everywhere all the time.
Some of the best security cameras suitable for your grocery stores are as follows:
Electronic Article Surveillance tags
On top of that, use Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags. You can attach them to high-value items. They'll trigger an alarm if someone tries to walk out without paying. Retailers worldwide use high-quality anti-theft tags from popular companies like Checkpoint Systems and Sensor Matic.
Your employees are your first line of defense against theft. But just asking them to "stay alert" isn’t enough. Train them on specific signs of suspicious behavior.
Here’s how your employees can prevent grocery store theft without profiling customers or creating awkward confrontations:
Apart from this, training employees with must-knows & hacks your staff need to operate POS systems helps them detect theft early.
Your POS reports track best-selling items, helping you identify discrepancies between sales and inventory. If a product sells out faster than recorded transactions, it may signal theft. These analytics also detect suspicious patterns, such as:
Monitoring these insights can help your staff take proactive steps to reduce losses and improve security.
58% of retailers in small businesses have had to deal with employee theft. To prevent internal fraud, establish clear policies and use technology to monitor transactions. Here’s how to reduce employee theft:
An advanced all-in-one POS system can manage everything, from sales to staff. So, when it tracks employee transactions and discounts, you can identify suspicious activity before it becomes a major loss. Plus, biometric login prevents “buddy punching,” where employees clock in for absent coworkers.
Some products are more prone to theft due to their high resale value. Here’s how to protect them:
Moreover, after you set up employee roles and permissions for barcode scanning and weigh-scale integration, your retail POS system can ensure customers can't swap price tags or misrepresent items at checkout.
Self-checkout lanes are especially susceptible to "skip scanning.” How? Well, some customers can purposefully avoid scanning specific items. So, these lanes frequently depend largely on the customer's honesty and little oversight. Self-checkout accounts for 3.5% of sales lost to theft.
Grabango’s checkout-free technology uses computer vision to eliminate shrink. Automated systems don't lie, don't steal, and don't discriminate.
— Will Glaser, Grabango Founder and CEO
Here are some ways to prevent grocery store self-checkout theft:
Even with the best precautions, grocery store theft can still happen. Having a clear response plan ensures your staff knows how to deal with customers and what to do in case of an incident.
Theft is a sad reality for grocery store owners. But it doesn’t have to drain your profits. Optimizing your store layout, training your employees, using advanced surveillance, and integrating a powerful POS system can help you minimize losses and create a safer shopping environment.
Want to reduce grocery store theft and improve efficiency? Book a demo with OneHubPOS today and see how analytics, employee login tracking, barcode scanning, and more can help you stay ahead of theft and fraud!
.webp)
You’ve probably seen menus at seafood restaurants where prices change based on the market price. That’s because food cost fluctuates due to supply, demand, and seasonality of ingredients. This is a basic form of market-based pricing, where external factors influence pricing decisions.
Dynamic pricing adjusts menu prices in real time based on demand, location, or customer behavior. So, you can apply dynamic pricing to items that customers are willing to order and pay a premium price for, at a given time.
With minimum wage hikes, restaurant surge pricing can balance rising labor costs with consumer expectations. Instead of increasing menu prices, they can strategically adjust pricing to remain profitable without losing customers.
Surge pricing is directly linked to increases in demand. In periods of high demand, the scarce goods are more valuable, and companies can increase their prices.
– Arnd Vomberg, Professor, Digital Marketing and Marketing Transformation, University of Mannheim Business School, Germany
All-in-one POS systems help automate these pricing adjustments. They track demand fluctuations and update prices accordingly.
Here are some benefits that surge pricing restaurants reap:
63% of consumers are willing to pay a small fee to offset costs. But only 21% accept increases above 3%. This shows that food & beverage pricing strategies with small, calculated adjustments work better than drastic price hikes for surge pricing restaurants. Here’s how:
Bartaco, in the Eastern US, raised “to-go” prices by 5-10% during weekend peak hours. Then, it lowered them on slow weekdays. Consequently, it saw a 4-6% increase in revenue per month through app-based sales.
This way, many brands are now adopting time-based pricing to charge higher prices during peak demand. A restaurant POS system automates price changes based on real-time demand. No need for manual updates.
Restaurants grouping multiple locations based on shared characteristics see 85% efficiency gains. So, restaurants adjust prices based on their specific location. This regional pricing strategy works similarly to segmented pricing.
McDonald’s menu for 994 S, Preston Road, Celina, a rural town in the US
McDonald’s menu for 160 Broadway, New York City
For example, McDonald’s charges different prices for the same menu item in New York City compared to rural towns. POS reporting can show bestsellers by region. Accordingly, you can tweak your menus and increase revenue dramatically.
Puesto in La Jolla, California, raised prices by 8% during peak hours but lowered them by 20% during slow hours. The result was a 12% sales boost! The demand-based pricing model adjusts prices based on real-time demand. Similarly, Taco Bell’s "Happier Hour" and Dunkin’s Happy Hour offer deep discounts during off-peak times.
On the same lines, quick service restaurants near sports stadiums often increase prices on game nights. Or, they use geo-fencing promotions to offer deals when customers are nearby.
Premium pricing aligns with value-based pricing. Customers are less price-sensitive when they feel valued. Adding premium elements, like truffle sauce on fries or cheese in sandwiches, helps justify price increases while making the dining experience better.
Shake Shack introduced white truffle burgers and fries at a premium price, leveraging luxury ingredients to justify the cost. This taps into value-based pricing while attracting customers willing to splurge.
Menu pricing can also differ based on occasion. Customers may want an affordable meal during a quick office lunch. But they may be more open to higher pricing for a family-friendly experience at the same quick service restaurant chain near home.
This approach overlaps with personalized pricing and bundle pricing on combo deals. After all, it offers tailored pricing for regular customers. For example, Panera’s Unlimited Sip Club is a subscription-based model where customers pay a monthly fee for unlimited drinks.
Discounts for frequent diners and premium menu pricing for one-time customers encourage repeat visits. POS systems track loyalty data and automate personalized discounts.
Whether it’s adjusting prices based on demand, optimizing for peak hours, or introducing personalized pricing, technology makes it all seamless. Here’s how you can make the most of it:
A handheld POS system can automate menu management with real-time price adjustments. For example, if a particular dish is selling out quickly, the system can increase its price while lowering prices for slower-moving items.
Traditional menu boards limit flexibility. Digital menu boards allow restaurants to change pricing easily. No hassle of reprinting menus! Wendy’s, for instance, is investing $20 million in digital menu boards to experiment with AI-powered pricing in 2025.
Physical menus become outdated quickly with fluctuating costs. QR code menus allow restaurants to update prices instantly without added printing costs. They also provide room for personalized offers, such as special pricing for repeat customers.
Dynamic pricing is no longer just for airlines and ride-sharing apps. Restaurants are now adopting it to stay competitive and profitable. To make dynamic pricing work, you should:
OneHubPOS makes it easy to integrate automated pricing adjustments into your restaurant’s workflow. Stay ahead of market changes. Maximize profits. Keep customers happy. Do it all with a single POS system. Schedule a demo today!
%20(1).webp)
Think downtime is bad for business? Think again! This "slow period" is actually a power move for boosting efficiency, refining operations, and gearing up for massive success. Instead of worrying about the lull, use this time strategically. What you do now can pay off later.
This blog explores smart ways for restaurants, retail stores, and liquor stores to make downtime work in their favor.
For your quick-service restaurants, retail stores, or liquor stores, downtime might not be just a break. You can make it a chance to get ahead. Whether it’s improving workflows, refreshing marketing strategies, or upgrading systems, using this time wisely can lead to:
Downtime is a rare chance to focus on improvements without the pressure of daily operations:
However, before making changes, start by reviewing your POS reports. OneHubPOS gives you real-time insights into sales trends, inventory levels, and customer behavior. By analyzing this data, you can:
🔹 Identify slow-moving products and adjust promotions accordingly
🔹 Spot peak sales periods and optimize staffing schedules
🔹 Track customer preferences to refine marketing strategies
Don't just sit idle during slow periods. Optimize. Innovate. Plan ahead. Here are 17 strategies that will help you turn downtime into an advantage for your business.
Check what’s moving fast and what’s collecting dust:
QSR menus evolve with the seasons, customer preferences, and food trends. Use downtime to analyze sales data, customer feedback, restaurant reviews, and ingredient costs. After that:
A menu management system can provide real-time sales analytics reports. So, you can decide what to keep, tweak, or drop.
Connect with your audience online is one of the most practical customer engagement strategies for downtime. People love behind-the-scenes insights. So, why not film a quick kitchen tour, recipe tutorial, or chef Q&A session?
Shake Shack’s blog page
Starbuck’s how-to guides
Is video not your thing? Then, start a blog with cooking tips, industry trends, or quick service restaurant stories. This helps boost your SEO. So, your restaurant in a certain city, say Chicago, will be easily discovered by people when they search for "restaurants in Chicago".
A slow day is the perfect time to optimize your kitchen layout and storage:
Hygienic eating places follow regulations and ensure a safe, welcoming dining experience. To deep clean, make sure to:
Moreover, check the following to prevent costly breakdowns later:
With a well-planned campaign, re-engage customers and attract new ones:
For precise targeting, use your all-in-one POS system’s customer data analytics reports to segment audiences and tailor offers that resonate.
Your storefront is the first thing people see. Make it count! Update your window displays:
Your online store is just as important as your physical one. Use downtime to:
The right atmosphere can turn casual shoppers into loyal customers:
A well-trained team means quick service and happier customers. Use downtime to:
Smart promotional ideas bring in the right customers:
I look for the latest marketing courses to update my skillset and remain part of the relevant movement. Downtime is also a great time to read, write and share all things marketing with your LinkedIn network.
– Brittany White, Apple Growth Partners
Slow periods are the best time to sharpen your skills. You should:
You don't want your customer to grab a bottle of wine, only to find out it’s been sitting there for years past its prime. This would lead to returns and refunds.
Use slow hours to check expiration dates. Rotate stock. FIFO is the golden rule so that customers always get fresh products.
While you’re at it, rethink your shelf placement:
Small changes, like placing premium liquors at eye level, can make a big difference in sales.
Not every employee is a liquor expert. But customers expect recommendations! Help your team out: create product cheat sheets with quick details on:
Keep them short, engaging, and easy to reference.
Make your liquor stores part of the local scene:
Staying on top of liquor laws is non-negotiable. So, during downtime, you can:
An mPOS system with built-in age verification decreases the risk of human error when checking IDs. Surprise inspections happen. Being prepared means no panic, no fines.
Give your liquor store a competitive edge with:
Make downtime a chance to work smarter and position your business for long-term success. Even small improvements, like streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, or leveling up marketing efforts, you make now will pay off later.
Looking to turn your downtime into your biggest advantage? OneHubPOS can help you stay ahead with smarter inventory management, smooth transactions, and data-driven insights. Book a demo today!
Let's be honest, how many times have you heard a customer complain about their POS system? Too complicated. Too slow. Looks like it's from the 90s. We've heard it all. Outdated POS systems are a major pain point for businesses, hindering efficiency, frustrating employees, and ultimately impacting your bottom line. It’s time for legacy systems to upgrade to meet current needs and trends, making them convenient for end users—not just POS providers.
At OneHubPOS, we've always believed in simplifying POS. We understand that technology should empower businesses, not complicate them. That's the driving force behind V2. We listened to your feedback, analysed market trends, and poured our hearts into creating a POS experience that's not just functional, but truly delightful. This isn't just an upgrade; it's a complete reimagining of what a POS system can be. That's why we're thrilled to announce the launch of OneHubPOS V2 – a complete facelift designed to revolutionize the way businesses operate.
Think about the last time you saw a cashier struggling with a clunky POS interface. Legacy POS systems are often plagued by outdated interfaces, complex workflows, a lack of customization, and rigid IT architecture. These issues translate directly into lost revenue, increased errors, a poor customer experience, and sky-high training costs. And for our partners, it means a harder sell and potentially dissatisfied customers.
OneHubPOS V2 is different. It's designed with a modern, intuitive interface that's so easy to use, your customers will wonder how they ever managed with anything else. Streamlined workflows mean faster transactions, happier customers, and more efficient employees. And because we understand that every business is unique, V2 offers customizable options to tailor the system to specific needs. Plus, the open architecture ensures seamless integration with other business tools, eliminating data silos and maximizing efficiency.
Imagine this: Your customers can train their staff in a fraction of the time, leading to faster onboarding and reduced labor costs. They can process transactions quickly and accurately, minimizing errors and improving customer satisfaction. And they can access insightful data and reports, empowering them to make informed decisions and grow their business. For our partners, this translates to an easier sell, happier customers, and increased revenue.
While the UI/UX refresh is a major highlight, OneHubPOS V2 also boasts a range of powerful features, including enhanced reporting, robust mobile POS capabilities, and seamless integrations. These features, combined with the intuitive interface, create a complete POS solution that empowers businesses to thrive in today's competitive market.
%20(1).webp)
We deeply value our partners and recognise that your success is intrinsically linked to ours. OneHubPOS is designed to not only meet the needs of your customers but also make your job easier. With its intuitive design, powerful features like bring your own payment processor, seamless integrations, and attractive discounts, V2 is a game-changer that will help you attract new customers, retain existing ones, and grow your business revenue with us. We're committed to providing you with the resources and support you need to successfully transition to new-age POS and leverage its full potential.
OneHubPOS V2 is more than just a facelift; it's a strategic investment in the future of your business and the businesses you serve. It's time to ditch the clutter, embrace the future of POS, and experience the OneHubPOS difference. Book a demo today to learn more. We're confident that OneHubPOS will revolutionise the way you think about POS.
.webp)
Struggling with staff scheduling headaches? Tired of tracking employee hours manually? What if you could manage your entire team with just a few clicks?
Running a business comes with endless workforce responsibilities. You have to ensure shifts are covered, track employee hours, and manage payroll. And the list goes on and on.
The good news is that AI-powered scheduling, real-time staff performance management, and seamless payroll integration can boost productivity, reduce admin work, and keep your team happy.
This guide breaks down the best staff management tools that make running a business smoother. Let’s dive in!
Managing staff effectively goes beyond scheduling shifts. The right tool should increase productivity, simplify daily tasks, and reduce administrative burdens. Here are the must-try features to look for:
Manual attendance tracking is outdated. A digital system ensures accurate clock-ins, minimizes time theft, and simplifies payroll processing. Whether you run a coffee shop or a convenience store, tracking work hours should be seamless.
Tracking employee work hours can help optimize schedules and reduce unnecessary labor costs. This is particularly useful for businesses like cloud kitchens and specialty stores that rely on efficiency.
Last-minute scheduling conflicts can disrupt operations. A staff absence management tool that tracks vacation days, sick leave, and time-off requests in one place prevents gaps in staffing.
Employee development drives business success. A tool with goal-setting, feedback, and performance-tracking features helps managers recognise top talent and improve underperformance.
Not all employees need access to sensitive business data. A system that allows role-based permissions ensures security while giving employees access to what they need.
Automating schedules saves time, prevents conflicts, and keeps shifts organized. It is essential for quick service restaurants, pizzerias, and food trucks where schedules change frequently.
Seamless integration between staff management and payroll reduces manual errors and ensures timely payments.
Whether you run a small business or a large one, these staff management tools can simplify daily operations:
For small business owners looking for a powerful all-in-one solution, OneHubPOS stands out.
Say goodbye to manual attendance sheets. Employees can clock in and out with a tap. This ensures accurate work-hour tracking. It is an ideal feature for restaurants, pizzerias, and cloud kitchens where shifts change frequently.
Monitor employee productivity in real-time. For example, in a liquor store, managers can use a POS to track employees working late shifts or handling peak-hour rushes.
Distribute tips fairly among staff members using tip pooling and sharing. This feature is perfect for restaurants, bistros, and food trucks. With this our POS, staff receive their fair share automatically, eliminating manual calculations.
Limit access to sensitive information based on roles with easy steps to set up roles and permissions. A restaurant manager can access payroll data. On the other hand, waitstaff can only view their schedules.
If your business needs HR management with strong reporting and onboarding features, BambooHR is a top choice. Here are some of its key features:
For businesses with shift-based employees, Deputy simplifies scheduling and compliance. Here are some of its key features:
When I Work is an easy-to-use tool that makes scheduling effortless. Here are some of its key features:
If you manage remote or field workers, Hubstaff offers advanced tracking features. Here are some of its key features:
Staff management goes beyond tracking work hours; it ensures smooth operations, compliance with labor laws, and reduced administrative workload.
The right staff management tool helps with scheduling, tracking hours, managing time-off requests, and even handling payroll. You shouldn’t be stuck fixing errors or sorting through paperwork. The right system lets you focus on growing your business rather than dealing with employee management hassles.
If you need an all-in-one solution, OneHubPOS makes staff management effortless. With real-time attendance tracking, tip pool management, and role-based access, it’s designed to keep your operations running smoothly, without the extra hassle.
Want to make staff management easier? Book a demo with OneHubPOS today!
A customer walks in, ready to buy. But the product they want is out of stock.
Your employees look busy, but are they being productive?
Meanwhile, your storage room is packed with items no one’s touched in months.
And is that big promo you ran last week a win or a waste?
If this sounds familiar, your retail operations need a serious reality check.
These are signs of inventory mismanagement, unpredictable sales, and inefficient staff scheduling. The good news? Your POS system holds the answers, if you know where to look.
A modern retail POS system collects valuable data on sales, inventory, customers, and employee performance. However, this data only benefits your business if used correctly. It can help you make smarter decisions, increase profits, and improve store operations. This blog explores how retail stores can use POS reporting features to improve their store’s performance.
Correctly using the data from your all-in-one POS system can help you optimize your store's operations. Let’s explore the key data types it collects and why they matter.
Without POS analytics reports, you’re left guessing. This leads to stock shortages, overstocked shelves, lost sales, and unoptimized labor costs.
Your retail POS reports show what’s working and what needs improvement. Here’s how to use key reporting analytics to make better decisions:
This report highlights your best-selling products by quantity and revenue, as well as seasonal trends and peak-performing items.
For example, if your liquor store notices that a craft beer brand sells out every Friday evening, you can stock more for the weekend. You can also introduce a "Weekend Beer Bundle" promotion to increase your revenue.
This report identifies slow-selling products, those with long shelf times, and dead stock occupying valuable space.
For example, your convenience store has protein bars that aren’t selling. So, instead of letting them expire, you bundle them with popular energy drinks for a "Gym Pack Deal" to make more sales.
This report shows how fast stock is moving in and out of your store and overstocked or understocked items.
For example, your specialty store sees that organic snacks sell fast. But imported chocolates sit on shelves. You then adjust orders to increase organic snack stock. You also decrease chocolate purchases to not waste storage space.
This report shows revenue generated by different product categories, like beverages, snacks, electronics, and more.
For example, your liquor store finds that premium whiskey sales are rising. But budget vodka sales are dropping. So, you introduce a whiskey tasting event to further drive high-end sales.
This report shows customer purchase patterns, preferences, and loyalty trends and the ratio of loyal customers vs. one-time buyers.
For example, your store sees that morning coffee buyers also buy pastries. So, you introduce a combo deal like “Coffee + Pastry Combo” to increase profitability.
This report shows sales patterns across different times of the day, week, or month.
For example, your store finds that Sunday afternoons are slow. Then, you introduce a "Sunday Happy Hour" promotion with discounts to boost foot traffic.
Many store owners get overwhelmed by data, misinterpret trends, and fail to take meaningful action. However, knowing how to read and interpret these reports effectively can make the difference between a struggling small business and a successful one.
Your POS cloud dashboard provides key business metrics at a glance. So, relying on a quick overview might be tempting. But a deeper dive into reports helps with accurate decision-making.
Do not clutter your dashboard with too many widgets. Rather, focus on the reports that directly impact profitability, such as:
More data isn’t always better. Too many reports can cause 'paralysis by analysis,' so focus on reports that drive actionable decisions.
Do not rely only on total revenue. A store might see higher revenue. But if it’s coming from low-margin products, profits could still be suffering.
Do not overorder based on a short-term sales spike. If a product sold well last week, don’t assume demand will stay the same without checking longer-term trends.
Do not focus only on total customers instead of retention. A store with 1,000 new customers but a low retention rate might need a loyalty program to keep them coming back.
Do not blame employees for low sales without considering store traffic. If a shift has low sales, it could be due to low foot traffic rather than an employee’s performance.
Even experienced store owners can make mistakes when interpreting POS data. Here are some of the biggest errors to watch out for:
Seeing a one-week sales spike, do not assume the product is a long-term best-seller.
A product’s average daily sales may look stable. But sales might be wildly different on weekends vs. weekdays.
Blaming employees for low sales when the real issue is bad weather reducing foot traffic.
Understanding and utilizing POS reporting features helps retail store owners make smarter, data-backed decisions and increase profitability.
Want to take control of your store’s operations? Book a demo with OneHubPOS today and see how advanced reporting features can boost sales and efficiency!
Running a liquor business requires a lot of multitasking. You have to keep the shelves stocked, ensure customers are happy, and keep operations running smoothly.
The big change, however, occurs when you examine your sales data more closely. Your sales numbers reveal what’s working and what’s not, allowing you to adjust your inventory and stock the right items.
This blog explores which sales reports to pay attention to and how they can guide you in making smarter, more data-driven decisions about your stock levels.
Sales data gives you a surface-level overview, but digging deeper helps you identify trends and forecast demand more accurately. It also helps you manage stock efficiently. Use your POS data to keep bestsellers in stock and avoid accumulating slow-moving items. And the best part? Dashboards and analytics reports make it super simple to stay on top of everything!
Let’s break down some key reports that’ll help you keep your inventory strong.
This report shows you exactly what people are buying and gives you insight into their preferences. For instance, when tequila sales spike around Cinco de Mayo, you'll know it's time to get more before the celebration starts! This helps you anticipate customer buying patterns and stock the right products.
Your sales patterns are monitored in this analytics report on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. For instance, you might prepare ahead of time and buy more of these well-liked bottles of wine if you see that sales always peak around the holidays. Avoid last-minute restocking hassles!
Suppose you offer a 10% discount on a certain beer. Sales go through the roof, indicating that price-conscious consumers are responding well. If discounts don’t impact sales, it may be time to rethink your promotion strategy.
Sure, promotions are a great way to move inventory. But not all discounts work the same. The sales by discount report helps you figure out which promotions are boosting sales and which ones might need some tweaking.
If online craft beer sales skyrocket, prioritize them for online orders while adjusting in-store stock accordingly.
If you sell through multiple channels, such as a website or delivery service, this report tracks each channel’s performance. Whether in-store or mobile, you'll have a better idea of where to direct your inventory.
In your liquor stores, Mondays might be slow. But Fridays are likely to be bustling. If so, you might want to adjust your inventory orders so that you're fully stocked for the busy end-of-week rush, rather than being stuck with excess stock come Monday.
So, this report tracks your sales day by day. It’s perfect for spotting trends in customer behavior and adjusting staffing or inventory accordingly.
Let’s say you had an unexpected surge in sales during a holiday event. At the end of the day, this report gives you a snapshot of how sales and inventory levels match up. Ensuring physical stock matches system records helps you prepare for the next day. So, your day end report will show that you’re low on a popular item. This way, you can quickly reorder and avoid running out.
Here are some essential strategies for success you can employ to manage your liquor store inventory:
Reviewing the past sales data from your liquor POS system helps you predict future demand. Consider factors like seasonality, local events, and holidays. This will help you stock up on the right items at the right time.
Using an advanced retail POS system with integrated inventory management can help. How? Well, it automates inventory tracking, generates reports, and even reorders products automatically when stock levels get low. This takes the likelihood of making a human error to the least and saves you time.
Organize your products by category, like beer, wine, and spirits. This would make it easier to track sales trends in each area. This approach helps you manage your stock more efficiently. After all, each category would get the attention it deserves.
The Just-in-Time (JIT) method helps you avoid overstocking. How? Well, with this approach, you’ll order inventory only when you need it. This reduces storage needs and prevents excess stock of unsold products.
Holiday and local event promotions can help clear excess inventory quickly. You can make sure you're providing the correct things at the right time by matching your inventory with impending marketing ideas.
Let’s get into the important metrics you should be tracking to ensure your inventory is working for you:
Lead time refers to how long an order takes to reach your store from the supplier. The shorter it is, the quicker you can restock your bestsellers.
For example, if you know it takes 5 days for a shipment to show up, you can plan ahead and place your orders in time. That way, you’re always ready for busy days and never stuck with empty shelves when customers come looking.
The days on hand metric tells you how long your current inventory will last at the current rate of sales. If your days on hand are high, you might be holding onto products for too long. This ties up cash and space. Suppose you have 30 days of whiskey in stock. But you have only 15 days of vodka. Then, you must adjust your order to avoid running out of vodka during peak demand.
Dead stock refers to products that aren’t moving off the shelves. Identifying dead stock early allows you to clear it out, whether through discounts or promotions. Suppose you’ve had a box of a particular brand of rum sitting around for months. Consider offering it at a discount or bundling it with other products.
This ratio tells you how often your stock is sold and replaced over a given period. A high turnover means your products are selling quickly. On the flip side, a low turnover might mean you're either overstocked or the demand just isn't there. For example, if a particular beer has a high turnover rate, you can stock up on it with confidence, knowing it won’t gather dust on the shelves.
This is the percentage of your stock that gets sold within a set period. A low sell-through rate indicates that certain products might not be the right fit for your customers. On the other hand, a high rate signals that your inventory is aligned with demand. Suppose your sell-through rate for high-end wines is 80%. But your cheaper wines have a rate of 40%. Then, you might want to rethink your pricing or promotional strategy.
Getting a grip on your sales data is the smartest move to running a successful liquor store. So, just dig into reports, keep an eye on key metrics, and use smart strategies. Ensure the right products are always available for customers.
OneHubPOS makes it super easy with its detailed sales reports and dashboards. You get all the insights you need to make smarter stocking decisions and improve your profits. Don't let stock management be a guessing game. Take control of your liquor store’s success with OneHubPOS—Book a demo with OneHubPOS today!
Imagine this: You own a busy pizzeria, food truck, or retail store. Sales are steady, but your profits don’t seem to match up. Some employees handle rush hours like pros, while others struggle. Some cashiers ring up big transactions, but others barely make a dent.
Without the right data, how can you tell who’s driving your business forward?
This is where a POS system comes in. It helps you track sales, monitor employee performance, and make better business decisions. Instead of relying on guesswork, you get clear data on who’s contributing the most to your business and who may need extra training.
Let’s explore how a POS system can improve employee management, boost efficiency, and increase profits.
Tracking employee performance and sales data helps you understand your team’s impact on your business. Your POS system provides real-time insights into productivity, efficiency, and revenue generation. Here are five key metrics you can track to improve staff performance, customer experience, profitability, and business strategies for success.
Suppose you notice that an employee frequently clocks in late. You feel the need to track employee hours. However, tracking this manually is time-consuming and prone to manual errors.
Retail POS alerts help you address this issue early. The system automates attendance tracking, ensuring accuracy and transparency. So, no negative impact on customer service.
With your POS, you can:
In quick service restaurants, bars, and food trucks, tip distribution can be a major source of conflict if not managed properly. A POS system ensures transparency.
Your POS can:
So, if you switch to automated tip tracking through your POS, you can decrease employee complaints and ensure fair payouts.
Understanding who drives your revenue helps with training, incentives, and scheduling. For example, a liquor store finds out that one cashier has a 20% higher average transaction value than others. After reviewing the POS data, they can train other employees on that cashier's sales techniques.
Your POS system can track:
If the entire staff is well-versed with the sales techniques currently working well for the business, it can dramatically increase revenue.
Suppose a quick service restaurant notices an unusually high number of voids. After investigating, they found a server was offering unauthorized discounts to friends. Frequent voids and refunds can signal fraud or training gaps. A restaurant POS helps by spotting unusual refund patterns that might indicate theft.
Suppose you run a 15% discount for mobile orders. The analytics report reveals the increase in sales. But it also showed that the net sales after discounts were lower than expected. You can later make adjustments to ensure future promotion ideas don't hurt profitability.
For this reason, tracking sales by discount helps understand the effectiveness of your marketing tips. Your POS system provides detailed breakdowns, including:
This data helps you monitor whether discounts are boosting sales or cutting into profits too much. It also shows which seasonal promotions are working best and which ones need adjustment.
To effectively track employee performance and sales metrics, access and use your softPOS solution dashboard reports. These reports offer valuable insights into key metrics so that you can make data-driven decisions.
A unique login for each employee prevents unauthorized access and eliminates time clock fraud.
So, if your small business uses POS logins to track staff productivity, it can lead to better accountability and fairer shift assignments.
Your handheld POS system stores weekly, monthly, or custom reports, allowing you to:
After setting up the POS, a cloud kitchen can use its data to determine if staff are clocking in too early before rush hours. This insight helps optimize labor costs.
Suppose a coffee shop notices that one barista consistently gets high tips. It can have the barista train new employees. The result: improved customer interactions across the team.
POS analytics reports allow you to:
What if your cashier is issuing refunds without receipts or giving out wrong discounts? A POS helps you spot unusual refunds or void activity in real-time. You can also monitor discount trends to prevent misuse. Then, you can stop fraudulent transactions.
During the holiday season, you might hire temporary staff to handle the rush. But what if they struggle with upselling? This is when you can put your last year's data from your POS to use. How? The answer is pre-season training sessions based on last year’s data.
Historical POS data helps predict staff performance trends.
With OneHubPOS, all the essential employee tracking features are built in. This all-in-one POS solution makes performance monitoring and sales analysis effortless.
Here's what OneHubPOS offers:
A POS system is more than a cash register. It's a powerful employee performance and sales tracking tool. By using POS data, you can:
Looking to optimize employee management and boost sales? Book a demo of OneHubPOS today and start tracking your business success with confidence.
Love is in the air, and so is the opportunity to turn those moments into sales. Whether couples are searching for the perfect gift, singles are treating themselves, or friends are celebrating together, shoppers are looking for something special.
So, how do you capitalize Valentine's Day? From curated bundles to in-store events, let’s explore creative, revenue-boosting ideas that will make customers fall in love with your business this season.
As a retail store owner, do you capitalize Valentine's Day? If not, 2025 is your chance to make your store the ultimate Valentine’s hotspot with these creative, revenue-boosting ideas:
Valentine's Day gift shopping can be quite difficult. Shoppers often worry about getting the "right" gift. Pre-packaged bundles remove that stress. Plus, they make great impulse purchases, especially when placed near the checkout counter.
Bouqs’ Valentine’s Day bundle
Bouqs excels at curated gift sets. For example, it offers a Valentine’s Day bundle featuring a heart-shaped box of Sugarfina candy, with Strawberry Hearts and Sugar Lips gummies. It also gives bundle discounts. This makes it more appealing for shoppers to grab a pre-made set instead of individual items.
Here’s how to create winning bundles for your convenience store or specialty store:
Your all-in-one POS system can manage bundles and can track which bundles are performing best. Accordingly, you can adjust inventory and execute marketing ideas. So, if your “Galentine’s Day” bundles sell out fast while your couples’ kits lag, you’ll know exactly where to shift your focus.
Catbird’s Rockefeller Center store has introduced a ‘Love Letter Station,’ where customers can handwrite heartfelt notes on beautifully designed paper. Why? Because personalization adds emotional value to gifts–unlike a generic box of chocolates.
Catbird’s Rockefeller Center location
So, here are some Valentine’s business ideas to personalize:
This way, you may also set your store apart from big-box stores that might not allow customization.
Starbucks’ limited-edition beverages
What about an exclusive product line that’s only available for a short period? Well, this kind of Valentine’s Day promotion creates urgency! And Starbucks nails this every year, with its limited-edition Valentine’s Day tumblers and cold cups, decorated with hearts, flowers, and pink and red hues.
Seasonal flavors, themed designs, and limited-edition merchandise generate buzz and create FOMO. The result: higher foot traffic and social media engagement. Here are some ideas for a valentine’s-themed product line:
Use your retail POS system’s reports to spot seasonal trends, like which exclusive items sell the fastest. If a certain scent or colorway outperforms others, it can help guide future product launches.
A shopper shopping while sipping coffee
Don’t just focus on selling products—create great experiences. For example, On the Runway Boutique is hosting a Sip & Shop event in San Leandro on Valentine’s Day. Guests will enjoy complimentary drinks, exclusive Valentine’s deals, live music, and raffles while browsing trendy accessories.
Here are some Valentine’s business ideas to try:
White Magnolia’s V-day sale
Flash sales are a great way to boost revenue when paired with a creative Valentine’s theme. For example, White Magnolia, a bridal store in Michigan is running a "Love at First Sight" sale, where customers will get $500 off their dream gown. This approach creates an element of excitement and increases your revenue dramatically.
Instead of generic discounts, here’s how you can give a playful, romantic spin:
Use your POS system’s analytics reports to track discount-driven sales for specific groups, such as first-time shoppers and loyal customers. This allows for a more personalized marketing approach.
Black Scintilla’s stunning Valentine's Day flower wall
Your store’s look and vibe can make all the difference in how customers feel. A beautifully designed Valentine’s display grabs attention and sparks inspiration. It also makes shopping a more exciting experience. So, here’s how to create a romantic shopping atmosphere:
The Black Scintilla in Oklahoma City crafts a stunning Valentine's Day flower wall with seating for two. An inviting photo opportunity for customers! This engaging display enhances the store's ambiance and encourages social media sharing.
Kroger delivering flowers with DoorDash and Uber Eats
Kroger partnered with DoorDash and Uber Eats to offer on-demand floral deliveries from their Bloom Haus brand. Customers could order premium bouquets for Valentine's Day. They also offer promotions like $20 off orders over $40. This makes shopping convenient for last-minute shoppers and expands Kroger's reach beyond in-store customers.
Here are some partnership Valentine’s business ideas to expand your customer base while offering added value to shoppers:
If running a joint promotion, track redemptions and cross-promotional sales through the analytics reporting features of your handheld POS system to measure the success of the partnership.
Valentine’s Day is a chance to create experiences that bring customers back for more. You might opt for curated bundles, fun events, or exclusive discounts. These are plenty of ways to make shopping easy, exciting, and memorable.
Having the right POS system can make all the difference. A smart POS, like OneHubPOS, helps you track best-selling bundles and manage inventory. You can also sync in-store and online deals effortlessly. Want to see how OneHubPOS can make your Valentine’s sales even sweeter? Book a demo today!
.webp)
Valentine’s Day is one of the biggest nights for restaurants, and this year, diners are expected to spend even more, creating a great opportunity to fill more tables and boost your earnings!
But here’s the challenge to pushing reservations: competition is fierce. Every place in town is running Valentine's Day restaurant specials and offering a romantic ambiance. So, how do you stand out and ensure your tables are fully booked?
This blog covers expert-level tips to help you promote your Valentine’s Day restaurant specials and drive maximum reservations. Plus, we’ll show you how your advanced POS system can simplify and enhance the entire process.
Love is deeply tied to shared experiences, and dining together creates lasting memories. On Valentine’s Day, couples seek special experiences to celebrate their love in a unique way. This makes them willing to spend more on ambiance, food, and exclusivity.
So, couples and everyone celebrating love look for restaurants that offer curated experiences, like:
So, Valentine’s Day is a big night for restaurants. But only if you plan ahead.
Here are 10 ways to attract couples, increase bookings, and create an unforgettable dining experience on February 14th.
About 47.1% of diners make reservations two to four weeks in advance. If you wait until Valentine’s week to start marketing your restaurant's Valentine’s Day specials, you’ll already be behind. So, here's what you can do:
When choosing where to dine on Valentine’s Day, guests prioritize specials, ambiance, price, and reservation availability. Your offer needs to hit at least two or three of these factors to be compelling.
For example, California Pizza Kitchen offers a limited-time combo deal for two. The place is known for its casual but cozy ambience. Here's how you can also create a winning Valentine's day restaurant special:
The menu management feature of OneHubPOS makes it easy to update menu pricing, customize menus, and manage inventory for limited-time items.
Social media is a powerful and cost-effective marketing tool for Valentine’s Day promotions. The key: visuals + engagement tactics + urgency.
For instance, Carrabba's Italian Grill offers a 4-course Valentine's day dinner for two. It posts attractive videos with great aesthetics about its culinary experience. Here's how you can also make the best of social media this Valentine's day:
Your email subscribers already know and trust your restaurant. So, they're your prime candidates for early reservations. Let's craft a high-converting email:
Or simply, you can send personalized emails like Olive Garden sends to its subscribers, just describing their restaurant Valentine's Day specials and how they'll serve you.
No-shows are a frustration for restaurants on Valentine’s Day. To minimize this, encourage prepaid reservations or deposits in the following ways:
Allow online reservations with secure contactless payment through your POS system. Just swipe, tap, dine! For example, guests can prepay or leave a deposit securely using a QR code. The result: decreased last-minute cancellations.
For example, Aviary by the Alinea Group, a restaurant in Chicago, requires full prepayment for their Valentine's Day tasting menu.
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to reward your loyal customers. Here are some loyalty program perks you can offer:
For example, Olive Garden offers its eClub members early notifications and special offers for upcoming events, including Valentine’s Day.
Not all couples prefer dining out on Valentine's Day. Some may opt for a cozy meal at home, and you can cater to this audience to increase your revenue in the following ways:
For example, California Pizza Kitchen offers heart-shaped pizzas for takeout during Valentine's Day.
On Valentine’s Day, couples look for a complete date-night experience. Some smart collaboration ideas are as follows:
For example, The Ritz-Carlton in Downtown Los Angeles has partnered with award-winning pastry chef and master chocolatier, Francois Behuet for a chocolate masterclass where diners and their partners can create delicious chocolates.
What if you have the best restaurant promotion ideas but your reservation process is clunky? In that case, you’ll lose customers. Here's what to do:
For example, Cheesecake Factory offers an intuitive online ordering and reservation system on its website. So, guests can book tables smoothly for special occasions.
Once Valentine’s Day is over, why would you let all that traffic go to waste? How about turning first-time diners into repeat customers? Restaurant analytics reports can help you analyze sales trends, identify bestsellers, and target customers for follow-up campaigns. Then, you can:
Retarget website visitors with social media ads for upcoming events or date-night specials.
Valentine's Day is a great chance for restaurants to fill more tables and increase sales. Using these simple but effective tips can help you give your guests a special experience they'll love: one that keeps them coming back even after the holiday.
So, the secret to a packed restaurant this Valentine’s Day? Start early, create irresistible Valentine's day restaurant specials 2025, and keep everything running smoothly. Want to simplify operations and attract more customers? Get started with OneHubPOS to ensure a successful and love-filled Valentine's Day at your restaurant!
Have you ever noticed that some months your store is packed, while others are painfully quiet? Maybe your sales spike during the holidays. Or, summer brings a dip. Seasonal trends in retail are nothing new. But predicting them is the real challenge.
What if you could predict spikes and dips with near accuracy? This would help you determine exactly when to stock up on bestsellers, increase staffing, or run a major sale.
That’s where OneHubPOS comes in. With the right data, you can identify peak sales seasons. You can then optimize your inventory before demand hits. Plus, scheduling staff becomes more effective. The result: better profitability during busy periods. Let’s break down how you can use POS data to spot and act on seasonal trends.
Seasonal trends in retail refer to predictable patterns in sales based on the time of year. They are influenced by several factors, including:
Identifying such trends helps you plan better. How? Well, take a boutique clothing store, for example:
But guesswork isn’t enough. You need deep and valuable data.
A retail POS system tracks every sale, product movement, and customer interaction, but how does this translate into seasonal insights? Here’s what your POS data can reveal:
Track daily, weekly, and monthly sales to spot high-traffic periods. For example, if you have a bakery, you might notice a major spike in December due to holiday parties and special orders.
Identify how buying habits shift with the seasons. For example, a specialty store like a toy store may see an increase in family purchases around Christmas but a decline in spring.
Some products sell better at certain times. For instance, a sports store might sell more hiking gear during spring and early summer. But it might see gym equipment sell better in winter.
To identify seasonal trends effectively, rely on these five key reports:
This report breaks down sales by day, week, and month. Here’s how it helps:
How can you use this information? Suppose your March sales drop every year—consider running a Spring Clearance Sale to maintain profitability.
Tracks how individual products perform over time. Suppose sunscreen sales in your convenience store spike every June. But it drops by September. Then, you can adjust your inventory to avoid overstock. This report helps:
A café noticed an increase in weekend sales but found that weekday staff outperformed in upselling. The manager adjusted shifts accordingly. This is where the employee performance report proves useful. This report measures staff productivity, including:
Here’s how it helps:
This report shows purchasing trends based on age, gender, location, and more. For example, a children’s bookstore notices a spike in family shopping in November. Then, it might market holiday book bundles specifically to parents. So, here is how this report helps:
The Profit & Loss (P&L) report is important for understanding revenue vs. expenses. Here's how it helps you:
OneHubPOS offers a user-friendly dashboard designed for data-driven decision-making. Here's how to make the most of it:
Log into OneHubPOS with your credentials: your username and password. Once on the dashboard, navigate to the Reports section in the left-hand menu and click on 'More.'
You'll come across a variety of reports, like sales reports, employee performance reports, day end reports, and many more. If needed, export the data in PDF or Excel format for further analysis.
Apply date filters to compare:
Once you’ve identified trends, you should put those insights into action. Here's how:
Stock up on seasonal bestsellers before demand spikes. Clear out slow movers with timely discounts. For example, a gift shop can pre-order holiday-themed products in bulk after spotting a Q4 sales spike.
Use data from your OneHubPOS handheld systems to time your marketing campaigns perfectly. Promote best-selling seasonal products. For example, a sports store can run a "Back-to-School Sale" for athletic gear based on previous August sales data.
Increase staffing during peak periods. Use employee performance reports to reward top performers. For example, a bakery noticing weekend rushes can schedule its top performers for Saturdays.
Send personalized offers based on past purchasing behavior and run loyalty programs tied to seasonal events. For example, a toy store can offer a "Holiday Gift Guide" with personalized recommendations based on previous purchases.
Sales pattern predictions shouldn’t rely on guesswork. POS data helps you prepare for peak seasons with confidence, keep inventory up to date, and boost profits with smarter marketing strategies. Ready to make smarter sales decisions? Book a demo of OneHubPOS today and discover how easy it is to track seasonal trends!
.webp)
Whether it’s a pumpkin spice shake for fall, a heart-shaped pizza for Valentine's Day, or a limited-edition summer smoothie, seasonal items have the power to pique customer curiosity and drive repeat visits.
However, effectively managing seasonal promotions involves more than just adding new items to your menu. To increase sales and stay ahead of competitors, you need a system that tracks sales trends during promotions and helps you adjust offers in real time based on their performance.
The well-customized OneHubPOS systems don’t just take orders. They help you analyze customer behavior, fine-tune your promotions, and manage inventory. Let’s break down how you can use your POS to run successful seasonal promotions that actually give you results.
If you’ve ever noticed a spike in sales around the holidays in your quick service restaurant, you’re not imagining things.
Dining out experiences a significant spike in demand during the holiday season. Restaurant spending grew by 6.3% compared to the previous year, with an increased preference for mobile ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery options.
Starbucks excels every holiday season with its iconic holiday cups and handcrafted beverages like the Caramel Brulée Latte and Chestnut Praline Latte. They’re limited, they’re iconic, and they get people through the doors (or on the app) every year.
So, here’s what seasonal promotions can do:
Data is your best friend during seasonal promotions. To really crush your seasonal campaigns, you need to get deeper into your restaurant POS reports. It shows you what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve in real-time. Here's a breakdown of the most valuable restaurant analytics reports in your handheld POS system and how they can help you supercharge your seasonal marketing.
Compare your seasonal sales against the same period last year to see growth patterns for your QSR. This report gives you the big picture using relevant parameters like gross sales, net sales, discounts, shipping, tax, order tips, product discounts, cash discounts, and refunds:
Ever noticed how some days just feel busier? This report breaks it down for you.
So, if Fridays show the highest seasonal dessert sales, you could launch a “Festive Friday” deal with double points on all dessert orders.
A daily summary provides insights into your seasonal menu’s performance, allowing you to identify trends and refine offers for the following day. This report gives you:
This report tracks every transaction during your seasonal promotion using parameters like items, quantity, menu price, selling price, item-wise tax, item-wise discount, upsell items, service charge, packing charge, and delivery charge.
Some customers prefer dining in, while others lean towards takeout or delivery. This report breaks down:
You can create exclusive promotions for each type, such as “Get a free drink with your holiday burger – delivery only!”
This is your go-to report for checking how well individual seasonal items are performing. It includes parameters like product name, barcode, quantity sold, percentage of quantity sales, gross sales, and percentage of gross sales. With this report, you can find out:
You can use this data to retire underperforming items or modify the recipe to match customer preferences better.
This report helps you avoid the classic holiday mistake: running out of your star item. It takes into account product names, barcodes, SKUs, opening stock, current day’s purchased stock, total stock, total sold quantity, current stock, and price. This way, you can:
Promotions often mean longer hours and extra staff. These reports help you manage labor costs and productivity.
Ease Up Seasonal Promotions with OneHubPOS Seasonal promotions have the power to boost sales, create buzz, and bring new customers through your doors. But to really make them work, you need OneHubPOS to launch promos and give you the insights to keep improving them. Using its POS analytics reports allows you to tweak and optimize promotions for better results.Ready to transform your seasonal campaigns with OneHubPOS? Book a free demo today and discover how data-driven insights can elevate your promotional strategy!
If you’re a food truck owner, you know firsthand how fast-paced and competitive this industry is. Customers expect fast service and fresh food. They want the ability to pay with everything from cash to contactless. Meanwhile, you’re managing inventory and orders. You have to keep everything running smoothly in a space smaller than a studio apartment.
POS trucks are helping food truck owners like you simplify operations and improve sales. As a result, they help you stay ahead of the competition. This blog breaks down exactly what a POS truck is, why it matters, and how to choose the best one for your food truck.
A POS truck combines hardware and software to handle and ease essential tasks like payment processing, inventory management, and sales tracking. It does all of this while remaining compact and mobile-friendly.
Hardware, the physical tools that make up your food truck POS system, include:
A food truck-specific POS solution usually includes:
Together, these components help you run your food truck smoothly.
Here’s the thing—food trucks are already profitable.They have an average profit margin of 6.2%, compared to just 1%-3% for traditional restaurants. But in a crowded market, efficiency and customer satisfaction separate successful food trucks from those that struggle.
As the number of food trucks continues to rise, you need every advantage to stand out. A POS truck can help by decreasing errors and saving time. Plus, it gives you the tools to offer exceptional service.
A cloud-based food truck POS system offers real-time access to sales analytics reports and inventory levels, no matter where you are.
Manage orders, payments, and inventory smoothly within a small space. A POS truck removes the chaos that often comes with food truck operations.
Running trucks at multiple locations? Operating at multiple events? A food truck POS app keeps everything connected, even if you have a truck in LA and another in New York. Orders and payments sync in real time, so you’re always on top of things.
Inventory tracking means you’ll always know what’s running low. Never unexpectedly run out of your best-selling tacos or signature desserts again!
No one likes waiting in line or struggling with cash. Faster transactions and multiple payment options mean happier (and repeat!) customers.
A POS truck is designed to handle the unique challenges of food trucks, like:
A food truck POS system helps increase your profits by:
Let’s talk about the best POS apps that are perfect for food trucks:
OneHubPOS is packed with features that food truck owners will love.
If you’re looking for an affordable, tailored solution with excellent customer support, OneHubPOS is a great choice.
Square is a popular option for small businesses, including food trucks.
Square is also user-friendly. But it can be costly for new food truck owners operating on tight margins.
Toast is known for its great features. But it’s more of a restaurant POS suited for larger businesses.
Toast might work for larger food trucks. But smaller operations may find it too expensive and complex.
Here’s how to find the perfect POS system for your food truck:
Ready to get started? Follow these steps:
Consider your food truck’s specific needs. Do you want real-time inventory tracking to avoid running out of ingredients mid-shift? Or maybe menu management to update specials on the fly? Make a list of must-have features before getting in.
Research POS systems that cater to food trucks. Then, compare pricing, features, and flexibility. Pick one that fits your budget and works for your setup. Make sure you don’t have to pay for fancy features you’ll never use.
Before you start taking orders, ensure your team is well-versed in the key features and best practices for using the POS system efficiently. A quick training session can save you from chaos during your first busy lunch rush.
The food truck industry is only getting busier. A reliable POS system gives you the edge you need to keep customers happy while running a tighter ship. OneHubPOS simplifies operations, enhances customer satisfaction, and boosts your bottom line. And you get all these benefits while fitting neatly into your food truck.
Ready to take your food truck to the next level? Schedule a demo with OneHubPOS today and experience the difference for yourself!
Overstock your liquor store, and you risk tying up valuable capital or letting products expire. Understock and you’re likely to face frustrated customers and missed sales opportunities. Add compliance regulations to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a high-stakes complex task.
That’s where OneHubPOS comes in—streamlining inventory management, reducing waste, and maximizing profits. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can simplify liquor store inventory management.
Poor inventory management can hurt your liquor store’s profits and frustrate customers. It can result in wasted resources and lost sales opportunities. Let’s explore why managing inventory is important.
Let’s get straight to the key issue—the cost of poor inventory management. Overstocking can tie up your capital in products that sit on shelves for too long. Some of them may expire. Or they may no longer align with customer preferences.
On the other hand, understocking frustrates loyal customers when their favorite wine or beer isn’t available. This drives them to your competitors.
But the stakes are even higher in liquor stores. Alcohol is a regulated product. So, failing to track expiration dates or adhere to age restrictions can lead to fines. In severe cases, you could even lose your business license. That’s not a risk worth taking.
Managing liquor store inventory is highly dynamic. You have to consider seasonal demand and special promotions. You should also be aware of unique buying patterns. For example, customers are often inclined toward champagne during New Year’s celebrations or beer during the summer.
Accurate data eliminates guesswork. Instead, you’re relying on powerful insights to make smarter stocking decisions. OneHubPOS provides that accuracy. It tracks your inventory in real-time and generates insightful reports. This automation reduces human errors in manual processes.
A modern POS system does more than process sales—it efficiently manages inventory. Here’s how:
Suppose you’re running a summer promotion on craft beers. Your POS system generates reports that highlight the bestselling India Pale Ale. It alerts you to reorder before you run out. This ensures you don’t miss any sales opportunities.
No more manually checking shelves to see what’s running low. A POS system with real-time tracking updates inventory automatically with every sale or stock addition. Here’s how it helps you:
Your liquor store stocks thousands of products. They could range from wines and spirits to mixers and snacks. Without proper categorization, managing all of them becomes a difficult task.
A good POS system generates detailed reports with your products organized into categories. For example, they could be “red wine,” “vodka,” or “imported beer.” You can also add custom fields for details like alcohol content, origin, or flavor profile. Here are its benefits:
Friday evenings are mostly bustling in your liquor store. Manual data entry is prone to errors, especially during busy hours. So, your team scans each bottle of whiskey, vodka, or wine sold. Your POS system updates the inventory in real-time. This ensures accuracy. Also, this frees up time for your staff to focus on customer service.
Barcode scanning eliminates this risk. It also speeds up the checkout and inventory management process. And how does barcode scanning work? Well, you scan a product’s barcode. Your POS system updates the inventory count automatically. The data collected through barcode scanning can generate reports to help manage inventory levels effectively.
Managing supplier relationships can be time-consuming. But your POS can automate much of this process. Your POS can track stock levels and automatically generate purchase orders when inventory reaches a set threshold. It can also manage multiple suppliers. So, you have flexibility and better control over your sourcing.
OneHubPOS integrates smoothly with multiple suppliers. This allows you to compare prices, negotiate better deals, and diversify your product offerings. This helps:
During the holiday season, your sales report may show that red wine and sparkling champagne are the most popular. You can use this data to adjust your inventory for the next holiday season. So, you can meet customer demand without overstocking. Here are the benefits:
If you operate more than one liquor store location, a modern retail POS system like OneHubPOS can synchronize inventory data across all locations in real-time. This helps you keep track of stock levels at each location. You can seamlessly transfer stock between locations when needed.
You can also manage stock transfers with ease. This ensures that inventory is always available where it's needed most, whether for seasonal demand spikes or popular promotions. Reports make it easier to monitor these transfers and make data-driven decisions to keep stock balanced.
Liquor store inventory management doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a POS system like OneHubPOS, you can streamline operations and minimize losses. You can focus on growing your business and keeping your customers happy.
Ready to take control of your inventory? Book a demo of OneHubPOS today and discover how it can improve the way you manage your liquor store.
Running a pizza shop requires smooth operations, accurate order management, and timely delivery. That’s where you need the best pizza POS (Point of Sale) system.
A good POS can turn chaotic rush hours into smooth performances while keeping your customers happy and coming back. So, how do you pick the best pizza POS in 2025? Let’s go through the essentials.
Unlike other food businesses like restaurants, bistros, and cloud kitchens, pizza shops face unique challenges. For instance, they handle customizable orders, multiple toppings, half-and-half pizzas, and delivery logistics. They all demand tailored solutions. Here’s what a pizza POS system brings to the table:
Customers often want their pizza tailored to their exact preferences. For example, some may request 'extra cheese on one side' or 'pepperoni only on half the pizza.’ The best pizza POS system makes that easy. It captures every custom request accurately and sends it to the kitchen without confusion.
Besides taking orders, a good POS helps you make more money. It comes with built-in upselling prompts. So, you can suggest extra toppings, sides, or desserts. Without it, you may need to hire a sales assistant to boost your revenue.
Keep the kitchen chaos-free with efficient order routing. Your POS can automatically direct orders to the correct prep station or display. This way, everyone knows what to do and when to do it. This reduces confusion across the kitchen staff!
Busy Friday nights? No problem. A well-designed POS handles high-volume orders effortlessly. This keeps your workflow smooth and your staff stress-free, even during rush hour.
Messed-up orders mean wasted food and unhappy customers. The best pizza POS system cuts down on manual errors with clear, well-managed processes. The result: every order is spot-on.
Time is money in the pizza business. Sync your kitchen displays with the POS system for pizza delivery systems to speed up preparation. This way, you can ensure pizzas get to your customers while they’re still piping hot.
Running out of mozzarella mid-shift? This can be embarrassing for you and disappointing for your customers. The best pizza POS tracks ingredients in real time. This helps you manage stock, decrease waste, and avoid over-ordering.
Keep customers coming back by offering personalized services. Save their favorite orders. Reward loyalty points. This shows customers you value their loyalty. Happy customers are repeat customers!
From “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” to half-off deals, a pizza POS system makes running promotions easy. Promotions are a great way to attract new customers and keep existing ones engaged.
The best pizza POS solutions simplify operations, inventory, and online orders. This enhances customer experiences. Here are the top 5 pizza POS systems for your business:
OneHubPOS is a modern all-in-one POS solution designed specifically for pizzerias and quick-service restaurants. It offers advanced features like menu customization, future ordering, and omnichannel sales management. This makes it a go-to choice for smooth operations.
Clover is a POS system known for its versatile tools. Its standout features include real-time inventory management and extensive restaurant payment options.
Toast offers tools tailored for custom orders and delivery. Its AI-powered insights and extensive integration options make it a valuable investment.
Square’s all-in-one restaurant POS system is known for its simplicity and scalability.
SpeedLine focuses on delivery and customization. It’s ideal for pizzerias handling high volumes and complex orders.
Here’s how you can choose a handheld POS system designed specifically for high-demand environments like pizzerias:
Start by analyzing the specific needs of your pizza shop. Is delivery a big part of your pizzeria business? Do you need tools to manage multi-location operations? A small neighborhood pizzeria may need a simpler setup than a franchise with multiple branches.
For example, a busy pizza shop offering delivery should prioritize a POS with advanced delivery tracking, like real-time maps or automated dispatching.
Both front-of-house and kitchen teams need a user-friendly interface. Look for pizza POS systems with:
For instance, the best pizza POS with a simple, easy-to-learn design can save time when onboarding new staff.
Think about where you want your small business to go. If expansion is on the horizon, your POS system should grow with you. Features like multi-location management, cloud-based reporting, and support for larger teams are essential. A scalable POS can handle increased order volumes or add new delivery zones as you expand.
The price tag is important. But don’t let it overshadow the value a good POS brings. Compare subscription-based systems with one-time purchase models. This keeps long-term costs in mind. For instance, a subscription model might seem expensive at first but could offer regular updates and superior support.
Nothing beats real-world insights. Check what other pizza shop owners are saying. Are they raving about customer support? Are there complaints about downtime? You should look for testimonials that highlight their reliability and tailored features for pizzerias.
If you're looking for a well-rounded, scalable, and modern solution, OneHubPOS is an excellent choice. It delivers unmatched operational efficiency and customer engagement, ensuring your business performs the best even during rush hours.
For just $1 for the first three months, you can see how OneHubPOS transforms your operations. Book a demo with OneHubPOS today!
Running a cloud kitchen means juggling multiple brands, endless online orders, and delivery platform integrations. Your kitchen never rests. In a setup like this, efficiency is a necessity.
And that’s where your POS system comes in. A great POS system acts as your kitchen’s control center, ensuring smooth operations by managing orders and tracking performance. Otherwise, even the best menu and the best management can fall victim to chaos.
Let’s explore what makes a great POS for cloud kitchens and how you can set one up to simplify your operations.
Cloud kitchens differ from conventional quick service restaurants. Instead of bustling dining rooms, they’re focused entirely on delivery. While this model offers exciting opportunities, it also presents unique challenges.
This model needs a POS system that can handle the complexities of delivery and multi-brand management, unlike a restaurant POS system.
Let’s walk you through how to set up OneHubPOS for your cloud kitchen:
Start by logging in to the OneHubPOS platform using your username and password. After logging in, you’ll be see a dashboard.
Use the drop-down menu at the top of the dashboard, select “Add Store” at the bottom, fill in your kitchen details, and click Save.
Go to the left-hand menu and select “User.” Input employee details. Then, assign roles under “User Roles.” These settings define what each employee can access, such as reports or system configurations. Click Save.
Add your menu items and product details in the left-hand side section. Save everything to finalize your setup.
Start using your POS to take orders and track performance. Use the analytics dashboard to monitor sales, identify bottlenecks, and improve operations.
Setting up OneHubPOS is quick and intuitive. And if you need help, our support team is just a call away!
Here are some important capabilities your POS system should have to handle and run cloud kitchens:
Cloud kitchens survive on versatility and adaptability. For example, you could run a "Burgers & Fries" brand during lunchtime and then switch to "Vegan Bowls" for dinner.
A good POS lets you manage multiple brands from the same kitchen with ease. Want to launch a new virtual dining concept? No problem! Simply customize menus, sync them with delivery platforms, and update them in real-time. Whether you’re switching from tacos at lunch to gourmet pizza at dinner, a modern POS system’s menu management capabilities keeps it hassle-free.
Apps like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash play a central role in your business. Imagine you get an order from DoorDash at the same time as an Uber Eats request. A POS that syncs with platforms like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash removes the hassle of manual order entry.
Track sales, analyze customer behavior, and spot order trends with detailed reports. Want to know which dish is your best seller? Or what times is your kitchen busiest? Want to test a new pricing strategy or marketing campaign? With a system like OneHubPOS, you get access to detailed reports that help you make smarter decisions.
Picture managing orders for three different brands within the same kitchen—it sounds chaotic, right? Obviously, when you’re managing multiple brands, you need everything in one place. So, with OneHubPOS, everything is centralized in one dashboard. Consequently, you can track all orders, manage multiple brands, and update menus from a single place. For example, if you’re running a sushi brand and a burger brand, you can easily handle both.
Imagine your kitchen packed with orders and paper tickets scattered everywhere. With a KDS, orders are displayed digitally, organized in real-time, and prioritized. For example, if a customer orders a special "extra spicy" dish, your team can spot it immediately. Then, it can prepare it with extra attention.
A KDS is a digital replacement for those messy paper tickets. It organizes orders, prioritizes tasks, and ensures nothing gets missed. Here's why you need a KDS:
Running multiple brands is what makes cloud kitchens so exciting. But this is also something that makes it so complicated. A POS designed for cloud kitchens simplifies the chaos. Here’s what it does:
Suppose you're running a taco brand in the morning. But you're switching to a pasta brand in the evening. With the right POS, this transition is very smooth, saving you time and effort.
If your cloud kitchen has a pick-up counter or virtual dining area, self-service kiosks can make a huge difference. Here's why kiosks work:
Moreover, kiosks operate round the clock, minimizing the need for additional staff during slow periods.
Picture this: You’re about to run out of avocados for your guacamole. With real-time inventory tracking from your POS system, you’ll know exactly when to restock. You avoid the hassle of last-minute scrambling and cut down on waste.
Similarly, you see a particular ingredient is underused, like too much lettuce for your wraps. Then, you can adjust your ordering. This would keep costs low and ensure you only stock what you need.
The success of a cloud kitchen depends on efficiency, speed, and adaptability. The right POS system helps streamline operations, enhance service quality, and support business growth. OneHubPOS is built for cloud kitchens like yours. It’s feature-rich, scalable, and designed to make your life easier.
Ready to transform your cloud kitchen operations? Book a demo with OneHubPOS today and see the difference for yourself.
When your customers walk in, scan a QR code, browse the menu, place their orders, and pay directly from their phones, they experience no lines or delays—just smooth service!
Customers now expect faster service and minimal interaction. They prefer to order directly from their smartphones. Mobile ordering has become a standard for modern QSRs.
If you’re looking for a practical way to bring mobile ordering into your restaurant, SmartPay could be your perfect solution. Let’s break down how SmartPay can help you implement mobile ordering, handle operations, and give your customers a smooth experience.
Your customers hate waiting in line. Whether they’re in a rush, on their lunch break, or just craving a quick bite, long wait times can be a dealbreaker. That’s why mobile ordering is essential for QSRs today.
Here’s why it matters:
SmartPay is designed specifically for QSRs. It streamlines your QSR operations with features like user-friendly product selection, quick card payment processing, and real-time inventory updates to prevent stockouts. Built-in reporting tools, such as Product and Day-End Reports, provide actionable insights into sales and performance. Designed for efficiency and ease, SmartPay is perfect for managing busy restaurant environments while enhancing customer satisfaction.
SmartPay makes it easy for QSRs to offer mobile ordering with simple setups. Here are two main ways to implement mobile ordering using this system:
QR code ordering has become a go-to solution for contactless dining. In fact, 78% of people favor QR code menus over paper menus. With SmartPay, you can generate QR codes linked to your digital menu. Here’s how it works:
Why it works:
For an advanced approach, SmartPay also integrates seamlessly with custom QSR apps. Here’s how this method works:
Why it works:
Both methods give customers the convenience of ordering from their phones. On top of that, you get the benefit of smoother operations and increased efficiency.
When it comes to mobile ordering, SmartPay offers specific features that make a real difference in your daily operations:
Keeping track of stock is crucial. This is especially crucial during busy hours. SmartPay’s Inventory Reporting (Inv Rep) gives you real-time insights into your inventory levels.
This feature ensures you don’t run out of your customers’ favorite menu items. After all, you’d never want to disappoint a customer.
Managing your staff can get tricky, especially during peak hours. SmartPay simplifies shift management with its Clock-In and Clock-Out feature.
This feature simplifies and streamlines employee management. Consequently, focusing on serving customers becomes easier.
SmartPay supports multiple payment methods. So, making restaurant payments becomes convenient for customers, whether they carry cash or cards.
The more options you offer, the easier it becomes for customers to pay. The result: faster service and higher satisfaction.
Mobile ordering with SmartPay offers significant advantages. Let’s break down the top benefits:
Implementing mobile ordering goes beyond keeping up with trends; it's about staying competitive and enhancing service quality. SmartPay simplifies the process. It offers everything you need to get started with QR code ordering or a custom restaurant app.
With features like inventory reporting, clock-in/clock-out management, and flexible payment options, SmartPay makes mobile ordering accessible for QSRs of all sizes. Book a demo for mobile ordering with SmartPay today!
Combo deals not only simplify ordering but also encourage larger purchases–after all, who doesn’t love a great deal? Whether it’s a burger with fries and a drink or a healthy salad combo, offering bundled meals can increase revenue and streamline operations. Additionally, they make customer decision-making easy while giving you better control over pricing and inventory.
However, creating and managing them effectively isn’t as simple as putting a burger, fries, and drink together. You need the right QSR POS system to make those deals work.
This blog explores how you can create combo deals for your restaurant in minutes with OneHubPOS built for Quick service restaurants. Let’s get started!
Combo deals increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction for quick service restaurants. Bundling popular items helps you create value while making choices easier for your customers.
Would you like a customer who orders just a burger to leave with a drink, fries, and more? That’s exactly what combo deals help achieve. Bundling complementary items encourages customers to spend more, and they don’t feel like they’re being upsold.
For instance, a “Classic Cheeseburger Combo” priced at $9.99 feels like a better deal than ordering the burger, fries, and drink separately for $12.
Customers are more likely to choose a combo when they perceive savings. Over time, these small incremental sales add up. The result: increased AOV.
An overload of options can be confusing. Combo deals make decision-making simple for your customers. Rather than wondering, 'Should I get fries or onion rings?', they are presented with a thoughtfully crafted bundle that solves their dilemma. Simplifying choices not only reduces wait times during the ordering process but also enhances the overall customer experience.
A happy customer is more likely to return. In fact, 88% of customers report that good service encourages repeat purchases.
Combo deals have the power to create loyal customers. Suppose a family visits your restaurant weekly for your “Family Feast Combo” that includes two burgers, two kids’ meals, and a large side of fries. The value and convenience of this deal become part of their routine. This makes your restaurant their go-to choice.
Take McDonald’s super popular “Happy Meal” as an example. If it were just about the food, customers could have bought the items individually as well. It’s the experience, value, and satisfaction of getting everything they need in one box that makes it special.
OneHubPOS makes creating and managing combo deals easy for QSRs. It ensures a smooth process. Here’s a step-by-step:
Log into your OneHubPOS account using your credentials: your username and password. Once you're in, you’ll land on the dashboard.
Identify your best-selling menu items and potential pairings. How? Simply check the sales data from your restaurant POS system to see what’s flying off the shelves.
Next, think of logical bundles, such as:
Keep customer preferences in mind and aim to design combos that cater to their needs. Once you’ve decided on pairings, determine how to price them right and sell more. The goal is to create a perceived value.
Head over to the left-hand side of your screen where you’ll find the menu panel. Click on “Settings.” This will expand a list of options for configuring different parts of your POS system, like printers, taxes, discounts, day parts, combos, tipping, table ordering, and more.
From the expanded list, click on “Combo.” This is where you’ll create and manage combo deals for your menu. Think meal bundles, family packs, set menus, or anything where multiple items are sold together.
Use the “Product” dropdown to pick the items you want in your combo deal. Then, update inventory to make sure the stock levels for all selected items in your combo are up to date. This step helps avoid situations where a customer orders a combo, but you’re out of fries. Accurate inventory management ensures you won’t oversell items you don’t have.
You’ll come across many options like add-ons, combo, byproducts, and more in the “Advanced Options” section. Toggle on the “Combo” setting so that the selected items are bundled together as a single deal rather than separate products.
Say you’re creating a “Family Pizza Deal.” If you want to let customers choose between regular or large pizzas and different drink sizes, enabling these options makes sure they can mix and match.
Satisfied with your setup? Click “Save”, and your combo will go live immediately! Customers can start ordering your newly crafted combo deal right away.
Once your combo deal is live, you must monitor its performance and make adjustments as needed. Here’s how:
Combo deals improve customer satisfaction, handle operations, and increase profitability. With OneHubPOS, creating and managing these deals is simple. You can focus on serving delicious food and delighting your customers. Don’t just sell meals–offer memorable experiences that ensure customers loyalty!
Get started with OneHubPOS today! Simplify your QSR operations, increase efficiency, and maximize revenue. Schedule a demo today to experience the difference firsthand!
Ready to turn your dream of opening a retail store into a reality? 2025 brings with it a chance to start fresh. But just having a perfect product won't guarantee success. You also need to be prepared and adaptable. Here’s your ultimate retail store opening checklist for 2025
When opening a new retail store, you are bound to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. A new venture is a lot for anyone to take, and in all this excitement, stress, and mental deadlines that you often give to yourself, you may miss some important things to do before the store opens.
A checklist ensures that:
New year, new business goals! Of course, you're going to set clear goals for sales, customer engagement, and growth for the year. But more specifically, you should also define what success looks like. Here's how to do it:
Suppose sustainability is your store's brand identity. Then, source green products and adopt green practices like minimal packaging. You can also pledge support to local causes or host eco-friendly workshops. Offer services like rentals, resales, or trade-ins to engage eco-conscious shoppers.
Whether you're starting a convenience store or a specialty store, here's how to choose a prime location:
Furthermore, the new year brings fresh consumer energy. So, make the most of this time.
Source: Instagram
More than 50% of customers prefer virtual interactions with customer service agents and gift recommendations. Tech drives retail in 2025. Your store should reflect that:
Additionally, explore winning retail marketing tips and launch a powerful online presence to create buzz, attract your first customers. Here's how:
Your store’s design should feel fresh, bright, and inviting for the new year. It should also reflect your focus on both functionality and customer experience:
Efficient inventory management is an essential part of the retail store opening checklist for success in 2025:
Pro Tip: Start with inventory tailored to New Year’s trends to align with customers’ resolutions and fresh starts.
Here's an example checklist for inventory:
Modern shoppers expect convenience and innovation. 67% of Gen Z likes to browse for gift ideas in stores, while 27% prefer using social media for comparison shopping. They prefer mobile payments. Here's how you should be prepared:
A new year is a great time to build a motivated and skilled workforce. Here's how you can do that:
Don’t let overlooked details derail your launch:
Make your grand opening a memorable one by tapping into the New Year energy. Here's how:
After going through all the steps from the retail store opening checklist, stay proactive in improving your operations:
If you're thinking of opening a retail store in 2025, creating a meaningful connection with your customers can help you stay ahead of the curve. The right planning, a powerful digital strategy, and a customer-centric approach can help you create a great retail store for the modern shopper. From location and inventory to staff training and grand opening events, every detail in the retail store opening checklist contributes to success.
OneHubPOS is all here to make your 2025 retail venture a hit. This all-in-one point-of-sale system handles inventory, sales, and customer management. Book a demo right away!
Running a small business comes with constant challenges, whether you own a small restaurant, a busy retail establishment, or a liquor store. You must manage staff, keep customers happy, and stay ahead of your competitors. Amidst all this, you must find time to plan for growth.
But how do you turn your small business into a success story? We’ve come up with strategies designed just for small businesses like yours. These ten professional tactics can help you grow your small business and stay competitive.
A successful small business solves a real problem or fulfills a real demand. A successful small business delivers exceptional value and maintains strong customer relationships, manages finances effectively, and adapts to market changes. So, you don’t just have to survive. You have to make your business flourish. It should consistently deliver:
Success varies with the type of small business. For example:
Which of the following is something successful business people do? This question can give you valuable insights into the habits that bring long-term success. Let’s explore key tips that successful entrepreneurs implement:
Without a clear vision, pursuing growth can feel like navigating without direction. To grow your small business, start by answering these questions:
Then, set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Here’s an example of what such goals might look like:
Always strive to exceed customer expectations with your products and services to foster growth in your startup business. Here’s how you can stay competitive:
To grow your small business, recruit individuals Here’s how:
Then, offer regular training sessions to upskill your team and keep them engaged. For example, you could implement an employee recognition program, rewarding top performers for upselling premium products responsibly. Also, offer competitive pay and a positive workplace culture to retain top talent.
Technology can revolutionize how you run your business. Specifically, consider:
OneHubPOS is an all-in-one POS platform that combines these features to simplify operations and grow your small business. So, you can use analytics to predict customer preferences, keep track of inventory, and offer personalized recommendations.
Did you know that, out of all the marketing channels, 63% of marketers think social media and 43% think emails generate the highest return on investment? To make the most impact:
Strategic partnerships expand your reach and bring added value to your customers. For this reason, consider the following:
A well-run business lowers stress, improves customer satisfaction, and operates with greater effectiveness. Here’s how to organize key aspects of your restaurant, liquor store, and retail store:
When you give back, the community gives back to you in loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals. So, to grow your small business, you should:
Modern customers expect a seamless experience across in-store, online, and mobile platforms. In fact, great omnichannel strategies retain 89% of their customers. Here’s how you can meet their expectations:
The business landscape changes rapidly. Stay competitive by adopting emerging trends:
Growing your small business requires a combination of hard work and strategic planning. Defining your vision, delighting your customers, embracing technology, staying ahead of trends, and more can make your restaurant, retail store, or liquor store a successful, community-loved establishment.
Begin by choosing one or two strategies from this list and implementing them today. And if you’re ready to take your operational efficiency to the next level, book a demo with OneHubPOS to see how it can ease up your business operations and fuel growth.
Money keeps the business running. But what happens when unpredictable expenses, delayed payments, and seasonal dips threaten to drain your funds? Many restaurateurs face this reality.
But with the right cash flow strategies, you can set your store up for success. This blog explores cash flow management strategies for small restaurant owners to help you avoid pitfalls.
Cash flow is the money flowing in and out of your business. When you're making more than you're spending, that’s positive cash flow. But if you're spending more than you're earning, that’s negative cash flow.
Did you know that 44% of businesses fail due to cash flow issues? No wonder why small businesses, especially retailers, need to monitor cash flow closely.
Suppose you’re running a food truck. Rent, salaries, and inventory costs can add up quickly. If business slows down for weeks or it’s the off-season, your cash flow could be in trouble.
Staying informed is the first step to managing small business cash flow. When you have accurate cash flow statements, you get a real sense of where your money’s going.
Tools like QuickBooks, Xero, and Zoho Books can help automate tracking and reporting. Plus, if you’re using a modern restaurant POS system, you’ll get real-time sales data that automatically tracks your daily cash inflows and outflows.
Predict cash flow for the next 30 to 90 days. The focus here is immediate needs only. Include daily or weekly inflows and outflows. Use data from the past 3–5 weeks and cross-check it with data from the same time last year to analyze cash flow trends.
Look at annual trends to plan for huge expenses or investments, such as equipment purchases, wages and salaries, or marketing campaigns. Planning for bigger, predictable costs can help you avoid sudden cash shortages.
Prepare for best-case, worst-case, and most-likely scenarios. Planning for different financial challenges can help you get ready for surprises. Later, you can take steps to avoid problems before they happen.
For example, a bistro owner could negotiate payment terms with suppliers. Or simply, they could save up. Either way, they can forecast and plan for increased expenses during holiday seasons.
Do you know the five marketing strategies restaurants spend half of their annual budget on? These include digital ads, content marketing, email campaigns, influencer partnerships, and loyalty programs.
You can’t avoid marketing if you really want to grow. However, you may feel pressure to compete. You might also be tempted to chase quick results. The result? You overspend! So, careful planning is a must.
Focus on marketing efforts that deliver measurable results. Use data analytics reports to analyze past campaigns. Identify which platforms or channels provide the best return on investment (ROI).
Using free tools can provide great value without stretching your budget. Some of them are as follows:
Fix a percentage of revenue to marketing. This helps avoid overspending. For example, if your business has a good month, set aside a fixed amount. This keeps marketing costs in check.
For instance, a coffee shop could focus on local social media ads. National campaigns can be costly. They might also offer seasonal promotions to increase foot traffic and keep marketing costs manageable.
Holding onto a product that doesn’t sell can lead to cash flow issues for your restaurant. Be objective about your inventory.
Move on and reinvest in what works. Identify slow-moving items. Sell them at a discount if necessary. This frees up cash. Plus, your product mix improves.
Always keep an eye on your stock levels. Then, order inventory as needed to decrease excess stock. This way, you’re less likely to end up with dead inventory that drains your cash reserves.
A POS system that integrates with inventory management.This provides instant updates on stock and sales trends, helping you make informed decisions. The result: well-informed decisions about reordering and clearing slow-moving products.
For example, a small catering company uses a food cost percentage calculator to track the cost of ingredients. Accordingly, it adjusts menu pricing and optimizes inventory levels. They reduce waste. Their cash flow becomes stable. Their revenue is maintained.
Delayed payments can leave you short on cash. On the other hand, poor management of accounts payable may strain relationships with suppliers.
Ensure invoices are easy to read. Show due dates prominently. Mention expectations for payment terms early on to avoid confusion.
An Invoice Template With Clear Terms & Conditions
You can encourage customers to pay on time by offering small incentives, such as cash discounts. What about a 2-5% discount to vendors for early payments? Your customers and vendors save a bit. You build loyalty and goodwill along the way.
Use software to send invoices and follow-up reminders. Tools like FreshBooks and Xero can help you automate invoicing. The bonus? Decreased administrative costs.
Negotiate extended terms with suppliers to align better with your cash flow cycles. For example, you could ask for a 60-day payment term instead of the usual 30. It’s a simple tweak. But it gives you extra breathing room to handle your bills without ruining cash management for you.
Hold off on paying your bills until they’re actually due. It keeps extra cash in your pocket. Paying too early might leave you short when something urgent pops up.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, cash flow problems still happen. In these cases, financing can help if you use it carefully. On average, credit card debt, business loans, and lines of credit make up 75% of new business financing.
Go for flexible funding for short-term needs. A line of credit allows you to access funds when needed. You don’t need to borrow a large lump sum upfront.
Are you planning for big expenses or growth initiatives? Small business loans can help you cover major costs like purchasing new equipment or expanding your business.
Sell unpaid invoices to a third party for immediate cash. This option helps you get quick access to funds. Here’s how it works in simple terms:
Remember, you must understand the terms and interest rates for financing to ensure that your cash flow remains stable after borrowing.
Borrow money from a lender and pay it back with interest. Pretty straightforward. It’s great for handling short-term cash flow hiccups without having to give up your business equity.
Earn interest on surplus cash while keeping it accessible. A high-interest savings account can be a good way to grow your reserves without locking your funds into long-term investments.
Managing small business cash flow helps keep your revenue steady so it can grow. Keep an eye on where your money’s going. Adjust your inventory to free up cash. Use financing smartly when you need it. Don’t stress. Start with just one or two cash flow management strategies for small businesses. Once you’ve got the hang of it, build on those. Before you know it, you’ll tackle money troubles.
Ready to manage your cash flow more effectively? Book a demo with OneHubPOS today and discover how it can simplify your business finances!
With another year coming to an end, retail stores are gearing up to welcome shoppers eager to spend. Whether it be Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year, the bigger the table the more is the need to meet customers' wishes and higher target sales.
As relaxing as it is for the shoppers, the retailers do find themselves under the stress of the sales. If only there were ways to satisfy both the customers and skyrocket through the targets of sales.
This article will discuss holiday marketing strategies that retail stores can adopt to increase their sales.
Personalized messaging works like a charm on customers. When you send messages that cater to their preferences or habits, it shows you’re paying attention, and that builds loyalty. Plus, they’re less likely to ignore a tailored message. To do this:
Share these messages through Email or WhatsApp. And don’t forget to add a friendly, personal touch to the message.
Walmart Personalized Homepage
For example, Walmart is planning to give every customer a personalized homepage with the help of generative AI and augmented reality.
When we say festive campaign we mean some offers, discounts, and some products that will only be available for a short period. When holidays are gone, bye bye to those deals as well.
But, how do you build a successful festive exclusive campaign?
Festive Exclusive Campaign
Make sure to review the previous year's statistics to get an idea of what made things turn in your favor and what didn’t. With the softPOS solution, accessing detailed sales analytics reports is just a tap away. These insights can help you spot trends.
Customers are more likely to spend more during holidays because they’re shopping for gifts, décor, and celebrations. So, they'd love to save money wherever possible. Free shipping adds to their attraction quotient, giving you an edge over your rivals.
To make sure free shipping doesn’t leave your pockets with a dent, you can use these strategies:
Customers shopping with you around the year deserve some reward for their loyalty. About 85% of customers say a loyalty program increases their chances to continue to shop with brands. A loyalty program can give some points to your customers every time they shop at your store, which can be redeemed even during the festive season. It’s a great way to ensure that your customers come to you and not your rival stores.
For example: let them earn $20 worth of points for every $100 they spend. Who wouldn’t love that?
Dunkin Donuts Rewards Program
Take an example of Dunkin Donuts, a well-known credible name in the food industry. It uses three simple ways to run a successful loyalty program.
They are:
OneHubPOS automates the process of tracking the purchases made using reward points. Choose from punch, QR, or mobile-based reward programs with the retail POS solution that is prepared for activation to meet your particular business requirements.
In this tech-savvy and social media-immersed generation, using influencers to promote your product is a huge advantage. It helps attract people of all age groups and builds trust quickly. Here’s how to make the most of influencer marketing:
Curating gift bundles that are specific to the holiday season also helps attract sales. Not only does it offer customers a hassle-free shopping experience, but it also helps them stay in the holiday spirit. For example:
Making bundles for every financial bracket, along with a guide to help customers choose, can drive up sales and make holiday shopping easier for everyone.
As the year ends, clearance sales are a win-win for both the customers and the retail store. They help clear out old stock, make room for new arrivals, and attract bargain-hungry customers.
Kohl’s Clearance Event
Here’s how to go about a clearance sale holiday events this festive season:
OneHubPOS can help keep an eye on what’s selling and what’s not in real time, so you can adjust your discounts accordingly. With fast checkout options, you’ll reduce wait times and keep the lines moving during peak shopping hours.
With these winning holiday promotional strategies, it won’t just be a holiday season of comfort and a stress-free environment for your customers, but for you too, as you’re bringing smiles to so many faces. On top of that, OneHubPOS will help you manage most of these promotion strategies with just a few clicks, cutting down your workload to the bare minimum. Book a demo today with OneHubPOS!
When you’re running a retail store, you’re not just selling products. Every day, you’re balancing inventory. You’re keeping customers happy. You're aiming for profits that justify the late nights and early mornings.
But will you opt for the convenience store route? Or will you choose specialty stores?
Both options have their pros and cons. So, how do you choose? Let’s get into their strengths and challenges. We’ll also explore how, no matter which path you choose, a good POS system will help you succeed.
Convenience stores and specialty stores are brick-and-mortar stores. But what does brick-and-mortar mean? Well, they are physical stores. Customers visit them in person. They’re not online-only businesses.
Convenience stores live up to their name. They’re for quick, everyday buys. Snacks, drinks, toiletries, and basics. The focus? Speed and easy access.
Most convenience stores operate in high-traffic areas. These include gas stations, neighborhoods, and office complexes. You’ll also find them near popular attractions. In the US, there are 152,396 convenience stores. Big names include 7-Eleven, Wawa, Sheetz, Speedway, and Circle K. Customers don’t linger or browse. They’re in and out, fast.
On the other hand, specialty stores stick to one product category or niche. Take Murray's Cheese, for example; it’s all about gourmet cheese. The Dog Bar is a boutique for pet supplies. DaveCo is a specialty liquor store.
So, specialty stores attract specific customers. These shoppers want something unique or high-quality. About 20% of specialty shops carry at least 10 brands. A larger 66% stock over 20 brands. These customers spend more time browsing. They care about what you’re selling. And thus, they spend more money too.
So, what is the advantage of a convenience store over a specialty store? Well, running a convenience store has some serious upsides. That’s especially true if you’re in the right location.
You’re selling everyday essentials, just like 7-Eleven. People always need - a quick coffee before work, milk for the family, or other essentials. If your store is near homes or busy roads, they’ll keep coming back.
Have you ever gone to Circle K to grab a soda but left with chips, candy, and gum? Exactly. Convenience stores exist for such small, unplanned purchases.
You’re usually stocking fast-moving, low-cost items. It’s less about sourcing rare products and more about keeping shelves full.
Bigger chains, supermarkets, and online apps are your competition. Staying unique is tough. Take 7-Eleven, for example. It's a popular convenience store. But it competes with large grocery chains like Walmart. Walmart offers similar products in bigger quantities.
A bottle of soda or a bag of chips may not make much profit alone. But when sold in bulk, the profit adds up. Customers want quick snacks or drinks. This increases your store’s total revenue.
Candy, cigarettes, or small electronics that are easily pocketable items are often stolen. The result? Shrinkage, which means loss of inventory. To prevent this, convenience stores must invest in security guards, alarm systems, and video cameras.
Do you love focusing on a niche? Or do you like creating a curated experience? If yes, a specialty store could be your dream business.
Specialty items often cost more. This means higher profit per sale. Take Apple products. iPhones, MacBooks, and accessories at Apple stores have premium prices.
Customers who love what you offer will come back again and again. When you run a high-end coffee shop like Blue Bottle Coffee, caffeine lovers are likely to vouch for your expertly made coffee and single-origin beans.
Sure, Amazon exists. But suppose a physical store offers personalized service and unique products. This helps it stand out. Big-box stores can’t do this. For example, The Container Store focuses on high-quality storage solutions. It also offers personalized advice.
Specialty items have to source higher-quality products. So, it can get pricey. For example, Custom Skateboards is a niche store that specializes in custom-painted skateboards. It sources high-quality materials. It also works with local artists to create one-of-a-kind designs.
The audience of specialty stores is much more limited to convenience stores. Not everyone is looking for custom-painted skateboards. You’ll need to know your customer preferences well.
Customers don’t rush in and out of specialty stores like they do at convenience stores. Take The Spice House, for example. It’s a specialty spice shop in Chicago and Milwaukee. Customers visit for rare, high-quality spices. They look for unique blends to enhance their cooking.
Whether you’re running a convenience store or a specialty shop, needing to keep your business running smoothly is one thing for sure. That’s where a modern retail POS system comes in.
An mPOS system ensures fast and smooth checkouts at a busy convenience store with customers rushing in and out or a specialty shop with a long line during a holiday sales. Scan items. Accept cash or contactless payments like cards and digital wallets. Get customers through quickly.
Convenience stores need to track fast-moving products like drinks, snacks, and toiletries. Specialty stores handle unique, high-value items with various sizes, colors, or styles. A POS system keeps tabs on what’s selling. It also alerts you when stock is running low.
You could be stocking soda for busy weekends or identifying which premium sneakers sell best. A handheld POS system provides in-depth sales analytics reports. This helps you spot trends. You can plan inventory. The result: Smarter business decisions.
The retail world is full of opportunities. So, convenience store or specialty store — what’s the right fit? Well, if you love high volume, fast-paced sales, and steady foot traffic, go the convenience store route. But if you’re passionate about a niche and want to create a unique shopping experience, consider a specialty store.
Ready to level up your store’s efficiency? Book a demo with OneHubPOS today and see how it can transform your retail operations. Fast checkouts, smarter inventory, and happy customers are just a click away!
The holidays are when restaurants and stores can really cash in on the festive rush. The holidays bring packed tables, record-breaking sales, and festive energy everywhere, but behind the scenes, chaos often reigns. Staffing headaches, increasing labor costs, and the struggle to keep your team and customers happy.
Proper staffing and scheduling during the holidays can determine the success of your season. This blog covers efficient staff scheduling, managing no-shows and rushes, optimizing operations with tip reports, and utilizing POS tools effectively. Let’s dive in!
Scheduling during the holidays can feel like trying to fit everything together perfectly. Between vacations, sick leaves, and the influx of customers, it’s tricky to ensure you have the right number of staff on hand. Here’s how to build a foolproof plan:
Start by analyzing your previous holiday season’s staffing and sales analytics data.
Use this information to forecast your needs for this year. For example, if sales spiked by 30% on the weekends leading up to Christmas, prepare for similar patterns this year and staff accordingly.
Employee scheduling reports show you who’s available, their total working hours, and shift overlaps. Using scheduling reports helps you prevent issues like double-scheduling or overstaffing while also balancing labor costs for your retail store during holidays.
Sure, you must create a structured schedule. But flexibility is also important during the holidays. Have backup staff or on-call team members ready to step in if someone calls in sick or the dining room suddenly fills up.
Labor costs can quickly add up during the holiday season. But cutting back on staff can harm customer service. Here’s how to strike the right balance:
Don’t staff equally across the entire day. Use historical data to identify peak hours. For instance, your quick service restaurant, food truck, or liquor store might have experienced lunchtime spikes or evening rushes in the past. So, allocate more team members during these periods. Reduce staffing during slower hours to avoid unnecessary labor costs.
You might have cashiers, managers, and inventory staff, each with different retail POS permissions. But when staff members can perform multiple roles, you can operate with a leaner team while maintaining efficiency. OneHubPOS allows you to tailor employee roles and permissions for each level of your staff.
For instance, a server who’s also trained to bartend can help when the bar gets crowded. Or during holiday happy hours, a cross-trained employee can handle serving tables and making drinks.
Keep an eye on your labor cost ratio, which is your total labor costs as a percentage of sales. Aim for 20-30% during busy seasons. If your labor costs start creeping higher, check if you’re overstaffed or if shifts overlap unnecessarily. OneHubPOS comes integrated with employee tip reports. So, you can get real-time visibility into these metrics.
Grab our Tip Pooling Calculator to quickly and accurately split tips based on hours worked—for both front and back-of-house teams. Save time and keep everyone happy!
The holiday rush is unpredictable, especially during holiday events. There’s always a chance that fewer employees show up for their shifts or that customer demand exceeds expectations. Here’s how to manage these situations:
Have a backup roster. And what’s that? A list of on-call employees who can fill in at short notice. Also, if you’ve cross-trained your staff, you can redistribute tasks without overwhelming the team. Here are the steps to create a backup roster for on-call employees:
An mPOS system with real-time updates can also help you reassign staff to high-priority areas. For instance, shift a server to take more tables while reducing the need for someone in the back. Say, if two servers don’t show up during a Friday dinner rush, you can quickly assess table coverage and reallocate the remaining staff efficiently.
Focus on keeping things simple and delivering core services well. Tweak your menu, offer quick options, and focus on table turnover. Temporarily, have employees pitch in where needed. A busser can help serve water and bread, while the hostess can assist with taking drink orders if she’s well-versed with the hacks to operate your POS system efficiently.
But you need to keep morale up, too. So, offer small bonuses or extra tips for employees who help manage unexpected surges.
During the holidays, tips can really help boost your team’s morale and motivation. But to keep things fair and transparent, accurate tip calculation is a must.
If your quick service restaurants operate on pooled tips, ensure the system is clear and transparent. Use your restaurant POS system to automatically calculate tips and distribute them based on roles or hours worked. Suppose the softPOS solution calculates that a server earned $150 in tips during a shift. If there’s a tip pool, the system can automatically split it based on agreed-upon percentages, reducing any disputes.
Employee tip reports give you insight into individual and team performance. If you notice some employees consistently underperforming on tips, it may indicate they need additional training or support during the rush.
The holidays are both a time of opportunity and a challenge for businesses. By implementing a flexible scheduling plan, carefully managing labor costs, and preparing for contingencies for your small business, you can ensure smooth operations and a memorable customer experience.
Leverage tools like employee scheduling reports, tip tracking, and POS systems to reduce stress and stay on top of the holiday rush. With a well-thought-out plan, this holiday season can be your most successful yet. It makes operations smoother, keeps your team on track, and ensures your customers leave with a smile.
With the right plan in place, this holiday season can be the best one yet for your team, your customers, and your bottom line. Need help getting started with better staffing tools? OneHubPOS offers employee scheduling, tip tracking, and real-time labor insights. Book a demo with OneHubPOS today to know more!
Running a small business is no easy task—with limited staff, orders can quickly pile up, juggling between tasks becomes the norm, and customers grow impatient fast. A study shows that 32% of restaurateurs reported that installing a cost-effective POS system capable of managing everything from orders and inventory to deliveries, employees, and payments is a priority for keeping front- and back-end operations running smoothly each day.
However, not all systems are created equal. Many small-scale businesses invest in POS systems that benefit them greatly but end up overwhelmed by hidden costs—such as transaction fees, frequent hardware replacements, software upgrades, and ongoing maintenance. These expenses, along with staff training costs and downtime during system failures, can severely reduce profit margins. This is particularly a cause of concern for small businesses that operate on budget constraints and can directly impact your ability to scale up.
For businesses with tight margins, investing in a POS system that balances efficiency and affordability is the key to long-term success. Read on to learn more about the cost of a POS system for small businesses, its hidden costs, and how to choose the right one.
To understand what POS systems cost you overall, you need to take into account its hidden costs that can potentially take a hit on your business profits if overlooked. For example, a small transaction fee may seem trivial at first, but with hundreds of transactions per day, these costs quickly accumulate.
To avoid ending up in a financial strain, it’s essential to understand the total cost of ownership before you make your purchase. Here are some of the hidden expenses you need to know about:
Small businesses operate around the clock, with numerous customers, multiple users, and near-constant use of card readers and terminals. This causes wear and tear on POS hardware, leading to frequent repairs and replacements. If the POS system can only be replaced with proprietary software (which can cost up to $1,200 annually) this could significantly strain your business's budget. Opting for systems that support third-party hardware can significantly reduce these recurring costs.
A recent report showed that 46% of restaurateurs want to upgrade their POS so they can deliver a better omnichannel experience. While this is essential to keep your POS system functioning properly, many providers require paid upgrades to maintain security and access basic features, such as inventory management or analytics tools. Choosing a provider that includes free essential upgrades or combined features in its base package can help you avoid these additional expenses.
Restaurants often depend on third-party services like GrubHub, UrbanPiper, and DoorDash. The cost of the POS system for small businesses may change due to additional fees for such integrations, increasing operational costs. A system with no additional or low-cost integrations ensures smooth operations without draining your budget.
Every card transaction incurs a fee. In high-volume businesses, variable fees can quickly erode profit margins. OneHubPOS offers transparent transaction fees starting at as low as 2.3% + 10 cents per transaction. Choosing such cost-effective alternatives to POS system providers with fluctuating fees can help businesses better manage profits.
Some POS providers advertise low upfront costs but hide essential features like reporting tools or customer support behind additional fees. Transparent pricing ensures businesses can plan their budgets effectively, avoiding unpleasant surprises later.
Businesses with high employee turnover often require extensive staff training, which increases the overall cost of the POS system. User-friendly POS reduces training time, helping them maintain efficiency without incurring high labor costs.
For sustained growth, it’s important to choose a POS system with transparent pricing, reliable hardware, and easy integrations. Consider transaction fees, software upgrades, and third-party integrations to avoid extra costs. A scalable POS ensures your system adapts as your business grows, reducing operational friction and unnecessary expenses.
POS systems can vary widely in pricing, hardware requirements, and transaction fees. This pricing chart compares the top 6 POS systems, breaking down their unique features, monthly costs, and potential pros and cons.
By comparing these systems, you can make a more informed decision that aligns with your business needs, helping you avoid hidden fees and unnecessary expenses.
Now that we've compared OneHubPOS with other leading POS systems, it’s clear how it stands out regarding pricing flexibility, hardware options, and cost-effectiveness. However, the real value of OneHubPOS lies in its ability to cater to various business types, offering tailored solutions that enhance efficiency while maintaining compliance.
Whether you run a quick-service restaurant, manage an online food delivery platform, or operate a liquor or convenience store, OneHubPOS provides tools to streamline operations, reduce costs, and ensure compliance.
Quick-service restaurants thrive on speed and efficiency. OneHubPOS boosts operational flow with self-service kiosks, allowing customers to place orders without staff intervention, and reducing labor costs. The Kitchen Display System (KDS) ensures smooth coordination between kitchen and counter staff, minimizing order delays and errors. Real-time menu updates help restaurants manage promotions or limited-time offers effortlessly. Additionally, the system supports drive-thru order management and contactless payments, ensuring faster service, reduced queues, and better customer satisfaction.
OneHubPOS optimizes cloud kitchens by integrating with delivery apps for seamless order tracking. KDS systems streamline preparation, while real-time inventory tracking with automated alerts prevents stockouts and waste. The platform offers menu scheduling tools to manage promotions efficiently. Third-party hardware support reduces startup costs, and offline modes ensure uninterrupted operations.
OneHubPOS has built-in age verification tools that check customer eligibility automatically at checkout to ensure compliance with local liquor laws. This feature reduces liability risks, ensures smooth transactions, and helps liquor stores avoid unnecessary expenses while maintaining operational efficiency.
For convenience stores, OneHubPOS supports quick checkouts, inventory tracking, and fast payment processing, which is crucial for high-traffic environments. Its integration with affordable hardware options and transparent pricing makes it a cost-effective solution. The POS system also automates tax reporting, helping businesses comply with local regulations.
OneHubPOS handles customized orders in pizzerias with ease—whether it’s toppings, crust types, or sizes. The integrated KDS system improves order accuracy and synchronization between staff and the kitchen. Menu management tools make handling future orders simple, enhancing operational efficiency.
OneHubPOS is ideal for bistro environments as it offers real-time menu updates for seasonal dishes and specials. Its table service management ensures smooth coordination between staff and the kitchen, improving the dining experience. Integrated loyalty programs encourage repeat business, and the user-friendly interface minimizes staff training, reducing labor costs.
Choosing a POS system is about more than just upfront costs. Businesses must plan for installation, staff training, maintenance, software updates, and variable transaction fees—expenses that, if overlooked, can reduce long-term profitability. With a clear understanding of these direct and indirect costs, businesses can make smarter investments and avoid financial strain.
OneHubPOS simplifies this process with modular pricing models that let you pay only for what you need, eliminating excessive upfront costs. The system also provides regular software updates and affordable hardware replacements, ensuring your technology remains up-to-date without expensive upgrades. Its streamlined operations and reduced transaction fees ensure sustainable growth and improved efficiency.
These advanced features starting at $50 per month reflect the commitment to affordable solutions, especially for small businesses and startups looking to scale.
Ready to transform your business? Contact us today for a demo and see how OneHubPOS can optimize your operations and boost profitability.
Fast and secure payments are a must at convenience stores. Customers now also expect contactless options. As a store owner, setting up contactless payments can help you attract more customers, speed up transactions, and reduce wait times.
This blog serves as your guide to adopting contactless payments in convenience stores. Learn about top POS providers and get actionable steps for a smooth transition.
Contactless payments allow customers to pay without inserting or swiping their cards or handling cash. Instead, they can simply tap their smartphone using a QR code or an NFC-enabled card against the POS terminal. This completes the transaction in a flash.
This technology primarily relies on NFC (Near Field Communication). It enables secure, wireless exchanges of information between devices. Some of the popular contactless payment options are Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay. Here’s the breakdown of key benefits:
Let’s explore some of the top retail POS options that can support your store’s shift to contactless payments.
OneHubPOS is ideal for small business owners who want simplicity. Its intuitive setup means you can quickly integrate contactless payments without any major overhauls.
So, OneHubPOS is budget-friendly for convenience stores. Plus, choosing a mPOS system with low transaction fees can make a difference in your bottom line. The savings add up, especially for stores with high transaction volumes.
If you’re curious about OneHubPOS, you can try it out at just $1 for 3 months, which lets you explore its features without a longer commitment. Perfect for a test run!
OneHubPOS accepts Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Samsung Pay, and other NFC-based methods, giving your customers plenty of ways to pay.
OneHubPOS supports guest payments both at the checkout counter and through self-service kiosks. Customers can complete transactions with a simple tap, making it versatile and convenient.
Being cloud-based means you can access OneHubPOS from any device. Whether you’re at your desk or on the go, your store data is available anytime, anywhere.
Lightspeed offers robust contactless and mobile payment solutions. It's equipped to handle modern payment solutions, making checkout quick and easy.
Managing multiple stores is easier with Lightspeed. It centralizes control, so you can oversee all locations without constantly switching between systems.
Shopify POS integrates contactless payments through Shopify Payments.
Manage both online and in-store sales in one place. It’s a unified platform. Perfect for businesses with both a website and a physical store.
You can give it a go with a free trial, a great way to see if Shopify POS meets your needs before you commit fully.
Square POS offers flexible payment solutions, making it easy to accept credit cards, mobile payments, and even invoices.
Though it lacks custom reorder points, Square still covers the basics of inventory management, allowing you to track products across different locations.
Clover supports mobile and contactless payments, allowing for a flexible checkout experience that’s convenient for customers.
Although it’s not as advanced in omnichannel as some others, Clover POS integrates with various platforms, making it useful for small businesses with an online presence.
Clover makes it manageable to operate multiple stores, with tools to centralize inventory and sales data across sites.
Now that you know about the top POS options, let’s get into the practical steps to move your store towards contactless payments.
Compare POS systems and determine which best aligns with your store’s needs. Think about factors like transaction fees, supported payment options, hardware requirements, and any specific features that will benefit your convenience store.
Need a simple, affordable choice? OneHubPOS could be ideal. It’s easy to set up. The transaction costs are low. Perfect for high-volume stores aiming to cut costs.
Reach out to your chosen POS provider. The right POS provider would offer you onboarding support to help you set up contactless payment options easily.
Ask about any necessary Android POS hardware upgrades, such as NFC readers or additional terminals, and whether POS software updates are required. Some POS systems may need minor upgrades, while OneHubPOS handheld POS system comes fully ready for contactless payments.
Ensure that your store is equipped with NFC readers at each checkout point. Some stores may prefer only having them at the counter, while others, especially those with high foot traffic, might consider additional self-order kiosks.
Test the setup thoroughly. Make sure payments through Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay work without issues.
Make sure your team understands how contactless payments work with the Mobile POS system and can assist customers with any questions. Staff should feel comfortable troubleshooting issues and explaining the technology if necessary.
Teach them the benefits of contactless payments. Highlight faster transactions and better customer satisfaction. The more they understand, the more they’ll promote it.
Use signs in-store and on social media to share the news about the upgrade. Place them at the entrance and checkout. Your promotional efforts will let customers know they can now pay with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and other mobile wallets.
Switching to contactless payments is an investment in your store’s future. It makes checkout smoother. It speeds up the process for customers. It also modernizes your store. Consumers want faster, easier payments. With the right POS system, you can deliver this. Train your staff. Promote these new options. Soon, you’ll have a smooth, contactless experience.
Embracing contactless payments with OneHubPOS can help your store stand out. It offers both versatility and cost-efficiency. So, you’ll have a solution that meets your needs and those of your customers. Book a demo with OneHubPOS today!
Imagine a busy Friday evening at your liquor store, where customers are lining up. The last thing you want is a manual, time-consuming process to verify every customer's age.
But selling alcohol comes with a serious responsibility—ensuring that no underage customer walks away with a bottle. This is where OneHubPOS with its inbuilt age verification functionality makes all the difference. It streamlines the entire buying process and offers an efficient, foolproof way to ensure you’re on the right side of the law.
In this guide, we'll walk through why you should implement age verification features directly into your POS and how OneHubPOS helps you with verifying the age of your customers.
Not checking the age of buyers can happen more often when employees are rushing through transactions during busy hours. But age verification is important for liquor stores. Here’s why:
Verifying your customers' ages is a legal mandate if you sell alcohol, tobacco, or other age-restricted products. For example, in California, online retailers and restaurants selling alcohol are mandated to verify a purchaser’s age, but they're free to choose when they want to do it: during the online checkout or at the point of delivery.
Failing to follow local or federal laws while selling liquor may make you face severe penalties, such as:
POS software with automated age verification functionality doesn't let the transaction happen if the customer doesn't fulfill the age requirement, preventing the expensive mistake.
Your customers expect you to follow the rules and maintain a responsible business. When they see that you’re careful and strict about checking IDs, it signals that you care about more than just profits—you care about doing the right thing. Over time, this builds trust and encourages repeat business.
Think about it: a customer is purchasing liquor for a gathering or event and sees that your store strictly enforces age restrictions. So, they may feel safer shopping with you. After all, they are assured that your store follows laws, ensuring all alcohol is sold responsibly, reducing the risk of legal issues. They’ll appreciate knowing they can rely on you for ethical sales practices.
Word spreads quickly. The US liquor industry is highly regulated. So, a single slip-up can damage your reputation. A bad reputation for not following the law could turn away not just customers but suppliers and partners as well. Maintaining a strict age verification process through your POS system shows your commitment to compliance and responsible business practices.
Instead of manually entering a customer’s birthdate or doing the math in your head, verifying the age using your retail POS system is a smart move. Here's how OneHubPOS helps you implement age verification for your liquor store easily:
Log in to OneHubPOS using your credentials. After logging in, the home screen will appear, and you’ll see various product groups, such as “Liquor,” “Cigarettes,” “Wine,” and so on. Each category contains multiple items. Selecting and scanning items becomes easy this way.
When a customer approaches, you can start an order by adding items to the cart. This can be done using a scanner to quickly input the products they wish to purchase. As soon as you scan the first age-restricted item, whether it's beer, wine, or a cigar, OneHubPOS takes over with its built-in age verification feature.
The cloud POS platform automatically prompts you to check the customer’s age when a flagged item is scanned. This way, it alerts you to ensure you don’t miss the mandatory age verification step for alcohol and tobacco sales. The system will not allow you to proceed with adding the item to the cart until a valid ID has been scanned and verified.
Humans make mistakes. Your cashiers might misread an ID, fail to notice an expired card, or simply forget to check in during the rush of a busy shift. However, with the automated system of OneHubPOS, there is no risk of manual errors. At this stage, you can simply scan the ID, and the system will automatically verify if the customer is of legal age.
Once scanned, OneHubPOS retrieves and processes the customer’s details, including:
Note that manual age checks can slow down the buying process during rush hours. With automated age verification through OneHubPOS, the process becomes much quicker, usually taking between 15 to 30 seconds. This also reduces wait times and makes operations smoother.
Once the customer’s details are loaded and the system confirms their age meets the legal requirements for purchasing the restricted item, you can proceed by clicking "Yes" to approve the sale. The product is then successfully added to the cart, and the transaction can continue as usual.
So, let’s say a 22-year-old customer comes in to buy a bottle of wine. With OneHubPOS, your cashier simply scans the ID, and the POS system does the work. If the customer is old enough, the system allows the sale to proceed. If not, the system blocks the transaction.
Liquor stores must have a simple and compliant age verification process. Integrating age verification into your POS system not only protects your business from legal issues but also creates a smoother, faster experience for your customers.
Want to make age verification easy? OneHubPOS offers all these features and more. With our automated prompts and ID scanning tech, you can ensure every sale follows the rules while keeping your operations running smoothly. To make age verification one less thing to worry about, get started with OneHubPOS!
Suppose a customer returns an unsatisfactory product, and your POS handles the refund flawlessly. Another customer claims overbilling, and your POS instantly retrieves the records. And if a chargeback occurs, quick access and tracking minimize revenue impact.
With an efficient POS like OneHubPOS, managing issues becomes smooth and customer-focused. This blog covers strategies for managing Returns, Chargebacks, and Refunds using your POS system.
Returns, chargebacks, and refunds are part of every business, big or small. But without proper management, they cause cash flow issues. They increase costs. They even risk customer loyalty. Here’s why handling these processes efficiently with your POS system is important:
Having a clear, transparent policy is the first step in efficiently managing returns and refunds. Ensure that your employees understand the parameters for returns, exchanges, and refunds.
Set a clear return window–whether it’s 30 days, 60 days, or longer. Your retail POS should display order history for returns. It should display the product name, order ID, purchase date and time, and price.
Indicate what condition the item must be in for a return, such as new and unused. This can be helpful for POS staff handling returns to ensure consistency.
Your POS system should have useful and practical return and refund features to save time and frustration. Look for POS solutions that support:
Typing the order number/identification code automatically pulls up the product details and original sale information, making the return process fast and accurate.
Some POS systems automatically calculate refunds, factoring into discounts, promotions, or partial refunds.
Your POS should let you manage multiple refund types easily. Offer different refund options, such as cash refunds or card refunds. With card refunds, you can send the money back to the original payment method.
Your POS should also allow card refunds even if the customer paid in cash. This removes the need for handling cash refunds. It’s a simple, flexible approach for both you and the customer.
As soon as an item is returned, your handheld POS should adjust and manage inventory levels in real-time. This keeps your stock numbers accurate and prevents inventory issues.
Chargebacks occur when a customer disputes a transaction with their credit card company. This could be due to an unrecognized charge or dissatisfaction with a product. They can be costly if not addressed quickly. But your Android-based POS system can help manage these disputes.
Your cloud-based POS system should maintain thorough transaction records, including receipts, customer information, and timestamps, making it easier to defend against chargebacks.
Send customers receipts and order confirmations. This way, they’ll always have a record of their purchase. Your POS system should allow you to print these automatically.
Tracking and analyzing return and refund data is one of the best ways to reduce returns and chargebacks in the future. Your POS system should offer analytics features that allow you to monitor:
Your POS should offer customer reports on returned item history. Identifying these can highlight potential quality or popularity issues with certain products.
If your POS lets customers select a reason for returns, such as "wrong product" or "damaged item", this data can help you improve product quality or customer service.
To reduce returns and chargebacks, start by understanding their causes. Look at your mPOS data. It can help you find trends. These trends can guide you in preventing issues.
If a particular product sees high return rates, work with your suppliers or make changes to the product itself to address customer concerns.
For complex or frequently returned items, include clear instructions on usage, sizing, or specifications at checkout to reduce misunderstandings.
Your mobile POS can help you track suspicious transaction patterns that often lead to chargebacks, like high-value purchases from unfamiliar customers. Proactively addressing these issues reduces the chance of future chargebacks.
OneHubPOS is designed to handle these transactions. It provides tools to streamline workflows, track records, and prevent common issues before they arise.
Order number identification for returns, instant refund calculations, and integrated stock management in OneHubPOS not only speed up the return process but also ensure that your records stay accurate, which is essential for inventory management and future ordering. Its automated system reduces wait times, minimizes the chance of human error, and ensures a positive customer experience.
Returns, chargebacks, and refunds happen. You can't avoid them. But with the right POS system, you can manage them well. Smart strategies help too. A cloud-based POS simplifies these transactions and boosts customer loyalty. Turn challenges into chances. Your customers will appreciate it.
OneHubPOS offers real-time reporting, flexibility, and automation lets you stay on top of returns and refunds with confidence. See OneHubPOS in action! To explore how our POS simplifies returns, chargebacks, and refunds, book a demo today!
A customer stuck waiting behind a slow line at the checkout because the system isn’t working is something we’ve all experienced. Frustrated, they might even abandon their purchase and leave.
That’s where OneHubPOS steps in! It’s built to speed up your checkout, cut down on mistakes, and make every transaction super fast—just like your customers want. In this blog, check out simple tips and tools to make every transaction fast, smooth, and totally stress-free.
Here are ten game-changing strategies that can slash checkout times and keep your customers coming back for more.
Your POS system is the heart of your store. It pumps out quick transactions and keeps everything running smoothly. But the cloud dashboard is the brain behind it all. The cloud connects every aspect of your store, ensuring real-time access to inventory levels, sales reports, and customer insights—anytime, anywhere.
With your POS handling the day-to-day operations and the cloud providing the smarts for real-time management, you’ve got a system that’s perfectly synced to keep your store efficient and always in control.
Moreover, don’t forget to keep the components needed during the checkout process all within arm’s reach for your cashiers, such as:
This way, they can quickly process transactions without fumbling around for equipment, reducing the time spent on each transaction and keeping your line moving smoothly. It also reduces the likelihood of errors and ensures that everything flows in a logical order.
Imagine how much time is saved when cashiers don’t have to key in numbers manually or search for items in endless lists. A modern POS system with a fast, user-friendly touch screen interface can dramatically speed up the checkout process. It also minimizes errors. Less time fixing mistakes means faster, smoother transactions.
OneHubPOS, with cutting-edge Android tech, gives you a sleek multi-touch screen that supports gestures, making navigation super easy and intuitive. With just a tap, your employees can quickly access product categories, process sales, and navigate the system flawlessly.
Another key feature of OneHubPOS is its dual-screen functionality. This setup includes both a cashier-facing screen and a customer-facing display, enhancing the transaction process. The dual-screen feature makes it easy for your customers to pay at the counter with their preferred mode of payment during checkout.
.webp)
Manually entering prices or looking up items is not only slow but prone to mistakes. The solution? A reliable barcode scanning system integrated into your POS. It reduces the chances of pricing errors, which can hold up the line and lead to customer complaints. When you scan, you get precision—every time.
With OneHubPOS' auto-focus cameras, scanning barcodes and QR codes is faster and more accurate, ensuring that each item is accounted for, and your customer doesn’t have to wait while your cashier hunts down the correct price.
If your store sells items by weight—like fruits, vegetables, or bulk goods, a weigh scale integrated with your POS is what you need, and OneHubPOS comes with this integration.
As a result, the scale communicates directly with the POS, meaning there’s no manual input required. So, if you put an item on the scale, the price will be calculated, and the transaction will move forward without a hitch.
.webp)
If you identify trends about products frequently bought together, you can train your staff to suggest complementary items at checkout, or better yet, arrange them near the counter for quick grabs.
With OneHubPOS, you can get one-touch access to reports on how your products are doing—what’s selling a lot, what’s not selling, when your peak hours are, and even break down sales by day, week, month, or by individual product.
For example, if you know customers frequently buy bottled water with their sandwiches, you can instruct cashiers to ask if they’d like to add one to their purchase, speeding up decision-making.
.webp)
Nothing slows down a checkout line more than a stockout, especially for high-demand items. Your cashier has to inform the customer, offer alternatives, and possibly cancel items from the transaction, leading to delays.
But with OneHubPOS’ real-time inventory alerts, your staff will know exactly when stocks are low and can restock before it becomes a problem. This ensures that you never run out of popular items, especially during busy periods.
Contactless payments are not just a convenience—they’re expected these days. Integrating near-field communication (NFC) payments like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay into your POS system speeds up the checkout process significantly.
But apart from NFC, OneHubPOS also handles cash, credit cards, and even EBT payments if needed. The more payment options you offer, the faster you can accommodate each customer’s preference without slowing down the line. Customers can just tap their phones or cards, and they’re good to go.
If your convenience store sells age-restricted products like alcohol or tobacco, POS systems with built-in age verification can save a lot of time. With OneHubPOS, instead of your cashier having to manually check and verify IDs, the POS can quickly scan the ID and verify it automatically. This feature not only speeds up the process but also ensures compliance with legal regulations.
.webp)
Printing receipts can sometimes feel like the bottleneck of the checkout process. But OneHubPOS has streamlined this as well. With smart receipt printing, the process is faster and more efficient, meaning no more standing around waiting for the receipt to roll out.
Finally, no matter how advanced your POS is, it won’t be effective without proper staff training. Make sure your employees are well-versed in all the system’s features, from processing transactions to troubleshooting payment issues. They should also be familiar with advanced functions to speed things up.
Now’s the time to evaluate your current POS setup. Is it truly optimizing your checkout process, or are there opportunities for improvement? A fast checkout process is essential for maintaining customer satisfaction and keeping your convenience store running smoothly.
By maximizing OneHubPOS features—like touchscreen efficiency, barcode scanning, and contactless payments—along with proper staff training and organized counters, you’ll speed up transactions and minimize delays, and you’ve got a strategy for success.
The holidays are the perfect time for your restaurants and retail stores to add a touch of Christmas magic to your marketing efforts. Customers are out in full force, ready to indulge, gift, and celebrate.
With everyone vying for their attention, how can your business stand out? Here are some creative Christmas marketing ideas to increase your sales, bring in customers, and spread holiday cheer.
Decorating your space for Christmas goes without saying. But why stop at tinsel and fairy lights? Create a winter wonderland experience that’s worth snapping and sharing. You can craft cozy corners with candles and festive table settings in your restaurants.
If your restaurant also serves alcohol or you have liquor stores, you might set up a holiday cocktail sampling station under mistletoe. Interactive holiday displays or a giant ornament wall make excellent promotional ideas for retail stores.
OneHubPOS can track sales of festive-themed items like holiday cocktails or Christmas products, even if you have Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) or retail stores at multiple locations. You can easily promote bestsellers as part of your campaign.
Who doesn’t love a great deal during the holidays? It’s the perfect way to attract customers!
For example:
Make it convenient for customers to purchase these deals, whether in-store or through mobile ordering. Use your restaurant POS or retail POS to identify your top-performing items. Then, bundle them together for irresistible offers through menu management capabilities.
Unveiling a new deal or feature each day for 12 days can build anticipation and excitement.
Promote these deals through email marketing and social media. Ensure your softPOS solution can handle the daily updates and track inventory in real-time.
Gift cards strike the perfect balance between practicality and personalization. That’s why they could be a go-to holiday gift. Sweeten the deal for your customers in the following ways:
Set up gift card sales through your cloud-based POS solution and monitor the redemption rates for post-holiday promotions.
Invite customers to unforgettable holiday experiences. You can host the following holiday events:
Pro Tip: Leverage your POS system to upsell by offering exclusive discounts to attendees during the event.
Positive reviews can drive holiday traffic, so why not make it fun? Ask your customers to share their experiences in exchange for something special.
Simplify the process by integrating it into your POS system—send automated emails or receipts featuring a review QR code.
Create buzz leading up to Christmas with an interactive social media countdown using #CountdownToChristmas. Here’s how:
Highlight these posts to build community engagement while promoting your small business organically.
Long lines are inevitable during the Christmas rush, but they don’t have to dampen the festive spirit. Use OneHubPOS to make your payment and checkout procedure simpler:
Seamless checkouts and contactless payment options leave a lasting positive impression. It further encourages repeat visits and customer loyalty.
With creativity and strategic use of your mobile POS system, the holidays can become a time of booming sales and memorable customer experiences. Whether you’re serving a festive feast, selling the perfect gift, or helping customers stock up on holiday cheer, these ideas will help you spread joy and bring people through your doors. What’s your first step? Perhaps it’s launching a gift card promotion or adding twinkling lights to your space
Whatever you choose, embrace the spirit of the season with OneHubPOS. Manage promotions, track inventory, and offer smooth checkout experiences. Make this season your most successful yet— with OneHubPOS
It’s time to deck the aisles and uncork the bottles. After all, you need to turn your liquor store into a festive hub for customers preparing for Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, and New Year’s Eve celebrations. The festive season is a golden opportunity to boost sales while creating memorable experiences for your customers.
But let’s face it: every liquor store in your area will be competing for attention. That’s where creative holiday promotions, powered by OneHubPOS, can help you stand out. The ideas in this blog will help you maximize revenue while spreading holiday joy.
Discounts are the quickest way to get customers reaching for their wallets. But why not give your promotions a festive twist? A tiered discount structure encourages customers to spend more while giving them a great deal. Here’s how you can make it work:
Discounts on wine at Empire Wine and Liquor Superstore, Connecticut
To make this even better, you can show customers exactly how much they saved with each transaction. Moreover, you can add a “next visit” discount coupon at the bottom of the receipt to keep them coming back.
OneHubPOS applies the right discounts at checkout, even if customers mix and match products. It also helps you track your stock of popular items like mulled wine mixes or eggnog liqueurs to avoid running out. The retail POS system allows for quick and accurate ID checks, reassuring customers that your store prioritizes responsible selling.
Everyone loves a thoughtful gift. And holiday bundles are a win-win for you and your customers. These pre-packaged sets save customers time. But for you, they increase average transaction value. Here are promotional ideas for bundles:
Tequila gift set bundle by the Nestor Liquor store
OneHubPOS can help you track which bundles sell best. For example, if your "Craft Beer Sampler" sells quickly, you’ll know to prioritize similar items next year. The mPOS system can also suggest add-ons during checkout, like:
Raffles add excitement to the shopping experience. They create a sense of fun and engagement. Plus, everyone loves the chance to win something special. Here’s how it works:
Additionally, you can ask participants to provide their email addresses for prize notifications. Later, use this data to send holiday-themed promotions or discounts. Your handheld POS system can help you track how much revenue this promotion generates compared to non-raffle days.
Countdowns add anticipation and urgency. And during the holiday season, it’s like an advent calendar for your customers, but with better rewards! Here’s what you can do:
Coupons at Crossroads Wine and Spirits, New York
The OneHubPOS mobile POS system tracks which daily deals resonate with customers. You can adjust next year’s promotions accordingly. You can also send emails about upcoming deals to encourage repeat visits throughout the month.
Help your customers host the ultimate New Year’s Eve bash with curated party packages that make their celebrations effortless. Here’s what you can include
POS Analytics reports can help you identify which packages are hits. Then, you can adjust inventory for last-minute shoppers. You can restock top-sellers like sparkling wines and cocktail mixers before they run out.
Pairing liquor purchases with lottery tickets adds an exciting twist to holiday shopping. Here’s how:
OneHubPOS enables LOTO Management, which accurately tracks scratcher payouts and sales.
Membership programs help drive customer loyalty. They make shoppers feel like they’re getting VIP treatment, especially during the holidays.
OneHubPOS’ cloud POS solution allows dual pricing, so it automatically applies the correct pricing tier at checkout. It can also track member purchases to send personalized holiday offers.
Holiday tastings create an inviting in-store experience, allowing customers to discover new products. A pay-by-weight system adds flexibility and ensures transparency. Here’s how you can organize this holiday event:
Wine Tasting at The Wine Concierge
OneHubPOS allows weight scale integration. So, it can measure ounces poured and calculate the exact charge instantly. With sales tracking, you can also analyze which products perform best to inform future inventory decisions.
From Thanksgiving feasts to Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve celebrations, the holiday season is your liquor store’s time to offer creative promotions. With the capabilities of your POS system, you can enhance customer experiences and boost sales.
Whether it’s simplifying transactions, tracking inventory, or personalizing offers, OneHubPOS can make this holiday season unforgettable. From automated discounts and real-time inventory tracking to smooth age verification and scratcher payouts, OneHubPOS has all the tools your liquor store needs to boost sales and delight customers this festive season.
Get started today with OneHubPOS at just $1 and make your holidays stress-free!
The holiday season is the perfect time for customers to gather, celebrate, and create memorable moments over a delicious meal. The festive season comes with many perks, including increased foot traffic and customers in high spirits. This makes it the ideal time to request reviews, and QR codes make the process simpler than ever.
This blog explores why and how to make the most of this holiday season to improve your restaurant’s reviews, visibility, and brand presence.
During the holiday season, people are shopping, dining, and celebrating more than at any other time of the year. With people often in a generous mood, this is the perfect opportunity to encourage positive feedback. Here are three reasons why now is the time to ask for reviews:
Have you noticed how much busier it gets around the holidays? Families out for shopping trips, friends reuniting over meals, office parties—the flow of customers is constant. In fact, in December 2023, 63% of adults planned to dine out in the subsequent weeks, and 48% planned to get takeout or delivery. So, the holiday rush gives you way more chances to reach out and request reviews.
People are generally more positive during the festival season. So, why not ask for reviews while your customers are already smiling? A satisfied, happy customer is way more likely to leave a positive review.
With QR codes for Google reviews now common, many of your customers are just a quick scan away from leaving feedback. No more going through websites—one scan, a few taps, and they’re done! It’s instant, easy, and lets them review while the experience is still fresh.
Setting up QR codes is easier than it seems. Let’s walk through a quick setup:
Whether you’re focused on Google Reviews, Yelp, or TripAdvisor, simply find a free QR code generator online and create a code that takes customers right to your review page. There are many tools available that let you customize. They can even brand your QR code.
Think about spots where customers will naturally pause for a moment, such as:
You could integrate QR codes into your holiday decor easily. For example:
This approach ensures that customers can effortlessly leave feedback while maintaining your brand’s consistency and appeal.
A casual reminder goes a long way. Your servers could say something like:
Keeping the tone light and friendly ensures it feels like a suggestion rather than a demand.
Why not reach out to those who may not leave a review immediately but would love to support your small business? You can put a quick post on social media with a “Leave us a review and let us know your holiday experience!” Such a call to action can extend your reach beyond the restaurant’s walls.
Besides the immediate happiness of knowing people loved their meal, positive feedback has long-lasting benefits. Here’s how:
Did you know that search engines like Google consider review volume and quality when ranking businesses? So, every additional review helps. Suppose someone is searching “best restaurants in Chicago for Christmas brunch” in your area. With more reviews, your quick service restaurant has a better shot at standing out and drawing in new customers.
Almost every customer now checks online reviews. In fact, 98% say they read them at least "sometimes," and 77% say they read them "often" or "always." A solid stream of positive reviews builds trust. Gathering reviews during this busy season helps you prove that your QSR is a great choice for celebrations, family dinners, and more.
When customers take the time to leave a review, they feel more connected to the place they’re reviewing. Making it easy for them to do so shows that you genuinely care about their opinion. This sense of connection can turn a one-time diner into a loyal guest who returns for years.
Responding to reviews, even a simple “Thanks for joining us!” can go a long way. Plus, addressing any negative feedback shows you’re attentive and committed to making every experience a great one.
Collecting reviews in December is more than a nice gesture. After all, it’s laying the groundwork for a successful 2025. Here’s how:
If you’re serving a seasonal dish, encourage guests to mention it in their reviews. Phrases like, “Our holiday favorite—the spiced cranberry roast—is only here for December!” can create buzz. Such mentions will make other guests eager to try it.
Reviews are digital word-of-mouth. Once you start collecting them during the holiday rush, they add to your brand’s reputation. A steady stream of reviews positions your restaurant as a go-to choice for festive gatherings, family dinners, and more.
Use this holiday season’s reviews to tell your story. Did your restaurant go all-out with Christmas holiday decor? Did you introduce a unique holiday menu? Encourage guests to mention these details. Later on, you can share their feedback as testimonials in social media posts or on your website. These small details add to your restaurant's personality. They make it memorable.
Here are a few extra tips to help you get the most out of this holiday season:
Customers can sense when they’re being pressured, so keep review requests casual and friendly. A simple mention is often all you need. Trust that the positive holiday experience will encourage customers to share their feedback.
The holiday season is fast-paced. But try to check in regularly and respond to new reviews, especially if they’re negative. Showing that you’re listening and care about feedback will leave a positive impression.
Even though you hope for five-star ratings, constructive criticism can be invaluable. Pay attention to recurring themes in feedback, whether it’s about wait times or food quality. Then, use it to make improvements.
Holiday reviews not only provide an immediate boost but also lay a foundation for long-term success. They help set up your business for a successful and visible 2025. With customers feeling cheerful and willing to share feedback, QR codes make it easier than ever to capture amazing reviews.
This year, set up a QR code, enjoy the festive spirit, and watch as your brand’s visibility grows long after the holiday lights are down. But to make the most of the holiday season, you’ll need more than just a great review strategy—you also need a powerful, scalable POS system to manage your operations.
OneHubPOS can be your partner in enhancing sales, managing daily tasks with ease, and strengthening customer loyalty. Want to see how it works? Try OneHubPOS for just $1 and discover the difference it can make for your restaurant!
With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s around the corner, it’s time to decorate your aisles and welcome shoppers eager to spend on gifts, goodies, and holiday essentials. But during the busiest shopping season, putting up a simple "Sale" sign won’t make you stand out.
You need to create an experience that excites customers and keeps them coming back long after the decorations are taken down. This blog offers actionable and creative holiday promotion ideas tailored for your retail store.
Customers appreciate it when their favorite store recognizes their preferences and rewards their loyalty. In fact, nine out of ten top marketers agree that personalization is crucial for profitability in both big and small businesses. Leverage your customer data to craft tailored offers based on purchase history.
Here are a few examples:
Wine Tasting Event by Liquor Junction
Running an email or SMS campaign? Personalize your communication for extra impact. Each message should feel like a one-on-one conversation, even when reaching a large audience.
For instance, expand personalization with gift suggestions:
"We noticed you bought a red velvet cake last year. This Christmas, pair it with your favorite wine for the perfect gift idea!"
OneHubPOS simplifies this process by storing customer data in its system, enabling you to create personalized offers effortlessly. The retail POS system even automates these discounts during checkout, so you don’t have to worry about manual inputs. Plus, the system allows age verification for liquor sales.
Seasonal products are the ultimate crowd-pleasers during the festive season, creating urgency since they’re only available for a limited time. Offer exclusive holiday-themed products like Thanksgiving pumpkin pies or Christmas sweaters. Here are some promotion ideas for different types of retail stores:
Low priced cakes during Christmas holidays by Walmart
Take it a step further by offering customizations, such as personalized inscriptions on ornaments or cakes. Shoppers will love the uniqueness they can’t find elsewhere.
OneHubPOS makes managing seasonal products easy. How? The mPOS system integrates with weighing scales for precise pricing, ensuring smooth operations.
A loyalty program keeps customers coming back while engaging them with festive rewards. Implement holiday-specific incentives like:
Reward Program by Starbucks
You can also create “Holiday Loyalty Days,” offering triple points or exclusive gifts with purchases. Send email reminders about points balances and limited-time rewards to boost engagement.
With OneHubPOS, tracking purchases and assigning rewards is seamless. The cloud POS solution automates loyalty tracking and redemption.
Social media is a powerful tool during the holiday season. Nearly 73% of marketers report increased traffic and 65% attribute generated leads to social media marketing. Here are some festive campaign ideas:
Instagram Handle of The Home Depot
Encourage customers to share photos of their purchases or in-store experiences using a branded hashtag, and offer prizes to the best posts.
Daily promotions give shoppers a reason to visit your store repeatedly during the season. Use sales data to identify popular products and craft irresistible deals like:
Daily Deals by Day to Day
You can also create themes for each week, such as “Gift Wrap Week” with free wrapping services for all purchases or “Stocking Stuffer Week” with discounts on smaller items.
With OneHubPOS, you can easily run daily promotions based on your bestsellers or slow-moving inventory. The system’s One-Touch Analytics Reports feature helps you analyze which products are popular, so you can design promotions around them.
Pre-packaged gift bundles make shopping easier for customers and encourage larger purchases. Here are some ideas:
Promote these bundles with eye-catching displays and online "Gift Guides" for different budgets and interests.
OneHubPOS automates bundle discounts and supports barcode scanning for quick and accurate transactions.
Gamification adds excitement to shopping. Offer scratch cards or spin-the-wheel games with prizes like:
Holiday Promotions by Macy’s
Promote these games as limited-time opportunities to add urgency and excitement. Shoppers will love the chance to win something extra with their holiday buys.
Everyone loves a good clearance sale, and this is your chance to turn old stock into profit. The post-holiday period is perfect for clearing out leftover inventory while giving shoppers incredible deals. Here are some examples:
Clearance Sale by Kohl’s
Create urgency by setting clear deadlines: “Sale ends January 5th!”. Promote these sales through email campaigns and social media ads to ensure customers don’t miss out.
OneHubPOS provides detailed One-Touch Analytics Reports to help you identify slow-moving inventory and target it for clearance. The Android-based POS system also makes it easier to manage bulk discounts and clearance pricing.
Limited-time offers are great for boosting foot traffic and encouraging impulse purchases. Use them strategically to bring in shoppers during slower hours or to promote specific items. Here are some promotion ideas:
Time-limited Christmas Sale by Riff’s
Pair these promotions with instore signage and announcements on social media to maximize their reach.
OneHubPOS makes it easy to set up flash sales. How? The handheld POS system automates discounts during specific times or for certain payment methods. Barcode scanning allows quick transactions.
The festive season is a golden opportunity to build lasting customer relationships. From personalized shopping experiences to flash sales, implement these ideas to drive sales and create memorable holiday traditions.
From daily promotions and loyalty rewards to personalized shopping experiences and clearance sales, there’s something here for every type of retail store. So get creative, spread the holiday cheer, and watch your store become a goto destination for festive shopping.
Simplify your promotions, personalize customer experiences, and track sales easily this holiday season with OneHubPOS. From automating discounts to managing loyalty programs, our system ensures smooth operations so you can focus on delighting your customers. Book a demo today with OneHubPOS!
Multiple employees manage various tasks at the same time. However, if a cashier mistakenly access manager-level features like financial reports, they would be able to alter sensitive data or disrupt workflows. So, properly setting up employee roles and permissions is a MUST to avoid confusion and inefficiencies in your QSR.
OneHubPOS simplifies managing employee roles and permissions effectively and securely. This ensures each team member has access to only what they need, enhancing both productivity and security.
This article guides you through how to easily set up roles and permissions in your QSR POS and explains why OneHubPOS is the best choice for your business.
Often, controlling access to certain features and data is one of the toughest pain points of managing a busy QSR. Let’s explore some of the pain points:
Without proper controls, sensitive data like sales figures, inventory, and cash management can be at risk. What if one of your employees accidentally accesses sensitive sales reports? Ideally, they should only be viewed by management. This breach of security could lead to unauthorized changes or even data theft.
Picture a busy lunch rush where the server is distracted by requests for refunds or menu management on their handheld POS system. This not only affects kitchen efficiency but can lead to customer dissatisfaction as well. With such overlaps in permissions, nothing gets done efficiently.
Suppose you hire a new cashier. But you don’t adjust the permissions correctly. Then, they might access features meant for managers, leading to potential mishaps. This can create inefficiencies, as the new hire may not know what tasks they are authorized to perform. That’s how manually managing employee permissions can become overwhelming as your quick service restaurant grows.
When your team lacks clear access to necessary tools, their productivity suffers. For example, if servers have to constantly seek manager approval to process refunds, it creates bottlenecks, especially during peak hours. This can frustrate both employees and customers, leading to a negative dining experience.
Choosing OneHubPOS to manage employee roles and permissions resolves these challenges for you. Here’s how:
Even if you’re going to start your quick service restaurant and have no technical background, you can easily assign roles within minutes with OneHubPOS. Setting up roles and permissions in OneHubPOS is quick and simple. It has an intuitive interface. So, you don’t need to be a tech expert to configure everything.
The responsibilities of every employee vary. OneHubPOS allows you to tailor roles and permissions for each level of your staff. It could be a cashier, manager, or admin. You can ensure each role has access only to what they need.
Sensitive information, such as financial data or inventory levels, needs to be protected. So, OneHubPOS enables secure, role-based access. This ensures that only authorized personnel can view or edit critical data to keep your business safe from internal and external threats.
Once you assign permissions, OneHubPOS makes role-specific dashboards to employees. This means each team member only sees the information and tools relevant to their job. Consequently, there is no confusion and productivity improves as employees can focus on their tasks without distractions.
When the OneHubPOS dashboard clearly defines roles and permissions, your employees know exactly what they can and cannot do. This avoids confusion and reduces errors. Plus, the onboarding process for new hires becomes simpler as you won’t need to constantly train staff on what’s off-limits. They’ll know from day one.
If you have QSRs at multiple locations, the mPOS system of OneHubPOS gives you the ability to manage roles and permissions remotely. You could be at home, on vacation, or simply away from the restaurant. Despite that, you can make quick adjustments without needing to be on-site.
Let’s get into how to set up employee roles and permissions for your QSR using OneHubPOS. The process is simple and can be done in just a few steps.
Start by logging into your OneHubPOS Dashboard with your credentials. From here, you have access to all core functionalities, including managing employee roles and permissions.
Once you’re in the dashboard, go to the "Employees" section on the left-hand menu. Click on it, and you’ll come across two subsections: “Users” and “User Roles.” Go to “User Roles” to control access for each employee.
In the “User Roles” subsection, define specific roles for your team members. Type in the employee’s name in the Create Role box and use the dropdown menu to assign them their designated role. Think about your team and categorize them into specific employee roles, such as:
Once you assign that role, scroll down a bit to define what each employee can do within your restaurant POS system. Then, toggle on or off to assign permissions based on the responsibilities of each role. For example:
After assigning roles and permissions, double-check that each employee has the correct access level for what they need to do their job. There should be no overlaps or missing permissions that could cause confusion. Once everything looks accurate and save your changes.
OneHubPOS also allows you to track and manage what permissions have been given to each user. Go to the “Users” subsection and click on the “Users” tab. A detailed list of all your employees, including their roles and contact details, will appear. Under the “Action” column, click the Edit icon corresponding to the employee’s name to update a role or permission.
This will show you a window where you can view and edit details of the employees. This includes the employee’s full name, username, passwords, hire date, birth date, assigned role, address, passwords, and more.
You can also update their role directly from this screen, such as admin, cashier, and manager. After making the necessary changes, click Save to confirm the updates.
If an employee leaves or no longer needs access to the system, you can easily remove them by clicking the Bin icon corresponding to their name. This will permanently delete their user profile from the system, ensuring your QSR POS remains secure.
Managing employee roles and permissions maintains security, boosts efficiency, and simplifies day-to-day operations in your QSR. OneHubPOS makes this process easy with its intuitive interface, customizable roles, and secure, role-based access features.
With OneHubPOS, you can be confident that your team has the tools and access they need to succeed—without compromising security. Plus, with 24/7 support, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Get started with OneHubPOS today for just $1 and experience how simple it is to set up roles and permissions.
Self-service kiosks have stirred up quite a conversation in the fast-food world. With Gen Z's preference for quick and effortless service, these touch screens have proven to be incredibly helpful. As a result, self-ordering kiosks have become widespread at chains like McDonald's, Panera Bread, and Burger King.
In fact, Shake Shack's CEO, Robert Lynch, says kiosks do more than speed up ordering; they also open up chances to upsell that might get overlooked when staff are busy with long lines.
This change in restaurant operations raises an important point: integrating self-ordering kiosks can cut down wait times, improve order accuracy, and even boost sales.
So, how can you leverage this technology to elevate the dining experience? Let’s find out how self-ordering kiosks paired with OneHubPOS are the perfect solution if you’re tired of long wait times.
Self-ordering kiosks are a game changer! Say goodbye to long queues and waiting around. Self-ordering kiosks ensure quick checkouts and a smoother overall experience.
Self-ordering kiosks reduce order errors by letting customers enter their choices directly, which eliminates miscommunication. No more mixed-up orders—just exactly what the customer wants, every time!
When you have multiple kiosks available, several customers can order at once. No more long lines waiting for one cashier.
The kiosk integrated with payment functionality offers multiple payment options, like credit cards and mobile wallets. Using cash? Simply pay at the counter. Everything is processed smoothly, reducing wait times.
Another key benefit of self-ordering kiosks is that while they handle order-taking, your staff can focus on preparing food and offering a better customer experience instead of line busting, crowd control or struggling to get multiple orders and service requests at once.
For example, kiosks make sure to suggest upsell options, like milkshakes or fries, whenever customers place an order. Shake Shack CEO Robert Lynch notes, "Upselling is not always a priority for employees managing long lines. Their focus is often on processing orders as quickly as possible." Plus, kiosks free up employees from the cash register, allowing them to focus on keeping the dining area tidy, delivering food, or helping out in the kitchen.
Approximately 67% of customers prefer self-service options rather than interacting with a customer service representative. Offering them a self-ordering kiosk lets them customize their orders at their own pace. They don’t feel rushed by other customers in line, and they get more control over their meal. This approach allows customers to enjoy a more personalized and satisfying dining experience.
Here's how you can create a quick service experience for your customers with self-ordering kiosks:
For fast service, your kiosk should have an easy-to-use interface. A confusing or cluttered menu will slow your customers down. Here’s how user-friendly your kiosks should be:
The menu on your self-ordering kiosks should have clear, logical categories like meals, combos, and specials. Presenting too many options at once can overwhelm customers. For example, the OneHubPOS kiosk interface divides items into easily recognizable categories like “Hub Specials” and “Combos,” making it easier for customers to find what they want.
Allowing customers to customize their orders is a great move, but it needs to be simple. Make sure the options for toppings, sides, or drink choices are clear and easy to go through.
Good-quality photos of your menu items can make a big difference. Customers will feel more confident in their choices, which speeds up decision-making.
The menu should work well for both the customer-facing kiosk and your back office system. Here’s what to keep in mind:
You can display the most popular items, combos, and promotions front and center. The customer’s experience should be visual and simple—items need to look good and be easy to select
Behind the scenes, your POS should give your staff everything they need to keep operations running, such as detailed order info and stock levels. This keeps your kitchen running efficiently.
Payment processes in restaurants can become bottlenecks if they are not seamless. An integrated kiosk system like OneHubPOS gives your customers multiple payment options:
Let customers complete their payments directly at the kiosk using a card or mobile payment. This reduces the need for extra steps like going to the counter.
If customers prefer, they can choose to pay at the counter. The kiosk prints a receipt with a barcode or QR code, which they hand to the cashier to complete the payment.
Customers can scan a QR code to quickly pay for their order with their phone, making the process even faster.
During busy periods, having more than one kiosk can drastically cut down wait times. When multiple customers can place orders at the same time, the lines disappear.
Place your kiosks in high-traffic areas or near the entrance. This allows customers to start their order as soon as they walk in, without having to wait in line.
Some kiosks can double as self-checkout stations for customers picking up to-go orders or paying for quick items. This dual functionality helps you maintain quick service during peak hours.
Customers value transparency about their order status, especially during peak hours. With a real-time order tracking system linked to your KDS, they can keep an eye on progress without needing to ask staff.
When an order is placed via a kiosk, it’s sent directly to the kitchen. The kitchen staff sees the order immediately, allowing them to start preparing it right away, cutting down on delays.
You can display real-time updates using OneHubPOS’ Kitchen Display System in the Kitchen and counter. This keeps customers informed and reduces impatience during busy periods.
From start to finish, self-ordering kiosks integrated with OneHubPOS make the ordering process quicker, simpler, and more efficient for both customers and staff. Let’s walk through how easy and quick service becomes when self-ordering kiosks are paired with OneHubPOS.
Getting started is simple. The kiosk asks for a 16-digit activation code, which is provided by the OneHubPOS onboarding team. Just type in the code, and the system will automatically load all the store details.
Once everything’s set, you’ll be prompted to accept the terms and conditions, and within moments, you’re ready to go.
The home screen offers customers a choice: Dine-In or Takeout. With just a tap, the system adjusts itself to fit the selected service type, making it a smooth and tailored experience whether customers plan to sit down or grab their food to go.
Going through the menu is effortless. It’s divided into clear product groups, so customers can easily find what they want. For example, they might choose "Hub Special" to see related meal options.
Adding items is as easy as a single tap. Plus, customers can customize their order—whether it’s adjusting toppings, selecting sides, or choosing a portion size—before sending it to the cart.
Not done yet? Customers can simply hit Order More to keep browsing the menu.
As customers browse, the kiosk keeps track of their choices with a real-time order summary at the bottom of the screen. This summary includes the subtotal, tax, and total, so customers always know where they stand.
Need to make a quick change? They can delete items or adjust quantities with just a couple of taps. Not quite ready to order? No problem. The cart can be cleared, or they can return to the homepage to start fresh.
Once the customer has made their selections, all they have to do is tap Complete Order. From there, they’ll be asked to choose a payment method:
The customer can finish their transaction right at the kiosk using a card or digital wallet. The receipt is printed automatically, and the order is sent straight to the kitchen.
Prefer to pay at the counter? No worries. The kiosk prints out a receipt with a barcode or QR code, which the customer takes to the cashier to finalize the payment.
After payment, the kiosk generates an Order ID, which is printed on the receipt. This ID can be used to track the order’s progress, whether it’s through a display screen in the restaurant.
Self-ordering kiosks address customer demands for quick and efficient service. Integrating them with your POS system takes efficiency to the next level, transforming your restaurant's operations. They reduce errors, speed up transactions, and give your customers more control over their ordering experience.
Looking for faster service, happier customers, and smoother operations? With OneHubPOS, you can manage your operations, reduce wait times, and free up your staff to focus on preparing food and providing excellent customer service.
You've put thought into designing your Quick Service Restaurant menu, and customers keep returning for more. But as your business grows, you start noticing some items fly off the shelves, while others hardly get ordered. This results in wasted ingredients and lost revenue – and you want to change that.
You may think you know your best sellers, but do you?
This is where OneHubPOS can make all the difference. More than just a tool to process transactions, our modern POS system provides detailed insights that help you optimize your menu. With just a few clicks, you can get automated reports that enable you to pinpoint top-performing and underperforming items to make critical decisions about menu changes and reduce waste, improve food cost percentages, and possibly make profits on menu items.
This blog explores how OneHubPOS data helps you identify your best sellers, streamline offerings, reduce waste, and focus on customer favorites.
Your POS system collects many sorts of data. Let’s dive into the specifics of how you can make sense of that data to identify your best selling items.
Reviewing your sales analytics reports is the most direct way to identify your top performers. These reports show you how each menu item is performing over different time frames, such as:
The goal here is to look for consistency. Are there items that sell steadily day after day, week after week? These are your bestsellers.
The best part? OneHubPOS offers you auto-generated reports that can be accessed with one touch on the POS app and Cloud in real-time, so you don't have to manually sort and look at the best-selling and least-selling items of your restaurant.
Filters add extra value here, allowing for more precise analysis. Even if you operate QSRs at multiple locations, OneHubPOS can filter your sales by store to see if certain items perform better in one location than another.
For instance, a particular dessert might be a bestseller at one location but less popular at another. Similarly, some items may perform better on weekends compared to weekdays. Getting these insights from a cloud POS system allows you to tailor your menu offerings or promotions to different customer bases.
Furthermore, OneHubPOS lets you look at sales data by time of day, which can tell you exactly when certain items are most popular. If you notice that iced drinks in your coffee shop are most popular between 2 PM and 5 PM, you might consider increasing inventory and staffing during those hours. Alternatively, you could introduce a ‘Happy Hour' promotion to further boost sales.
This kind of adjustment may seem small. But it can significantly improve customer satisfaction and reduce wait times.
In QSRs, some items tend to be purchased as a combo. For instance, a cheeseburger is often accompanied by fries and a soda.
Identifying these trends through POS data allows you to understand your customers' favorite combinations. With OneHubPOS’s product setup section, you can create attractive bundles that directly match their tastes, leading to increased sales and a better customer experience.
Let’s say you create a bundle with a popular burger, fries, and a drink at a 10% discount. This not only entices customers to spend more but also makes their ordering experience easier since you’ve already put together a meal for them.
Customer preferences tend to shift throughout the year. They might crave holiday-themed treats, refreshing summer specials, or comforting winter dishes. For example, fresh fruit smoothies might sell exceptionally well during Miami's hot summer months, while soups and stews could dominate sales in Denver's colder seasons.
OneHubPOS offers a variety of sales reports that help you track how specific items perform during different times of the year. Additionally, trend analysis can be a powerful tool to predict future sales. If a particular item thrived during a limited-time promotion last year, reintroducing it could yield similar success.
Furthermore, suppose you notice a growing trend. For example, plant-based options become more popular. Then, you can add similar items to your menu.
While your POS system’s inventory tracking helps you monitor stock levels, OneHubPOS goes a step further by providing detailed restaurant analytics on how quickly ingredients are being used up.
This gives you valuable insight into which dishes are being ordered the most. Frequent reordering of specific ingredients signals that the dishes using them are popular with your customers.
For example, if you notice you're running low on oregano for your pizzas, it’s a clear indication that pizzas with oregano are among your bestsellers. This data gives you an edge, allowing you to plan ahead, ensure your stock is well-managed, and avoid disappointing customers with sold-out favorites.
Additionally, you can leverage this insight to create special promotions or combo deals around these popular dishes, further boosting sales.
In a fast-paced QSR, your POS system should be more than just a tool for processing transactions. It's a valuable source of data that helps you identify best-sellers, understand customer preferences, and optimize operations.
With OneHubPOS, you’re not just seeing what's happening in the moment — you're gaining insights that can shape your QSR’s future. The more you dive into your data, the better you can grow your business, enhance customer satisfaction, and stay ahead of the competition.
Ready to level up? To identify your best-selling items and optimize your menu, start optimizing your QSR today with OneHubPOS—available now for just $1!
The holiday season offers restaurant owners a prime opportunity to increase sales and attract customers. In this blog, we will explore creative 2024 holiday calendar ideas, share promotional strategies, and provide tips you can implement in your restaurants to succeed during this festive season.
The holiday season is here! From Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve, everyone gathers to enjoy great food and company. For restaurant owners, this is the perfect time! There are so many opportunities to attract customers, build patrons and increase sales. People love to celebrate and dine out. Special menus, festive decor, and unique offers can bring in new guests. It’s also a chance to make regular patrons feel extra special.
Here’s the US holiday calendar 2024 for restaurant owners. It’s packed with ideas. Get creative and engage your customers. Each date has themed suggestions. Pro tips included. Unique engagement ideas, too. Make the most of the holiday season!
Date: Monday, November 11
Set a 15-20% discount for veterans and active-duty military. Your restaurant POS system automatically applies these discounts at checkout. Try a "buy one, give one" deal so they can share a meal with family or friends. It's a great way to honor them while boosting loyalty among all diners.
Set up a special area where customers can post thank-you notes or photos in honor of veterans. Supply sticky notes, small flags, or postcards where people can write personal messages. This wall can remain throughout the month as a reminder of gratitude and respect.
Create a “Patriotic Platter” with red, white, and blue-themed dishes or American classics like burgers, apple pie, or BBQ. That's also perfect for social media sharing! OneHubPOS allows you to quickly update your menu with holiday specials or themed dishes.
Date: Thursday, November 28
Many people celebrate with friends a day or two before Thanksgiving. Offer a special brunch with a warm, inviting atmosphere, ideal for those who may not cook the big meal themselves. You may call it “Friendsgiving” brunch. Include comfort foods like mashed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, and sweet potato casserole.
Design a “Thanksgiving Feast” with unique twists on traditional dishes. Try serving mini pumpkin soup shooters or mini pecan pies for a playful yet festive approach. With OneHubPOS, you can update your specials or create a unique holiday menu, offering customized items or menu pricing for the season.
Set up a cozy, autumn-themed photo wall. Add pumpkins, hay bales, and Thanksgiving props. Offer Polaroid-style photos or use a vintage filter. These make great keepsakes. Diners will love sharing their photos online.
Date: Sunday, December 1
Kick off the holiday season by fully decorating your restaurant. Add holiday lights, wreaths, and themed ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere. Customers are drawn to these aesthetics. They’re more likely to spend time (and money) in a beautifully decorated space.
Create a holiday drink menu. Feature festive cocktails like spiced mulled wine, eggnog, and peppermint hot chocolate. Include seasonal mocktails, too. This way, everyone has a chance to indulge. OneHubPOS allows you to easily track limited-time offerings and manage inventory for seasonal drinks, helping you keep your stock in check during busy times.
Encourage customers to post their holiday moments at your restaurant using a special hashtag. Feature these posts on a live social wall or slideshow that guests can view while dining. It makes for an interactive experience and encourages customers to post about their visit.
Date: Begins Wednesday, December 25
Celebrate Hanukkah with a themed menu. Feature traditional Jewish foods like latkes, brisket, or sufganiyot (jelly donuts). These dishes bring a taste of tradition. They connect with the local Jewish community.
If your restaurant has outdoor space, set up a menorah. Light one candle each night of Hanukkah. This symbolic gesture can resonate with patrons and create a welcoming environment.
With each meal during Hanukkah, give customers a small chocolate coin (gelt) or a discount coupon for a future visit. This simple gesture shows you’re mindful of the holiday.
Date: Tuesday, December 24 & Wednesday, December 25
Offer a prix-fixe Christmas menu. Include traditional favorites. Add decadent desserts. Consider live music. A pianist can enhance the ambiance and create a cozy atmosphere.
Encourage last-minute gift shoppers by offering discounts on gift cards. You could also hold a raffle where customers can win a free dinner in January.
Set up a spot where families can take photos with Santa or another festive character. This addition makes for a unique holiday experience and creates lasting memories.
Date: Begins Thursday, December 26
Showcase dishes inspired by African and African American culinary traditions, such as collard greens, sweet potatoes, or cornbread. A Kwanzaa-themed special menu allows diners to celebrate cultural diversity.
Create a community space where customers can write their wishes for the upcoming year on sticky notes or postcards. Decorate with the colors and symbols of Kwanzaa to create an educational and celebratory ambiance.
Date: Tuesday, December 31
Host a lively countdown party with a festive menu and drink specials, encouraging reservations as space will likely be limited. This is a high-demand night for restaurants, so take advantage of self-ordering kiosks to reduce wait times and manage the rush.
Offer champagne cocktails, creative mocktails, and fun party favors like mini sparklers or noise-makers for midnight. With OneHubPOS, you can create special drink promotions for the evening and easily upsell champagne or creative mocktails.
Set up a glitzy photo wall with props like “2024” glasses, confetti, and noisemakers. This setup makes for memorable photos that customers are likely to share online.
Date: Wednesday, January 1
Offer an extended brunch with comfort foods, like breakfast burritos, avocado toast, and refreshing “recovery” drinks like ginger shots or soothing teas.
Encourage diners to purchase gift cards for the new year as gifts for themselves or friends, offering a small discount or a bonus credit.
Set up a sticky-note wall where guests can jot down their goals or resolutions for the new year. This interactive experience aligns with the new year’s theme and can build community among guests.
A Handy Planning Checklist for All Events:
Remember: Early preparation is key to holiday success. Start planning at least 6-8 weeks before each major holiday.
This 2024 US holiday calendar provides many opportunities to celebrate the holiday season and create a festive, memorable experience for your customers. Planning each date as per the national holiday calendar in advance and using a combination of social media, email, and in-house engagement will ensure a successful holiday season, turning casual diners into loyal patrons.
Want to manage your holiday promotions? Use OneHubPOS to handle orders, track customer preferences, and improve engagement this season. Book a demo and let us help you create unforgettable experiences all holiday long!
In simple terms, cash discounting is the method you use to offer lower rates on products to your customers who pay in cash. A cash discount program is a common pricing strategy that is legal in all 50 states in the USA.
Whether you run a restaurant, a retail store like a salon, an auto shop, a liquor store, or any other, you can implement cash discounting with your POS provider. In this blog, let’s understand more about cash discounting (also known as dual pricing) and how a business owner can benefit from this. Ready?
Cash discounting, also known as dual pricing, is a pricing strategy that offers customers a discount if they choose to pay with cash instead of a credit or debit card. This approach incentivizes cash payments by setting two different price points (approx 4% difference) for the same product or service: one for card payments, which includes the cost of processing fees, and one lower price for cash payments, where processing fees are eliminated. This method helps businesses cover credit card processing costs, which can be a significant expense, while also providing value to customers who prefer paying with cash.
Imagine a coffee shop implementing cash discounting. The price for a cup of coffee is listed as $3.00 for card payments. However, if the customer pays with cash, they’ll pay $2.85. This encourages customers to pay with cash, helping the coffee shop save on the card processing fees that would have applied if the customer paid with a credit card.
While cash discounting and surcharging might sound similar, they have a crucial difference.
Adaptation to Fee Increases: As credit card processing fees rise, more businesses are turning to cash discounting to protect their profit margins without alienating customers.
Customer Transparency: By showing both prices up front, businesses can be transparent about their costs and provide an opportunity for customers to save, which can enhance customer satisfaction.
Here’s the implementation guide for cash discounting with bullet points for restaurants, retail stores, and liquor stores:
- Choose a POS system that supports dual pricing, adjusting prices seamlessly at checkout.
- Ensure the system can automatically apply cash discounts to avoid slowing down service during high traffic.
- Configure the POS to handle cash discounting across various menu items and dining settings (dine-in, takeout, delivery).
- Opt for a POS that clearly shows both cash and card prices, helping customers understand the savings at checkout.
- Use a system that allows printing receipts with both cash and card prices for transparency.
- Ensure the POS can handle the wide range of prices found in retail without requiring manual adjustments.
- Set up a POS that includes dual pricing with a breakdown of cash and card prices for each item, especially in multi-item purchases.
- Confirm that the POS is compliant with any state regulations on cash discounting for liquor sales.
- Ensure clear visibility of discounted prices to meet regulatory standards.
- Place signage at entry points, host stands, and on menus to inform customers of the cash discount policy.
- Add small table signs as gentle reminders for diners.
- Ensure receipts display both cash and card prices to maintain transparency and avoid customer confusion.
- Position signs at store entrances, checkout counters, and near promotional displays to communicate the cash discount policy.
- For shelf labels, consider noting cash versus card prices, or indicate a cash discount on the card price.
- Use clear, concise language on signage to streamline the customer experience and reduce inquiries.
- Place prominent signs at the register, near coolers, and on display shelves to inform customers early about the dual pricing.
- Ensure signage meets state regulations for pricing transparency, especially in states with strict alcohol pricing rules.
- Keep signage simple yet visible to avoid misunderstandings at checkout.
- Train all staff, including servers, cashiers, and managers, to explain the cash discount policy and answer common questions.
- Provide scripts or sample explanations, such as, “We offer a small discount for cash payments to reduce processing fees.”
- Encourage staff to be proactive in explaining the policy when customers inquire about pricing differences.
- Equip staff to give brief, clear explanations of cash discounting at checkout.
- Prepare employees with quick responses or scripts for when customers ask about the dual pricing.
- Ensure employees are aware of signage locations to help customers understand the pricing structure.
- Ensure employees understand the cash discount policy and relevant state regulations.
- Train staff to offer concise explanations to customers who may be unfamiliar with cash discounting in a liquor store setting.
- Reinforce the importance of explaining the policy clearly to avoid confusion and ensure regulatory compliance.
Emphasize the need for clear signage and transparent communication at point-of-sale locations.
Mention any legal notices required for displaying dual prices.
Brief overview of any major states with specific rules or nuances (if applicable).
If you have expanded your restaurant to multiple locations, we understand, every day is now an adventure for you. Your day starts with taking account of the inventory, managing menus, tracking previous day sales, and coordinating multiple teams across all your restaurant’s locations.
But do you find yourself getting increasingly frustrated with the never-ending workload, issue resolution, and reviewing all location reports while also ensuring customer satisfaction? This is a common growing pain that multi-location restaurant owners typically face.
Many owners like yourself use point-of-sale (POS) systems to streamline operations and get real-time insights, to make their life easier. In fact, according to the National Restaurant Association, 76% of restaurant owners believe that technology can give them a competitive edge in the market.
Managing multiple locations requires an effective approach: a multi-location POS solution. This blog will help you explore multi-location POS systems, how they compare with traditional POS solutions, and what features you should look for when investing in such a solution.
Traditional POS systems are often designed to manage operations within a single location or use an on-premise server for multiple locations. In this case, you can keep track of customer data, sales, and inventory updates only when you are at specific restaurant locations.
This results in your multi-location restaurants working in silos - as separate entities, running on reduced operational efficiency. Additionally, traditional POS systems may demand the installation of separate servers for every location, which can significantly impact your ability to scale up to become a restaurant chain.
A multi-location POS system can enable you to centralize operations across multiple restaurant locations. It streamlines key processes such as inventory management, sales tracking, employee scheduling, and customer data management. The system operates on a cloud server that can be accessed from anywhere. All the information stored is encrypted and secure and can only be used by authorized personnel with access to the network.
For a better understanding of how a traditional POS system compares to a multi-location POS system, let’s take a look at the table below:
While multi-location POS systems offer an edge for managing restaurant operations across multiple locations, choosing the right system to suit your unique needs is essential. Point-of-sale software providers often have a long list of features catering to restaurants of all scales and sizes. Here is a list of must-haves in a multi-location POS system you should look for to choose the best one tailored to your restaurant’s needs.
As a small restaurant owner juggling multiple branches, managing everything can feel like a constant struggle. Imagine dealing with scheduling conflicts or running out of popular menu items during a busy shift.
Centralized store operations are one of the most crucial features for managing multiple locations. A multi-location POS system offers key features such as real-time data analytics, inventory management, staff scheduling, menu updates, performance reporting, CRM tools, and streamlined order management to enhance efficiency, customer satisfaction, and growth across multiple restaurant locations. With real-time data reports at your fingertips, you can stay ahead of potential challenges like never before! This is also going to keep your customers satisfied, all while you stay flexible and on-the go.
Effective inventory management cannot happen when you work with data from individual locations; you need them consolidated in a single platform.
When you're running a multi-location POS system, inventory management may not be the most exciting part of the job, and hence a POS system can play a crucial role here. The real-time tracking feature allows monitoring stock levels, ensuring all the products are available whenever they're needed, minimizing the risk of stockouts or overstocking. Consolidating inventory data will also help you gain insights regarding sales, products performance and trends, allowing you to make informed decisions. Also, if the system detects that you're running short of any supply, it can alert and you can reorder before running out of it completely.
With cloud-based inventory stock transfer, it is easy to move things around according to your convenience. A multi-location POS system helps you track stock levels, minimizing waste and preventing shortages. In this way you'll stay prepared during demand surges while avoiding overstocking and improving overall efficiency.
A multi-location POS system is built to support multiple stores or branches while maintaining complete control over operations like promotions, pricing, and inventory from one place. It is interesting to note that according to Valassis Research, 54% of guests tend to return to the same restaurant over time. However, 20% switch to different places due to special offers or coupons, while 12% look for restaurants with more affordable menu options.
For example, if you notice a dip in visits at a specific branch, you can launch a targeted offer to draw customers back in. It also allows you to respond swiftly to changing demand patterns—redistributing popular items to locations where they're most needed. Offering personalized pricing and promotions can ensure customer satisfaction and more flexibility in handling orders and inventory.
Maintaining consistent payment security methods across all your branches can be a constant struggle. If even one of your locations uses outdated POS software, it can become an easy target for cyberattacks, putting your customers' payment data at risk. This inconsistency not only exposes you to hefty fines for non-compliance with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) but also endangers your reputation and erodes customer trust. Complying with PCI DSS is crucial as it demonstrates your commitment to protecting customer data, helps prevent costly breaches, and ensures you meet legal and industry requirements for handling payment information.
A multi-location POS system like OneHubPOS provides centralized payment management and ensures all locations have the latest security updates. It automates compliance with industry standards and offers real-time monitoring, allowing you to detect and address potential threats quickly.
Managing menus across multiple restaurant locations can quickly become a complex task, especially when each location operates with its version of pricing, promotions, and menu items. For example, you decide to run a seasonal discount program for loyal customers, but this gets miscommunicated to one of the locations and they start giving out discounts for all the customers.
This inconsistency can snowball, leading to lots of sales going down the drain and your profits taking a hit. A multi-location POS system with centralized menu management lets you update menu items, pricing, and promotions from a single platform, ensuring consistency across all locations.
Managing staff across multiple locations often leads to scheduling conflicts, inconsistent time tracking, and complicated payroll processes. This can result in performance inefficiencies and increased labor costs. Such scenarios can also create frustration among employees and confusion around role-specific responsibilities.
The multi-level employee management system solves this by providing a centralized platform to track employees’ schedules, their performance metrics, and provide cross-location flexibility across all your branches. It also allows you to assign role-based access, ensuring that staff members can only access data relevant to their positions.
Seamless operations behind the scenes at your restaurant hinge on a robust POS system that integrates effectively with various applications. For example, if your POS connects with a popular delivery service, you can automatically update inventory and manage orders in real time, reducing errors and streamlining workflows. Additionally, integrating with your accounting software ensures that every sale is accurately recorded, while linking to your CRM helps you track customer preferences and tailor promotions.
OneHubPOS is built to tightly integrate with your existing workflows and vendors, so you don’t have to revamp your entire system. We are open to customisation, integrations and modifications to make your restaurant management easier.
In a traditional POS system, managers must manually compile and compare separate reports on sales, orders, and profits from each location to get a holistic report on the restaurant performance. In contrast, a multi-location POS automatically consolidates data from all branches into a single, comprehensive dashboard.
OneHubPOS’s reports allow you to instantly view and compare key performance indicators across locations, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions in real-time. For example, you can quickly spot which menu items are bestsellers across all branches, compare labor costs as a percentage of sales between locations, or identify underperforming outlets that need attention. This bird's-eye view enables more agile and effective management, helping you optimize operations, allocate resources efficiently, and drive growth across your entire restaurant network.
Rushing into choosing a multi-location POS without evaluating key factors can lead to serious issues, such as operational inefficiencies, unexpected costs, and overwhelmed staff. These challenges can disrupt the management of multiple locations, resulting in lost sales and dissatisfied customers. To avoid these pitfalls, it's essential to carefully consider the factors that will support your business's growth and efficiency.
Let’s explore six key considerations when choosing a multi-location POS system.
Imagine having the power to get a birds eye view of your restaurant’s functioning efficiency when you are on a vacation. This is possible with cloud-based POS systems wherein your data is synchronized across locations in real-time. A 2024 Restaurant Industry Trends report reveals that 76% of US restaurants have embraced this technology, enabling owners to effortlessly monitor sales, inventory, and operations without being tied to one location. This flexibility can be a game-changer for your business.
Picture this: You’ve found the perfect POS system, but then you discover hidden fees that derail your budget. Understanding the total cost—including setup, subscriptions, and transaction fees—is crucial. In the case of OneHubPOS, the transaction fee charges are as low as 2.3% + 10 cents, along with features such as extensive reporting, order, menu and inventory management, and 24/7 support. Evaluate what each system offers against your budget to ensure you invest in a solution that meets your financial requirements and delivers value to your restaurant's unique needs.
Small restaurants need to seize sales opportunities whenever possible, like a Saturday night rush or a festive season rush. What if your POS suddenly crashes at that time? Pure panic! Unless you have reliable and 24/7 support at your fingertips. OneHubPOS offers ongoing 24/7 assistance to swiftly resolve issues, keeping your operations smooth and your customers happy. With the right support, you can focus on delivering exceptional dining experiences without worrying about tech glitches.
What is the next step to running multi-location restaurants? Expanding to a chain of restaurants. Whether opening new locations or converting franchises, your POS should evolve seamlessly with you. A scalable system allows you to easily add locations, staff, and customers without major overhauls. With a OneHubPOS powered cloud kitchen, you can do just that. Its adaptability ensures that your growth is supported at every step, helping you to scale confidently.
When your individual restaurant systems such as accounting, delivery, and inventory management don’t communicate effectively, it leads to data silos. This fragmentation makes it difficult to track orders, manage inventory levels, and maintain accurate financial records across multiple locations.
OneHubPOS solves these integration challenges by seamlessly connecting with all your restaurant location’s existing essential systems. Additionally, OneHubPOS works with various payment partners and supports delivery and shipping logistics. In addition to its live integration with Payrix, Cardconnect, and built-in integrations with delivery and marketplace apps like Kitchenhub, Senpex, and UPS, it also works with your preferred or existing payment partners and supports Android hardware. This makes it seamless to absorb a multi-location POS into your current systems.
Reports are crucial for restaurants operating at multiple locations, as they help track, expand, and grow. A multi-location POS system provides instant data on inventory, staff performance, and sales trends across all sites. Managers can quickly adjust stock levels, optimize staffing, and modify menus based on live data. This agility allows restaurants to reduce waste, control costs, and capitalize on emerging trends, ultimately boosting profitability and customer satisfaction in a dynamic market.
When used right, a multi-location POS solution can be a powerful ally for your multi-location restaurant business. It streamlines your operations, making inventory management and team communication a breeze. With real-time insights, you can focus on what you love most—delivering great food and memorable experiences to your guests.
OneHubPOS’s multi-location POS is a cloud-based solution that can answer all your concerns, help you achieve operational efficiency, and be the backbone of your business's success and growth. Its flawless order-to-pay workflow, centralized dashboard, seamless integration, and secure payment processing capabilities are the right combination your multi-location restaurants need at an affordable price.
Choose the modules that fit your requirements and get started today. Benefit from reduced expenses, improved profitability, trust in transparent pricing structures and foster long-term relationships. Sign up for a demo today to learn more!
It's the lunchtime rush, and your restaurant is buzzing with hungry customers. Suddenly, you realize you're out of those crowd-favorite sandwiches. Panic sets in. But wait - what if you could prevent this kitchen nightmare before it even happens?
With OneHubPOS, you’ll know exactly what’s in your kitchen so you can quickly restock. You will no longer have to rush to count inventory during peak dinner hours. Plus, you can avoid uncomfortable situations when customers ask for their favorites only to find out they're out of stock.
In this blog, we'll dive into how you can make the most of OneHubPOS to keep your Quick-service restaurant inventory on point and your operations running perfectly.
You need to stay on top of ingredients for popular menu items and make sure you don’t run out of key supplies when the lunch rush hits. Check out these key features that will make managing your QSR’s inventory easier:
You should be able to access the current stock of each product or ingredient easily. Since QSRs need to keep ingredients moving quickly, the system should instantly reflect changes as items get used up during sales.
Suppose your diner orders a burger. Then, the system should automatically take away the right amount of each ingredient from your inventory. So you’ll always know what’s running low. Then, you can reorder before you run into any problems.
Grouping products into categories in the system makes it super easy to manage and track related items all at once. This way, handling stock and making inventory adjustments for similar products becomes efficient.
The OneHubPOS platform makes it super easy to handle outliers like refunds, returns, or cancellations. Let’s say a customer brings back something that’s already been processed in the system. You can quickly adjust the inventory to put that item back in stock, making sure everything stays accurate.
A hectic QSR commonly runs into issues like waste or stock that doesn’t match up. But with OneHubPOS, adjusting your inventory is easy, so you can keep everything accurate and up to date. This function is crucial when there are differences due to:
Making these manual adjustments helps keep your stock levels on point, so you don't accidentally overestimate or underestimate what you've got. When your stock levels are accurate, your kitchen runs perfectly—no delays, no wasted ingredients. This means you can serve customers faster and save money in the process!
If you run multiple branches or a central kitchen for your QSR, keeping all your spots stocked with the right ingredients can be tricky. However, OneHubPOS makes it easy to transfer stock flawlessly between your locations. To make a transfer:
Your inventory gets updated automatically at both locations, so you can always see what's in stock across all your branches. This means no branch will run out of must-have items, keeping everything running smoothly during busy times. Plus, it helps cut down on waste by moving extra stock to where it’s needed.
QSRs heavily depend on having a steady supply of ingredients. With OneHubPOS, you can easily keep track of your vendors and automate the purchase order process. Restocking as per your needs becomes simple.
The POS lets you create purchase orders for your vendors and track them within the system. When the stock arrives, those purchase orders link up with the vendor invoices, automatically updating your inventory levels. This ensures that your stock matches what the vendor has provided, making the whole process smooth and efficient.
To reorder stock:
This way, you can ditch the hassle of keeping an eye on low-stock items. That’s important for QSRs because any delays can slow operations down and leave customers unhappy.
In a busy kitchen where everyone is hustling, only the right people should be able to make changes to the inventory. OneHubPOS makes this easy. It lets you set user permissions, so only managers or key team members can make any changes to the stock.
This feature is super important for preventing accidental changes that could mess up your stock. Role-based access, lowers the chances of inventory mistakes and theft, which helps keep your QSR running smoothly and safely.
Keeping track of inventory is a must for a quick service restaurant. With OneHubPOS, you can easily see what you have in stock in real-time, make quick changes when needed, and manage your vendors and different locations without a hurdle. This kind of control means you’ll always have the right ingredients and supplies ready to go, cutting down on waste and keeping your customers happy!
No matter if you’re dealing with automatic stock updates, managing purchase orders, or tweaking inventory levels, OneHubPOS has got your back in the fast-paced QSR world. With this tool, you can keep your restaurant running smoothly, cut down on waste, and make sure your customers get what they want, when they want it.
Book a demo to learn how OneHubPOS can help you streamline your restaurant operations.
Suppose a retail store owner doesn’t manage order-taking well. Customers may face long wait times during busy hours. This can lead to frustration. It can also result in lost sales. If a product is priced incorrectly, it can cause refunds. This makes customers unhappy. A negative reputation may follow. Customer loyalty and profitability can drop.
Well-planned order processing with OneHubPOS can help avoid these problems and improve customer satisfaction. This blog will provide a comprehensive guide to managing order-taking in your retail store, focusing on how to use OneHubPOS system effectively. We’ll cover best practices, essential features of a good POS system, and a detailed user guide to help you use the system.
Efficient order-taking is the first step in fulfilling customer needs. You can't underestimate how vital this part of your retail operation is. Here’s why it matters:
Quick transactions lead to happier customers. If someone walks into your store and sees a long line, they might reconsider their purchase. A smooth order process can make all the difference to your small business. Picture a busy weekend—if your staff can handle transactions quickly, you increase the chances of repeat business.
Mistakes can lead to unhappy customers and costly returns. If an employee incorrectly rings up a price or forgets to scan an item, it can result in frustration and refunds. A reliable retail POS system reduces these errors by automating the process and providing clear prompts.
Knowing what products are in demand helps manage stock levels, avoiding overstocking or running out. For example, if a specific item sells out quickly every weekend, you can increase your order quantity from suppliers.
The right POS system simplifies the order-taking process by providing tools for scanning products, managing inventory, and processing payments. A well-configured mPOS can enhance your operations, so make the best of its capabilities. Here are the core functions of a POS system that aid in order management:
To maximize the efficiency of your order-taking process, familiarize yourself with your POS system. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the OneHubPOS system effectively.
First, let’s manage users within the handheld POS system. Here’s how to handle user functionalities:
Display the list of users for your store. This screen allows you to manage employee access to the system. You might have cashiers, managers, and inventory staff, each with different permissions.
Choose a user from the list and click on Clock In. Enter the 4-digit PIN to confirm their identity. This will take you to the Clock In screen for that user.
Once on the Clock In screen, the user can click on CLOCK-IN to register their in-time at the store. This feature helps track hours worked and manage payroll.
After successfully clocking in, clicking on Done will redirect you back to the User Screen.
Select the same user again, click on POS, and enter the 4-digit PIN. This action will bring you to the Home Screen of the application, where the order-taking process begins.
Now that you’ve logged in, let’s explore how to take orders.
When a customer is ready to purchase, scan the barcode of the product. The application will create a new order with a unique Order No. This immediate identification helps manage the transaction process. For instance, if a customer wants to buy a shirt, scanning the barcode will automatically pull up the product details.
After adding items to the order, click on Card to see payment options, including credit and debit cards. Selecting either option will complete the order. If the customer prefers to pay with cash, the order will be settled accordingly. For example, if a customer spends $50, the POS will calculate the total due without manual calculations.
If a product is sold by weight, a weighing pop-up will appear after scanning, displaying the weight and amount due. Click on Proceed to add the item to the order. If the weight needs to be entered manually, enable the Enter Manually toggle to input the weight via the keyboard. For example, when a customer buys fresh produce, weighing the items at the register ensures accurate pricing.
Searching for products efficiently can save time during peak hours. Click on PLU in the search bar. You can search by product name or barcode for quick retrieval. If a customer looks for a specific brand of detergent, type in the name or scan its barcode to find it quickly.
Orders can change, and adjustments may be necessary. Here’s how to manage item quantities:
To increase the quantity of an item, swipe right on the item. The edit screen will appear, allowing you to adjust the quantity. After making changes, click Save. For example, if a customer wants two of the same item, this feature allows for easy modifications.
Or, you can click on @/FOR to enter the desired quantity using the numeric keypad and click on the item to apply the change.
If a customer wants to remove an item from their order, swipe left on the item. This feature is handy if a customer changes their mind about a product, like returning shoes after trying them on.
If a customer asks for a product’s price, you can check it quickly without committing to a sale. Click on Price Check. After scanning the barcode, the product name and price will appear.
If the customer wants to purchase the item, click on ADD TO SALE to add it to the current order. This is especially useful for promotions or clearance items.
After a transaction is complete, you can view all completed orders from the History section. This allows for quick access to past transactions and helps track sales trends. If a customer returns with a receipt, you can easily locate their purchase and process a return.
If there are changes in the backend, use the Cloud Refresh option. This ensures your POS system is up-to-date with any changes made, providing you accurate and current information. For instance, if you’ve updated pricing or added new products, a quick refresh ensures these changes are reflected in real-time.
Utilizing the reporting feature can give insights into sales performance and help with strategic planning. Access the One Touch Reports feature to view various POS analytics reports. These insights can guide inventory purchases and promotional strategies. If your reports show that specific products sell better during holidays, you can adjust your inventory accordingly.
Refunds are sometimes necessary, and your POS tech should simplify this process. To initiate a refund, select the order from the Order Refund section. The application will guide you through partial and full refund processes, ensuring customer satisfaction. If a customer returns a defective item, you can process the refund promptly, helping maintain trust.
At the end of a shift, manage employee records and ensure all transactions are settled.
A user can perform a SHIFT END, which provides the Employee Checkout Report, detailing the transactions made during their shift for transparency.
If there are pending orders, the application will prompt the user to close them. This ensures no transactions are left open, preventing confusion.
After closing all pending orders, users can confirm their Shift End. This clears the system for the next shift and allows you to review performance metrics.
Once all transactions for the day are completed, it’s time to close the business day. Click on DAY END. The application will provide a Day End Report summarizing the day’s transactions and will automatically log out for security. This final report helps with financial tracking and preparing for the next day’s operations.
If your store uses PAX payment devices, setting up the connection is essential for efficient payment processing. Enter the IP address of the PAX device into your Android-based POS settings. This setup allows the POS to communicate with the payment terminal, enabling smooth transactions. Remember to regularly update these settings to avoid connectivity issues.
Ensure your employees are well-trained in using the mobile POS system. Regular training sessions help everyone stay updated on new features and best practices.
Regularly review sales reports and employee performance. Identify trends and areas for improvement, like long wait times at checkout or frequent order-taking errors.
OneHubPOS stays updated with the latest softPOS versions. New updates often include improvements in speed, security, and features.
Encourage customers to share reviews on their shopping experience. This information can help identify pain points and opportunities for improvement.
Managing order taking in your retail store is essential for operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. With best practices and OneHubPOS, you can streamline the order-taking process, enhance the customer experience, and boost your sales. The well-organized order management system of OneHubPOS will set your retail store apart from the competition and contribute to long-term success.
Get started today with OneHubPOS at just $1 and optimize your order-taking processes!
As a small business owner, you might think you’ve found the perfect POS system to tackle your challenges. But if your team isn’t sure how to use it, you could be facing low productivity and plenty of order mistakes. Sound familiar?
Providing comprehensive training to your staff can empower them to use the POS system with ease and improve overall efficiency. We’ll break down the steps to help you train your staff on using the POS system effectively.
Consider this: It’s Monday morning and you have a long queue of commuters lining up for your famous breakfast pancakes. Now, if you don’t have a POS, they would be queued up for a long time. The processes would be manual and time-consuming and lines would move at a sluggish pace.
But if you have a POS, it’ll speed up the ordering process, ensuring every transaction is accurate and quick. It would also tell you exactly when to restock the ingredients. This means you would be able to service more customers in a short time, essentially boosting your revenue.
Your POS system can remember repeat customers and their favorite orders. And when you sell that last slice of lemon cake, your POS system updates your inventory in real time. This ensures you know which product and ingredient needs restocking, preventing shortages and overstock.
Sure, you know and agree that restaurant tech like POS systems makes their experience better. But it really only works if your staff knows how to use it!
Training your staff with POS’s user-friendly features not only boosts their confidence but also makes daily operations smoother and efficient. To make the most of your training, use this handy checklist to ensure your team is ready to handle transactions, manage returns, and deliver top-notch customer service!
Training starts with the basics, and logging into your POS is the first step. Here’s how your team can get started:
Initiating a sale accurately sets the foundation for the entire transaction — ensuring accurate order entry and efficient service. So, here’s how you can teach your staff to initiate sales:
Did you know that your POS system can help personalize your customer service? In fact, over 70% of customers expect that. Not just experience — when customers feel valued, they often spend more (reciprocity principle — the psychological urge to reciprocate generosity).
So, your staff needs to know how to personalize the experience for customers:
Product lookup is a process that allows your staff to retrieve product information based on a unique identifier—a barcode, product name, or other identifying characteristics. This ensures your staff can find and select items from your inventory quickly. It saves the time they could spend looking for a particular item or when dealing with specialty or seasonable items. Here are some best practices they can follow:
Processing returns can be a tricky part of retail operations, can’t it? Let’s look at how you can train your staff to handle returns smoothly:
What if your customers don’t have the receipt, though? Use the customer's name or phone number to access their purchase history and look through the history to locate the transaction in question.
Efficient payment processing further speeds up your order processing and checkout, while giving a great experience to the customer. Here’s how to train your staff for payment processing:
You would also need to train them to verify the authenticity of the cash, here’s how you can do that:
And for check-based payments:
A POS system automatically generates receipts after customers pay. However, your staff will want to make sure the printer is always ready to print at a moment’s notice during rush hours, without keeping your customer waiting.
Troubleshooting common issues:
Over 70% of US consumers are loyal to brands that offer loyalty programs and restaurants can leverage this trend to drive more sales and improve brand loyalty.
Here’s how your staff should apply discounts at checkout:
Think about your current operations. How smoothly could things run with a fully trained team on your POS system?
Now that we’ve covered the essentials, we’ll get into how you can make POS training engaging and effective for your team:
Investing time in comprehensive POS system training benefits everyone—your business, your employees, and customers. By creating a structured learning environment, you empower your staff to use the system confidently and efficiently.
OneHubPOS’s user-friendly design means your team can navigate the system with ease, reducing training time and increasing productivity. It is a powerful point-of-sale system and operations software that helps streamline operation and manage front- and back-of-house.
Want to integrate OneHubPOS with delivery partners and third-party software? We make the integration quick and hassle-free! Not just that, but we manage your finances well to ensure you can focus on servicing the customers!
With a well-trained team and a reliable POS, your business will run more smoothly and effectively. Plus, OneHubPOS offers the lowest processing fee in the industry — just 2.3% + 10 cents/transaction — resulting in cost savings and increased productivity. And remember, OneHubPOS’s support team is always available to assist if you or your staff encounter any challenges.
So, are you ready to streamline your restaurant’s operations? Get started with OneHubPOS and see firsthand how it simplifies restaurant management!
Running a busy restaurant comes with its fair share of challenges, from long queues and incorrect orders to payment issues and the complexity of splitting bills for large groups. But what if you could simplify all these processes with a powerful, intuitive point-of-sale (POS) solution? OneHubPOS is designed for ease so your staff manages orders, processes payments, and keeps customers satisfied.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps of order management using OneHubPOS, highlighting how you can streamline operations from start to finish. Let’s dive in!
Managing orders effectively is key to enhancing your restaurant’s efficiency. With OneHubPOS, you can take charge of order management in just a few clicks. Here’s how it works:
Start by downloading the OneHubPOS app on your devices. Once you’ve got it, installation is quick and easy.
Before your staff can start taking orders, they’ll need to clock in. With OneHubPOS, the process is seamless:
Once logged in, your staff can efficiently navigate through the menu:
One screen to process and track orders: The left side of the screen displays essential sections like "Home," "Online," "All Items," and "Misc," making navigation a breeze. Here you can access online orders, saved orders, transaction history and more.
Under All Items: Product categories are preloaded and visible—like "Chicken Items," "Meal Deals," and "Fountain Soda"—your team can quickly add items to the order, customizing with modifiers and add ons.
With the order ready, staff can seamlessly transition to the payment page. OneHubPOS supports a variety of payment methods for customer convenience:
OneHubPOS automatically applies tax and discounts based on your pre-set configurations, ensuring compliance with every transaction.
Note: The payment merchant gateway is integrated with your existing merchant service provider by the OneHubPOS team before the devices are shipped.
With the POS system’s built-in features, managing tips and payment methods becomes effortless. After payment is processed, customers are prompted to leave a tip. Staff can offer set percentages (10%, 15%, or 20%) or allow customers to enter a custom amount.
OneHubPOS supports a variety of payment methods for customer convenience:
Completing end-of-day operations is made simple with OneHubPOS. Your team can finalize daily transactions and prepare for the next day’s rush with ease. At the end of shift, staff can simply click “clock-out” to end their day.
Navigate to MISC > Click on “Shift End”.
OneHubPOS allows for quick sales reporting in real-time. Staff can generate concise reports to review sales performance and operational efficiency.
Navigate to MISC > OneTouch to access Product, Labour & Expense reports within seconds.
Beyond order management, OneHubPOS offers additional functionalities to enhance your restaurant's efficiency:
Managing orders and payments with OneHubPOS is not just efficient; it's transformative. No more long queues or confused customers. With just a few clicks, your staff can process orders, manage payments, and provide a seamless experience for diners.
Ready to elevate your restaurant’s operations with OneHubPOS? Talk to our POS experts today.
Efficient and secure restaurant payment processing is key to succeeding in the competitive restaurant industry. It goes beyond just taking credit cards. Modern payment methods need to fit well into your restaurant's daily operations, improve the customer experience, and keep payments safe.
A great payment system can handle different payment methods, stay compliant with regulations, and manage transaction data, helping your restaurant run smoothly and keep customers happy.
In this blog, we will explore restaurant payment processing in detail, the key features you should look for, and the processing fees. So, let’s dive in.
Restaurant payment processing is the system and technology that enables seamless, secure transactions between your diners and your business. It includes the hardware, such as terminals for accepting credit, debit, and digital payments, the sophisticated software and backend systems that approve transactions, move funds, and ensure compliance with industry standards. It is the bridge between your customer’s money and your bank account.
These systems help make sure the payment goes through smoothly and then transfer the money to your bank account. In return for their service, they charge a processing fee.
The restaurant payment system is complex, with different key players working together to make sure transactions go smoothly. Here's a breakdown of what happens behind the scenes:
As the restaurant owner, you are the merchant. You set up the payment system and take payments from your customers.
A payment processor is a third-party company that helps move funds from your customer’s bank to your bank. They provide the equipment, like payment terminals, to accept debit and credit card payments. Once the payment is processed, the money is usually sent to your bank account within one to three business days.
Card brands like Visa, Mastercard, and American Express set the guidelines for where and how credit cards can be used. As intermediaries, they help manage the transactions between your restaurant and the banks that issue the cards. Each card brand has its own system, which can influence the fees you pay and how quickly transactions are processed.
The issuing bank is the bank that gives your customers their credit or debit cards. For example, if a customer uses a Visa card from Chase, then Chase is the issuing bank. This bank checks if the customer has enough money or credit to make the purchase.
For online orders, a payment gateway is often used. This safe system protects the customer’s payment details and sends them to the payment processor, making sure the information stays secure during the transaction.
Finally, the customer starts the process by deciding to pay with their card. Their role is important because they are the ones providing the money. After they choose how to pay, they either enter their card details or use a contactless method to begin a safe transaction.
Here's a quick look at what basic features you’ll find in a restaurant payment processing system:
Efficient payment processing for restaurants doesn’t just speed up your guest payments; it can transform the entire operation. Here's how:
Offering contactless payments keeps operations quick and smooth. Plus, faster transactions mean happier customers who are more likely to return.
With faster restaurant payment processing solutions, you can turn tables over more quickly, especially during peak hours. For example, contactless payments can shave off minutes during the checkout process.
Integrated systems cut down on the chances of human error. This makes sure your sales and inventory management system reports are always accurate.
Real-time reporting allows you to track everything from sales trends to cash flow. Then, you're much more likely to make informed business decisions.
Payment fees can be a bit confusing to understand. So, here’s a quick breakdown:
MDR is the percentage taken from the transaction amount as a fee by the payment processor. It usually has a few parts:
Transaction fees usually include two parts:
This is the basic breakdown of what you pay whenever a customer makes a payment.
A customer pays with a credit or debit card at your restaurant.
The payment details are sent to the payment processor, which sends it to the card network (like Visa or Mastercard).
The card network checks with the customer’s bank to make sure there are enough funds or credit.
Once the payment is approved, the money is transferred, and these fees are taken out:
Processing fees vary with the type of transaction method you've opted for. Here's how:
A student credit card with a small limit costs less to process than an international business card with many perks. High-end cards like American Express usually come with higher processing fees, such as from 2.5% to 3.5%. On the other hand, a standard Visa or Mastercard levies a 1.5% to 2.5% processing fee.
Generally, more secure payment methods are cheaper. For instance, swiped cards usually have lower fees compared to online payments, where fraud risk is higher. EMV chip cards are more secure than old debit or credit cards and cost less to process. Phone orders, where the card isn’t present, also cost more due to higher fraud risks.
Larger restaurant or food truck chains often get better processing rates as they handle higher transaction volumes. Processors know they’ll be dealing with a lot more transactions, so they’re willing to offer lower rates to secure their business.
On the other hand, small, independent restaurants process fewer transactions. So, they're riskier and less profitable for processors, leading to higher rates.
Now that you understand payment processors and their rates, here's how you can find the right fit for your restaurant:
With these insights, you can narrow down your options for a service provider. Whether you want the personalized support of a Merchant Account Provider or the quick setup of a Processing Aggregator, picking the right choice is important. In the end, you can go with an MAP and combine it with a good processor to get the best benefits from both.
Restaurant payment processing goes beyond just swiping cards. With integrated POS systems and top-notch security, picking the right processor can make a big difference in how smoothly your restaurant runs and how happy your diners are.
OneHubPOS plays nice with your payment processing system. Packed with amazing features and top-notch support, it’s here to make payments easier. Whether you're running a restaurant, food truck, bistro, or even a pizza joint, OneHubPOS has got your back. Get started with just $1!
Virtual dining is getting super popular among consumers and restauranteers, thanks to the convenience, less overhead costs, and the growing demand for delivery.
You don’t need a physical space. So, you save on rent and utilities while helping you reach more customers. This blog breaks down what virtual dining is, why it’s trending, and how to open a virtual restaurant and reach new customers.
In a Virtual Dining Concept, your customers can only order food online. This restaurant has no physical place to visit or pick up their food—everything happens through a digital platform. They’ll place their order via an app or website, and then their meal is delivered straight to their door.
Ypou might think, virtual dining sounds like a ghost kitchen concept. But here’s the scoop on how it’s different. The big difference is that ghost kitchens are strictly delivery-only. They don’t have a storefront or a dine-in area at all. They cook up food for delivery, and that’s it.
On the other hand, virtual restaurants operate from a space that might be part of a larger restaurant that serves customers on-site, though often they’re focused on delivery. It might also be a themed-food a chef is trying out for a few months (a virtual pop-up restaurant, if you will)
Livy's Plant Based Foods is a good example of virtual dining. Philadelphia chef Jose Garces started this plant-based, mostly vegan concept.
There are two main types of virtual restaurants: virtual brands and virtual kitchens. Both rely on an advanced set of tech and tools to run, but their setups and how they operate are a bit different.
Virtual brands run entirely online, with no physical spot for customers to visit. Existing restaurants or chefs often launch them to try out new menu ideas or reach different types of customers without changing their main brand.
Virtual kitchens are shared kitchen spaces where multiple brands use the same space to cook for online orders and deliveries only. They’re super cost-effective since you can run several brands from one spot, cutting down overhead and boosting efficiency big time!
Now that you're aware what is a virtual restaurant, here’s a rundown of the benefits that it can bring:
You can ditch the costly real estate and fancy decor. With no need for a dine-in area, you save on a lot of aspects, such as:
So, a virtual kitchen can run at a shared commercial kitchen space for a fraction of the cost of running a traditional setup.
You’ll definitely want your own exclusive menu on all the top food delivery apps. Opening a virtual restaurant lets you reach way more people than just walk-in customers. Take Virtual Dining Concepts in the US, for example—they’ve got many virtual restaurant brands like The Meltdown, Banda Burrito, and The Burger Den, all running out of a single Denny’s kitchen.
Without a physical dining space, you can try out new dishes or even totally fresh concepts with way less risk. For example, a pizzeria could test out vegetarian options or global flavors without completely changing their whole menu.
In a virtual kitchen, you’re not preparing for a full dining room. So, you can tweak your inventory based on up-to-the-minute data to make just enough of each dish. The result: neither you overstock nor do you throw away excess, which helps cut down on waste. It’s like running a lean cooking business with no room for waste!
Suppose there is a busy office crowd that’s too busy to dine in but is craving a quick lunch delivery. Going virtual means you can reach these people. This expands your customer base beyond just those who would have visited your physical spot.
Setting up a virtual restaurant is like setting up an online store; you don’t need physical renovations. You can get your virtual brand up and running quickly, often within weeks. On the other hand, it might take months to open a traditional restaurant.
Scaling up virtual dining effortlessly. If your concept really catches on, you can easily team up with more delivery services or even use multiple virtual kitchens. This means you can grow your brand without the usual limits of having a physical space.
Virtual dining gives you a lot of info about what your customers like and how they order. This data is super useful for tweaking your marketing, adjusting your menu and its pricing, and keeping your customers happy. For instance, you might find out that your late-night burger special is a big hit, so you’ll want to do its promotion more often!
Virtual restaurants do have their drawbacks compared to traditional ones.
Starting a virtual restaurant is pretty similar to launching a traditional one. You still need to do your research and plan things out carefully. Here’s the lowdown on how to start a virtual restaurant from home:
Take a look if there’s a need for your dishes. For example, if you’re thinking about opening a virtual taco place, see if there are tons of taco options or if people are craving something unique.
Double-check the local rules, especially for food delivery. For instance, your city might have specific regulations on packaging or speed limits. This way, you’d avoid fines and hassles.
A good business plan will help you figure out details in advance, so you’re ready for whatever comes your way. For example, if you haven’t thought through delivery logistics, you might end up with unhappy customers and missed orders.
Even though virtual restaurants can run with a small team, it’s crucial to hire skilled folks. Think about bringing on:
Put together a sample menu for testing and training. Understanding ingredient costs, food costs - to make scrumptious food without losing money, It’s also handy for fundraising or getting feedback before you go all-in.
Sure, you don’t need to worry about a dining room, but you still need the right funding to get your brand off the ground and running. For example, a new Virtual dining kitchen or restaurant would need staff, menu, company registration, inventory, kitchen space, pos software - that are must-haves before you start.
To grow your virtual restaurant beyond your local area, plan how your brand will adapt to different markets. For example, if you’re known for spicy tacos in your hometown, you might need to tweak your menu a bit if you’re launching in a place where people prefer milder flavors.
Virtual dining is set to evolve even more as new tech and online delivery trends keep pushing it forward.
For instance, AI-driven kitchen management is on the horizon. So, your kitchen can automatically adjust to orders, keep track of inventory, and even predict what you’ll need next.
Plus, advanced POS solutions like OneHubPOS mPOS can ease order management, connect with delivery platforms, and give you real-time inventory and sales reports. It can also connect you up with loyalty programs to keep your customers coming back.
On top of that, mobile apps are getting more intuitive, so customers are getting a smoother experience when ordering from their phones. So, when super-easy-to-use apps ease ordering, customers keep coming back for more.
Furthermore, online food ordering is booming! Last year, the number of people ordering food online jumped to 760 million, a 20% increase from the year before. And it’s not stopping there—by 2029, that number is expected to hit 2.5 billion.
Why? People are loving the convenience of having food delivered right to their doorsteps. Delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats are making it even easier.
To get ahead of these trends, you should invest in the right tools and tech. This includes:
Opening a virtual restaurant is pretty awesome! It cuts down on overhead costs, helps you reach more customers, and takes advantage of the big delivery trends. Plus, you can run your business more smoothly and flexibly without needing a physical dining area.
To make your shift to virtual dining easy, OneHubPOS is the perfect POS system. It comes with powerful tools and integrations to improve your efficiency. Book a demo with us and find out how OneHubPOS can help you succeed in the virtual dining space today!
Traditional POS systems were once essential for businesses but used to take up a lot of your counter space. But now, they’re getting a serious upgrade: softPOS (Software Point of Sale). It lets smartphones and tablets take payments. So, no more bulky machines; just your phone accepting payments easily.
Small business and restaurant owners are loving it! Who wouldn’t want a cost-effective, flexible way to process payments? This blog explains what a softPOS solution is. It also talks about its benefits, uses, and tips to help you use softPOS successfully in your business.
Imagine you run a coffee cart or a food truck and move to different spots around the city. Carrying a regular POS system would be a headache — with cables, terminals, receipt printers, and card readers everywhere you go.
SoftPOS turns your smartphone or tablet into a payment machine. Instead of needing bulky hardware, you can take payments right on your mobile device using just software. It’s an easy and simple way to accept payments without the extra equipment.
This software uses your device’s NFC (Near Field Communication) to handle contactless payments. It’s cheaper and more flexible than old POS systems.
So, the big difference: a B2B softPOS solution lets you handle payments just like a traditional POS system but without the pricey machines or tricky setup.
SoftPOS offers so many great perks that it's quickly becoming a go-to choice for businesses!
For a small business, buying expensive POS equipment can be tough. SoftPOS lets you use your phone or tablet for payments. No need for extra gadgets. For instance, if you run a local bakery that sells cupcakes at farmers’ markets, you can skip the high costs of traditional POS systems. Just download a softPOS app on the owner’s smartphone. It’s an easy way to start accepting payments without spending a lot of money.
Traditional POS systems require significant investment in physical hardware, such as:
Imagine your food truck is parked at a lively city street festival, like the Austin Food & Wine Festival, or you’re catering a private event in a cool, remote spot like Joshua Tree, California. Using a softPOS solution can help you quickly serve customers no matter where you are. There’s no need to rely on stationary terminals. Similarly, pop-up restaurants or any business that’s on the move can keep operating smoothly with a softPOS terminal, no matter where they’re parked or visiting.
More customers are using digital payments these days. In fact, 69% of US adults said that they made a digital payment in the past three months to make a purchase. B2B softPOS helps businesses keep up with such payment trends. Whether your customer does a quick tap with a card or uses a mobile wallet like PayPal, Samsung Pay, or Apple Pay, a softPOS solution makes sure you're ready for all these payment methods.
SoftPOS systems often come with the ability to integrate easily with the existing financial setup of a business. This includes:
So, if you’re using softPOS technology, your system can automatically link sales transactions to your accounting software. Consequently, it would update your books in real-time and offer points to repeat customers through your loyalty program ideas.
Speed is super important in customer service, and softPOS really helps speed everything up at checkout. It lets you accept guest payments quickly. This means shorter wait times and more transactions each hour. Your customers will have a better experience, and you’ll have less hassle.
That’s why, in busy restaurants, servers take the softPOS terminal right to the customer’s table. Fast and easy payments speed up the service and make customers happier by reducing wait times.
Small retailers and restaurant owners usually have limited resources and tight budgets. Traditional POS systems can be expensive and not practical for them. SoftPOS is a cheaper solution. It lets these businesses use their existing smartphones or tablets to handle payments.
So, if you're opening a new coffee shop and don’t have a lot of money, you can start quickly with a softPOS app on a tablet. This is a simple way to save money and avoid buying expensive equipment.
Apart from them, in big companies, softPOS helps delivery workers and outdoor sales teams by making transactions smooth. Freelancers, like photographers and consultants, can also use softPOS to accept payments easily while on the move.
SoftPOS and mPOS both let customers make mobile payments. They allow transactions through smartphones or tablets. But they're not exactly the same. Here's a table comparing softPOS and mPOS:
Mobile devices can be prone to cyberattacks. To avoid risks, use PCI DSS-compliant softPOS apps that feature encrypted transactions and tokenization. This way, you can protect sensitive payment data.
SoftPOS relies on internet or cellular data, and poor connectivity can disrupt payments. So, go for strong network connections with reliable providers. On top of that, choose solutions like OneHubPOS. It supports offline payments, ensuring smooth transactions even without internet access.
Some employees may find the digital interface difficult. So, go for user-friendly restaurant POS solutions with an intuitive interface. Also, you should train your staff to ensure smooth operation.
To get the most out of softPOS, stick to some best practices. Keep everything secure, reliable, and efficient to really make this solution make your business successful.
Since your softPOS will handle payment data, security must be a top priority. Choose a softPOS solution that is PCI DSS-compliant. When it will keep your payment info safe and secure, you won’t have to worry about sensitive data being handled improperly.
Furthermore, the best softPOS providers release updates to stay compliant with the latest security regulations. So, regularly check for software updates.
Your smartphone or tablet becomes a payment terminal when you're using a softPOS solution, so you must keep it safe. Make sure you:
MFA ensures that only the right people, such as you and your staff, can access the softPOS app. Don’t forget to regularly update your device’s operating system and security software to keep important details secure and avoid any vulnerabilities.
To keep operations running perfectly, make sure everyone on your team knows how to use the softPOS system. Set up a quick training session that shows them how to:
At the end of the day, everyone should be on the same page and ready to go!
Like any tech solution, Soft POS technology can run into hiccups now and then, such as network problems or app glitches. So, have a backup plan ready for such unfavorable situations. You may carry a manual card imprinter or set up an alternative payment method, such as invoicing through email. This lets you process payments even if your system is down.
Review your transaction history and softPOS system to identify any irregularities or potential fraud attempts. Note that softPOS systems often come with monitoring features that alert you to any suspicious transactions or irregular payment patterns. So, set up those transaction alerts.
Small businesses and restaurants adopting softPOS with the right strategies and powerful security measures can get amazing benefits, including cost savings and better flexibility. As softPOS becomes increasingly important in modern payment processing, it stands out as a future-proof, scalable solution that ensures smooth payment experiences.
For a comprehensive softPOS solution that teams up perfectly with your business, explore OneHubPOS today and amp up your payment capabilities effortlessly. Book a demo right away!
Gone are the days when waitstaff had to move between tables and the main POS terminal. Now, everything does not need to happen at the POS counter—taking orders, sending them to the kitchen, and processing payments. So, handheld POS systems optimize cost and make your restaurant ops simpler.
That's where OneHubPOS comes in. Your staff could be handling a dozen tables or you may have got a full house for brunch. OneHubPOS ensures every customer’s needs are met with speed and accuracy.
This blog explores the OneHubPOS Handheld POS System and why it’s the next big thing in restaurant tech. Let’s find out more about it.
OneHubPOS handheld POS system
OneHubPOS is a complete service solution. The handheld POS system is compact, intuitive, and, most importantly, reliable. It brings together everything you need into one unified POS and payments platform for both your staff and customers. Here’s what it brings to the table:
Every order, every update, every store, every employee, every payment is instantly communicated to the appropriate department. Plus, you can easily keep track of your inventory with real-time alerts to make sure you always have enough stock.
Tableside Ordering
With this feature, your staff no longer needs to walk back to the POS terminal to input orders. They simply do it at the table. So, minimal risk of miscommunication between the server and kitchen.
OneHubPOS payment management dashboard
Customers can settle their bill with just a swipe, tap, or insertion of their card. Whether they’re using gift cards, mobile payments, credit cards, or contactless payments, OneHubPOS handheld POS system can handle it all. Plus, our trusted payment aggregators ensure that all customer details stay safe.
OneHubPOS menu customization
Got daily specials or new seasonal dishes? The OneHubPOS system lets you update your menu in real-time so that servers always have the most accurate information at their fingertips.
Restaurant staff updating inventory
You can update items in your inventory. Just scan them with a barcode scanner. A quick and easy way to add or update items instantly!
OneHubPOS is a more affordable option compared to traditional POS systems. Here's how:
As a result, more small business owners and micro-merchants can use and benefit from it.
OneHubPOS Android device
The integration with Android-based PAX devices makes it easy to use. You get built-in payment technology along with Android's powerful features and user-friendly design.
Are you one of the 40% of restaurant owners who want menu and recipe costing in your POS? OneHubPOS offers you a food cost percentage calculator to make things easier. Try it today!
Traditional POS system
Over 60% of restaurants use at least one handheld POS terminal. Traditional POS systems might get the job done. But they are clunky and outdated. OneHubPOS handheld POS system saves you time and effort. Here's how:
Suppose, on a Saturday night, your restaurant is fully booked. Your servers are going between tables, taking orders, and trying to stay on top of drink refills. No handheld POS systems for restaurants would mean a lot of trips back to the central POS terminal. The result? Lots of delays and mistakes.
OneHubPOS changes the workflow completely. A server can approach a table, take orders directly into the handheld device, and those orders immediately sync with the kitchen. Need to make changes? The system updates in real-time. Customers are ready to pay? Handle that, too, right from the table. It’s smooth, fast, and error-proof.
Here are the benefits that handheld POS systems provide for your restaurant:
Handheld POS ordering right at the table not only speeds up service but also allows for instant order changes. Customers get a more personalized experience as they see their server taking control without disappearing to the terminal.
Restaurant chef going through the order details using POS system
Quicker orders mean quicker table turnover. During peak hours, a handheld system can turn chaos into calm. Since handheld POS ordering cuts down the time between taking the order and sending it to the kitchen, it helps reduce bottlenecks and ensures a smooth operation.
In a traditional system, there are plenty of opportunities for human error, such as:
A handheld POS system solves most of these issues. It syncs orders in real-time and ensures clear communication between all staff.
A happy customer paying the bill using a POS system
Guests used to wait for their server to return to process payment. With handheld POS systems for restaurants, that’s a thing of the past. OneHubPOS handles guest payments directly at the table. This speeds up the process and lets your servers move on to the next table faster.
Faster service, fewer errors, and easier payment options all add up to a better dining experience. Happier customers are more likely to leave positive reviews, which can increase customer spending by 31%. They return for another meal and tip more generously.
A happy team is a productive team, and OneHubPOS handheld POS systems for restaurants are designed to bring that about. Here’s how:
Nobody likes dealing with tricky POS technology, especially during a busy shift. OneHubPOS handheld POS system is intuitive, meaning your staff can learn it quickly and focus on serving customers. Plus, less time training means new hires can start using it from day one.
As it cuts out unnecessary trips to the POS terminal, OneHubPOS handheld POS system lightens the load for your staff. Servers can handle more tables with ease, reducing the stress that often comes with high-pressure shifts.
With faster service and fewer manual errors, servers can handle more tables and turn them over more quickly, which often leads to higher tips. Note that tips account for up to 70% of their pay.
Plus, when everything runs smoothly, job satisfaction increases. Your team feels more in control of their workflow, reducing burnout and making it easier for them to provide excellent service. A system like OneHubPOS, which makes their job easier, naturally boosts morale.
Try the OneHubPOS Tip Pooling Calculator for a fair and precise way to split tips between your front and back-of-house teams.
When considering handheld POS systems for restaurants, the investment may initially seem daunting, but the ROI is fast and significant.
Sure, there’s an upfront cost in buying the handheld POS systems for restaurants along with:
But you can't ignore the long-term savings. For example:
The ROI for handheld POS systems is easy to see once you start factoring in the time and cost savings. Here’s a quick way to think about it:
This way, the investment in a handheld POS system often pays off in just a few months.
OneHubPOS unifies everything under one unified POS and payments platform. So, you don't have to juggle multiple systems for ordering, payment, and customer management.
Orders are sent directly from the handheld device to the kitchen and payments are processed right at the table – all within the same system. No need for multiple software or devices.
The fewer moving parts, the less chance of errors or miscommunication. This perfect integration eases the work for servers, kitchen staff, and managers.
Restaurant managers love OneHubPOS handheld POS system. After all, it makes oversight simpler. You can track everything in one place — orders, payments, table turnover rates, even staff performance metrics. This is a holistic view of your restaurant’s operations.
Then, you can make better decisions about adjusting staff schedules, modifying the menu based on order trends, or identifying your most profitable times of the day.
OneHubPOS Handheld System is built for restaurant needs, offering real-time sync, restaurant tableside ordering, and easy integration with existing software. So, investing in it amps up service speed, cuts down on errors, and keeps staff and customers happy.
Faster table turnover, improved customer experiences, and a more productive team – these perks make OneHubPOS the perfect solution to make your restaurant successful and handle operations in the long run. Start your OneHubPOS journey for $1.
Your food truck is packed, the line’s getting long, and orders are coming in fast — this is the kind of busy you’ve been dreaming about, right? The last thing you need is a glitchy food truck payment system messing things up.
A feature-rich and reliable POS keeps everything running smoothly and speeds up guest payments. Ultimately, your customers leave with a smile!
This blog explores what makes the best POS systems tick—everything from handling various payment methods to easing the order process.
Whether you’re launching a food truck business or just considering upgrading, offering many ordering and payment options in your food truck payment system is a big deal for your business. Here’s why:
Customers today just want things to be easy. With the booming meal delivery scene expected to reach 2.5 billion users by 2029, plus over 90% of folks using digital payments, it's obvious that people love having choices when it comes to paying.
So, if your food truck payment system can handle different digital wallets, credit cards, and even cryptocurrencies, you’ll be hitting the mark with what your customers want.
Long lines can really make customers go away. But here’s a simple fix: offer mobile ordering and payment options. Why? Well, then customers can place their orders in advance and just pick them up. No waiting in line! Plus, it speeds up your service and keeps operations smooth, especially when it’s super busy.
Food truck operations move fast, and that's thanks to:
So, being efficient is super important. A food truck POS system that integrates online ordering can really speed up everything. It helps you take orders quickly and cuts down on manual errors. Consequently, your team can focus just on cooking and serving, while the POS takes care of the rest, making everything organized and fast.
Online ordering can increase how much people spend — by 26% for quick service and 13% for fast casual places. Plus, customers are more likely to place an order when they can pay the way they prefer, such as:
So, with a food truck POS offering multiple ordering and payment options, you’ll see an increase in orders. This means more sales and more cash in your pocket!
Let’s check out what makes a POS system a real winner for your food truck business:
Your chosen mPOS system should let you handle orders and payments straight from a tablet or smartphone. So, if your food truck is out on a busy street corner, you can quickly take orders on your tablet. No need to be stuck at a cash register. This super flexible feature keeps you moving with the crowd.
Suppose your food truck is parked in a spot with terrible signals or you have an internet cut out. Frustrating; isn't it? So, your chosen POS system should keep working even if you go offline. Plus, it should update everything once you're back online. This way, you don’t miss any sales, even when tech decides to be a pain.
Your POS should be easy for anyone to pick up and use. For example, drag-and-drop menu editing would help you easily update items or prices without getting lost in confusing menus. This way, your staff can learn how to use it fast and spend more time serving your customers.
A great POS can handle different payment types, like:
For instance, if your food truck payment system supports NFC payments, customers can just tap their phone or card to pay. This makes checkout faster and helps keep lines moving smoothly.
Check out POS systems that keep an eye on your stock and let you know when you're running low on supplies. For example, some POS systems link with your inventory and update stock levels automatically as you make sales. This way, you always know what’s in your pantry and won’t run out of important ingredients.
Your POS should work perfectly with other tools you use, such as:
For example, if you link your food truck POS with a CRM system, you can keep track of what your customers like. Then, you can adjust your marketing to fit their preferences.
Boxcar Burgers, a food truck in Maryland, sends promotional emails to its diners after they order.
Here’s a rundown of some of the best food truck POS systems. You can pick the one that fits your needs perfectly.
OneHubPOS is a cloud-based POS that is purpose-built for food trucks. It's super easy to install on your own and made with a mobile-first vibe. This food truck payment system works perfectly with portable gear, so you can handle transactions and keep track of data effortlessly, even when your food truck gets really busy.
OneHubPOS has a super affordable pricing plan, thanks to a great deal where you can use the food truck payment system for just $1 for three months. It's a great option if you’re just starting out with your food truck. The best part? There are no hidden fees — what you see is what you get. The pricing scales up as the number of food trucks grows.
While OneHubPOS doesn't offer a free trial, you can get OneHubPOS for just $1 a month for three months. So, you’ve got loads of time to check out all its features and see if it’s the right fit for your business while finding the best food truck POS.
Clover is a versatile POS platform for many businesses, including food trucks.
Clover’s pricing starts at $14.95 per month, though depending on your needs, additional hardware costs may apply.
Clover offers a 90-day free POS trial.
Toast offers comprehensive management tools for orders, inventory, and employees.
Toast offers a free tier, with pricing starting at $0. However, additional features come with added costs.
Toast does not offer a free trial.
Korona POS offers a set of features for businesses requiring advanced management tools.
Korona’s pricing starts at $59 per month.
Korona offers an unlimited free trial but with a limited number of features.
Table Needs is an all-in-one platform for food truck operators who want to manage their entire business in one place.
Table Needs comes with a price of $139 per month.
Table Needs does not offer a free trial.
Here's a table showing the key differences between each POS platform.
Finding the best food truck POS can seem tricky. So, here's our little guidance to help you find the perfect fit for your needs:
POS systems can range from budget-friendly to top-of-the-line. Don't just look at the initial price. Remember to consider additional expenses like:
If you're just starting out, you should go for a budget-friendly platform or a trial period. It's a smart move.
Do you have a huge menu with lots of options? Do you need a POS that lets you customize everything? Or maybe you’ve got a smaller menu and need strong inventory tracking? This way, think about what your food truck needs.
For instance, if you’re famous for gourmet burgers, your chosen POS must be able to handle aspects like extra cheese or custom toppings. Also, think about whether you need your system to work with online ordering or loyalty programs.
Do you want your food truck staff to spend ages trying to figure out a complicated POS setup? Obviously not! So, look for a food truck payment system with:
Basically, you and your staff should be able to start using it right away without a lot of hassle.
What if your POS system crashes right in the middle of a busy lunch rush? Having instant help on standby can really save the day. So, make sure your POS provider offers 24/7 support, and check out how you can reach them — whether it’s by:
Pick a POS system that can grow along with your business. If you’re thinking of adding more food trucks or cool new features, make sure your POS can keep up. For instance, a good system will let you add new locations or connect with advanced analytics tools as you expand.
OneHubPOS is a fantastic food truck payment system! Here's why:
The best part? Even if your internet goes down, OneHubPOS’ offline mode won’t let you miss a beat. Whether you’ve got one food truck or a big fleet, OneHubPOS scales with you. You can start with $1 only. The key benefits:
The right POS system makes managing orders, tracking inventory, and handling payments so convenient. It’s easy to use, works on mobile devices, and has all the features you need.
OneHubPOS food truck payment system is a standout choice here. You get real-time inventory updates, smooth payment options, and even offline mode to keep food truck operations running when you lose internet. Plus, it's user-friendly and budget-friendly. So, to help your food truck business really take off, book a call with OneHubPOS today!
Nobody likes to wait, especially when hungry and a tasty meal is just out of reach. Nearly 40% of customers wait 15 to 30 minutes for a table at a restaurant in the US, and their patience wears thin beyond that. The quicker you can seat your customers, the happier they are.
But it's easier said than done; finding the right ways to reduce wait time may be challenging.
Implementing POS solutions is a simple fix for cutting down on long waiting lines. Known for streamlining orders and payments, these systems can reduce customers' waiting time and increase your revenue.
In this blog, we'll cover how POS systems can enhance your service speed and how you can easily optimize your restaurant's wait times.
Focusing on wait time reduction and optimization in restaurant operations minimizes the time customers spend waiting for a table, their order, or checkout and enhances their perception of the wait.
A fine dining experience with elegantly plated food and wine glasses
For example, as a restaurant aiming to improve wait time experience, you might use a reservation system that updates customers in real-time about their wait status via a mobile app. This way, you can improve the perception of customers waiting and make them stay longer.
Here are some benefits of wait time management:
Apart from churning more revenue, optimizing wait time reduction benefits your restaurant in multiple ways:
Three women enjoying a casual gathering with wine and snacks on a table.
Customers feel their time is valued when wait times are short. Nobody likes to sit around waiting for hours for their food. When wait times are cut down, whether for a table, the food, or the check, customers have a smoother dining experience. According to a study by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, wait times are one of the main drivers of customer satisfaction. Customers who have to wait for a longer time than expected are 18% less satisfied.
Less wait time means the tables get cleared and ready for new guests faster, giving diners more time to enjoy a meal over a day. On the restaurant operations side, shorter waits allow your staff to manage their tasks more effectively. They spend less time managing queues and more time attending to customer needs.
54% of diners say a table wait time over 30 minutes would deter them from visiting a restaurant. A quick and smooth checkout process means you can turn tables faster. Line busting solutions, self serve kiosk solutions are some best alternatives that gives you a bump in revenue.
Optimizing restaurant operations like the checkout process is easier than you think, given you're using the right POS system. Let's take a look at some POS system features that are essential for it:
The restaurant POS you're choosing must have reliable transaction processing capabilities. Offline payment capability is an added advantage and makes you unstoppable. When a POS system executes payments quickly, it cuts down the time each customer spends at the checkout and leaves your customers happy.
A customer making a contactless payment at a cafe counter
Key functionalities you need to look for in your POS systems:
This feature ensures that every ingredient in your menu items is available when needed so that no delays occur when items are out of stock. It monitors your stock levels and tells you when supplies are running low. It can also automatically reorder essentials for you.
Some essential features to look for in restaurant inventory management:
A mobile POS system lets customers complete transactions from anywhere on the premises. Your staff can process payments at the table, in line, or outside during events, so your customers don't have to stand in queues at a fixed checkout location.
With digital receipt options and instant payment processing capabilities, the mPOS system cuts down on the steps required to complete a transaction.
Some key features of a restaurant mPOS system include:
Real-time data analytics goes beyond traditional transaction processing by delivering insights right when you need them. It captures every transaction and customer interaction as they happen.
You get a live data feed that provides a clear picture of what's happening in your restaurant at any moment. For example, it can show you which menu items are selling fast today, which tables are turning over quickly, and where bottlenecks are developing.
If a particular dish is causing delays because of prep time, you may promote a quicker-to-prepare alternative.
Reducing wait times in your restaurant can feel like a major challenge, but getting it right can also bring great rewards. Here are 7 tips to reduce wait times:
Streamlining order processing is the first and easiest way to reduce wait time. One powerful tool to achieve this is the use of barcode scanners. Adding QR code technology lets your staff quickly scan items and speed up the entire checkout process.
When adept at navigating the POS system, employees can handle orders, payments, and customer queries much more efficiently. Training should focus on every aspect of the POS system, from processing transactions and managing inventory to applying for promotions and handling returns.
Schedule quarterly training with POS service providers. Make sure that all employees are comfortable with these functions so that you avoid potential delays that can occur from misuse or a lack of knowledge. Also, regular updates and refreshers are necessary to keep staff updated with system upgrades or new features that could further optimize service speed and accuracy.
With servers using mobile devices for tableside ordering, common errors linked to old-school paper tickets are drastically reduced. It provides a direct-to-kitchen transmission that streamlines the entire ordering process.
Additionally, tableside payment processing speeds up transactions as servers can finalize bills right at the table, avoiding the back-and-forth of traditional payment methods.
No matter the type of dining spot you run, from a quick-service place to a fine dining restaurant, installing kiosks can make a big difference. These self-service kiosks let your customers take charge right from the start.
They can pick their tables, look through the menu, order their meals, and even pay, all on their schedule, without needing to wait for staff assistance. Plus, with tablet kiosks at the table, guests can order another round of drinks or pay their bills whenever they're ready.
An optimally designed menu guides customers smoothly through their choices, reducing decision time and increasing satisfaction. To this end, you can position your most profitable items in areas where customers naturally focus first—typically the center and top corners of the menu, known as the 'Golden Triangle.'
This way, you'll be able to maximize revenue opportunities by subtly promoting higher-margin dishes. Here's how you can strategically place menu items for quick access:
Analyze collected data from your queue management system to identify slow points and understand patterns contributing to bottlenecks. Here's how data analytics can make a significant difference in wait time reduction:
Online and in-store restaurant systems allow real-time data synchronization between online ordering platforms and physical point-of-sale systems. It helps you manage your inventory more effectively, coordinate kitchen operations, and update menus instantaneously across all platforms.
Here's how POS integration benefits your restaurant:
As customer expectations in the restaurant industry rise, so does the opportunity for those ready to serve. Start by examining your customer experience to pinpoint inefficiencies and bottlenecks in your current operations and make small adjustments. As your budget allows, consider investing in modern restaurant technology.
OneHubPOS integrates every aspect of restaurant management—from taking orders and processing payments to tracking inventory and scheduling staff— into one sleek platform. This means your team can work faster, serve better, and satisfy your customers.
Curious to learn how we can help you enhance your service speed and enhance efficiency? Schedule a free demo with us and let us help you reduce your customer wait times and make it happen affordably.
Traditional point-of-sale (POS) systems have long been used to improve customer retention and safeguard customer data. Still, they may not be the best option when it comes to flexibility. On top of that, what if the upfront cost of POS hardware seems daunting for your budget?
This is where mobile POS systems come into play. They are designed to operate seamlessly on tablets or smartphones. With these systems, you get the best of both worlds—strong POS software with lower initial expenses. In this blog, you'll learn what makes mobile POS a better option than traditional POS for your restaurant.
A Mobile POS for restaurants is a portable point of sale on a smartphone or tablet that allows your customers to manage their transactions right from their device. This system transforms a traditional register setup into a sleek, cloud-based operation. All it requires is a device and an internet connection to function.
By 2028, in the Mobile POS Payments market, the number of users is expected to amount to 2.01bn-that's huge!
Here are some key features of a mobile restaurant POS system:
Compared to traditional POS systems that are often bulky and tied to one spot, mobile POS systems bring unmatched flexibility to the table. You can carry the entire sales system along with your device, no matter where you go.
Research by Starfleet Research for The Smart Decision Guide to Restaurant Management and POS Systems shows that after upgrading to advanced POS systems, 84% of full-service and 72% of quick service and fast casual restaurants saw a significant boost in their revenue.
Working without a POS system can be a headache. It can hinder your restaurant's ability to provide excellent service to your customers. Here are some of the common issues restaurants face when they don't use a POS:
Operating without a POS system can make managing orders feel easy. Misunderstandings between your waitstaff and kitchen can become more common, which may raise the chances of mistakes and delays in meals.
Say a server doesn't quite get a diner's special dietary request or forgets to write it down—and, you're serving a meal that wasn't expected. This misstep can disappoint your customer and tarnish their dining experience. Having a reliable POS system helps keep everyone on the same page.
Handling bills manually can often lead to errors that are not just frustrating but also potentially expensive. When totals, taxes, and split bills are calculated without automated help, there's a higher chance of mistakes. If a server accidentally charges a customer for the wrong table or gets the maths wrong on the total bill.
These mix-ups can cause disputes and may even harm your restaurant's reputation if they happen often. Using automated software helps minimize these errors and makes sure that every transaction is accurate.
Managing inventory is no easy task, especially without the help of a POS system. You never know when you might run out of essential ingredients when you need them the most. And nothing disappoints your customers more than hearing their favourite dish is not available.
This could lead to missed sales opportunities and leave your guests less than thrilled. When you have a system tracking your inventory in real-time, it becomes easy to stay prepared beforehand.
When these problems—like long waits, order mix-ups, and billing mistakes—pile up, they drag down the customer experience. And as a restaurant owner, you must know the stakes of leaving your customers unhappy.
A minor bad review, either online or offline, can turn potential customers away before they even step through your door. When you have a POS handling these operations, it becomes easier for you to provide better service to your customers.
There are several compelling POS system benefits that can transform your operations and enhance customer satisfaction. Here's how:
Mobile point-of-sale systems bring a new level of efficiency to serving guests, particularly during the hustle and bustle of peak hours. Their portability allows staff to take orders and process payments right at the table, cutting out those time-consuming walks to a stationary terminal. This streamlined process speeds up service and helps manage guest flow more smoothly.
Getting the bill right is key to keeping your customers' trust. Mobile POS for restaurant systems helps reduce human errors by automating how bills are created and calculated. This means every order is recorded accurately, and the math is always right, decreasing the likelihood of billing mistakes.
When it comes to things like dividing the bill among guests or adding discounts, the mobile POS system manages it smoothly.
A significant advantage of mobile POS systems is their ability to manage and track inventory in real-time. As orders are placed, the system automatically updates inventory levels. It alerts you when supplies are low and even automates reordering for essential items.
This real-time data prevents the situation of having to inform guests that their desired menu item is unavailable after they've ordered it. It keeps your menu offerings and stock maintained.
Servers have instant access to menu details, ingredient lists, and availability, which means they can answer guest queries without delay or having to check with the kitchen.
Moreover, their ability to provide personalized recommendations and accommodate special requests, like dietary restrictions, can make the dining experience more personal and satisfying.
You now know why mobile POS systems deserve a place in your restaurant, but how does it add to your revenue stream? Let's find out:
With mobile POS systems, there's no need for your staff to go back and forth to stationary terminals. Both the orders and payments are taken care of at the table. This way, your customers get speedy service without having to wait long.
They can immediately pay their bills after dinner without waiting for a server to return with their credit card. As a result, your staff gets to entertain more customers, especially during peak hours.
Having a smart software, servers get timely reminders to suggest extras that complement a customer's order. For instance, while ordering a burger, the mobile POS for restaurants might nudge the server to recommend a craft beer that pairs well with it. It will keep your customers happy while boosting the average sale per customer.
Mobile POS systems can be easily integrated with your loyalty programs. This integration makes it easy for new members to sign up and apply rewards to their payments. Not only this, personalized promotions not only make each guest feel special but also boost the chances they'll come back and spend more each time they visit.
Mobile point of sale keeps track of your analytics and makes it easy for you to stay responsive to these insights. It analyzes data on popular menu items and busy periods, which can help you fine-tune your menu to better meet customer tastes and schedule your staff more efficiently to handle the rush. It also provides insights on managing your inventory more precisely so that no or lesser wastes are there.
Wondering what to look for in a Mobile POS system so that you can make the most out of your investment? Here's a comprehensive guide on key features to look for, along with some tips for smooth implementation:
Ensure the mPOS handles more than just transactions. Its key functionalities should include inventory management, loyalty programs, and customer relationship management (CRM).
Ask the provider whether the system supports both iOS and Android. Can it cater to specific needs like menu management and loyalty programs?
The system should work seamlessly with other restaurant setups and integrate well with the third-party software you currently or plan to use. Confirm about the third-party integrations available. Is the mPOS capable of handling different operational setups like retail and dining?
Look for systems that offer a self-service portal, extensive support, and training resources. Before you choose, check what kind of customer support is provided. Are there training materials and onboarding processes to help staff adapt to the new system?
EMV compliance and the ability to accept NFC payments like Apple Pay or Google Wallet are essential for securing customer transactions. Ask the provider if the system is EMV compliant. Can it process NFC payments?
The system should support multiple devices and scale up with your business. It should handle everything from a single register to various outlets. Consider whether the system can grow with your business. Does it support multiple registers and locations?
Advanced analytics and reporting capabilities to track sales, customer interactions, and inventory. Check what kind of analytics and reporting the system offers. Can it provide real-time data insights?
Prioritize affordable hardware costs and flexible software licensing. Enquire about the initial and ongoing costs and if there are any hidden fees.
To make sure the implementation process of your Mobile point of sale is as smooth as your operations, keep these tips in mind:
Adapting to the latest technology is essential for success, and for restaurants, staying updated means integrating tools like mobile POS systems. These systems bring unparalleled ease to your operations and help to increase efficiency and boost revenue.
Ready to see the difference a mobile POS can make in your restaurant? Check out OneHub's mobile POS system and watch your revenue grow. Schedule a demo today and see how easy it is to enhance your restaurant's performance.
You get what you pay for is an adage in almost every aspect of life, and the world of point-of-sale (POS) systems without exception. While a "free" POS system is tempting for small business restaurants and retail owners on a tight budget, the reality is often far more complex.
There's no such thing as a free lunch or POS. A free POS may promise to offer POS systems for no cost but often hide significant costs.
You might like the idea of a "free" POS system as a small store. However, after a year of operation, you realize that the transaction fees and monthly charges have far exceeded what you would have paid for a reliable POS solution. Some of the places you have to keep track of to check if you are paying more than agreed upon are:
Credit card processing fees are one of the most significant hidden costs of "free" POS systems. These fees vary based on factors like:
Consider this: A small retail business processing $10,000 in credit card transactions per month might be lured by a 'free' POS system offering a 2.75% processing rate. This would mean $275 in monthly processing fees. In 5 years you would have spent $16500 covering the cost of hardware, software, maintenance and more! However, a reliable POS provider might charge you for hardware and software but offer a 2.25% rate, resulting in a monthly saving of $50 and savings of 5 years would be $13500, saving you $3k. Over time, this could add to significant savings, making the reliable POS provider a more cost-effective choice.
It's crucial to understand that the processing fee is charged by the banks, not the POS providers. The providers simply mark up this fee to cover their costs. This knowledge can help you make a more informed decision when comparing different POS systems and avoid any unexpected financial surprises.
Example: A business that signs a five-year contract with a "free" POS provider might face a hefty early termination fee if they decide to switch to a different system before the end of the contract.
While the initial hardware and software might be "free," the costs associated with onboarding and implementation can quickly add up. These expenses include:
Example: A restaurant switching to a new POS system might incur costs for data migration, training their staff on the new software, and customizing the system to accommodate table layouts and split checks. These expenses can easily exceed $1,000.
By understanding these hidden costs, you can make an informed decision about whether a 'free' POS system is truly the best option for your business. In many cases, investing in a premium POS solution with transparent pricing and comprehensive support can ultimately save you money and provide greater value, offering the reassurance and confidence that comes with reliable support.
OnehubPOS offers a flexible pricing model that caters to various business needs. While specific costs may vary depending on your location, business size, and required features, here's a general overview of OneHubPOS pricing.
OnehubPOS provides free trials and demos to allow potential customers and partners to test the software and assess its suitability for their business. To get a precise quote for OneHubPOS, connect with us.
The restaurant world is going through a massive change when it comes to payments. That’s all thanks to new restaurant payment technology and changing customer habits. So, this blog breaks down the tech details and what restaurant payment trends mean in the real world.
Aligning your restaurant with restaurant payment technology trends is worth it. Here's why:
Customers want their experiences to be quick and easy. With payment options like contactless payments and mobile wallets, transactions are super fast and hassle-free. This makes a huge difference in their dining experience. People love being able to pay quickly and securely. When that happens, they're more satisfied and likely to come back again.
Advanced restaurant payment technology fits right into restaurant operations. After all, they cut down on manual work and improve efficiency. Take integrated payment systems, for example. They link up POS terminals with inventory management. This makes transactions smoother and automatically updates stock.
This setup lets restaurants manage inventory in real-time. So, you don’t have to worry about running out of stock or overordering. Plus, it frees up your staff to focus on delivering great service instead of getting bogged down by admin tasks.
Jumping on the latest payment technologies can really set you apart in today’s competitive restaurant scene. Offering cool options like cryptocurrency or biometric payments can give your restaurant a unique vibe that stands out. Eventually, you’re likely to lead the way in delivering a modern dining experience.
As payment technology keeps changing, so do the rules and security standards. Staying up-to-date with these helps protect your restaurant and customers from fraud and data breaches. For example, biometric authentication and AI-powered fraud detection are great for keeping sensitive payment info safe and secure.
72% of adults prefer using contactless or mobile payment options. Contactless payments work with two main technologies:
NFC lets devices talk to each other over a short distance (just a few centimeters), making it perfect for mobile wallets and contactless cards. RFID also uses radio waves but can work over longer distances, which is why it’s often used for tracking inventory, besides guest payments.
For customers:
For restaurants:
Around 83% of restaurants now accept mobile wallets alongside cash and cards. Mobile payment apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay let your customers pay quickly and securely. they just have to tap their phone at a terminal.
These apps store payment info safely on smartphones. So faster and hassle-free checkouts for everyone! Plus, it’s a convenient option that many people already prefer using.
Connecting mobile wallets with your loyalty programs lets you send out digital rewards and deals straight through payment apps. It makes it super easy for customers to earn and redeem points, and you get access to some pretty valuable data on their spending habits.
With that info, you can create targeted promos and keep customers coming back for more. Plus, it’s a smooth way to increase engagement without any extra hassle.
Around 70% of US restaurants are using QR codes for menus and payments now. A QR code holds all the payment info in a scannable code. Customers just scan it with their mobile banking app or digital wallet, and the payment's done. It’s quick, contactless, and perfect for busy restaurants.
So, how do QR code payments work in a restaurant setting? Well, you generate a QR code for the bill. Customers scan it with their phone. Choose their payment method (banking app or digital wallet), and confirm the transaction.
Cryptocurrency payments are set to grow at about 17% a year from 2023 to 2030. Digital currencies offer a secure, decentralized way to pay. A big plus for tech-savvy and international customers! If crypto goes mainstream, you’ll likely see more restaurants getting on board for its perks and challenges.
Benefits:
Challenges:
About 85% of retailers have noticed more people using card-linked "Buy Now, Pay Later" plans. Some of them are Afterpay, Klarna, and Affirm. These services let customers break their payments into smaller chunks instead of paying everything upfront.
BNPL gives diners the flexibility to enjoy a nice meal now and pay for it over time. Great for bigger-ticket items or special events in restaurants. After all, it makes higher-priced meals or catering more affordable for customers. The result: increased sales.
BNPL can really boost your average check size. After all, it makes bigger purchases easier for customers to handle. Since they can spread out payments, people are more likely to splurge or go for pricier menu items. Plus, offering BNPL adds to customer satisfaction. How? Well, it gives them more financial flexibility and lessens the pressure of paying all at once.
About 63% of customers like using integrated payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. When you link your POS system with payment processing, you get a one-stop solution for managing transactions. This setup gives you real-time updates on inventory, sales, and customer info.
Automating inventory management lets restaurants keep an eye on stock levels in real-time. This cuts down the chances of running out of ingredients or overstocking. Plus, integrated systems give you insights into sales trends and customer habits. So, making smart, data-driven decisions eases.
For instance, with an integrated POS, you can get reports on your most popular dishes to tweak your menu and menu engineering for the best results.
CaliExpress, an automated fast food joint in California, took things up a notch: it lets customers pay with their face! All customers do is sign up with a selfie, and then, when they’re ready to pay, PopID, a facial ID tech company, verifies their face and completes the transaction.
This is just a peek into biometric restaurant payment trends. Whether it’s through fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scanning, this restaurant payment technology improves security and makes paying super convenient — no need for PINs or passwords!
Biometric payments make dining out easier and safer. How? Well, using fingerprints or facial recognition to authenticate payments cuts down on fraud and keeps payment info secure.
Plus, it speeds up the whole checkout process since customers can quickly verify their identity. This way, restaurants can offer a high-tech experience that really sets them apart from the competition.
Right now, about 14% of people use AI for payments. Among them, 54% are between 18 and 44 years old. 21% are 45 and up. This way, AI and Machine Learning are becoming big players in payment security. They use smart algorithms to read transaction data, spotting and stopping fraud.
AI and ML are like super-smart assistants that read your customers’ minds! They read customer behavior and preferences, so you can come up with super-personalized promotion ideas and menu recommendations. For example, AI can pick out the perfect discount or special offer based on what customers loved in the past.
New payment technology like contactless payments and mobile wallets make transactions quicker and easier. So less time spent waiting and a smoother dining experience. Your staff can serve more customers faster. Plus, they get tables turned over more efficiently.
Offering easy and secure payment options is a surefire way to keep customers happy and loyal. Mobile wallets, QR codes, and biometric payments make the checkout process smooth and hassle-free. The result: better reviews and more return visits!
Modern restaurant payment technology uses top-notch security like encryption and biometrics to keep fraud and data breaches at bay. This extra layer of protection helps cut down on financial risks. It also builds trust with your customers, making sure their payment info stays safe.
Advanced payment systems give restaurants tons of useful data to work with. You can track sales trends, customer habits, and even keep an eye on inventory levels. This helps you make smarter decisions and handle operations. You can also tweak your menu or promotions to match what your customers really want.
For example, if you see when your busiest times are or which dishes are crowd favorites, you can adjust staff schedules, focus on top-selling items, and run restaurant promotions that hit the mark.
The big restaurant payment trends for 2024 — like contactless payments, mobile wallets, QR codes, crypto, Buy Now Pay Later options, integrated systems, biometric payments, and AI/ML tech — bring a ton of chances for restaurants to level up their payment game and meet what today’s customers expect.
OneHubPOS brings all these cool restaurant payment technology features together with a great POS system, offering real-time inventory tracking, smooth payment processing, detailed restaurant analytics, and much more. With OneHubPOS, your restaurant can run more efficiently, make customers happy, and grow your business. Book a call with OneHubPOS today.
.jpg)
Chicago, known for its iconic skylines and diverse cultures, is also a hidden gem for food lovers. While many might argue that it is only preferable for meat lovers, it’s shocking that even vegetarians can indulge themselves in savory, delectable dishes! And no, the city is not just about its deep-dish pizzas or hot dogs, but much more to cater to plant lovers, too!
While you picture yourself taking a stroll down the lane, stopping by the prestigious Intelligentsia Coffee to buy your favorite cappuccino, make sure to walk a little more and get yourself acquainted with one of the finest menus, offering everything from hearty veggie burgers to gourmet pizzas and much more. Well, the salads offered by Chicago’s restaurants deserve their hype!
So if you’re looking for vegetarian options in Chicago and are too tired to hear that the city serves the best non-veg options, check this insider guide and visit the top vegetarian picks in Chicago!
Situated in Wicker Park, Bloom Plant-Based Kitchen provides a refined vegan dining experience that emphasizes the use of fresh, plant-derived ingredients. It offers unique meals such as cashew-e-pepe and banana blossom tacos that are not only innovative but also vegan. Health-conscious people looking to explore new cuisine find this place trendy due to its cool sleek ambiance combined with lots of greenery and artistic lighting.
While the food is sure to leave your taste buds wanting more, the dessert is no less than a treat. Make sure to have Chef Rodolfo Cuadros’ Chocolate Tres Leches. Also, Bloom’s chic ambiance and innovative menu earned it recognition as one of Chicago’s best new restaurants in 2022.
The majority of main courses at Bloom are priced between $12 and $18 per person, with an average dinner bill being around $15-$25 per head.
Address: 1559 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
Website: Bloom Plant Based Kitchen
Annapurna Simply Vegetarian, nestled in the heart of West Ridge on Devon Avenue, has proudly been a part of the Chicago Indian dining landscape since 1982. Renowned for its South Indian cuisine, the restaurant specializes in vegetarian dishes with options such as Paneer Masala Dosa and Uttapam - a thick lentil pancake. The name Annapurna means "perfect food" and reflects the restaurant's mission to serve authentic vegetarian dishes that are both flavorful and traditional and appeal to palates old and new. Chef Kalpana Patel is the reason behind Annapurna, serving flavors of South Indian food on a single plate.
Order the Paneer Masala Dosa, a crowd-pleasing staple that has a perfect blend of spices. Annapurna is exceedingly popular for its Mysore Pak; a dessert made of sweet and dense layers of chickpea flour that has been recommended by locals and tourists alike.
The pricing is quite affordable with mains typically ranging from $10 to $15, making it a great spot for a satisfying meal without breaking the bank.
Address: 2600 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
Website: Annapurna Simply Vegetarian
Chicago’s best-kept secret- The Chicago Diner. It has been serving delicious, mouth-watering vegetarian dishes since 1983. Known for its comforting dishes and retro vibe, this spot offers a wide range of options from hearty vegan burgers to decadent vegan milkshakes. Their famous "Radical Reuben" and "Soy Corn Tamale" are local favorites.
A must-have while you’re at The Chicago Diner- "Chicago Diner's Famous Vegan Chocolate Cake"—it's been winning accolades for years and is a must-try for dessert lovers. The diner also boasts a cozy, vintage atmosphere that makes it a perfect spot for a relaxed meal.
The food is priced in an affordable range between $7- $20.
Address: 2333 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
Website: The Chicago Diner
As the name suggests, this restaurant serves one of the finest plant-based cuisines. Planta Queen, originating from Canada has one of the most unique and innovative dishes such as crispy gyoza filled with carrots and mushrooms. The executive Chef, David Lee, has crafted dishes that not only serve the general public but also the ones allergic to certain food items. For vegans who wish to explore a fusion of plants and spices, Planta Queen stands out to be the best. Dishes such as udon noodles with truffle mushroom and dehydrated watermelon nigiri are sure to elevate your taste buds.
Make sure to try their fun cocktails like “Sake To Me”. It complements the food and is sure to catch your attention.
The pricing of Planta Queen is a bit on the higher end given its popularity and exotic dishes. The meals range from $20.
Address: 413 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
Website: Planta Queen
As interesting as the name is, the dishes are no less. The dishes are sure to leave an impact as you immerse yourself in the perfect blend of spices and vegetables. If you’re transitioning into a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, then this place is perfect for you! The “flexitarian” menu provides for meat dishes without actually using meat.
Don’t forget to try their famous loaded Philly cheesesteak and the meatless Chicago dog. Also, the cult’s favorite, “Who Betta Burger” is sure to leave you licking your fingers!
The pricing is decent enough for the average public to try between $10-$20 per item.
Address: 226 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Website: Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat
In Chicago, the vegetarian dining community is as vibrant and manifold as the city itself. These best spots offer something for every taste, from the nostalgic charm of The Chicago Diner to the innovative elegance of Althea and the creative flair at Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat. These restaurants provide an exceptional range of vegetarian dishes that prove skipping meat does not mean that we cannot enjoy a satiating and tasty meal. So, next time you are in Chicago, be sure to check out these hotspots to enjoy memorable moments while dining.
Experience the best of vegetarian dining in Chicago!
Ever wondered what the difference is between an ISO and a POS ISV? These two key players in the point-of-sale industry work together to provide businesses with the tools and services they need to thrive. Let's dive into their roles, responsibilities, and the benefits they bring to the table in this blog.
ISO (Independent Sales Organization): Think of ISOs as the matchmakers of the payment world. They connect merchants with the right payment processors, handle all the paperwork, and ensure transactions go smoothly. They're like the friendly neighborhood payment experts.
POS ISV (Independent Software Vendor): POS ISVs are the tech wizards behind the scenes. They create the software that businesses use to manage sales, inventory, and customer data. Imagine them as the masterminds of the point-of-sale systems. Some examples are Oracle Symphony, Square, OneHubPOS
ISOs (Independent Sales Organizations) play a crucial role in the payment processing ecosystem, particularly when providing POS (Point-of-Sale) solutions. Here are some of their key responsibilities:
By effectively fulfilling these responsibilities, ISOs can help merchants streamline their operations, improve customer satisfaction, and grow their businesses.
POS ISVs (Independent Software Vendors for Point-of-Sale) play a crucial role in providing businesses with the tools they need to manage their operations effectively. Here are some of their key responsibilities:
By fulfilling these responsibilities, POS ISVs can help businesses streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.
When considering partnering with an ISO (Independent Sales Organization) for your POS (Point-of-Sale) needs, it's essential to ask the right questions to ensure you're making an informed decision. Here are some key questions to consider:
By asking these questions, you can gather the information you need to make an informed decision and select an ISO that best meets your business requirements.
When ISOs and POS ISVs join forces, it's like a match made in payment heaven.
In conclusion, the partnership between ISOs and POS ISVs is a win-win for everyone involved. By combining their strengths, they can provide businesses with the tools and support they need to succeed in today's competitive market. So, if you're an ISO looking to elevate your business, consider partnering with a POS ISV. It could be the best decision you ever make.
Running a restaurant is no walk in the park. The food industry is like a never-ending sprint, where everyone’s trying to outdo each other. If you're a restaurant owner, keeping everything smooth can help you win and make sure your customers leave happy and full!
That’s where you need a tech solution: POS systems. After all, they do everything from writing down orders to making sure you don’t run out of ingredients. But some restaurant owners are still doing things the old-school way, manually. And that’s where the problem starts.
This blog explores the top restaurant owner challenges restaurant owners to deal with when they don’t have a restaurant POS system and how it can really hurt their business success.
Writing down orders on a notepad, guessing how much stock you’ve got left, and crunching numbers with a calculator – running a restaurant can get messy when you're doing everything by hand. It's a recipe for restaurant owner challenges!
You end up with customers waiting forever, getting the wrong dishes, and leaving with disappointment instead of smiles. It doesn't just disturb the flow; it hits your profits too. When operations slow down, you can't serve as many people, especially during busy hours. And if customers aren't happy, that’s going to hurt your profits.
58% of restaurant owners are trying to keep an eye on food waste, but only 30% have a game plan to hit this goal. On the show Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay, a famous British chef, restaurateur, and television personality, often found restaurants with serious food spoilage. They weren’t managing their inventory properly.
With no POS system, keeping track of inventory in real-time can be a real headache. It’s easy to lose track of what you have in stock. You either end up buying way too much or forgetting to use what you’ve got. Next thing you know, you’ve got a fridge full of spoiled food. The cost of spoiled food can quickly add up, eating into the restaurant's profits and contributing to waste.
When Taco Bell, the Mexican-inspired Quick Service Restaurant, didn’t have a POS system to keep things in check, it often ended up with a bunch of tablets — each one connected to a different delivery or online ordering system.
Trying to handle orders from all those different tablets can get pretty chaotic. You might miss an order or mix things up without an mPOS. Before you know it, customers are unhappy.
Suppose your pizzeria relies on handwritten orders and manual customer records. A regular customer visits and orders their favorite pizza, but the staff forgets to note it down correctly. When it doesn’t arrive, the customer is frustrated. For such a scenario, having a Kitchen Display System is a must.
Restaurant loyalty is already one of the key restaurant owner challenges. Keeping track of what your diners like, their order history, and their feedback is tough without a POS system. This makes it almost impossible to give them a personalized experience or run clever marketing campaigns. If customers don’t feel the love, they might just ghost you, and you’ll miss out on repeat business.
When your restaurant manages staff manually, you hire more people to handle orders, payments, and inventory, including:
This bumps up your labor costs since you’re spending more on people who a feature-rich POS system could replace. Plus, juggling staff manually means you might end up with a crowd of workers on a slow day or not enough during rush hour, which hits your labor costs and cuts into your profits.
Being a part of the competitive restaurant market, keeping your menu hip and happening is a must! This ensures you match what customers want and what's in trend. But if you don’t have a POS system, menu management can be a real hassle. You’ve got to:
This takes a lot of time and can easily lead to mix-ups, leaving your staff and customers confused.
Scheduling shifts, training new hires, and keeping track of how everyone’s doing can get unmanageable without an Android-based POS system. If you’re still doing it all by hand, you’re likely dealing with double shifts, understaffed dinner rushes, you name it. Plus, tracking who’s doing what or sorting out payroll add more stress to your plate.
During a peak dinner rush, servers can accidentally mix up two orders, resulting in the wrong dishes being prepared. If you've got more than one restaurant, juggling orders and inventory across all the spots is a challenge.
Without a cloud POS system to keep track of stock levels, transfer inventory between branches, and manage orders, you might end up with chaos – one branch is starving for ingredients while the others have a pantry full of everything. And that’s how you get disappointed customers who didn’t get what they wanted.
Your restaurant’s supply chain might be looking like this:
Without a POS system, keeping track of orders, deliveries, and invoices can get pretty confusing. You end up with late ingredients, wrong orders, and unhappy suppliers. Plus, without clear data on what you’re buying, you might miss out on better deals or ways to make your supply chain run smoother.
It's a sad truth, but stock theft is something a lot of restaurant owners have to deal with. In fact, 75% of employees admit they've stolen something at least once from their employer.
Without a POS system keeping track of inventory in real-time, it's tough to spot discrepancies between recorded stock levels and actual inventory. This lack of oversight means theft can easily slip by unnoticed, which hurts the restaurant's bottom line and raises costs.
Guessing what customers want helps keep track of inventory and cut down on waste. Without a POS system, restauranters are stuck with old records and guesswork to predict what’s needed. This can be pretty hit-or-miss, which might lead to having too much or too little stock. If you don’t get it right, popular dishes might run out during busy times, leaving customers unhappy.
Keeping track of inventory is super important for managing costs and running a restaurant smoothly. Without a POS system, you’re basically playing a guessing game with stock levels. This can mean ordering way too much or running out of stuff, causing kitchen chaos, slow orders, and annoyed customers. Plus, all that wasted food just makes your budget hurt.
Handling restaurant payments by hand can be a real hassle and prone to mistakes. Staff have to do all the math, apply discounts, and process payments manually. This can slow cash management down, especially when it’s busy. Plus, mistakes like wrong charges or missed payments are more likely, which can upset customers and hurt the restaurant’s bottom line.
Without a POS system, scheduling shifts, tracking hours, and handling payroll manually can be a real headache. You might end up with shift conflicts or mistakes in tracking hours. Plus, without data on how your staff is performing, it’s hard to spot your top workers or deal with those who aren’t pulling their weight.
Building good relationships with your customers helps get them to come back and talk positively about your place. Without a POS system, keeping track of what customers like, their feedback, and their loyalty can be tough. You’ll miss out on making their dining experience special and setting up loyalty rewards for repeat customers. So, you might miss out on chances to create lasting connections with your customers.
Automation makes running a restaurant way easier and less stressful for the staff. Otherwise, you’re stuck doing everything manually — taking orders, managing inventory, and handling billing. This means more time spent on tasks and higher labor costs, which cuts into your productivity. Plus, without OneHubPOS restaurant POS features, service can be all over the place and wait times can drag, making your customers less happy.
With no POS system, tracking sales, costs, and inventory is likely to get messy. Take a bistro, for example — the staff might jot down sales and expenses by hand, but they’re likely missing out on important details like ingredient costs or best-selling items. This sloppy data makes it tough to figure out real profits. The result? Bad pricing or missed chances to save money!
With OneHubPOS, you can take charge of your restaurant’s profits and menu engineering.
Try our food cost calculator and start improving your earnings with ease.
A reliable POS system offers you lots of useful features whether you're running a restaurant, food truck, or small retail business.
A POS system keeps all order information and updates in one place. This speeds up processing, cuts down on mistakes, and makes serving customers quicker. Plus, you can manage orders from your restaurant, online, and delivery all from one spot, so you don’t need a bunch of different devices.
With a POS system, you can keep an eye on your inventory as it updates in real-time. This helps avoid running out of stock, cuts down on waste, and makes sure your cloud kitchen runs smoothly. Plus, it helps you figure out what you’ll need based on past trends. Consequently, you’re not over or under-ordering. So, you don’t end up with 50 pounds of cheese and no one to eat it!
A POS system makes payments contactless. It crunches the numbers, dishes out discounts, and takes care of payments for you. No more mistakes and super-fast checkouts mean happy customers. Plus, it works with cash, cards, and even QR code mobile payments, so everyone can pay how they like.
A POS system eases handling staff. It takes care of scheduling, tracking hours, and payroll automatically. It makes sure shifts are spot on and helps keep track of who's doing great or needs a bit of a boost. Moreover, adopting self-ordering kiosks reduces the need for employing huge staff.
A POS system knows what your customers like, what they’ve ordered before, and their thoughts on your food. This way, you can deliver exactly what they crave and present them with promotions that actually makes them excited. It helps make stronger connections with your customers, potentially turning one-time visitors into regulars. Plus, it can handle loyalty programs to reward your regulars and keep them coming through your doors.
Running a restaurant without a POS system is like asking for trouble. You're so likely to face chaos with orders, sky-high labor costs, and inventory disasters. Your customers will be disappointed, you’ll waste resources, and your profits will take a hit.
OneHubPOS features can fix all this! Once you get it, order chaos is sorted, billing is done with a snap, and inventory is under control. It’s an amazing investment that makes your restaurant more efficient and enjoyable for your customers. Basically, it’s a smart move for a more organized and profitable business. Book a call with OneHubPOS today.
When restaurant prices shot up by 27.2% since June 2019, people stopped eating out as much. To win them back, chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, and Taco Bell started offering $5 meal deals. But what about smaller establishments?
Setting prices can be tricky for small business owners. They have to juggle market competition, changing ingredient costs, and what customers expect. With all this, they’ve to set the right prices on a menu. The price should strike the perfect balance between value and profitability.
This blog explores steps and tips to help small business owners create menu pricing strategies that bring success without unnecessary stress.
Example of a Balanced Menu
You want to charge enough to make a nice profit but not so much that your customers go away. So, menu pricing is that art and science of setting prices for items. It directly affects how much money you make, how happy your customers are, and how you stack up against competitors.
Here’s a guide to menu pricing strategies for small business owners:
Get to know your customers, what they usually spend on, and what they really like. You can gather this information through the following ways:
For example, a food truck in a college town might need to be budget-friendly. Plus, it should have quick-meal options. This appeals to students.
Example of the Division of Costs and Overheads
To set the right prices, you need to know all your costs and expenses. This includes the following:
Let’s say your tofu sandwich sets you back $2.50 and you’ve got an extra $1.00 for all overhead costs. Then, your total cost would be $3.50.
Food costs and overheads can further help you decide on the profit margin for each menu item. Just add a percentage to your costs to get the selling price. So, if that tofu sandwich costs you $3.50 and you’re aiming for a 30% profit, you’d price it at $5.00.
Consider similar businesses in your area or those targeting the same customer base. Analyze their menus, pricing, and customer reviews. You can visit them, go to their websites, or use tools like Google Reviews to see what’s up. Then, decide if you want to match their prices, go cheaper, or charge more, but keep an eye on your profits!
Pricing is more about perception and not just numbers. For this reason, customers often associate price with quality. So, setting your prices too low might make them question the quality of your offerings. Conversely, too high a price could deter them altogether.
Test different price points to understand customer psychology. You can also offer a range of options at various price levels to see how customers respond. Then, observe purchasing patterns and customer reviews to know what price ranges are most appealing to your audience.
A balanced menu mixes high-margin items, like drinks and desserts, with lower-margin ones, like main courses. Pair a pricey gluten-free granola with a humble fruit salad, for instance. Customers would happily spend more without feeling like they’re splurging.
Figuring out menu prices depends on your goals and what’s buzzing in the market. Here are some popular menu pricing strategies for you to see what clicks for you:
Menu of Dirt Candy, an Upscale Vegan Restaurant, in New York, USA, Exemplifying Value-based Pricing
Value-based pricing sets prices based on the perceived value to the customer. So, if your customers believe something’s top-notch or unique, they’re cool with paying a bit more for it.
For instance, a vegan-only restaurant might charge a premium for a dish. This could be because the ingredients are rare or the restaurant has an awesome ambience or theme.
Menu of Veggie Grill, a Fast-casual Vegan Restaurant Chain, Located in California
Menu of Plant Power Fast Food, a Plant-based Fast Food Restaurant Chain, Located in California
Veggie Grill and Plant Power Fast Food restaurants have a similar menu as they both cater to audiences having vegan preferences or liking vegan food options. This way, many small businesses usually check what other places are charging to set their prices. It is a common pricing strategy for restaurant menu. So, if lots of places sell similar dishes or cuisines, you can try to match or beat those prices.
Bundled Food Items at Burger King
Bundle pricing offers a deal where your customers can grab a bunch of different items together for less money than buying each piece on its own. This strategy makes the bundle seem like a better deal. This encourages customers to spend more. So, your restaurant can offer a meal deal that includes an appetizer, entrée, and dessert at a discounted rate.
Psychological pricing takes advantage of how customers perceive prices. So, a restaurant might put a $9.99 tag on a meal instead of $10.00 just to make it sound like a better deal. Here, the difference is minimal. Still, customers would see the price as significantly lower.
A Graphic Illustration of Cost-plus Pricing
Cost-plus pricing is pretty simple. Just add up how much it costs to make a dish and a bit more to make profits. It ensures that all costs are covered. For example, a dish costs $5 to make. Then, you add a 30% markup. So, the final price would be $6.50.
A Menu Board Showing Discounted Cocktail Prices
Loss leader pricing involves selling one or more products at a loss to attract customers. The hope is that they’ll purchase additional items at regular prices. So, you can sell a popular dish at a very low price to draw in diners who can then buy other, more profitable items.
Here are ten service pricing strategies to consider for your restaurant, café, bistro, or food truck:
McDonald's $1 $2 $3 Menu as an Example of Good, Better, Best Pricing
Mix it up with different price options. Like, you could have a basic burger for $10, a fancy one with extra toppings for $15, and a deluxe burger with all the best stuff for $20. This way, there's something for everyone!
Source: Hourly-Based Prices of Caterers in the USA in 2024
Charge customers based on how long they hang out or how long you’re serving them. For example, a catering gig might just charge a flat rate per hour for their service. This can be advantageous for longer events. Plus, it compensates for your time and resources.
Menu of Shamiana, Taj Hotel, a Chain of Luxury Hotels Exemplifying Premium Pricing
Set higher prices if you offer high-quality or luxury items for its perceived value. For example, a restaurant offers an upscale dining experience with top-notch ingredients and exceptional service. It might use premium pricing to reflect its exclusivity and high standards.
Example of Promotional Pricing through Happy Hours
Run some cool discounts or special deals to pull in more customers. Like, have a “Happy Hour” at your café with drinks half off to get more people in the door and increase sales during slow times.
Adjust prices based on demand, time, or other factors. For instance, a food truck at a busy festival might increase prices during peak hours when demand is high. Conversely, prices could be lower during off-peak times to encourage more sales.
Source: An Establishment Offering Project-Based Pricing
Set a price for a specific project or event rather than individual items. So, if a bistro is doing a wedding, they might just give its client one price that includes everything — food and service — for the whole event.
Conduct surveys to gauge perceived worth and adjust prices accordingly. Suppose you offer gourmet truffle pasta to your customers, who view it as a luxury experience. You can price it higher to reflect its perceived value.
Restaurants Offering French Dishes in Chicago
Keep an eye on what other restaurants are charging. Suppose you want to start a French restaurant in Chicago. To stay competitive, you can assess restaurants in Chicago so that you can decide on menu pricing. This way, you won’t miss out on customers looking for a good deal.
Example of Market Penetration Pricing for a New Restaurant
Set lower prices to attract customers and gain market share quickly. So, let’s say you open a new café and start by giving away coffee and pastries at lower rates. Once you’ve got a bunch of loyal customers, you can start hiking up the prices little by little.
Set high initial prices for a new or unique dish. Then, lower them gradually over time as demand stabilizes. This will attract early adopters as well as a broader audience.
Make the most of technology to ease making menu pricing strategies and adjusting prices. Here's how:
POS systems help you easily manage and set prices for your products. You can get the best prices calculated automatically based on your costs, sales data, and customer preferences.
OneHubPOS keeps an eye on your sales trends and helps you figure out the best prices for your menu. This way, you stay ahead of the game and make more money. Plus, it updates prices everywhere with a snap, so you don’t have to bother with all the nitty-gritty!
Menu engineering software takes pricing a step further. It analyzes the profitability and popularity of each menu item. It can help you identify which items should be promoted, adjusted, or even removed based on food costs, sales performance, and customer preferences. Then, you can make informed decisions that improve your menu’s profitability and appeal.
Various online tools and apps that simplify pricing range from calculators that help determine food costs to apps that analyze competitor prices and market trends. For instance, OneHubPOS offers a food cost percentage calculator that allows you to adjust your prices based on your production costs and other factors.
Since choosing the right pricing strategy for restaurant menu is crucial, we have some bonus tips to help you make the best decision:
Ensure your pricing covers all your costs. If your prices aren’t covering what you’re spending, your business could be in trouble. Just figure out how much each item or service costs you first. Then, set your prices to ensure you break even and generate profit.
Analyze your market to understand what customers are willing to pay. Then, add a reasonable markup that reflects the value you provide. You can play around with pricing — maybe charge extra for top-quality items and see what your customers go for. Find what clicks with them!
Regularly review your spending to spot where you can save some money without messing up the quality. Maybe chat with your suppliers, figure out faster production methods, or cut back on waste.
Here are some common mistakes you should avoid make while trying to set the right prices:
Do not set prices too high as it can drive customers away. But make sure you do not set them too low that it erodes your profits. So, if a coffee shop is charging $10 for a latte while other places are selling it for $5, people might just go somewhere else. And if they price it at $2 but it costs $2.50 to make, they’re basically losing cash.
Do not ignore market trends as you may miss opportunities. Suppose a bakery continues selling traditional items, but competitors capitalize on a new trend like gluten-free products. Then, it might lose market share.
Your restaurant might lose profitability if it fails to adjust menu prices after ingredient costs rise. So, you should regularly review and update prices to maintain profitability and competitiveness.
To simplify menu pricing strategies, start by understanding your market and analyzing costs. Then, set profit margins that balance value and profitability. Mix and match different pricing strategies like cost-plus, value-based, and competitive pricing to find what works best for your business.
Don’t forget to regularly review costs and monitor market trends. Make sure to tweak your prices often so you stay on top and keep making a profit.
OneHubPOS has all the cool features you need to set prices, track sales, and see what your customers want. You can easily adjust your prices whenever you need to and keep your profits high. Book a call with OneHubPOS today.
.jpg)
As a restaurant owner, I’ve learned a valuable lesson from the legendary retailer Katherine: 'Make a customer, not a sale.' It’s a mantra that’s especially true in our industry. Every customer who walks through our doors is an opportunity to create a lasting impression. And let’s face it, a bad one can send them packing.
Statistics don't lie: 96% of customers will stop coming back if they experience poor customer service. That’s a staggering number that underscores the importance of handling difficult situations with grace and professionalism.
Dealing with rude customers is undoubtedly one of the most challenging aspects of running a restaurant. It can be stressful for your team, and even lead to burnout. But I’ve found that with the right approach, these situations can be turned into opportunities to showcase your exceptional customer service.
In this blog, I will show you the ten best ways to deal with rude customers and keep your cool. You'll learn how to turn a bad situation into a chance to show how great your customer service is.
Before you focus on managing such a situation, you should understand the underlying cause of the customer's behavior. Often, some common issues cause frustrated customers and create a heavy situation between you two.
While none of these problems excuse rude behavior, understanding these triggers can help you figure out how to deal with rude customers in a better way.
So, if a customer comes to you upset, the first thing to do is calm down and listen to them. Immediately jumping in with explanations or defenses can make things worse. Focus on being there in the moment with them.
Give them a nod here and there to show you're keeping up. This confirms you're getting what they're upset about. It can defuse tension and start to build some trust. Everyone wants to feel heard, right?
So, let's say a customer tells you their food came out cold. Instead of making excuses immediately, you could respond with, "I see your meal wasn't hot enough, and we definitely don't want that. Let's figure out how to make this right immediately."
This approach shows you're not just hearing them but are also ready to help fix the issue.
The reason behind rude customers is something going wrong with their experience. It has nothing to do with you. It could be a late order or a mix-up with their meal. They're not mad at you personally—they're just frustrated with the situation.
Understanding this and staying calm is important in such situations. You need not see their behavior as a personal attack; rather, focus on helping things sort out.
For instance, a customer might be frustrated maybe because their steak wasn't cooked right. In such a situation, a good response could be, "I see what happened with your steak, and I'm on it. We'll sort this out quickly."
When dealing with an angry customer, a sincere apology can go a long way. Show them you understand their frustration and you're sorry for any inconvenience they've experienced. Make sure your apology feels genuine—not just a routine response.
For example, you could say, “I’m really sorry this happened. Let’s figure out how to make things right.”
It will make them trust you. Customers need to see that you care about their experience just as much as they do. When they feel understood, they’re more likely to work with you towards a solution.
While the situation is already messed up, you should make sure you're not making it worse by misunderstanding anything. For this, a helpful approach is to repeat what they've said but in your own words.
It would help you in two ways: customers would know you're getting what's bothering them, and it assures them you're in this together to sort it out.
Let's say a customer's order has arrived late. In such a scenario, you could respond with, "I see you're upset because your meal didn't come out on time. Let's figure out how to fix this."
Tell your rude customers what they want to hear; we're in this together and show them you care about their experience. Sometimes, just replacing the item or tossing in something extra can turn the whole situation around.
Here's a good example: suppose a customer is dissatisfied because their coffee is too cold. A quick fix would be to brew a new cup right away and perhaps offer a freshly baked cookie on the house as a gesture of goodwill.
It's important to keep things respectful from both sides. If a conversation with a customer starts getting too heated or rude, it's okay to set some clear boundaries gently. You're there to help, but everyone needs to stay respectful to sort things out effectively.
If things start to escalate, stay calm and explain your stance. Assure the customer that you're eager to help, but for this, you both need to keep the conversation respectful to progress.
If a customer starts to raise their voice or use harsh language, you could say, "I want to help sort this out, but let’s keep the conversation respectful so we can get to a solution." This shows them you’re here to help, but you’re also aiming for a respectful conversation to fix the problem.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, a situation with a customer might go beyond what you can handle alone. That's when you should call in your manager. Managers have the experience and the authority to address complex issues that might feel out of their depth.
If a customer becomes very demanding or the problem is too tricky for you to solve, your manager can step in to take the heat and offer solutions you might not be authorized to provide.
For instance, if a customer insists on a refund that's against store policy for you to authorize, introducing your manager can help clarify the situation and explore possible compromises.
After smoothing over a tough situation with a customer, it's also key to touch base with your other guests. They might have noticed the disruption, and a quick word can reassure them that everything's back on track. This simple act shows that you value their experience as much as resolving the issue.
A smile and a quick apology can do wonders. If there is a big disruption, think about doing something nice for them, like offering a free dessert or coffee. It's a little way to show a lot of appreciation.
For example, if a loud argument at a nearby table was resolved, you might approach another table and say, "Thanks for your patience during that rough patch. Please enjoy a coffee with us today."
Handling a rude customer might make you feel drained, so take time to make yourself feel better afterward. It's important for you to clear your head so that you don't carry baggage after a tough interaction, and your customers get the best of you!
Maybe step out for a walk, take some deep breaths, or crack a joke with a colleague. Doing so can wash away the stress and keep it from taking over your day. Now, you're ready to greet the next customer with a smile, just like it's a brand-new start.
Every challenging interaction with a customer is an opportunity to learn. After things have settled, take a moment to think about the experience. What went well? Think about what could have gone better.
Could a different approach have calmed things down faster? Did you miss any hints that the customer was starting to get frustrated? Thinking about these moments can help you improve at managing tough situations. Picking up on those little clues will make things better next time.
As a restaurant owner, it's essential to equip your team with the tools they need to handle challenging customer interactions. Here are some strategies to consider:
By investing in your team's development, you can create a culture where they feel confident and capable of handling even the most challenging customer interactions.
Managing rude customers is something you have to deal with when working in a restaurant. Even if your restaurant is known for the best quality food in town or is praised for its quality service, you’re still likely to encounter difficult guests. To navigate such situations, you need to prepare your team beforehand.
Make sure to have clear limits and try to offer quick solution to the customers to prevent things from getting out of hand. Staying cool when things heat up isn't always simple, but if you keep your empathy front and center and remember not to take things to heart, you'll be better at dealing with tough situations.
Sometimes, the root of customer dissatisfaction lies in operational delays or errors. You can adopt a POS solution that streamlines your operations and enhances customer experience to mitigate the common triggers of customer frustration. Upgrade your POS system for just $1 and enjoy three months of enhanced, efficient service.
With everyone preferring mobile payments, the average transaction value per person shot up to about $2,100 a year in 2023. The biggest fans? The 25 to 34-year-old crowd, who make up almost 30% of mobile POS users.
This is proof that integrating restaurant payments with your Point of Sale system isn’t just a bonus anymore. It’s essential. It improves operational efficiency and the customer experience. Ultimately, these perks can lead to your restaurant's success and enhance profitability. This blog explores how you can get started with your restaurant's online payment systems.
When you integrate your payment system restaurant with your POS, you're improving the customer experience, as the integration makes your operations smoother and keeps a closer eye on your finances. Here's how:
Not having restaurant online payment systems integrated to your POS makes the checkout process slower. This might make guest payments frustrating and leave a bad impression of your restaurant, which can definitely hurt repeat business.
On the other hand, a well-integrated system makes restaurant payments smooth and quick. This cuts down on wait times and makes dining out more enjoyable.
Consequently, you get happier customers who are more likely to come back.
You're more likely to be looking at errors and operational bottlenecks without a POS integration, which can seriously mess with your restaurant’s flow.
But once you integrate your restaurant online payment systems with your POS system, it makes processing orders and payments efficient. It also cuts down on errors and keeps the workflow smooth. This is more specifically required in a quick service restaurant setting.
Manually keeping tabs on finances can be a hassle and prone to errors. Consequently, managing your restaurant payments becomes a lot more difficult. On the other hand, integrated systems give you accurate, real-time financial data. Ultimately, tracking sales, managing finances, and making smart business decisions become a way easier.
A practical POS system integration like OneHubPOS gives you access to detailed data reports about your restaurant. When you know how operations are running and what your customers are up to, you can better manage and grow your restaurant.
Guest total spends show how much each customer spends on average. It helps you spot high-value customers and understand spending patterns. Then, you can tailor promotions and rewards. This is a smart tactic to encourage repeat visits and build stronger customer loyalty.
The average spend per cover is the typical amount each customer spends. It helps you understand spending habits and tweak your pricing strategies. Suppose you find the average spend is lower than you’d like. Then, you can try upselling or making menu changes. This would encourage customers to spend more, which can help increase your revenue.
POS integration gives you detailed insights into menu pricing. You can check how your items are performing, which dishes are popular and which aren’t. It allows you to make changes to your menu accordingly.
Integrating POS systems gives you a look at your restaurant’s sales and customer interactions. You can track how individual servers are performing. This helps you spot your top performers and see where others might need a bit of extra training. Using this data, you can reward great service and increase customer satisfaction.
Tracking reservation times helps you figure out when your restaurant is busiest and when it's quieter. This insight lets you manage staffing. You can bring in more staff during rush hours. Plus, you can do happy hours during slower periods. These decisions can help you draw in more customers and make the most of your tables.
You can tackle the restaurant POS-payment system integration through a few clear steps. This approach ensures a smooth transition, minimizes disruptions, and helps you get the most out of the integration.
You need to take a close look at your current system to see if it’ll work with the restaurant online payment systems you're considering. Check whether you need any software updates or hardware upgrades for the integration.
Choosing the right payment system is a big deal and needs a good amount of thought. You should weigh key aspects like cost, features, and the level of support available.
For example, some restaurant online payment systems come with amazing features like contactless payments or loyalty program integration. They can really improve the customer experience and add extra value. Plus, you must pick a system that offers strong customer support. This would help you out if any issues pop up during or after the setup.
When you're planning the integration process, you must map out a detailed timeline. You should also figure out what resources you’ll need, like staff time and tech support.
Make sure everyone involved knows their roles and what’s expected of them. This planning stage makes the transition and daily operations running smoother while the integration is underway.
Setting up your POS system to work with a new payment system means adjusting certain settings like tax rates, payment types, and user permissions. For instance, if you're adding mobile restaurant payments or connecting to a new payment gateway, you'll need to modify these settings so your POS can handle everything perfectly.
If you collaborate with your POS and payment system vendors, it is likely to lead to a smooth integration. After all, their expertise can help tackle any technical hiccups and make sure everything works well together. Keeping in regular touch with them will also help solve problems quickly. This would reduce any disruptions to your operations and ensure a perfect transition.
You’ll want to run test transactions, check for any errors, and make sure all features are working as they should. This testing phase helps catch and fix any issues before the system goes live, so it can run smoothly and efficiently right from the start.
Thorough training on the new system helps staff get comfortable with any new procedures or features and makes sure they're ready to use the integrated system smoothly. Good training will cut down on disruptions and help your team handle the system efficiently, which means a better payment experience for your customers.
Linking your payment system with your POS lets you generate detailed and precise reports. Restaurant analytics offer helpful insights into different areas of your restaurant’s operations.
Manually putting together business reports can be a real hassle. Often, it takes up too much time and risks errors. With POS integration, creating a flash report — a quick snapshot of your restaurant's daily performance — becomes way easier.
After all, the integrated setup can automatically pull data from various sources, and you get an accurate and timely overview of the day’s activities conveniently. For instance, a manager at a bustling restaurant can use a flash report to quickly check daily sales, compare them to targets, and make smart decisions about staffing and inventory.
Recipe costing helps you figure out how much each dish costs to make, and integrating your POS system can make this a whole lot easier. When your POS and payment systems are synced, they automatically update ingredient costs and sales data.
As the ingredient costs change, menu prices get tweaked. This means you get accurate, up-to-date info to keep your restaurant profitable. This way, your restaurant is likely to stay profitable no matter how prices fluctuate.
Menu engineering helps you make changes to your menu to make it more profitable. It gets a major boost from having an integrated POS system. With these detailed sales data at your fingertips, it's much easier to spot which dishes are flying off the shelves and which ones are dragging.
For example, if your POS data shows that certain dishes are super popular, you can adjust your menu to feature those more prominently or promote items with higher profit margins.
With a lack of or delay in getting insights about your restaurant, you might end up with too many or too few staff members. This can mess with both your labor costs and customer service. But when you pull in real-time sales and customer data, you can create schedules that match up with demand.
For example, with integrated data, you can see exactly when your restaurant is the busiest. Then, you can schedule more staff for those peak times. On the same lines, during quieter periods, you can cut back on staffing to save on labor costs. This way, you go beyond just filling shifts. You're making sure your staff levels are on point.
When you get a detailed look at sales, inventory, and customer preferences, you can make smarter decisions that improve efficiency and profits.
For instance, with integrated data, you can manage inventory better and cut down on waste. You can also make sure your best-selling items are always in stock. This not only keeps your customers happy but also helps your bottom line.
Here's a table showing what challenges your payment system can present you with if you integrate it with your POS system, along with how to overcome them:
Linking your POS system with your payment system helps you get accurate and timely financial reports, which are essential for cash management.
POS integration gives you real-time to improve daily sales summaries, which means everything is accurate and up-to-date. This helps keep tabs on performance and making smart decisions. Otherwise, your sales summaries might be off and delayed, and that might make it hard to get a clear picture of how you're doing.
For instance, you can instantly pull up a daily sales summary to check performance, see how it stacks up against targets, and decide on promotions or staffing changes on the fly.
A profit and loss (P&L) statement gives you a snapshot of your revenues, costs, and profits, but it becomes more effective when you use an integrated POS system. This setup keeps your data accurate and up-to-date, easing management of your finances and making smart business decisions.
For example, with a precise P&L statement, you can spot cost-saving opportunities. You can also track your financial performance over time and make strategic moves to increase your restaurant's profitability.
Incomplete or inaccurate labor data makes it tough to manage labor costs and staffing levels effectively. But tracking employee hours and sales performance in real-time gives you helpful insights that help optimize staffing and improve efficiency.
For instance, with integrated labor data, you can spot peak hours, tweak schedules as needed, and match labor costs to sales. This smooths out operations and helps cut down on labor costs.
Integrating your payment system with your restaurant POS helps improve efficiency, amp up the customer experience, and manage finances better. The perks are pretty clear: quicker transactions, precise reporting, and happier customers — all leading to your restaurant’s long-term success.
Investing in a reliable payment integration system can really kick your business into high gear. OneHubPOS gives you useful insights, smooths out operations, and helps you win over customers. Just book a call with OneHubPOS today!
If you think your restaurant's menu is merely a list of dishes, it's time to rethink. A well-engineered menu does more than display what's for dinner.
With food costs on the rise, a smartly designed menu can help you fight against inflation. This approach, known as menu engineering, goes beyond basic listings to crafting dish descriptions, strategic pricing, and psychological tactics to influence customer choices.
In this blog, we'll learn about restaurant menu engineering with practical tips and insights to help you price right and sell more. Get ready to see your menu in a whole new light and watch your profit margins grow!
Menu engineering is a tactic to craft your menu strategically so that it helps boost your revenue. You do so by analyzing cost and sales data. This data gives you a crystal-clear picture of which dishes are stars and just take up space on your menu.
You categorize each menu item based on two key factors—popularity and profitability. For this, you pick dishes that bring financial benefits to you and attract the crowds to spotlight them.
But there's more to it than just numbers. Understanding menu psychology plays a huge role. How you describe your dishes, where they're placed on the menu, and even what the menu looks like can sway customers' choices.
To begin, you need three basic components:
Menu engineering has many benefits, more than just increasing your revenue. Here's how focusing on restaurant menu engineering can transform your business:
The purpose of menu engineering is to pump up your profit margins. For example, prominently placing a high-margin seafood pasta could naturally lead to higher orders of that dish.
Your menu is the first conversation you have with your guests. Make it count. A well-organized menu with clear descriptions helps customers easily choose from the best dishes.
A cluttered menu can be as confusing as a crowded street. Streamlining your menu's design makes it easier for customers to navigate. You can make simple tweaks like grouping similar items, using readable fonts, etc.
When you understand what sells and what doesn't, you can make smarter decisions about what to stock up on and what to scale back. Inventory management not only cuts costs but also makes your operation much more efficient.
By now, you must be wondering how the menu engineering process works; here's a detailed explanation:
The key step in revamping your menu is to analyze your current menu performance. In this process, you figure out which dishes sell well and which don't. To get a better understanding, you need to track sales data and customer feedback.
To kick things off, you need to be familiar with several critical financial terms:
Menu Item Food Cost
This is simply the total cost of ingredients for each dish.
Total Food Cost Percentage
The food cost calculator tells you how much of your sales go towards the cost of the food itself.
The sum of ingredient costs per item
Menu Item Food Cost Percentage
This shows what percentage of the price of a dish goes towards the ingredients.
Food cost per item/selling price per item*100
Total Contribution Margin
This is what you have left from sales after paying for the food.
Total Sales - Total Food Costs
Portion Contribution Margin
It helps you understand the profitability of each portion you serve.
Selling price per item - food cost per item
How well do your dishes sell? Get into the restaurant analytics to understand menu item popularity better.
A menu engineering matrix is a method that lets you spot which dishes aren't pulling their weight and which hidden gem could bring in more money. With the cost and sales data in hand, you can categorize your menu items into four types:
Regularly checking in on these details helps you determine why your top sellers might be losing their luster. Are you dealing with ingredient waste, theft, or fluctuating prices?
Understanding the psychology behind your menu design can enhance how customers interact with it. Here's how you do restaurant menu optimization:
It's tempting to offer a wide variety of dishes, but did you know that most of your sales likely come from just a few items? About 80% of your sales might come from just 20% of your dishes.
Offering too many options can overwhelm your guests, which may slow down decision-making and affect your table turnover.
When it comes to listing menu prices, subtle tweaks can make a big difference. For instance, leaving currency symbols next to prices can lessen the pain of parting with money, at least psychologically. Also, avoid listing prices in a column; this makes it too easy for diners to scan and choose the cheapest option.
People generally scan menus in predictable patterns. Some might start at the top left corner and read like a book, while others might glance first at the center or top right. Placing your most popular or profitable items in these strategic spots can catch the eye faster.
A great description does more than list ingredients; it sells the experience. Use descriptive language to evoke taste and aroma, and don't shy away from mentioning the origin of ingredients or unique preparation methods.
Don't forget to spotlight dishes popular or personally recommended by the chef. These callouts can guide new customers towards tried and tested favorites.
For this, you need to focus on the below restaurant menu engineering tips.
Menu covers come in various styles, impacting how customers interact with your offerings.
Understanding the essentials, begin outlining actionable steps to refine your restaurant's menu. Keep your notebook, current menu, and cost details handy to enhance your dishes as you proceed.
Conducting a menu audit helps you ensure your offerings align with customer preferences.
To redesign your menu layout, begin by:
For this step, consider not just the cost of ingredients but also the perceived value of each dish. For example, a high-quality, innovative dish can command a higher price if it enhances the dining experience.
When engineering your menu, avoid common pitfalls that can hinder your restaurant's success.
To make things easier, here's a guide to show you how to implement menu engineering:
OneHubPOS's menu management system is a platform that revolutionizes how you control your restaurant's menu. Here's how it benefits you:
For effective menu engineering, collaboration helps you go a long way. Connect with your chefs and kitchen staff to get their thoughts on which dishes are hits, how long they take to prepare, and what ingredients are available. They will give you insights that you might otherwise have.
Menu engineering is not a set-and-forget process. Continually monitor your menu's performance through the analytics your menu management system provides. Look for trends in item sales to identify what dishes are stars and which are underperforming. Adjust your menu periodically to respond to these insights.
AI streamlines the entire menu planning process, from initial design to ongoing updates, saving you time and money. Less manual labor and more efficient food use mean lower costs and smoother kitchen operations. It also helps ensure your menu features high-demand, profitable items priced just right.
Here's what AI brings to the table:
Menu engineering might seem overwhelming, but it's not something you have to rush through. Start by setting a timeline, pricing out your dishes, and sorting them by popularity and profit.
Next, work on enhancing your menu's look. Then, see how these updates affect your business.
Now is the perfect time to start refining your menu, leveraging these insights to maximize efficiency and revenue.
Consider adding technology like OneHubPOS to get real-time data analytics, automate mundane tasks, and reduce human error.
Ready to see your profits soar with smarter menu pricing? For just $1, you can optimize your menu with our advanced menu management system with the least effort. Connect to our experts to learn more.
Almost 9 out of 10 Americans use digital payments these days. Thanks to these restaurant contactless payment methods, people no longer need to fuss about carrying cash or cards everywhere they go. The convenience of these methods has convinced people that going cashless will continue to stay.
In this blog, we'll see how restaurant contactless payments work, why it is becoming customers' favorite, and what's ahead.
Contactless payments are payment methods that handle transactions without actually exchanging cash or cards. Near-field communication (NFC) technology is used in contactless payments.
This technology is an upgraded version of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), the tech that's used in inventory management or keyless car entries.
Not sure of the benefits of contactless payments? Here's why you must consider it for your restaurant:
About 41% of consumers are set to go all-in on digital wallets by 2024. It's clear that cashless is the future of spending. People are integrating technology into every aspect of their daily routines, and managing money is no exception.
Contactless payments are super secure. With tap and mobile payments, your customers can settle their bills without ever passing their credit card to someone else, punching in a PIN, or signing a receipt.
Every time they tap to pay, their card or phone sends a unique, encrypted code to the terminal. And the best part? That code can't be used again, so there's no risk involved!
Contactless payment employs NFC to enable payments with just a tap from a smartphone or contactless card. This quick tap not only trims down the transaction time but also keeps your customer satisfied—even during your busiest hours.
There's less need for manual entries or physical interactions at the checkout. It means your staff can handle transactions with better efficiency. They'll have less to worry about managing cash or card swipes.
Nearly half of Americans reported that using digital wallets gets them to spend more when compared to using cash or cards. Without any surprise, the younger generation is more influenced, with 60% of Gen Z ending up spending more through digital wallets.
When your customers pay through digital wallets, they don't see the cash going through their hands, so it doesn't feel heavy, as if they are spending real money. Just a few clicks, and before they know it, they've bought something.
Implementing contactless payment restaurant systems is very effortless. You just need to have a compatible payment processor that supports contactless transactions.
If you're looking to integrate a seamless, robust POS system, OneHubPOS offers an all-in-one Android POS solution. Its easy-to-use and designed specifically for small restaurants to manage their day-to-day operations.
Another appealing aspect of contactless payment systems is their relatively low processing fees. While traditional payment methods can often come with hefty charges, contactless technology typically offers more budget-friendly rates.
So if you want to keep a larger portion of your revenue in your pocket rather than going towards transaction fees, switching to contactless can be a good move.
Restaurant contactless payment systems have cleverly adapted to ensure tipping remains straightforward, even in the swift world of tap-to-pay. Some of the systems even provide a tipping calculator to reduce the manual work for you.
When customers use contactless methods like mobile wallets or tap cards, the payment terminal can prompt them to select a tip amount before finalizing the transaction.
Contactless payment technology lets customers pay for meals using their debit or credit cards equipped with RFID, also known as chip cards, or via other devices like smartphones and smartwatches.
When it's time to pay, your customers simply wave their card or device near the terminal marked with a sideways wifi-like symbol. The chip in the card communicates with the terminal, and a quick beep, green light, or checkmark from the machine confirms the transaction's success.
While a magnetic strip or EMV chip card might take up to ten seconds to process, a contactless transaction completes in just one or two seconds. For this, you have multiple options:
Modern credit and debit cards come with RFID technology—look for the small white radio waves symbol on the card. When your customer holds their card a few inches from your terminal, the embedded chip and antenna transfer the payment data in an encrypted token.
Your customers just scan a QR code with their phones, and it directs them to a payment portal or their mobile wallet.
With NFC technology, customers just tap their phones against the POS terminal, and the payment is processed through short-range, secure radio waves.
Integrating a payment gateway directly into your website streamlines customer experiences more smoothly than external services like PayPal.
Subscription models work great for meal kits or exclusive dining clubs, too. Set up ACH payments, and you can draw directly from customers' bank accounts.
In this method, you send a payment request via text, and they can pay their bills straight from their smartphones. Super simple!
Similar to tabs in a bar, preauthorization lets you hold an open payment that can adjust for final amounts.
Before you think of implementing a contactless payment restaurant system, you should focus on choosing the right payment system first. Here's what you should look for in a contactless payment system:
Merging a new contactless payment system with your current POS ensures seamless transactions by allowing data to flow smoothly between payment processing and sales recording systems. Here's how to do it:
Contactless dinining is completely secure if you follow the below best practices:
To keep your network strong and secure, you need to keep pace with the newest security updates. Maintain a regular updating routine for your systems and firewalls.
Ensure your payment processes comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards).
Regularly inspect your devices for tampering and secure digital endpoints of your payment systems.
Make sure your team is up to speed on the latest security must-dos and best practices. It's key they get how crucial security is right from the start.
The very first thing you need is a restaurant contactless payment machine, which usually comes with a monthly fee. Depending upon how many of them you need or whether there are big-ticket items, the cost could be added.
Also, some providers charge authorization fees for each transaction, so keep that in mind. Apart from that, you also have a transaction fee, usually a percentage of the sale. Sure, there are some upfront costs, but think about the long-term gains—contactless payments could boost your ROI.
When we talk about future trends in contactless payments, biometric verification, wearables, and blockchain technology, we see them on the verge.
Biometric verification uses things like customers' fingerprints or face to make payments. Customers can simply scan their finger or smile at a camera to pay for their meal.
By using unique biometric data, it's nearly impossible for someone to replicate or steal your "payment method," unlike a credit card.
Blockchain technology can be integrated into contactless payment in restaurants to create a decentralized ledger for transactions. Each payment transaction is recorded as a data block and linked to previous transactions.
Ever seen someone tap their smartwatch on a reader to buy their lunch? Well, it's not only possible, but this market is already on the verge of booming. You can use your wearables, like rings and bands, to pay from your bank account.
The trend towards contactless payments continues to grow at a steady pace. If you haven't adopted this technology yet, you can get started now—it's quite straightforward to implement. Essentially, all you need is a payment terminal with contactless capabilities.
Looking for a POS that enhances contactless payments for your restaurant? OneHubPOS might be what you're looking for. It supports diverse methods like NFC, integrating seamlessly with your system for quick, secure transactions and improving customer experience with fast, efficient checkouts.
Switch to OneHubPOS and give your customers the speedy service they deserve. Schedule a call and start today with OneHubPOS for just $1!
Once a novel tool, QR codes have become a mainstay in dining experiences. According to a 2021 study by Hospitality Technology, 37% of diners now prefer restaurants that offer digital menus over traditional paper ones. This shift indicates a broader trend towards streamlined, contactless dining solutions.
QR codes have been integrated into various aspects of dining, from exploring menus to settling bills, all with a simple scan from a smartphone. If you're a small restaurant planning to leverage this tool, by the end of this discussion, you'll know everything from why to use them and how to make the most out of them!
QR codes are a digital medium that enables guests to access a restaurant's menu and complete their transactions with a smartphone scan.
QR code restaurant ordering tool first gained prominence in 2020 as a response to health and safety concerns. However, the utility of QR codes extends far beyond mere sanitation. They provide a smooth and easy service that comes in handy without needing a lot of staff.
For example, during rush hours or in smaller spots, QR code systems can take some load off the staff by letting customers handle their orders.
QR code restaurant payment brings modernization and convienence for both the restaraunt and customers. Here are more of their benefits:
As with QR codes, your staff doesn't need to be present at every table taking orders and assisting your customers; it frees you from shuffling between tables and the kitchen. Most of the tasks are expedited efficiently with technology with just a few clicks on your customer's phone.
Your customers desire a hassle-free experience, and that's what they get with QR codes. They can place their orders with the least effort while sitting at their tables, avoiding any rush or back-forth with the staff.
With QR codes, small restaurants can achieve higher table turnover rates. Digital transactions speed up the dining process, letting guests finish and free up tables for others faster. Plus, you can showcase your special deals or highlight top-tier dishes so customers can spot them easily and increase your bottom line.
Adopting QR code payment restaurants reduces the need for printed menus and physical payment systems. You can update the menus in real-time without the cost of reprinting, and digital transactions often come with lower processing fees than traditional card payments.
In today's health-conscious world, minimizing physical contact remains a priority for many diners. QR codes help create a touch-minimal dining environment. Restaurants can reduce physical contact points and keep their spaces cleaner and safer for everyone involved.
With a digital menu, restaurants can alter offerings based on inventory, special promotions, or diner preferences. This flexibility allows for real-time updates and the ability to test new menu items or adjust descriptions based on customer feedback.
Digital menus enabled through QR codes can enhance how you present information to diners. Restaurants can add images, detailed descriptions, and even interactive elements such as meal customization options directly within the menu with QRs.
It's not surprising how restaurants are integrating QR codes in the majority of their operations and streamlining everything. Here are some great points if you need inspiration, starting with QR codes:
Diners can scan a QR code to fill out a reservation form right from their phones—whether they're standing outside the restaurant or planning from home. They don't necessarily need to visit the restaurant or stand in long lines for the same.
Gone are the days of bulky menu cards. QR codes let diners access a digital menu directly on their smartphones. The best part is that restaurants can update their menus in real time, feature vibrant food images, and even provide detailed descriptions, which are not feasible in traditional print menus.
QR codes streamline the payment process by allowing customers to review and settle their bills directly from their tables. These dynamic QR code restaurant payments keep updating with each transaction, providing a secure and touch-free way to settle up.
Immediate feedback is gold for any small restaurant striving to improve. QR codes make it super simple and subtle for customers to give feedback right before they head out. Just a quick scan of the QR code takes them to a feedback form where they can share their feedback.
QR codes in restaurants serve multiple purposes for promotion.
You can link your social media accounts or website with your QR codes, and when your customers scan through the QR code, they will spot your socials, which will increase your reach. Placing these codes on tables or waiting areas can encourage guests to explore more about your restaurant while they dine or wait.
QR codes make it easy for customers to get info any time they need, whether checking when the place opens, finding out about special events, or seeing if there's a sudden closure.
Here's a comprehensive guide on how to set up and integrate QR code payments effectively:
To get started, deploy a QR code restaurant payment at each table. These codes can link directly to your digital menu, where customers can order and pay seamlessly. Begin by sourcing high-quality, durable QR code displays that stand up to the restaurant environment— water-resistant and tamper-proof.
When picking a QR code payment provider, go for one that easily fits your existing setup, especially your current POS system, and offers solid support. Make sure their system can manage lots of transactions safely and smoothly.
You'll also want to check out features like instant payment processing and detailed analytics that let you keep tabs on sales patterns and what your customers prefer.
Conduct training sessions to familiarize them with the process, from helping customers scan QR codes to handling the backend operations like order tracking and payment confirmation. Make sure every team member is comfortable with the system.
To promote the smooth adoption of the new system, maintain open lines of communication with your staff. Address any questions or concerns they may have and provide ongoing support as they get used to the new technology.
Lastly, inform your customers about the new QR code payment option. Use clear signage, social media posts, and tableside information to explain how the system works.
Training your staff to assist first-time users can also help ease the transition for your customers. Make sure the instructions are straightforward—scan, order, enjoy—so everyone can appreciate the convenience of QR code ordering and payments.
Here's a closer look at how these systems are making a positive impact:
One of the greatest benefits of QR code restaurant payment is the improved table turnover rate. Your customers don't want to line up for hours browsing the menu and placing their orders. They want quick, convenient services- exactly what QR code serves.
They can quickly scan and order, and upon ordering, their order goes straight to the kitchen without any manual hassles. This speeds up the entire serving process and lets you handle more customers daily with the least staff involved.
Small restaurants using QR code restaurant ordering often see a rise in the average order value. This increase is primarily because customers, browsing the menu at their own pace, are more likely to explore additional options and add-ons, such as appetizers, desserts, and upgraded sides.
The digital format of the QRs makes it easy for you to cross-sell and upsell through prompts and attractive visuals of menu items. Moreover, customizable options allow guests to personalize their meals, adding features like extra toppings or premium ingredients, which also contribute to a higher spend per order.
QR codes help restaurants save significant amounts of front-of-house labor costs. As everything is automated, you require less staff for your restaurant. You can do everything from taking orders to sharing the bill to collecting their payments with the QR. Shifting staff to focus more on food preparation and customer service can boost cost savings.
The convenience and control that QR ordering offers customers lead to an improved dining experience. Diners appreciate the autonomy of ordering at leisure without feeling rushed by a server waiting to take their order. Moreover, fast transactions mean that during busy periods, customers can enjoy a seamless experience without unnecessary delays.
The future of the US restaurant industry will see advanced technology integration to enhance customer and operational efficiency.
Personalization is key in modern marketing, and restaurants are not behind this trend. Using data collected from QR codes, restaurants can offer loyalty programs through personalized discounts and special deals that cater to customers' preferences and dining habits.
QR codes unlock a wealth of restaurant data and offer a deeper understanding of customers' habits and preferences. You can learn about your customer preferences, frequency of orders, their ordering patterns, and more. This information will help you better align your services with customer expectations.
The utility of QR codes extends beyond in-house dining. There's significant potential for these codes to streamline operations in takeout and delivery services. For example, QR codes can confirm orders, gather customer feedback, and analyze dining durations.
If you're not sure whether to switch to a QR code restaurant payment, try a balanced approach- offering both physical and QR code-based digital menus. With this hybrid strategy, you'll be able to catch up with the trend while also preventing the alienation of any customer group, whether they prefer the tactile feel of a physical menu or the convenience of digital access.
Looking to enhance your restaurant's payment system and increase operational efficiency? Consider OneHubPOS, your all-in-one solution for order management and diverse payment options. With OneHubPOS, you can offer your customers a variety of payment methods—from traditional card payments to modern mobile pay and QR codes—for a quick, secure, and convenient checkout process.
Get in touch with us to understand why OneHubPOS is the only restaurant solution you need!
Mobile ordering and payment have become must-haves for restaurants. After all, everyone’s looking for quick and convenient options, and the food delivery market is booming as a result. In fact, the US online food delivery market is likely to top $500 billion by 2028. That’s huge!
So, how does this relate to POS systems? Well, when you connect your mobile ordering system to your POS, orders come in smoothly, staff can handle them efficiently, and customers get a better experience. Let’s find out why getting this integration right is more important than ever.
Integrating your restaurant mobile ordering system into your POS makes everything run more conveniently. Here’s how:
When your restaurant’s POS system connects with mobile ordering apps, customers can order right from their phones, get updates in real time, and pay quickly and securely. It makes everything faster. It also cuts down on manual entry mistakes.
A mobile ordering system for restaurants connected to your POS helps you ditch manual data entry. So, you can avoid order mix-ups. Orders from the app go straight to the kitchen display system (KDS) through the POS, saving you time and cutting down on errors.
Plus, everything syncs in real time. As a result, your inventory updates automatically. If something’s out of stock, your menu updates right away.
POS integration makes it super easy to improve sales and streamline orders. You can run promotions and discounts right into the app. This tempts customers to spend a little more. For instance, if someone’s ordering a burger, you might offer a discount on a meal bundle or suggest a tasty dessert.
mPOS systems vary significantly from mobile ordering systems. Here's a comparison table highlighting the key differences:
POS integration links your mobile ordering app with your restaurant's POS system so they can work with each other smoothly. This usually happens through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Here’s the entire process:
The integration ensures that all systems are synchronized and that your restaurant's operations run smoothly.
Here are the key components a POS integration requires:
APIs ease communication between the POS system and mobile ordering platforms. This allows a perfect data flow between systems.
The POS system and mobile ordering platform must synchronize data in real time. This ensures ensure accuracy and efficiency, including:
Both the POS system and mobile ordering platform should have intuitive interfaces. This will make it easy for staff and customers to use the systems effectively.
Strong security protocols help protect sensitive customer data and payment information from unauthorized access and fraud.
Here are the key initial steps to implement POS integration in your restaurant:
Take a good look at your current POS system to see how well it works with mobile ordering platforms and figure out if it needs any upgrades or tweaks. Also, check if it can handle real-time data syncing, support APIs, and connect smoothly with other apps.
When installing a mobile ordering system for your restaurant, make sure it fits what you need and works smoothly with your POS system. So, look for features like customizable menus, real-time order tracking, and secure payment processing.
The integration process typically involves several steps:
Set up and configure APIs to enable communication between the POS system and mobile ordering platform. Plus, work with your POS provider and mobile ordering vendor to ensure proper integration.
Map data fields between the POS system and mobile ordering platform. This helps ensure accurate data transfer. This step includes the following:
Conduct thorough testing of the integrated systems to identify and resolve any issues. Also, try out different scenarios to make sure everything works smoothly and without hiccups, such as the following:
Train your staff on how to use the integrated systems effectively on key aspects. Some of them are as follows:
Keep an eye on how well your integrated systems are working and make sure to do regular check-ups. This way, you can fix any problems quickly and keep everything running smoothly.
When it comes to mobile ordering and payment solutions, you’ve got a few options, each with its own set of pros and cons:
An order-ahead aggregator could be a great option to get started with mobile ordering. Platforms like Grubhub or UberEats can connect you with a huge pool of potential customers to boost your reach. They make it easy to manage orders. Also, they handle everything from payments to delivery, so you can focus on serving up great food.
A lot of POS providers offer white-label mobile ordering apps that you can customize with your restaurant's logo and style. For instance, with OneHubPOS white-label offerings, you get a branded app that fits right in with your restaurant’s look and feel, without needing to build one from scratch.
Tip: OneHubPOS offers a plethora of features, which covers everything from menu management to payments, thereby overcoming this downside.
Making your own mobile app for your restaurant gives you total control. As a result, you can decide over how your brand looks, what features you include, and the customer experience. You get to tailor it exactly to your needs and make sure it reflects your style.
When choosing an online ordering system for your restaurant, consider the following key factors:
Evaluate the cost of the online ordering system. This should include the following aspects:
Moreover, choose a system that fits within your budget and provide good value for the features and capabilities offered.
The mobile online ordering system for restaurants should be user-friendly for both customers and staff. For this reason, look for intuitive interfaces and straightforward navigation to ensure that the ordering experience is smooth.
Make sure your online ordering system can handle the rush and keeps running smoothly even when things get busy. Check for uptime guarantees, which should be “three nines” or 99.9%. This is because it is currently considered an industry standard. Moreover, make sure you have support for peak periods to minimize disruptions.
The system should have robust security measures to protect customer data and payment information. So, you should look for the following key features:
Choose a provider that offers reliable customer support and technical assistance. You should also ensure that support is available whenever needed to address any issues or concerns.
A user-friendly interface makes the experience for customers and staff better. So, you should look for systems with the following traits:
Consider whether your chosen restaurant mobile ordering system supports multi-channel ordering, including online, mobile, and in-store options, so that your customers can order however they like, whether it's through a mobile app, online, or in-person. This can make things super convenient for them.
For a smooth transaction experience, you must have payment processing that's both secure and efficient. Also, ensure that the online ordering system supports various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and other options.
Here's a brief table outlining common challenges faced during POS integration for mobile ordering and payment, along with strategies to overcome these challenges:
The future of mobile ordering and payment solutions and POS integration is set for a major makeover. Thanks to new tech coming onto the scene.
AI chatbots will handle customer questions and help with orders, while machine learning algorithms will dig into customer behavior to offer personalized recommendations and deals. This means better customer satisfaction and higher average order values, as it predicts what people like and suggests relevant upsells.
Voice-activated ordering systems are coming in hot! Now, customers can just use smart speakers or mobile apps to place orders with voice commands. It’s all hands-free, making ordering a breeze and perfect for those tech-savvy folks who love convenience.
By digging into customer data with advanced analytics tools, restaurants can really understand what their customers are into, tweak their menu, and fine-tune their marketing. Predictive analytics will let you spot trends before they hit, so you can tweak your strategies ahead of time.
POS integration for mobile ordering and payment solutions smooths out operations, makes your customers happier, and can increase your revenue. If you want to keep your edge in the bustling restaurant scene, getting onto POS integration capabilities is a no-brainer.
OneHubPOS offers a flawless connection and a ton of amazing features that can seriously up your game. You’ll run things more efficiently, keep your customers smiling, and stay ahead in the market. Integrating mobile ordering and POS systems? Definitely a smart move for long-term success! Ready to transform your restaurant with powerful data insights? Book a call with OneHubPOS today.
95% of businesses have a hard time with messy data. However, 60% of leaders see its innovation potential. For small restaurant owners, restaurant data analytics can change the game. It turns your plethora of raw data into useful insights. With POS analytics, you get details on sales trends, customer behavior, and how well things are running. This helps you improve performance and make smart choices.
This article will show how restaurant POS reports can help you spot trends and compete with well-funded, big restaurants.
Restaurant data analytics reports are super helpful for understanding how your restaurant is performing and highlighting areas where you can improve.
Highly data-driven businesses have 3X more chances of reporting substantial improvement in decision-making. Using the data from restaurant POS reports, you can spot patterns and trends you might miss from day-to-day operations. Here’s a table showing how using advanced POS data analytics is better than using basic POS data for a small restaurant:
The result: Advanced POS analytics provides deeper insights and more actionable data than basic POS data for better decision-making and operational efficiency.
Restaurant data analytics systems generate several reports to help restaurants run smoothly. Here are six common types:
Sales Summary Report Example for Small Restaurants
This report provides an overview of total sales over a specific period. It includes metrics like:
A sales summary report also helps identify busy periods, assess performance, and make informed decisions about promotions or staffing.
Product-Sold Summary Report Example for Small Restaurants
This report details the performance of individual menu items. Key metrics include:
A product-sold report also helps identify popular and slow-moving items, guiding menu adjustments and inventory planning.
This report tracks all purchases made by customers, including:
A purchase history report helps understand customer buying patterns and can be used for targeted marketing and promotions.
Employee Tracking Report Example for Small Restaurants
This report monitors employee performance and hours worked. Some key metrics are:
An employee tracking report also assists in evaluating employee productivity and scheduling needs.
Inventory Optimization Report Example for Small Restaurants
This report analyzes inventory turnover rates and stock usage. Key metrics include:
An inventory optimization report also helps manage inventory efficiently, reduce waste, and avoid stockouts.
This report provides current stock quantities for each item. Here are some key metrics:
A stock levels report also ensures that inventory is well-managed and helps avoid overstocking and understocking.
POS data analytics provide actionable insights to enhance various aspects of restaurant operations, from inventory management to customer engagement.
Restaurant Inventory Management
34% of businesses struggle with unavailable products. More specifically, smaller restaurants often have limited storage space and buying power. In such cases, restaurant data analytics can help manage inventory. After all, it can the following key metrics:
With this information, you can adjust orders to prevent stockouts. Conversely, if an item is consistently overstocked, you might reduce future orders to avoid excess inventory.
Suppose you find out that a specific dish generates the most revenue during dinner hours. Then, you can promote it more to improve sales. You can also consider creating similar dishes. Sales performance reports provide metrics like:
This is more helpful in a small restaurant, where managing a stable cash flow can be difficult due to fluctuating sales and expenses.
Only if you knew that certain side dish your customers frequently ordered, you could focus your effort to capitalize on that trend. So, restaurant POS analytics eases tracking the following metrics:
With such precise insights, you can highlight frequently ordered side dishes in promotions or suggest them as add-ons. Moreover, you can tailor your marketing strategies, such as sending discounts on popular items to repeat customers.
When you’re aware of your objectives and KPIs, you can easily measure success. Here are some key metrics that can serve as KPIs:
Suppose your goal is to increase the average check size. Then, you might set a KPI to track the average order value to analyze how promotions or upselling strategies impact this metric.
33% of industry professionals say that the right data collection technologies are important to better understand customers. Here are some key metrics to track:
Context helps in interpreting data accurately. For example, if sales of a specific item drop, you should consider factors like seasonal changes or recent menu updates. Then, you can make more informed decisions, such as adjusting marketing strategies or revising the menu.
85% of restaurant owners believe in the potential of AI to impact the industry in the next few years. AI and machine learning can add more features to restaurant data analytics systems. For example, if your POS tool uses machine learning algorithms, it can predict which menu items will be popular during upcoming holidays. Then, you can prepare in advance.
Your restaurant might have a small team size. Poor employee scheduling can lead to overworking and burnout. However, with POS data, you can track peak hours and busy periods to optimize staff schedules. Metrics such as sales per hour and employee performance can guide staffing decisions. For instance, if data shows high sales volume during lunch hours, you can schedule more staff to maintain service quality.
Use the insights gained from restaurant POS analytics to develop strategies. Data-driven strategies help align your business operations with customer preferences and market trends. For example, if customer data reveals a high demand for vegetarian options, you might create new vegetarian dishes or run promotions to attract health-conscious diners.
Look at different numbers and patterns to see what’s going on in your restaurant. Here’s how:
When you check out your sales data over different periods to spot trends, you may come across certain patterns. For example, some dishes sell much better during holidays or seasons. Then, you can plan promotions or change your menu to make the most of this trend.
Conversely, if you notice a particular entrée does well in the summer, it’s a good idea to highlight it more or run special deals to boost sales.
Knowing what your customers are buying to figure out what they like helps. Suppose you see a lot of people ordering vegan dishes. Then, you might add more vegan options to your menu.
Moreover, you can then personalize your loyalty programs with such precise information. For example, you can send them special offers based on their favorite items.
Look at sales data to determine peak business hours and days. For example, if restaurant POS reports show a sales spike during weekend brunch hours, you can tweak your staff schedules and menu to handle this busy time better.
Similarly, if some menu items are more popular at certain times of the day, adjust your menu or create specials to increase sales during quieter periods. This way, you keep things running smoothly and make the most of every opportunity.
Here’s an overview of popular POS analytics tools and their functions:
Selecting the right POS analytics tool for a small restaurant involves evaluating several key traits that align with your needs. Here’s how:
Small restaurants often have a tight budget. So, they need a tool that fits their budget while covering essential functions. So, focus on features that will benefit you most, such as inventory management, sales tracking, and customer insights.
Ensure the restaurant data analytics tool integrates perfectly with your existing POS system. Compatibility is crucial because it allows for smooth data transfer and accurate reporting. This will save you time and reduce errors.
You or your team might not be tech experts. So, make sure you choose a tool with an intuitive interface. Look for features like easy-to-read dashboards and simple report generation.
If your restaurant has a limited budget, make sure you select a restaurant POS analytics tool that offers good value for money. Some tools have subscription-based pricing or offer tiered plans based on features. Choose one that fits your financial constraints without compromising on essential functionalities.
For a small restaurant, having quick access to help when needed is important. Look for a tool that provides reliable customer support and training resources, such as phone support, online chat, or tutorials.
Even if you’re a small restaurant now, choose a tool that can grow with you. Opt for a solution that can handle an increase in data volume and offer advanced features if you expand your operations in the future.
Focus on tools that provide essential features such as:
Check out user reviews and ask other small restaurant owners for recommendations. Their experiences can give you a good idea of how reliable and effective the tool is.
POS analytics are really important for figuring out sales trends, customer behavior, and inventory management. Ultimately, it can help your business grow because it makes decision-making and running every aspect of a small restaurant more efficient.
OneHubPOS empowers you with feature-rich restaurant data analytics that fit right into your POS system. It gives you useful insights to help your business succeed. Using OneHubPOS can make a big difference in your restaurant's performance and overall success. Ready to transform your restaurant with powerful data insights? Book a call with OneHubPOS today.
In an era where convenience and efficiency are paramount, OneHubPOS is thrilled to announce the launch of our mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) solutions on PAXSTORE. Our strategic partnership with PAX Technologies brings OneHubPOS mPOS to the PAX A3700 and A920 series devices, setting a new standard for mobile POS capabilities. This integration empowers businesses with a range of innovative features designed to enhance customer service and streamline operations.
At OneHubPOS, we understand that business owners demand flexibility and efficiency. Our mobile POS solutions provide unparalleled convenience, whether you’re running a bustling restaurant or a dynamic retail store. Process orders, handle payments, manage refunds, and generate reports all from a handheld Android device. By integrating with the PAX A3700 and A920 series devices, we ensure that businesses of all sizes can access cutting-edge mobile POS technology without the hassle of complex installations or expensive setups.
1. Effortless Mobility: OneHubPOS mPOS grants your staff the freedom to process transactions anywhere in your store or restaurant. They can take orders and handle payments directly from their mobile device, enhancing efficiency and customer service. Our user-friendly app ensures that even those new to mobile POS can get up to speed quickly.
2. Cost-Effective Solution: Our mobile POS solution offers a more affordable alternative to traditional POS systems, making it an ideal choice for micro-merchants and small business owners. The lower cost combined with advanced features makes our solution accessible to a broader range of businesses.
3. Android Advantage: Our integration with Android-based PAX devices leverages the familiar and flexible Android operating system. This means you benefit from built-in payment acceptance technology while enjoying the robust features and intuitive interface of Android.
4. Enhanced Efficiency: From on-the-spot order taking to quick payments and easy reporting, OneHubPOS mPOS is designed to streamline operations and boost efficiency. This solution simplifies daily tasks, reduces wait times, and improves overall customer satisfaction.
Satheesh Kanchi, CEO of OneHubPOS, emphasizes the transformative potential of our new solution for underserved market segments. "The potential for this solution in unserved market segments like micro-merchants and small business owners is immense. The combination of Android with integrated payment acceptance creates a vital software solution. This compact and user-friendly mobile POS solution is a game-changer for any retailer or restaurant looking to streamline operations and boost efficiency."
OneHubPOS’s launch of mobile POS solutions on PAXSTORE represents a major advancement in retail and restaurant technology. By offering a user-friendly, cost-effective, and efficient mobile POS option, we are set to revolutionize how businesses manage transactions and interact with their customers. For businesses seeking to stay ahead in a fast-paced market, our new mobile POS solution offers a powerful tool for achieving greater flexibility and success.
For more information on how OneHubPOS can transform your business, visit our website or contact our sales team for a demo today.
A restaurant owner's primary focus should undoubtedly be on running the show. Their core competency is demanded daily in crafting exceptional dining experiences, managing staff, and understanding customer needs. However, technology, specifically a robust POS system, is a crucial tool to streamline operations and enhance those experiences. Does that mean a restaurant owner should be well versed in IT? Not necessarily.
POS systems need to do a lot more than just handle transactions. It’s not the time for cash registers, anymore. POS are the central hub of your restaurant’s operations, managing everything from orders and payments to inventory and customer data. A good POS system can significantly enhance your restaurant’s efficiency, allowing your staff to focus more on delivering top-notch service.
Take OneHubPOS, for example: Our cloud-based POS system provides real-time sales data from anywhere, which helps you make quick decisions about inventory and staffing. This way, you can easily spot busy times and adjust your team and menu accordingly.
Of course, choosing the right POS isn’t just about what the system can do—it’s also about how it fits your specific needs. While POS companies need to show their system’s value, it’s up to you to understand what you need and evaluate your options. This is where I want to explore more. It has become tricky, especially with the rapidly evolving world of restaurant tech. So, are POS providers actually helping customers make easy decisions? I highly doubt…
The restaurant industry, while embracing technology rapidly, is often overwhelmed by its complexity. The desire for simple, effective solutions is a recurring theme among restaurant owners and operators. POS solutions have become feature-heavy, competition heavy and market saturated with misaligned providers with core services and revenue share challenges.
%2520(1).jpeg)
While technology offers immense potential, it is also a double-edged sword. Overly complex systems have ALWAYS overwhelmed restaurant owners and staff, hindering productivity.
Take the example of legacy POS systems. Often burdened with customizations and add-ons over the years, these become cumbersome and time taking to navigate. This complexity can lead to errors, slow down service, and frustrated staff.
I urge modern POS providers to focus on creating intuitive interfaces that require minimal training. Period. By aligning with these principles, POS companies can significantly improve customer satisfaction and drive adoption.
A robust POS system is undoubtedly the cornerstone for a restaurant's technological infrastructure. However, its true potential is unlocked when it becomes part of a broader ecosystem, communicating with all systems, to and fro. It can be interconnected components like software ones including Loyalty or CRM, even payment workflows with features like reconciliation or cash discounting, marketplaces for delivery and hardware (very important) - that must work in harmony to optimize restaurant operations and enhance the customer experience.
.jpeg)
To create a truly effective restaurant technology ecosystem for owners, POS providers must prioritize seamless integration and open APIs. This allows for flexibility and customization, enabling restaurants to choose the best-of-breed solutions for their specific requirements.
Additionally, fostering strong partnerships with hardware resellers, payment processors, and ISVs is essential. Collaborative efforts can lead to innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the restaurant industry.
By carefully selecting and integrating these components, restaurants can build a technology foundation that supports growth, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
While the benefits of a well-integrated ecosystem are clear from above, restaurants face several challenges:
To address these challenges, restaurants can benefit from strategic partnerships with technology providers. For example:
We have until now discussed that simply having a POS system isn't enough. To truly thrive, restaurants need a holistic solution that combines non-chaotic cutting-edge software with expert management. This is where the power of software + managed services shines.
OneHubPOS exemplifies the software + managed services approach. Our cloud-based POS system offers a user-friendly interface, robust features, and seamless integration with other restaurant technologies. Coupled with our dedicated support team 24/7 throughout the year, we provide restaurants with a comprehensive solution that drives growth and success.
Several POS providers have recognized the need for simplicity and have built their platforms accordingly. Here are a few examples:
While many POS systems aim for simplicity, some can become overwhelming for restaurant owners.
By understanding the unique challenges faced by restaurants, POS companies can develop solutions that deliver real value.
Ultimately, the goal should be to create a seamless and efficient technology ecosystem that empowers restaurant owners to focus on what they do best: providing unforgettable dining experiences.
Here’s a full list of considerations before buying POS, or talk to our POS experts to make it easy for you to make a buying decision.
Chicago - the ‘Windy City’ is a place that thrums with energy. With a beautiful skyline, a vast expanse of Lake Michigan, grand museums, and the future of budding tech hubs, Chicago’s got it all! But that’s not all! The city is also alive with a passionate love affair with food!
Chicago’s culinary scene is undoubtedly a smorgasbord of sizzling flavors, innovative twists, and a canvas of culinary art waiting to be devoured. From Michelin-starred restaurants to hole-in-the-wall havens, this city never fails to pack a punch to please your plate!
However, with so many available options, which should you visit first? Tough right? But worry not! This article will narrow down the top 8 restaurants in Chicago that you wouldn’t want to miss.
This list of the 8 best restaurants in Chicago will make you drool and surely sort your dining options!
East Village | Filipino
Directions: 1001 N Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Contact Number: (773) 697-3790
2020 was a challenging time for starting any business. However, it couldn’t stop the husband and wife team of Genie Kwon and Timothy Flores. Ms. Kwon. They successfully opened a fine dining restaurant, one of the year's bright spots.
The restaurant’s specialty is a modern American-Filipino bakery and a fine dining experience. It boasts a Michelin-star tasting menu and an exquisite selection of daytime casual dishes.
The fine dining place is best known for its praiseworthy longanisa sausage breakfast sandwich, mushroom adobo (with soy braised mushrooms and garlic rice), and unrivaled pastries. Mouth-watering, right? But that’s not even the best part. The team’s 13-course dinner service, which books at least 45 days out, is the real highlight! No wonder the husband and wife won a James Beard Award in 2023 for best chef: Great Lakes.
Logal Sqaure | American
Directions: 2537 N Kedzie Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
Contact Number: (773) 489-9554
Lulu Cafe is where you’ll always find the best fresh food! They’ve been serving farm-fresh since long before farm-to-table was even a concept, let one on the menu. Owned by Chef Jasson Hammel, Lulu Cafe has been a go-to for the population of Chicago for the better part of more than two decades now!
From roast chicken to turkey sandwiches and even pastries, all they serve is very well throughout, with exquisite presentation and a blast of fresh!
Lakeview | Hot dogs
Directions: 2449 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Contact Number: (773) 772-6020
If you’re a hot dog lover, you’d agree that Chicago hot dog stands are variations on the same theme: Vienna Beef! But somehow, Red Hot Ranch has successfully made their hot dogs a differentiator easily. How? Well, the secret lies in the sausage they use with natural casings. That makes their hot dogs unique and snappier than other hot dogs Americans grew up eating.
Let’s not forget their depression dogs, a special variation with fries in the bun. That’s not just it! You would not stop if you tried their cheeseburgers (the best in the city) and thick-cut fries!
Lincoln Park | Modern American
Directions: 1729 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Contact Number: +1 312-337-6070
Boka is one of Chicago's finest restaurants to relish modern American cuisine. Ever since 20+ years on Halsted Street, Boka is not just any other fine dining restaurant. It has bagged various awards, including Michelin Star and a handful of Jean Banchet Awards.
Another thing that people always gush about is Chef-partner Lee Wolen’s impeccable cooking techniques. From roast chicken to dry-aged duck to ricotta gnudi, every dish on the menu is a burst of flavors! It is all you need for a memorable fine dining experience when paired with a cozy social setting.
Boka caters to different preferences and offers two dining options:
A La Carte: individual dishes for a customized dining experience
Ever-Changing Tasting Menu: A pre-fixed menu with the best of Chef Wolen’s creativity
Logan Square | Mexican
Directions: 2800 West Logan Boulevard, Chicago
Contact Number: 872-315-947
.png)
Do you want to relive your childhood memories through food? Then Mi Tocaya is the best place to be! Owned by chef Diana Dávila, Mi Tocaya is a family-owned gem known for its rich Mexican culinary heritage.
The name translates to ‘My Namesake’ in English, a term used out of fondness when someone shares your name. This restaurant embodies Chef Diana’s most cherished memories with her family in Mexico. And that is visible through the narrative context she adds for each dish on the menu.
The restaurant is famous for its modern take on traditional Oaxacan cuisine, showcasing how the Chef’s creativity is still rooted in Mexico. Also, the place is known for its special steak burrito, which is a tribute to various burritos she used to make at her parents’ restaurant.
Bridge Port | Modern American
Directions: 2701 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608
Contact Number: (312) 724-8811
Looking for the best family-friendly place to fine dine in Chicago? Then look no further than The Duck Inn. This restaurant is a regular place for the Bridgeport locals.
The restaurant's specialties are Italian beef and duck-fat-infused hot dogs. The locals usually enjoy these with a cold brew on the side. Speaking of which, the wine and cocktail list of the restaurant is not your general drinks list but one of the best for fine drinks on the South Side.
West Loop | Brasserie
Directions: 177 North Ada Street, Chicago
Contact Number: 773-913-3773
Chicago’s one of the finest, Symth, bagged its third Michelin star last year. The Loyalist, its sibling restaurant, operates under its umbrella. It’s Chicago’s best - John and Karen Urie Shields’s two-for-one special in the West Loop!
.png)
If you’re looking for a place to have the best burgers in the city, cozy up on the couch and savor The Loyalist’s famous and city’s most acclaimed - Dirty Burger! It’s a messy munchy with double cheese, charred onions, griddled patties, and Martin’s sesame seed bun.
West Loop | Italian
Directions: 1020 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
Contact Number: (312) 888-3041
It’s remarkable how quickly this first restaurant by former Top Chef and Spiaggia chef Sarah Grueneberg has become the center of the culinary conversations in Chicago. Today, when you think Italian in Chicago, only one name pops right after - Monteverde.
The place is well cherished for its delicious, unique, and innovative pastas. What’s interesting is that you can view two people kneading the dough and shaping out the pasta you will be having. Next, it’s then handed to the chef Sarah Grueneberg, who sprinkles her magic to prepare the most delicious and grandly tasting pasta in the entire Chicago!
From the Michelin Star gems to unique hot dog stands, you’ll find the best of Chicago’s restaurants on this list! Armed with the list of the 8 best restaurants in Chicago, we’re sure you can now explore your favorite picks or maybe all of them!?
%20(1).jpg)
Mama Maria's was a NY staple, beloved for its home-cooked charm. However, its old-school ways were starting to show. Carbon copy order slips, a cash-only system, and a chaotic kitchen were becoming major hurdles, especially during peak hours. The restaurant's warm, bustling atmosphere was at risk of being overwhelmed by inefficiency. Across the street, a new pizza place was thriving with modern technology, highlighting the stark contrast between old and new. As business grew, Maria faced a critical decision: embrace technology or risk losing customers to the competition.
Are you still relying on outdated systems like Mama Maria's?
A robust Point-of-Sale (POS) system can be your secret weapon in today's tech-driven world. The right POS can streamline operations, improve efficiency, and ultimately boost your bottom line. Here, we explore the 6 must-have POS features that every small restaurant owner in the US should prioritize:
A centralized dashboard to track every restaurant performance - employee, food, kitchen or delivery.
70% of restaurant owners report that a user-friendly POS system improves staff training time (Source: NCR Corporation)
A central dashboard provides a clear overview of key metrics like sales, inventory, and employee performance, allowing you to make informed decisions at a glance.
Digital menus with customization and combo options (extra cheese, anyone?) to improve order accuracy.
Swift order to pay workflow with menu and inventory management options and secure payments.
Guest-facing displays allow customers to review their order before checkout, reducing errors and speeding up service. This can lead to a 15% increase in average order value (Source: Toast Tab).
Eliminate paper tickets and communication delays with a KDS System.
Reliable kitchen hardware systems with seamless POS integrations to fast-track order delivery.
This digital kitchen display shows incoming orders in real-time, minimizing errors and ensuring food is prepared efficiently. Studies show that KDS systems can reduce food preparation time by 20% (Source: Revel Systems).
Modern customers expect diverse payment options. Cater to all preferences with a POS that accepts credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay).
Offline functionality ensures you can still accept payments even with internet disruptions. Secure transactions with PCI compliance to protect sensitive customer data.
%2520(1).jpeg)
Menu management that allows quick updates and real-time edits is crucial for keeping your digital menu in sync with your kitchen.
Inventory tracking with low-stock alerts helps prevent stockouts and wasted ingredients. This can lead to a 10% reduction in food waste (Source: Xero)
60% of restaurant patrons now use online ordering or delivery services (Source: Statista)
A mobile POS system allows staff to take orders tableside or manage outdoor seating efficiently. Look for a system with QR code integration for easy online ordering and payment.
While these six features are essential, consider your specific needs. You may want to track employee performance for targeted training or implement a customer loyalty program to boost repeat business. Remember, the ideal POS system should adapt and grow with your restaurant.
Thinking about grabbing a bite in Seattle? Get ready for a delightful experience! Seattle has some amazing spots for you to enjoy a meal and have a memorable experience. We've scoured the city and picked out our 16 best restaurants in Seattle that promise not just great food but a fantastic dining atmosphere, too.
Our list has everything from hidden gems to local favorites that promise worthwhile experiences. So grab your coat, and let's have a look at the best dining spots the Emerald City has to offer.
Website: Bateau
Bateau in Capitol Hill isn't your usual steakhouse. It's got a more relaxed vibe, kind of like a spot where tech folks from Amazon might chat over dinner rather than the dark, old-school steak joints. While the steaks are okay, what's really worth your time are their sides.
Website: Canlis
Canlis is a true Seattle classic, the kind of place you save for a really special night out. It's been around since 1950, sitting pretty over Lake Union, and it's got this relaxed, mid-century modern vibe that hasn't changed much over the years. Perfect for when you want to dress up and treat yourself to something memorable.
Website: Archipelago
Archipelago in London takes you around the world with dishes like zebra jerky and kangaroo skewers. The exotic menu is paired with a cozy, eclectic vibe. It's perfect for anyone looking to spice up their dining routine or impress a date with something out of the ordinary.
Website: THE CHICKEN SUPPLY
The Chicken Supply in Greenwood is another best restaurant in Seattle and has some delicious treats for delicious, gluten-free chicken with a Filipino flair! Plus, their unique tapioca and rice flour blend keeps it light and tasty. And don't miss their sandwich pop-ups; those fried chicken sandwiches are seriously next-level!
Website: Communion
Craving a taste of the South with a modern twist? Communion is the spot you can't miss in Seattle's Central District. Their dishes blend traditional Southern cooking with unique local flavors, like their po'boy/bánh mì hybrid or the earthy berbere grilled chicken.
Website: MUSANG SEATTLE
If you're seeking a slice of the Philippines right here in Seattle, Musang on Beacon Hill is the place to go. Musang stands out with its community-driven initiatives and bold, inventive dishes. It puts a unique twist on traditional Filipino cuisine.
Website: BAR DEL CORSO
Bar Del Corso is a must-visit for anyone who cherishes authentic Italian cuisine right here in Seattle. This cozy spot serves up Neapolitan pizzas that are a cut above the rest. Also, their entire range of Italian small plates—from zesty grilled octopus to succulent pork ragu—promises a taste of Italy that's both genuine and delicious.
Website: Off Alley
Off Alley is a real treat for those who love to try something a little different. Here, you'll find creative takes on local ingredients with a focus on those underrated cuts of meat and offal. They have dishes like braised tripe mixed with Dungeness crab or escargot on light, fluffy popovers.
Website: Joule - Seattle WA Relay Restaurant Group
Joule sets itself apart with its innovative take on traditional Korean cuisine, paired with the classic flavors of a classic American steakhouse. The extensive menu spans from innovative starters to complex 'other than steak' dishes.
Website: Ba Bar
Ba Bar is a gem for anyone craving authentic Vietnamese cuisine with a modern twist. The bar, tall and grand, backed by a poster of a vintage Vietnamese rock album, adds a touch of retro cool to the ambiance. Here, every dish is a statement in itself, from crispy imperial rolls to the charred beef wrapped around lemongrass.
Website: Artusi
Artusi is a charming bar is a casual spin-off from the acclaimed Spinasse. It has a more laid-back vibe without compromising on the quality of its dishes. They serve handcrafted pasta that promises to transport your taste buds straight to Italy.
Website: Saint Bread
Saint Bread is a delightful bakery and café in Seattle's University District. It promises a menu that's anything but ordinary. From their standout avocado toast, enhanced with za'atar and a perfect hint of lemon, to their unique breakfast sandwich on fluffy Japanese melonpan bread, each bite is an experience.
Website: Paju
Paju is a cozy Korean spot that might look simple at first glance, but it has got a great vibe. The decor is understated, but Paju's dishes are anything but. They serve up a modern twist on Korean classics, using fresh, local ingredients that bring each dish to life.
Website: Stateside
Stateside is the perfect spot to duck out of Seattle's gloomy weather and into a warm, inviting atmosphere filled with lush palm-tree-printed wallpaper and a vibe that's downright tropical. The menu is so delicious: crispy duck rolls to Bun Cha with house-made sausage.
Website: Taurus Ox
Taurus Ox on Capitol Hill is your go-to for a taste of Laos with a twist. This spot may be small but big on flavor and heart. They have dishes like caramelized pork belly or a unique burger stacked with taro stem and cured pork jowl that meld beautifully with sharp provolone.
Website: Terra Plata
Terra Plata on Capitol Hill has got something different. With a focus on organic and sustainable ingredients, their dishes not only taste fresh but also support ethical farming practices. Their Spanish-inspired menu brings vibrant flavors that are hard to find elsewhere.
Well, there you have it—a tasty lineup of the best restaurants in Seattle that we absolutely adore. Each spot brings its unique flair and flavors to the table with a little something for every palate. These restaurants offer something unique, from organic and sustainable menus at Terra Plata to the innovative Korean dishes at Joule. So, next time you're wondering where to dine in the Emerald City, pick any from this list, and you're set for an incredible meal.
Have you ever noticed how the end of a meal can make or break the dining experience? That moment when guests are ready to leave, but the payment process slows them down can stick in their memory.
On the other hand, quick and seamless payments make your customers feel valued and respected for their time. Speeding up guest payments enhances customer satisfaction and gives your customers another reason to revisit your restaurant.
If you think your payment process needs to be more efficient, this blog features ten practical tips for you to boost mobile guest payment. These will help you ensure your guests walk out the door as happy with the service as they were with the meal.
A speedy and reliable POS keeps the hustle of payment transactions smooth and customer-friendly and boosts mobile guest payment online.
Because no one likes to wait, especially not hungry customers ready to pay and leave. Quick processing at the POS can reduce bottlenecks so that neither customers nor staff are unnecessarily stalled.
Here are our top 3 picks for high-speed payment processing:
OneHubPOS stands out for its sheer speed and efficiency. This all-in-one Android POS solution simplifies the order-to-pay process into three quick steps. Its robust, scalable hardware integrates seamlessly with any Android POS software and offers a degree of adaptability that's hard to beat.
With features like real-time cloud-based operation management, customizable setups, and a single login for multiple stores, OneHubPOS supercharges your day-to-day operations.
Square POS is a budget-friendly system that's easy to set up for small food joints. However, mid-sized businesses might view it as a hefty expense as it charges additional costs on certain features. It offers analytics and integration capabilities and makes inventory management easy.
Clover POS is known for its fast performance and slick hardware. It is a great fit for larger restaurants or chains. It offers features like fingerprint logins and a wide range of customization options. Clover's features, while great, does not include a free plan and may require a significant investment, potentially stretching the budgets of smaller operations.
Training your team to handle payments efficiently is not just about pushing buttons on a POS. They must create a seamless experience for their customers. When your staff is well-versed in the ins and outs of the billing process, transactions go from being a potential stress point to a smooth checkout and a guest payment boost.
Mobile payments are quickly becoming the go-to way to pay, especially in the restaurant industry. With more than half of Americans now choosing digital wallets over traditional methods, offering mobile payment options could really set you apart from the competition.
These solutions let customers pay with just a tap of their smartphones. The real draw is how quick and easy they make things. No messing around with cash or cards—just a quick tap of their phone, and they're all set in seconds.
You can also consider using contactless payment methods. They are the norm in the food service industry, with 89% of consumers preferring to use cards or other contactless methods over cash at bars and restaurants.
Here's why you should think about adding contactless payments to your setup:
When you simplify your menu and pricing, you reduce customers' time pondering what to order. It helps you in two ways: it cuts down on table turnaround times and transaction duration. Fewer options mean fewer complications during ordering, which leads to quicker decisions and a faster move to payment.
Looking to boost guest payments? Consider giving curbside pickup a shot. Even post-pandemic, it remains a hit as it offers convenience that customers absolutely love.
When setting up a killer curbside pickup, there are a couple of things you’ll want to nail down first.
Clear instructions ensure that customers understand exactly how and where to pay, which streamlines and boosts the guest payment process. Essentially, we're talking about straightforward, visible guidance on payment procedures that every customer can easily follow.
When customers know what to do, there's less confusion, quicker payments, and a smoother transition from dining to departure. It also helps reduce your staff's workload, who might otherwise spend time directing customers on how to complete their transactions.
Let's look at a couple of examples of effective signage and communication:
Digital receipts speed up the payment process to a great extent. Once a transaction is completed, you can send the receipt instantly via email or text message. This eliminates the wait time associated with printing and ensures the customer can review their receipt on their device right away. It has other benefits, too:
Automating your restaurant's payment processes removes the chaos of piles of invoices and endless manual entries. Automation speeds everything up, slashes manual errors, and you even get real-time insights into what's happening with your cash.
When it comes to automated payment solutions for restaurants, you have multiple options:
Having a strong and reliable internet connection is essential for the smooth operation of payment processing systems. And your customers appreciate it, too.
If your restaurant network infrastructure needs help, it's high time you optimized it. Here's how you do it:
To keep things running smoothly, you need to be active in monitoring your payment processes. Regularly checking these processes helps pinpoint any inefficiencies that could slow down service, identify fraudulent activities early, and keep tabs on transaction accuracy and speed.
You can use these two best ways to keep a check and boost guest payment processes:
If your guests leave happy, they're likely to spread the good word, which will boost your restaurant's reputation. Serving up tasty meals quickly and keeping the front of the house running smoothly is essential, but speeding up those payments is just as crucial.
When trying to boost guest payments, prioritize simplicity and security. Opt for an intuitive payment system that minimizes steps and maximizes convenience, such as QR code payments that integrate with your service flow.
Thinking about upgrading your restaurant's guest payment experience? Talk to our experts and we'll guide you through enhancing your guest's payment experience.
As we move through 2024, it's clear that ghost kitchens are no longer a fad. They offer a dynamic and adaptable business model that caters to consumers' ever-changing needs. In the next few years, we can expect further integration with delivery platforms, advancements in kitchen automation, and the emergence of specialized ghost kitchen facilities with advanced infrastructure. But would it drive restaurant profitability? It's an exciting time for the food industry, and ghost kitchens are vital in this ongoing transformation. Let’s find out exactly how.
They both refer to the same concept: a delivery-only food service business. The only difference is that a ghost kitchen operates without a physical storefront for dine-in customers, and a virtual kitchen could have a physical location.
Here's a breakdown of the interchangeable terms
Here's a deeper dive into the differences between Ghost Kitchens and Traditional restaurants:
During the pandemic, access to restaurant food and facilities was limited, and hospitality was dying until automation and technology took over in the form of virtual kitchens like cloud kitchens and ghost kitchens. We saw a big boom in this industry, but not anymore. Ghost kitchens have been developing at a slower-than-expected pace since the pandemic. Why?
The industry is likely to adapt and evolve. Here are some potential trends:
Running a successful ghost kitchen requires a robust set of tools to manage various aspects of the business. Here are some key categories of tools you'll need:
1. Order Management Systems (OMS):
Important Note: It should allow you to manage menus across platforms, track order status, and send information to the kitchen display system.
2. Kitchen Display System (KDS):
Pro tip: Ghost Kitchen owners avoid POS systems and manage orders with a slick combo of Cloud POS + KDS, an affordable solution that just gets the job done.
3. Inventory Management Software:
4. Point-of-Sale (POS) System:
5. Delivery Management Software:
6. Marketing and Analytics Tools:
7. Team Communication Tools:
Additional Tools (Optional):
The ghost kitchen model offers a way to expand your reach and experiment with new menus without the full investment of a traditional restaurant. If you are a restaurant owner and looking to test out ghost kitchens, here are the first few things to do. Here's how you can test this concept at your existing restaurant:
1. Assess Your Resources
2. Develop Your Virtual Restaurant Concept:
3. Leverage Existing Infrastructure:
4. Technology and Tools:
5. Monitor and Analyze Results:
Based on your results after a trial period, you can decide whether to continue the ghost kitchen concept. It might be successful as a permanent addition to your business, or you may choose to refine the concept and relaunch it later.
By carefully planning and utilizing your existing resources, you can effectively test the ghost kitchen concept with minimal risk. The data and insights gained will help you make informed decisions about expanding your business model and reaching new customers.
.jpg)
OneHubPOS, a point-of-sale (POS) and payment solutions provider for retail and restaurants is thrilled to announce its arrival on PAXSTORE with the launch of its latest mobile POS solutions. This exciting news comes through a strategic partnership with PAX Technologies, bringing OneHubPOS mPOS to PAX A3700 and A920 series devices. This integration empowers businesses of all sizes with seamless mobile POS capabilities.
OneHubPOS mPOS is designed for on-the-go efficiency, offering a user-friendly experience for order processing, payments, refunds, and reporting – all optimized for the convenience of a handheld device. The seamless compatibility with PAX A3700 and A920 series devices creates a complete mobile POS solution for retailers and restaurants, streamlining operations and enhancing customer service.
“The potential for this solution in the unserved market segments like micro-merchants and small business owners is immense," said Satheesh Kanchi, CEO of OneHubPOS. "The combination of Android with integrated payment acceptance creates a vital software solution. This compact and user-friendly mobile POS solution is a game-changer for any retailer or restaurant looking to streamline operations and boost efficiency."
Accept it! You’ve gone through countless blogs on food joints and restaurants in Brooklyn. Each picture and detail of the fine restaurants makes your mouth water and your stomach growl. But before you surrender to any of those, we suggest you give this one a read!
The culinary scene of Brooklyn is nothing you can sum up in just a few words! It’s quite an extensive scene with ample options to suit any taste and budget. From traditional flavors to Michelin-starred wonders to wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta, Brooklyn hosts it all. Oh, and let’s not forget the unique and innovative cocktails.
So, forget the boring guidebooks and outdated food chains. While the existing and long standing restaurants would be renowned enough and go-to options for the locals, it’s time to explore the new and current hot spots for dining in the city. We’re here with the most exciting list of the top 8 trending restaurants in Brooklyn in 2024. Let’s dive in.
The first on the list is a warm, inviting spot in Brooklyn on Myrtle Ave in Clinton Hill. Osteria is best known for fresh seafood, pasta, and pizzas. Moreover, it’s famous for the Fritto Misto (fried mixed seafood), oysters, and burrata salad.
What you can’t miss is their selective variety of Italian wines and beers. So, rest assured, you’ll have a delightful and delicious dining experience.
Visitor’s Tip: While the menu is Italian, the portions can be on the larger side. What’s best is that they are open to accommodate any dietary restrictions with advance notice.
Website: Osteria Brooklyn
Google Maps: Osteria Brooklyn, 458 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205, United States
Next on the list is a highly acclaimed New American restaurant that is well appreciated for its exquisite tasting menu that changes seasonally. So, expect dishes that are vibrant in color, bold in flavor, and eye-catching in presentation.
Led by chef Charlie Mitchell (James Beard Award for Best Chef), Clover Hill is a Michelin-starred restaurant with a focus on a menu with minimal and elegant interiors.
Visitor’s Tip: Be prepared for a fine dining experience that comes with a price tag. Also, while there is no dress code, you may want to dress fine to match the upscale environment.
Website: Clover Hill
Google Maps: 20 Columbia Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States
This is a relatively new restaurant in Forte Green, Brooklyn, whose every corner has a different vibe!! From a bar at the front to a wood-fired oven at the center and a dining room at the back, Theodora boasts nothing less than a party vibe.
The place's main attractions are live fire and dry-aged seafood, especially the dry-aged fish. This dry aging process intensifies the flavor that people crave.
Visitor’s Tip: Don’t mistake this for a classic steak house. However, you’ll be satisfied by exploring their natural wine program.
Website: Theodora
Google Maps: 7 Greene Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Six years since this pasta parlor opened, and people still can’t stop savoring the delicious pasta here! Why? Well, Lilia seems to have mastered the art! So, if you’re someone who loves fresh, hand-made pasta, Lilia is the place for you. Chef Missy Robbins transformed this garage into a feel-good destination restaurant that is cherished by the locals.
Visitor’s Tip: The place also offers wood-fired seafood and classic Italian cocktails you’ll love and keep returning time and time again.
Website: Lilia
Google Maps: 567 Union Ave, Brooklyn, 11211
Next on the list is a classic Lebanese restaurant - Sawa! The name Sawa means ‘Together’ in Arabic. The place boasts big windows and an open kitchen! You may be welcomed with the sight of a freshly home-baked pita being rolled out. What’s best about the place is its cocktails and Lebanese wine. You’ll love the welcoming dining experience curated by the family recipes and expert techniques of Chef Samaya Boueri Ziade and Chef de Cuisine Soroosh Golbabae.
Visitor’s Tip: Don’t forget to try their specialty - Kibbeh Arnabiyeh, a large lamb shank in tahini. Also, the portions are large, so we recommend you bring some friends.
Website: Sawa
Google Maps: Sawa, 75 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States
Are you a pizza lover? Then, this relatively new New York slice joint in Brooklyn is what you need to visit! Although they make great plain slices, they’re best known for and outshine their specialty slices. This joint is just like Roberta’s, yet different!
North Bushwick’s been longing for a quality slice joint for a very long time, but now, it has the best in the town!
Visitor’s Tip: Don’t refrain from trying their unique Fire & Ice, a well-thought-out combination of spicy ‘nduja and sweet-ish stracciatella. It takes inspiration from a dish at their sister wine bar, Foul Witch.
Website: R Slice Pizza
Google Maps: 257 Moore Street, Brooklyn, New York 11206
Daphne’s is another new addition to the restaurants in Brooklyn! Although much time hasn’t passed since the launch of this Italian restaurant in Bed-Stuy, there has been a buzz about the place across the town. While their menu has an array of traditional Italian dishes, Chef Jamie Tao brings fresh and seasonal ingredients along with unique flavor combinations to the table.
Daphne's only opened this April, so it hasn't won awards yet. However, it was able to bag positive reviews in local publications like Brooklyn Magazine, which called it "Brooklyn's best new restaurant.”
Visitor’s Tip: The environment is lively, energetic, and welcoming. Consider it an excellent place to hang out and chill with friends.
Website: Daphne’s
Google Maps: 299 Halsey St, Brooklyn, NY 11216, United States
Having gone through the list of top 8 trending restaurants, we’re sure Brooklyn’s got your next must-visit food destination. And who knows? It may even become your new favorite! From homemade pasta to Italian dishes with innovative, bold flavors and open-flame seafood, Brooklyn hosts some of the best, most inspiring fusion delicacies. So why wait? Go explore these restaurants today and feed your Instagram profile too!
About 50% of US consumers worry about the cleanliness of signature touchpads. In fact, 72% would rather skip signing altogether! The result: over half of Americans (51%) are using some form of contactless payment, with 36% using it for quick service restaurants.
Want to keep up with customer preferences, improve hygiene, and speed up transactions? If yes, you should use modern payment methods for your contactless payment restaurant. Let’s explore how contactless payment in restaurants can increase customer satisfaction and make operations run smoothly.
A Point of Sale system is a combined hardware and software solution that helps contactless payment restaurants handle transactions, keep track of inventory, and simplify their day-to-day operations. It includes the following hardware and software components:
NFC lets devices exchange data usually over 4 cm or less. Being the key technology behind contactless payments, it enables devices to transmit payment information to the POS terminal quickly and securely.
This security process replaces your sensitive payment info with a unique identifier or token. So, your actual card details aren't stored on your device or sent during the transaction. This makes fraud less likely to happen.
Smartphones and wearables like smartwatches allow NFC payments in restaurants. The user just has to tap their device with a digital wallet, and they're good to go!
This worldwide standard for cards with computer chips helps verify chip-card transactions. EMV cards work for contact and contactless payments.
Apple Pay, along with contactless credit and debit cards, are some popular methods available in the US for a contactless payment restaurant.
Diners are all into convenience and speed; contactless dining delivers just that. They can use their smartphones or tap their contactless cards to pay. No cash or signatures are needed! A contactless payment restaurant can offer loyalty rewards and promotions via mobile wallet integration.
Allowing contactless payments in restaurants speeds up transaction processing. So, your staff can serve more customers in less time. Affordable solutions like OnehubPOS have advanced features like inventory management and sales tracking that keep an eye on everything. This way, your contactless payment restaurant team won't get bogged down with cash or manual payments.
A contactless payment restaurant cuts down on physical contact between your staff and diners. As they’d just tap their devices or cards, you no longer have to handle cash or pass around receipts. The result: fewer germs and viruses spreading around your space.
Speed is everything in the busy environment of a QSR. Contactless payment systems let customers pay in just a few seconds. It also means you can serve more diners in less time. The result: higher revenue.
Mobile wallets like Apple Pay keep the payment info right on the customer's smartphone. They just have to tap their phone at a POS terminal to pay. Plus, these wallets may come with loyalty rewards, transaction tracking, and better security.
These cards allow RFID or NFC payments in restaurants. So, customers don't need to insert or swipe them to pay. They just have to tap their card on a contactless terminal.
Customers scan a QR code at checkout with their smartphone camera. It takes them straight to a payment screen where they can enter their info. The best part? You don’t need any hardware, so it’s perfect for small restaurants.
Contactless payment systems simplify transactions, improve customer satisfaction, and reduce wait times. Thus, it's perfect for today’s consumers who want speed and convenience, and it also tackles hygiene concerns.
To get the right POS system for your contactless payment restaurant, here's what you should ensure:
Your chosen POS system should let your customers just tap their devices or cards and complete transactions in seconds.
Your payment system should be able to handle everything from mobile wallets to contactless cards and QR codes. This way, your restaurant would cater to all sorts of customer preferences.
Your contactless payment system should come with advanced security features like encryption and tokenization. These features protect your information above contactless payments in restaurants to cut down on fraud and data breaches.
Ensure your selected contactless payment systems work well with your current restaurant setup. This all works together to provide better service and keep your customers happy.
Make sure to hold some useful training sessions to help your staff get comfortable with contactless payment options for restaurants. Answer any questions they might have. When your team feels confident, they can better assist customers.
Smart marketing can boost awareness and get more people using these options. Use social media, put up signs in your restaurant, and send out email newsletters. Talk about the perks of contactless payment options for restaurants, like how fast and safe they are, to get everyone on board.
Use advanced encryption tech to keep sensitive data safe from unauthorized access. Plus, have strict access controls and do regular security audits to spot any weaknesses.
Ensure your restaurant's contactless payment systems meet PCI DSS rules and best practices for keeping cardholder info safe. This means having secure networks, strong access controls, and regularly testing your security systems.
Use multi-factor authentication for transactions to add an extra layer of protection beyond the usual methods. Also, keep an eye on transactions regularly to catch any suspicious activity right away. Set clear rules for dealing with unauthorized transactions.
Here's a checklist to make sure you get the best POS system for your restaurant:
In 2023, North America's biometric payment market made up 32% of the revenue share. As people get used to biometrics on their smartphones, expect to see these payment methods popping up in contactless payment restaurant businesses too.
The US blockchain market was worth around $4.96 billion in 2023. This tech has a ton of potential for restaurants as it can track transactions in real time, which helps cut down on fraud and mistakes. Plus, it can speed up the time it takes for restaurants to settle up with payment processors.
Restaurants are catching on the trend that 60% of customers are more likely to become regulars if they get a personalized experience. They're using transaction data to create special promotions and loyalty rewards.
AI is going to be a game-changer for payment systems in the US. It can find out about consumer behavior to ease restaurant contactless payment processes, spot trends, and improve fraud detection. This means transactions will become secure and efficient.
Mobile POS systems let staff take payments right at the table or while customers are in line. Plus, these systems usually come with contactless payment options, so customers can pay securely with their smartphones or cards. This way, a contactless payment restaurant meets the demand for quick service and fits with remote ordering. So this can improve customer satisfaction and ease operations in the future.
Bringing in contactless payment systems makes customers happier, increases efficiency, and keeps everything safer. To get started, contactless payment restaurant businesses should check out their current POS tech, train their staff, and spread the word about these new payment options. Going contactless keeps up with what customers want and helps restaurants grow.
OnehubPOS can be your partner in this shift. With reliable, easy-to-use solutions, it simplifies payment processes. Start today at $1 and see the difference first-hand!
The food truck industry in the US has expanded significantly over the past five years. That’s not it. It has also emerged as one of the top-performing segments within the broader food service sector
The mobility of food trucks allows them to bring both comfort food and gourmet options—all being a safe and convenient dining alternative.
However, the road to success in this industry is not without bumps. Food trucks face challenges like managing limited space, high mobility demands, and the need for speedy service, etc. Here's where a reliable Point of Sale (POS) system comes into the picture.
In this blog, we will explore how a mobile food truck POS system can transform the way food trucks operate and tackle their common challenges.
Unlike traditional restaurants, food trucks are always on the move. Their operating conditions are different from usual brick-and-mortar restaurants. Due to this mobility, these setups require more flexible and portable POS systems.
Moreover, the limited space on board asks for compact solutions. POS systems for food trucks are generally smaller in size, while they are capable of handling everything from sales tracking and inventory management to customer management.
While looking for an ideal food truck POS, don’t miss out on these features:
For food truck operators, an effective POS system is like having a dashboard that shows not only sales but also customer habits. It can spotlight which dishes are hits and which are misses so that you can adjust your menu. It's also essential to recognize your loyal customers—those who frequently come back for more.
By offering tailored rewards and keeping in touch through a CRM-enhanced POS, you can turn occasional visitors into regular customers. Additionally, this system can monitor your daily earnings, alert you when supplies dip low, and even track expenses, all of which sharpen your business acumen.
Food trucks have limited space and perishable goods, which is why inventory management is extremely important. For these setups, look for POS with integrated inventory management features. These features will streamline tracking your stock levels in real-time.
With this, you can spend less time tallying up supplies and more time delighting your customers with delicious dishes. You will always know whether your inventory has all the required goods and when something is out of stock with easy-to-read reports.
Modern mobile POS terminals come with features you need for a food truck's quick-moving, varied demands. They’ve got it covered, from swiping cards to tapping for NFC payments, making it super easy for you to accept payments, whether it’s a card or straight from a customer's smartphone.
A food truck POS with CRM capabilities makes customer relationship management a lot easier for you. Right from recording their names to their go-to orders and birthdays, it helps you provide personalized service to your customers.
With CRM features, as soon as you spot a familiar face, you can say, "The usual today?" Personalizing your service like this will make your customers feel special while also creating a friendly, community vibe around your truck.
QR ordering and payment systems speed up the ordering process. Customers can simply use their smartphones to order anything without interacting with any staff or waiting in lines. All they have to do is scan a QR code, order what they want, and make the payment right away! For you, it means quicker turnover, reduced wait times, and happier customers.
Plus, this streamlined process reduces order inaccuracies and frees up your staff to focus on food preparation and customer service.
Integrating your food truck POS system with other business tools can transform how you operate day-to-day. For instance, imagine your POS system automatically updating your accounting records every time a sale is made—no more late-night number crunching!
Or consider how easy life would become if you could link your sales data directly to marketing platforms; you could instantly send thank-you coupons to repeat customers or target new customers based on recent successful locations.
A mobile food truck POS system is the way to make your food truck up and running and efficient. Here's what you get:
With a portable POS system, your food truck can turn into a high-efficiency kitchen on wheels. You can tap, swipe, and serve on the go. This quick handling means shorter lines, happier customers, and more time for you to craft those mouth-watering specialties.
A mobile POS system gives you access to sales and inventory data. By analyzing this data, you can spot insights that can help you tweak your menu and pricing. Further, you can get insights on waste, too, to adjust your ingredients order before heading to the next stop.
With a mobile POS system, your customers can breeze through ordering and payment, skipping those long lines. This quick service not only saves them time but also leaves a great impression. Happy customers tend to return, talk up their experience, and spread the word about your food truck.
As your food truck empire grows, a mobile POS system easily scales with you. Need to add another truck to your fleet? No worries—your system expands to cover new setups effortlessly. It will adapt to increased demand and diverse locations without missing a beat.
A mobile POS system will enhance your profitability in multiple ways. Such systems are known to quicken customer transactions and eliminate manual order errors. Doing so keeps you away from operational headaches and reduces unnecessary spending.
Considering the ROI you get with a POS system, they are a pretty affordable investment. Such systems let you streamline almost every aspect of your food truck- order taking or sales analyzing. Plus, budget-friendly options like OneHubPOS cater to different needs so that you don't pay for features you won't use.
The right POS hardware can transform a cramped food truck into a model of modern efficiency. Compact, durable, and designed to withstand the rigors of a mobile kitchen, these systems take up minimal space. Touchscreens can speed up order processing, and mobile units allow for payments right at the table—or, in this case, the truck window.
You have to be very careful when choosing the right POS system. Here are the top 6 things to consider when looking for an efficient mobile food truck POS system:
When it comes to usability, your POS system should be as simple as your hot-selling recipe. It should be something you and your team can get the hang of quickly. Look for a system with a clear, intuitive interface that simplifies transactions.
Next up, look for mobile and hassle-free portable POS solutions for your food truck. The system you're opting for must be lightweight, easy to use, and portable.
OneHubPOS is a great food truck POS option, thanks to its mobility, portability, and ease of use. It allows you to manage orders and transactions right from the serving window or curbside.
Cost is a big deal when choosing a POS system for your food truck. You want value for your money without breaking the bank. Consider both upfront costs and any ongoing fees like subscriptions or service charges when choosing a POS.
When you encounter a glitch with your POS, you need it resolved quicker than you can shout, "Next order!" That's why having solid customer support is essential. Look for a provider that's got your back with a range of support options like phone, email, and live chat.
Just like no two food trucks serve up the same menu, no two need the same POS setup. A stellar POS system adapts to your truck's unique identity. With this, in mind, you should look for the following seven food truck POS features.
As more customers tap, swipe, or pay through apps, choosing a POS that handles these methods can streamline your sales. One important point to keep in mind here is checking the transaction fees—the lower, the better for you.
Your hunt for the best mobile POS systems ends here. We are sharing the top-runner mobile POS systems for food trucks in 2024:
OneHubPOS is a cloud-based, self-installable POS for food trucks, especially for food trucks. It features hardware solutions like the Pax A800 and A920 Pro mPOS devices, which boast sleek designs, secure and versatile payment options, and strong battery backups—perfect for the on-the-go nature of food trucks.
These devices ensure that transactions are fast and secure, thanks to multiple payment integrations and robust wireless connectivity. The integration of these mPOS systems with OneHubPOS software means you can manage orders, track sales in real time, and even leverage powerful restaurant analytics to drive your business forward.
OneHubPOS offers a $1 offer where you can enjoy a POS for three months. We don't have any hidden fees. Our transparent, scalable pricing ensures you pay only for what you need.
TouchBistro is a food truck POS system that utilizes iPads for various functions like point of sale terminals, KDS screens, self-ordering kiosks, and handheld devices.
It supports multiple payment options, including TouchBistro Payments, TSYS, or Square, though fees vary by processor.
Priced at $69 per terminal per month.
Ideal for high-volume trucks & fleets, Toast is a great portable POS system with a hybrid setup. While small truck operations might not use all of Toast’s available tools, it’s great for growing trucks.
Their Starter Kit terminal is available for $799.
Lightspeed brings the ease of a POS system with zero setup or installation fees. You can run it on any desktop via a web browser or on iPads since Lightspeed is an authorized Apple reseller—meaning you can snag your iPads and other POS hardware directly from them.
Pricing starts at $59 for restaurants, offering features like unlimited users, tableside ordering, and robust reporting. For a bit extra, starting at $39, you can add extras like loyalty programs or delivery integration.
While we can't ignore the fact that integrating a mobile food truck POS brings many advantages, it comes with some challenges, too.
Challenge: Food trucks often park in places where WiFi is as scarce as a quiet day at a food festival. Without stable internet, processing digital payments can stall, which may dampen quick service.
Solution: Opt for a POS system that offers offline modes. These systems store transaction data and sync it once you're back online.
Challenge: Space is at a premium in a food truck, and fitting in a bulky POS system can feel like solving a puzzle.
Solution: Choose compact, wireless POS systems that fit comfortably within your workspace. Handheld devices or tablets are perfect, as they offer full functionality without the clutter.
Challenge: With a revolving door of seasonal staff, training everyone on a new system can be time-consuming.
Solution: Pick a POS with an intuitive interface known for ease of use. Quick training videos or guides can help newbies get up to speed in no time.
Now, let's break down the essential parts of POS systems that you must not overlook.
The software part of your food truck POS system needs to be super user-friendly and straightforward so you can quickly process sales, keep an eye on your inventory in real-time, and stay on top of customer interactions without a hitch.
Good software will also offer detailed reporting that helps you understand your sales patterns and financial health at a glance.
Now, onto the hardware. A robust POS setup hinges on durable hardware that can endure the daily grind of business operations. Here are the essentials you should consider:
The right technology can amplify your roadside business success. From streamlining daily operations to enhancing customer satisfaction, a tailored mobile food truck POS system, like OneHubPOS, brings various advantages to food trucks.
With features supporting various payment methods and easy scalability, food truck operators are well-equipped to expand their business footprint without missing a beat. So go ahead and supercharge your food truck performance with OneHubPOS at $1. Book a demo with us to learn more.
New York City is a real feast for food lovers! Every neighborhood and street corner bursts with mouthwatering options that bring the world to your plate. One moment, you could be enjoying sensational dim sum in Chinatown, and the next, indulging in a lavish Italian spread in Little Italy.
So, if you're ready to take your taste buds on a worldwide tour without leaving the city, here are the top 10 places to eat in New York that you have to check out!
Website: Katz's Deli
Location: East Houston Street
When we talk about classic Jewish delis, Katz's Delicatessen (an exception that hasn't disappeared yet) pops up in our minds. This famous restaurant has been there since 1888. It's not only rich with history but also in their culinary heritage. It is famous for its massive pastrami on rye sandwiches.
As for the cost, their sandwiches are generally priced around $20.
Website: Le Bernardin
Location: West 51st Street
Le Bernardin is a total legend place, especially if you're into seafood. The star of the show is their poached halibut. Chef Eric Ripert is the genius behind it all; he has kept things top-notch for over thirty years. One of the best things about Le Bernardin is how they bring those fresh, natural flavors of seafood in every dish—nothing's overdone or overpowered.
Le Bernardin with lunch priced at $90 and dinner at $160.
Website: 21 Club
Location: West 52nd Street
This place has quite the backstory— it was established as a speakeasy during Prohibition. When you step in, you can probably understand what makes it an absolute favorite of famous movie stars and presidents. The vibe and the dining experience you might have at 21 Club is to stretch your wallet for.
You won't regret giving 21 Club a chance since their entries hover around the $50 mark.
Website: Il Gattopardo
Location: West 54th Street
Il Gattopardo really nails that genuine Italian dining experience. The food there is absolutely divine, and there is a lot on the menu to try. They've got a great range of pasta with flavors of rich Genovese sauce. Apart from that, their lasagna stuffed with mini meatballs, ricotta, and smoked mozzarella is also something people rave about.
Keeping their aesthetics and quality in mind, it's worth spending $30 to $50 for a main dish there.
Website: Porter House Bar and Grill
Location: Columbus Circle
Porter House Bar & Grill has something that makes it a go-to spot for decades now. Their steaks and the stunning view of Central Park make it worth going there despite the endless options on their high-end market. We have to say that their service is top-notch, and they offer some of the best USDA Prime steaks around.
Dining at Porter House has a premium range, with entrees ranging from $50 to over $100.
Website: Xi'an Famous Foods
Location: Golden Mall in Flushing, Queens
If you're tired of trying Italian and other steaks and want to try your hands on something different, Xi'an Famous Foods is your place. This restaurant brings the world-famous bold flavors straight from Xi'an, a city in northwestern China. Their dishes are rich in spice and flavor that will light up your taste buds in ways you never imagined.
Xi'an Famous Foods has kept the pricing fair, with their famous hand-pulled noodles costing only $7 to $9 per serving.
Website: The Modern
Location: West 53rd Street
The Modern at MoMA gives you a mix of vibes, with their dining area giving you semi-formal vibes and the bar area being a perfect calming space. You can enjoy some great contemporary American cuisine here. Their long island duck breast is a big reason why people love to keep coming back.
Dinner options at The Modern start around $100 per person.
Website: Grand Central Oyster Bar
Location: Grand Central Terminal
The Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant has been a seafood haven since 1913. Here, the daily catch dictates the menu. It has up to 20 varieties of oysters and seasonal delights like soft-shell crabs and bay scallops. The place is always lively, with commuters, tourists, and locals all around, trying to find a spot to sit.
Oyster Bar has kept the prices reasonable, with dishes starting from $20.
Website: Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse
Location: Beaver Street
We are sure you must be aware that Delmonico's is the first place to come up with the idea of full-service restaurants in America. Their ambiance, drinks, staff, and food- everything has its own legacy. If trying out iconic dishes where they were first made up is your thing, Delmonico's is definitely the spot for you.
For a taste of classic dining, their "Taste of the Classics" lunch menu is $45, and dinner entrees generally range from $30 to over $50.
Website: River Cafe
Location: Water Street, Brooklyn
Right on the Thames, River Café is like a little slice of sunny Tuscany in London. It's laid-back yet glamorous and attracts all sorts—from celebs to locals. They're known for amazing Bellinis and dishes that taste like they're straight from Italy. What sets River Cafe apart is its stunning location by the water, with beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline.
Their dinner options start from around $145 per person.
So, you've now got a list of top 10 places to eat in New York. You can head to any of these for your next hangout in New York. Want quick snacks or gourmet meals? Pick a restaurant that suits your aesthetics and go there without a second thought. Lastly, when dining at these top NYC spots, remember to make reservations where possible, especially for popular places like River Café and Le Bernardin.
.jpg)
OneHubPOS is thrilled to announce the launch of our Partner Program. We're seeking collaborations with value-added resellers (VARs), payment partners, and consultants who share our vision of equipping businesses with the tools they need to thrive.
This program offers a unique opportunity to expand your portfolio with a best-in-class POS solution for restaurant and retail businesses while generating significant recurring revenue.
Resellers can benefit from high margins, comprehensive training and support, and even white-labeling opportunities. OneHubPOS also lets them offer their customers a complete and customizable POS solution, reaching new markets and boosting their bottom line.
OneHubPOS's flexible, Android-based system and openness to new integrations allow processors to reach a wider range of merchants. Furthermore, OneHubPOS's cloud-driven, app-first approach aligns with the modern payment landscape, creating a more convenient and feature-rich solution for merchants. This win-win situation for processors and merchants creates a competitive advantage and recurring revenue streams.
OneHubPOS can become your one-stop shop for all clients, offering integrated solutions, enhanced expertise, and streamlined processes.
Designed to level up your day-to-day operations. From simplifying sales transactions to delivery and providing comprehensive reporting, our POS and mPOS solutions drive efficiency, enhance customer experience, and improve your profitability.
Feature-Rich & User-Friendly: OneHubPOS provides a comprehensive suite of functionalities, including inventory management, employee management, order tracking, payments, customer insights, robust reporting, and more – all wrapped in a user-friendly interface.
Domain Expertise: OneHubPOS is built by domain experts and experienced restauranteers who have served this industry for over 20 years.
Exceptional Value: We believe in transparency and affordable pricing. Our all-inclusive plans eliminate hidden costs and provide your clients with the features they need at a competitive price.
Security & Reliability: OneHubPOS prioritizes data security with robust measures to safeguard client information.
Cloud-Based Advantage: OneHubPOS eliminates the need for expensive hardware installations and allows for remote access and management – a significant benefit for businesses of all sizes.
Ready to Join the OneHubPOS Partner Program?
We believe in building strong, mutually beneficial partnerships. If you're a POS reseller, payment partner, or consultant looking to expand your offerings and generate recurring revenue, the OneHubPOS Partner Program is the perfect fit.
Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to become a part of the OneHubPOS success story!
Let's start with a shocker: even with tips, waiters and bartenders often earn a shockingly low hourly wage. Studies show tips make up a significant portion of their income (52% - 54%), with many relying on them for basic necessities.
As restaurant owners, without tipping restaurants would face a balancing act. You might have to raise menu prices to compensate staff, implement a service charge, or switch to a salary-based system.
This could lead to sticker shock for customers AND a less personalized experience. Leading to what? Low performing staff. Hence, tipping becomes crucial for restaurant staff because it supplements lower wages, rewards good service directly from happy customers, encourages teamwork within the staff, and provides additional income for career advancement, all contributing to a more motivated and successful restaurant experience for everyone.
Now how can you, as a restaurant owner, make sure tipping is fair and keeps your staff motivated? Continue reading this blog to know all about managing tips at your restaurant.
Welcome to the world of tip pooling, where teamwork becomes the name of the game, and everyone benefits from a happy, well-oiled restaurant ops machine. But before you dive headfirst into the pool, let's break down the essentials and help you create a system that keeps your staff motivated and your customers coming back for more.
Download our Tip Pooling Calculator to accurately divide tips based on hours worked for both front and back-of-house staff in seconds.
Imagine a pot of gold, filled with all the tips your amazing staff collects. Now, picture everyone on the team dipping in and sharing the wealth fairly. That's essentially tip pooling! It's a way to combine all the tips earned in a shift and distribute them among eligible employees based on a predetermined method. This ensures everyone benefits from good service, not just the servers who snag the best tables.
The legality of tip pooling for restaurants in the USA depends on federal and potentially state regulations. Here's a breakdown:
Some states might have additional regulations specific to tip pooling. It's crucial to consult your state's Department of Labor website or an employment attorney to ensure your tip pool policy complies with all applicable laws.
Here are some resources to help you learn more:
By understanding both federal and potentially state-specific regulations, you can implement a legal and fair tip pooling system for your restaurant.
Here's a breakdown of common tip pool distribution methods for your restaurant, along with illustrative examples for each to help you understand in depth.
Distribution method: Employees receive a share of the tip pool based on the total sales they generate. This incentivizes high sales volume and motivates employees to upsell or provide excellent service that leads to higher bills.
Example for Sales-based tip pooling:
Total Tip Pool: $1,000
Server A: Sales - $500
Server B: Sales - $300
Server C: Sales - $200
Tip Pooling Calculation:
Distribution method: Tips are divided based on the total hours worked by each employee in the pool. This is a simpler method to administer but might not reflect individual effort on high-volume days.
Example for hours-based tip pooling:
Total Tip Pool: $1,000
Server A: Hours Worked - 8
Server B: Hours Worked - 6
Server C: Hours Worked - 4
Tip Pooling Calculation:
Distribution method: This hybrid approach takes both sales and hours worked into account. It can be a good balance, rewarding high performers while recognizing effort put in during slower times.
Example for Sales and hours based tip pooling:
Total Tip Pool: $1,000
Weight Sales as 70% and Hours as 30%
Server A: Sales - $500 & Hours Worked - 8
Server B: Sales - $300 & Hours Worked - 6
Server C: Sales - $200 & Hours Worked - 4
Calculation for Combined Sales & Hours:
Accurately calculate and distribute tips with ease using our FREE Tip Pooling Calculator template. Download now!
Distribution method: Some restaurants incorporate additional factors beyond sales or hours. This could include guest satisfaction surveys, number of tables served, or resolving customer complaints.
Example:
Think of the tip pool as a delicious pie. First, you need all the ingredients:
Total Tips Collected: This is the sum of all the tips your restaurant receives during a specific period (a shift, a day, or a week).
Next, you need to decide how to slice the pie:
Distribution Method: This is where things get interesting! We'll explore different methods in a bit. Each method assigns a "slice size" to each employee based on factors like sales generated or hours worked.
Finally, you divvy up the pie!
Individual Tip Share: Once you have the total tip pool and the distribution method, you can calculate each employee's share.
Now that you know how to bake different pie flavors, which one is best for your restaurant? Well, it depends on your unique recipe!
For a small pizzeria, a sales-based or combined method might incentivize teamwork and upselling. Whereas a high-volume sports bar requires a combined method with a stronger emphasis on hours worked to be fair for busy evenings with many servers.
Once you choose your method, ensure its success with these tips:
.jpg)
In the heart of the fog city, you’ll discover some of the best Indian food outlets that offer culinary charm from various corners of India! From Gujarati to Punjabi and even Marwari, you’ll find everything here. All you need is to look in the right place.
If you’re a sucker for Indian masala, aroma, and authentic taste, this article is for you! It will walk you through the top 8 famous and most appreciated Indian restaurants in San Francisco.
Directions: 3407, 1275 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Contact: (415) 580-7662 | Instagram
Finding Gujarati food in San Francisco can be a task and even frustrating if you’re fond of it. But no more! Besharam by Heena Patel brings you the authentic flavor of Gujarat to San Francisco, Dogpatch. You’ll be happy to know that Patel’s signature and deeply rooted dishes helped Besharam bag the Restaurant of the Year award in 2019.
But there’s a catch - this restaurant's menu plays by the ‘make-you-own-rules’ playbook. Imagine blue cheese in your parathas and melons in the chutney!! But that’s not the only thing that makes it special. It’s Heena’s childhood recipes and memories.
Directions: 333 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Contact: (415) 525-4174 | Instagram
Rooh is another one of the top Indian restaurants in San Francisco. This is best known for its polished setting and cozy ambiance. Well, why not? What less can you expect from India’s Good Times Restaurants hospitality group?
As for its menu, be prepared for subcontinental dishes that have a modern taste and are restaurant staples. The most appreciated are their small plates. Also, let’s not forget their ayurvedic-inspired cocktails; you’ll fall in love with these innovative drinks.
Directions: 943 Columbus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Contact: (415) 440-4293
This restaurant not only serves Indian delicacies but also Pakistani dishes. No wonder it is the neighborhood favorite of Russian Hill.
This beloved Indian eatery offers various delicious food options to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. What’s best is that it only uses Halal-certified meat. Their signature dishes - Tandoori Chicken and Lamb Vindaloo, are a must-try in and around the town.
Directions: 1140 Ocean Ave (Lee), San Francisco, CA 94112
Contact: (415) 841-8400
Planning a night out in the Mission, Tenderloin, or Ocean Avenue? Then Pakwan is the place you wouldn’t want to miss. Why? Well, their food is something you would not want to miss, and the best part; it’s a BYOB restaurant! That makes it a place to make a scandalous night full of fun, laughter, and worth-it Asian food!
Directions: 1700 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Contact: (415) 873-0795 | Instagram
Next on the list is a well-regarded restaurant in the Fillmore District known for its Indian Coastal Cuisine. It is a new restaurant by Chef Srijith Gopinathan, who has bagged two Michelin stars in the past.
He aims to bring the flavors and culture of his home state - Kerala! As for the look and feel, the restaurant design is a feast for the eyes, decorated with climbing vines and aesthetic hanging macrame ropes.
Directions: 3501 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Contact: (415) 647-4037 | Instagram
After serving celebrities and renowned personalities like Justin Timberlake and the Prime Minister of Singapore at tech cafes like Apple and Dropbox, Chef Tilkal Gurgung opened his own restaurant. From satisfying Indian curries to Bernal Heights, tandoori to crispy snacks and even finger-licking chaat items, you will get everything of the best innovative - Indian food at Tilak!
Directions: 3316 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
Contact: +14158142049 | Instagram
Imagine arm-length dosas that give a satisfying crunch with delicious South Indian curry and chutneys! Mouth-watering, right? But that’s just a part of the package!
The highlights of Aaha Indian Cuisine are the coconutty prawn curry, spicy deep-fried chicken, and biryani loaded with goat or lamb. Also, with bright orange walls, jiggling lights, and gold streamers, it’s an ambiance you’d want to experience at least once.
Directions: 1007 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Contact: (415) 970-8000
Udupi Place is yet another renowned South Indian restaurant located in the Mission. It’s said to be one of the best Indian eateries where you can enjoy South Indian food and hang and chill with friends. What’s best is that the menu prices for Udupi Place’s meals are highly affordable compared to the portion size. So, no fancy dressing, have your meal comfortably in your sweats, and at the lowest price! What more could one ask for?
Now that you know what Indian restaurants to explore in San Francisco, ditch the home delivery menus and step out to dust off your Indian food appetite. We’re sure the meals served at the above-listed restaurants will transport you to the heart of India! So, why wait? Visit your favorite Indian restaurant from the list and enjoy the Indian masala!
Remember when COVID-19 got everyone super anxious about health and safety? Well, nearly 60% of folks got worried about eating out, and 20% decided to skip restaurants altogether! The result: contactless dining became the go-to choice for diners. After all, it lets you order and pay for your meal without having to interact with staff at all.
So, point-of-sale (POS) systems are stepping up to cater to contactless dining. Let's find out more!
Before the pandemic, contactless dining was a cool but niche option, mostly used by tech-savvy people in big cities. Popular food franchises like Starbucks kicked things off with mobile ordering and payments. This allowed customers to skip the lines and grab their orders quickly.
As the pandemic hit, contactless dining became the new normal. For example, Chipotle added more contactless delivery options, like a digital-only restaurant. Platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub saw a huge boom as everyone turned to online ordering.
Now, post-pandemic, contactless dining is still going strong. Over half of Americans are making contactless payments. Restaurants are keeping up with the trend. They're rolling out QR code menus and touchless payment systems to make dining out even more hassle-free.
As customers keep aiming for safety, convenience, and a dash of speed, the craving for contactless dining and payments is set to keep increasing.
POS systems have leveled up to keep up with contactless dining. They now have all these cool features to make dining experiences way more convenient and safer. Here's how:
Customers can use their phones, browse through all the options on the menu, place their orders, and even pay. The best part? They can do it all without touching a physical menu or having too much face-to-face chit-chat. Mobile POS improves efficiency and cuts wait times.
Customers can use their NFC cards or Apple Pay on their smartphones to settle the bill. No need to fumble with cash or even swipe a card—just a quick tap, and you receive the payment!
Imagine QR codes as portals to your menu! Your customers can just scan the code using their smartphones and get the menu right at their fingertips. No more flipping through sticky physical menus that need constant cleaning.
Here’s the lowdown on how to set up a contactless dining system and keep your customers satisfied:
Pick a POS system that's all about that contactless functionality. This mostly includes mobile ordering and touchless payments. Make sure it integrates well with your current setup. Also, it should have super-useful backend features for handling orders.
Create a digital menu on your website or app. Add in high-resolution pictures of your dishes, along with their prices and descriptions. Keep it so user-friendly that anybody could navigate it.
Generate QR codes linked to your digital menu items. Stick these codes prominently on tables or where your customers enter. They can take out their phones, scan away, and go to your online menu.
Whether it's NFC-enabled cards, mobile wallets (e.g., Apple Pay), or QR code payments, set it up in your POS system. Display your accepted methods loud and clear. This way, customers can pay without cash.
Remember ease, convenience, and hygiene! Customers these days want clean and hassle-free dining experiences. So, make sure your setup checks those boxes to keep them coming back.
Contactless dining technology can help restaurants cater to what today's diners want: safe, efficient, and smooth dining experiences. Here are some key advantages:
Contactless dining solutions cut down on staff-customer interactions. This lowers the risk of passing around any unwanted viruses. The result: a cleaner, safer dining experience. Customers appreciate these measures. After all, they feel extra secure and cozy, knowing their health is a top priority.
With contactless dining, your customers can browse through a digital menu with images and detailed descriptions. They can even check out dietary info—all at their own speed. On top of that, online ordering makes placing the order easy, just the way your customers like it. So no more mix-ups or misunderstandings. This level of customization ensures the ordered meal is exactly what your customer wants.
Contactless dining lets customers pre-order and get real-time updates on table availability. The result: no more crowding at the host stand. Diners can skip the old-school ordering and payment hassle by doing it all from their smartphones. This also helps you serve more guests faster, which means more revenue potential for your business.
Your digital menus can subtly nudge customers towards popular or high-margin items. With strategic menu placement and suggestive selling techniques, you can tempt diners with perfect pairings and irresistible offers. Plus, mobile ordering can push impulse buys. It can make your customers add extra items to their orders. So, while they enjoy a stress-free meal, your sales may get a boost.
Did you know that modern POS systems do more than just process payments? From what your customers love to order and when they love to dine to which menu items are total hits, these systems give you the inside scoop. That means, with restaurant analytics, you can tweak your menu, adjust prices, and adjust your staff. When you meet customer expectations more effectively, the results are better operational efficiency and increased profitability.
Contactless dining has its perks, no doubt! But before you get into new POS systems, be ready for a few challenges along the way:
There could be some initial resistance from your staff. Change can be challenging, and they might need some time to adjust to new processes and workflows. Don't be surprised if there are productivity dips. With patience and proper training, everyone will be aligned with contactless technology.
Trying to match new POS systems with your old-school legacy setups can sometimes lead to compatibility issues. Smooth integration ensures your operations stay flawless without any hiccups.
Getting your staff up to speed on the advanced features of the new POS system might take a bit of effort. They'll need to get comfortable with contactless ordering for restaurants using mobile ordering, touchless payments, and QR codes.
These challenges with contactless ordering for restaurants might seem tough, but don't worry. We've got the solutions for restaurants to tackle them head-on:
Set up structured training sessions for your staff on the new POS system. Get hands-on with contactless restaurant ordering. Show them interactive tutorials and practice sessions. Plus, keep the support flowing with regular refresher courses.
Take it slow and steady. Start with pilot testing in a few spots or during off-peak times. This way, you can iron out any issues, troubleshoot, and fine-tune everything before going all-in.
Get everyone involved by asking for their thoughts and feedback. Talk, brainstorm, and tackle any challenges. The more you communicate and work together, the easier it'll be to adopt contactless dining technology.
There have been some amazing ways restaurants are adapting to what customers want and need. Here's how:
When it comes to delivery, restaurants either team up with delivery services or handle it themselves. Customers just order online, set their delivery preferences, and pay electronically in a flash.
On the other hand, in takeout, customers order meals online or by phone, and then pick them up at the restaurant's designated takeout area. The payment is usually settled online or with a quick tap at pickup. Takeout lets customers enjoy restaurant-quality food in the comfort of their own homes.
Starbucks has mobile order-only stores so that customers don’t have to wait in line. They just order ahead using the Starbucks app and grab their meals.
Some restaurants have designated pickup zones or parking spots where customers can retrieve their orders without setting foot inside. When they arrive, they just ping the restaurant on their phone or app. Then, a staff member comes with their order right to their car.
Take Chick-fil-A, for example. They’ve extended their mobile drive-thru lanes and put on QR codes for customers to scan.
Restaurants these days are ditching old-school paper menus for digital versions. Customers can access them with a simple QR code scan or through dedicated mobile apps. Best part? These digital menus get updated in real time. Thus, customers always know about the latest specials and promotions.
Moreover, customers can place their orders right from their phone using the restaurant's app or their mobile-friendly website. They can customize their meals. This reduces any mix-ups that might happen with traditional ordering methods.
Take Panera Bread, for instance. At their US locations, customers can use the Panera Mobile App to order their favorite items right from their table. No more waiting in line.
Near-field communication (NFC) technology makes paying easy for customers. It is as simple as tapping a smartphone or contactless card on the POS terminal. It's secure, efficient, and keeps transactions quick.
Some contactless payment restaurants use QR codes. Customers scan a QR code on their bill or at the payment terminal. It takes them to a secure payment gateway. There, they can pay with their mobile wallets or linked accounts without any fuss.
There are plenty of big-name restaurants with contactless payment across the US, such as Burger King, Domino's, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Subway, Taco Bell, and Wendy's.
Some restaurants let customers give feedback on their dining experience through mobile apps or email surveys. They can rate how epic their burger was, drop some comments, and even give ideas for making things even more awesome—all of this without the need for physical comment cards or in-person surveys.
Take Shake Shack, for example. They've leveled up with QR codes and personalized digital survey links. Customers just tap or click to give their reviews. This move lets the company keep tabs on how they're doing and measure all key performance parameters.
Contactless dining and restaurant technology will see continued innovation and adoption of new technologies to improve customer experiences and operational efficiencies. Here's what's cooking:
Restaurants will use AR and VR to improve their customer experience. AR menus can show digital images and information right before the customer. So they can visualize the dishes before ordering. On the other hand, VR allows for immersive dining experiences or virtual tours of restaurants.
Around 30% of eateries are using chatbots for automated customer chats. Plus, 54% of fast-food joints are preparing for AI-powered predictive ordering. Restaurants have seen a 15% boost in online orders with AI!
Restaurants are eyeing AI and machine learning to analyze order histories and dining habits to create personalized recommendations, deals, and menu tweaks. On top of that, AI is predicting when the lunch rush hits or when that special dessert sells out. This helps restaurants stock up smartly.
The way we pay has been getting fancier over the last few years. So, expect touchless payment systems to keep evolving. It can get even more secure, faster, and easier to use. Plus, blockchain might ensure everything is transparent and traceable when paying for meals.
People want safer, quicker dining options, and restaurants are stepping up with contactless dining. High-tech solutions like AR and VR are making dining out an experience. AI and machine learning are even getting in on the action, making personalized service a reality. NFC and QR codes are making transactions smoother.
Restaurants going all-in on these innovations aren't just keeping customers safe and happy; they're setting themselves up for big-time success.
You’ve got to check out OneHubPOS for top-notch contactless dining solutions! Its super sleek dashboard puts control right at your fingertips. You can update your menu, edit items, and manage inventory anytime, anywhere. And your customers will absolutely love the convenience. Happier customers bring in even more customers and better revenue.
Want to woo your diners with a fantastic contactless dining experience? Chat with our experts today!
Think of it like this: you wouldn't open a bakery without knowing the price of flour or run a bar without tracking liquor costs. So why leave your most significant expense, food, to guesswork?
Many restaurateurs, caught in the daily whirlwind, neglect the crucial task of calculating food costs. This can be a recipe for disaster. Without this vital metric, you're essentially flying blind, unable to identify areas for improvement and ensure your menu delivers healthy profits.
It’s like running a successful restaurant – a picture of culinary bliss. But beneath the surface, a silent thief erodes your profits daily: uncontrolled food costs.
This blog helps you to understand the need and take control. We'll explain everything you need to know about calculating food cost percentages, equip you with calculation tools, and show you how to transform your menu from a mystery to a money-making masterpiece.
The magic recipe for a successful restaurant isn't just in the food – it's in the numbers. While creating mouthwatering dishes is essential, understanding your food cost percentage is the key to long-term profitability.
Let’s break this down. Every dollar a customer spends on your menu has a job to do. It needs to cover the cost of ingredients (food cost), staff salaries, rent, and utilities and ultimately generate a profit for your business.
But let’s get into practically calculating food costs for a restaurant after we learn some key terms to understand this.
Here's what we need to know to calculate food costs:
To understand why you should be on top of your food costs, let’s start with an example. You own "Chez Marco," a bustling Italian joint known for its fresh, seasonal dishes in the San Francisco Bay Area. While you love seeing happy customers, a nagging worry persists—are you actually making money?
You track your total sales, but without knowing your food cost percentage, you have no idea how much of that money goes straight to buying ingredients. Are those mouthwatering "Pappardelle al Funghi Porcini'' secretly draining your profits because you haven't factored in the expensive wild mushrooms?
This is the danger of neglecting food cost. It's the difference between a thriving business and a recipe for disaster.
Once you have these two figures, the magic happens:
For example, let's say Marco's weekly COGS is $5,000, and his total food sales are $10,000.
Plugging that into the formula:
Yikes! A 50% food cost percentage is on the high side. This means that for every dollar Marco makes in food sales, half of it goes towards ingredients, leaving very little room for other expenses like rent, staff salaries, and (of course) profit.
Marco can now identify areas for improvement by calculating his food cost percentage. Some of the questions he should be asking:
What would you do as a restaurant owner? Food for thought.
By knowing his food cost percentage, Marco can now make informed decisions that directly impact his profitability. Here's how:
Food cost percentage is a powerful tool that empowers restaurants, like Chez Marco, to move from guesswork to data-driven decision-making. By keeping a close eye on this metric, Marco can ensure his delicious dishes translate to a successful and profitable business.
We've established that understanding your overall food cost percentage is crucial for restaurant success. But what if you want to delve deeper? This blog explores methods to calculate food cost per meal and per dish, giving you a granular view of your menu's profitability.
This helps you understand the average food cost per customer visit. It's particularly useful for restaurants with set menus or buffets. Here's how:
Let's revisit Chez Marco.
Imagine he offers a fixed-price lunch buffet for $20 per person.
His total COGS during a week is $3,000, and he serves 150 lunches.
This indicates that on average, the ingredients for each buffet meal cost Marco $20, which conveniently matches his selling price. However, this doesn't account for individual dish profitability.
To truly optimize your menu, you need to analyze the food cost of each dish. Here's the formula:
This allows you to identify dishes with disproportionately high food costs. Here's an example:
While this dish has a good selling price, its high food cost percentage might require adjustments. Perhaps using a more affordable type of mushroom or offering a smaller portion size could improve profitability.
By calculating food cost per meal and per dish, you gain a deeper understanding of your menu's profitability. This empowers you to:
Remember: Food cost calculations are powerful tools, but they're just the first step. Utilize this knowledge to strategically optimize your menu and unlock your restaurant's full profit potential.
Imagine your restaurant’s best-selling lasagna recipe yields 6 hearty portions. Let's find out the cost per serving to see how the magic happens:
Total Recipe Cost: Add up all ingredient costs = $8.05
Number of Servings: 6
This example shows how you can uncover the true cost of each serving in your recipe. With this knowledge, you can effectively price your lasagna on the menu and identify areas for potential cost savings, if needed.
Food Cost Calculator is a trusty sidekick that automates calculations, minimizes errors, and provides real-time data. That's the magic of a food cost calculator. Here's how it benefits your restaurant:
While food cost calculators are powerful tools, they're just one piece of the puzzle. Here are additional strategies to keep your food costs in check:
Even with a food cost calculator, accuracy is key. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
By combining food cost calculations, the power of technology, and these additional strategies, you'll gain complete control over your food costs. This translates to a more profitable restaurant, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – creating delicious food and happy customers.
We offer a comprehensive solution to streamline your food cost management, and how?
By implementing these takeaways and leveraging OneHubPOS, you can gain control of your food costs and ensure the long-term success of your restaurant.
Imagine you're putting together an order on a busy day, only to realize later that you received the wrong info—ouch! And it’s just one of those frustrating, manual errors that can cost your restaurant a lot.
While you might think the good old pen and paper is a pocket-friendly option, the reality is far away from what it seems. This method comes with multiple pitfalls that can absorb your profits. There’s a risk of misplaced orders, miscalculated bills, and stock discrepancies. What’s more, these eros not only waste your time but also sway your customers away over time!
If you’re also looking for solutions to these restaurant manual errors, this is the right place to be! This blog will show how switching to a modern POS system can help you bypass costly manual errors while preserving your revenue!
Manual errors in restaurant operations can stem from simple oversights in your daily tasks. Here are some of the most common slip-ups:
Manual inventory mistakes usually involve counting errors, misplaced items, and incorrect data entry. They can lead to inaccurate stock levels and operational inefficiencies. There could be different types of inventory mistakes:
Not having the right tools to manage inventory leads to overordering or underordering. Overordering can result in excess stock that might go unused before expiring. Underordering can cause popular menu items to run out, leading to lost sales.
Many restaurants struggle with food waste due to poor inventory tracking. Without proper technology, it's easy to overestimate how much food you need. This could lead to spoilage and unnecessary waste.
Manual inventory management often involves human error in counting and data entry. This process is time-consuming and also lacks real-time updates. Understanding inventory trends and turnover is essential but challenging without a unified system.
Manual order-taking in restaurants is ripe for mistakes, which can quickly sour a customer's experience. When you keep orders on paper, it's common for things to get lost in translation—misreading handwriting or mishearing over a noisy dining room.
These slip-ups can lead to wrong dishes, delayed orders, or even missed orders. The fallout? Frustrated customers and potentially lost business. Frequent order errors can tarnish your restaurant's reputation and may lead to negative reviews.
Pricing discrepancies in restaurants often occur when you manually enter prices into systems. There is a high chance of mismatches between what should be charged and what is billed. For instance, your staff might forget the new prices during seasonal promotions. They may end up charging old rates.
Point-of-sale systems use advanced tech to track your sales and ensure that pricing errors or missed charges are a thing of the past. This helps you keep your finances in check and ensures customers get a fair deal every time.
These systems streamline the process of recording transactions right when they happen. This immediate data capture minimizes common errors like miscounting or misrecording sales, which often occur in manual setups.
POS systems take the guesswork out of inventory management by automatically updating stock as items sell. They help you avoid overstocking or running out of essentials. Plus, features like barcode scanning and digital receipts cut down on human errors, making everything run smoother.
POS systems offer a multitude of benefits for businesses:
Automating POS system inventory management is a major plus for restaurants. Here's how it works- when new products come in, just scan them and enter the amounts, and boom—they're logged into your system.
This real-time tracking lets you know exactly what you have in stock, ditching the guesswork and slip-ups of counting by hand. And the best part? Every time you make a sale, the system updates your inventory levels. It keeps everything smooth and accurate.
Are you managing orders manually? That can lead to mix-ups and missed sales, especially when things get busy. A POS system makes things a lot more easy for you.
A POS system ensures every price tag in your store is spot on. Here's how it works: whenever you need to change prices, whether for a sale or an update, you do it once in the system, and it automatically adjusts everywhere—on every product and in every transaction.
As a result, you can rest assured that the cashier will charge the correct price every time without any human error. You can let the system handle the total, addition, and taxes and apply discounts automatically.
With features like inventory management and order processing all integrated into one system, your staff can shift their focus from tedious manual tasks to providing top-notch service. Here's how such systems enhance efficiency:
With its advanced analytics, a modern POS system gives you the scoop on all your transactions. It shows you why some products fly off the shelves while others linger or why your sales soar some days but not others.
For example, if you spot that a certain item is a hit during the holidays, you can stock up early to meet demand. Or, if something isn't selling as well as you hoped, you might roll out promotions or discounts to boost it. This kind of insight is invaluable for staying on top of your game.
Additionally, the analytics from a POS system give you deeper insights into your customers' buying habits. By examining their past purchases and preferences, you can craft marketing campaigns that resonate with their needs, making your efforts more effective. This tailored approach not only feels more professional but also boosts the impact of your promotions.
Point-of-sale (POS) systems can enhance how you connect with your customers. By integrating features like loyalty programs and detailed customer profiles, a POS can personalize interactions based on past purchases, making every customer feel special.
For instance, when a regular visit is made, the system suggests items they might like or offers discounts tailored to their preferences. This personalized service improves the customer experience and boosts retention—86% of restaurants leverage POS data to refine loyalty strategies.
Let's guide you through selecting the perfect POS for your restaurant. Here are the top 7 features to consider that can help streamline your processes and improve your customer service:
Your POS should make it easy to update the menu on the fly. This feature will allow you to quickly mark items out of stock or update pricing during busy shifts. It ensures your menu reflects real-time changes without restarting the system.
Inventory management is a must-have in any POS system. It keeps track of your stock in real time. A sophisticated POS system has real-time tracking tools that help you keep a precise tab on your inventory levels.
Modern POS systems should support digital loyalty programs and gift cards. It enhances customer retention by simplifying how guests use and manage their rewards. POS software with loyalty program functionality can increase ticket size by up to 46%.
Combining essential operational tools into one platform can simplify your administrative tasks. A POS that includes employee management features such as payroll processing, scheduling, and communication can streamline your HR processes and improve staff coordination.
Payments and processing fees are what you pay each time a customer purchases. It's important because these fees can add up and affect your bottom line. When choosing a POS system, look for one with clear, low fees. This will help you save money and simplify budgeting.
A POS system with good hardware is essential because it affects how smoothly your operations run. Look for hardware that's reliable, easy to use, and matches your business's size and style. Good hardware can speed up transactions, reduce errors, and improve customer experience for your restaurant.
The ability to integrate online ordering directly into your POS system is more important than ever with the growth of digital dining options. This feature allows you to manage orders more effectively. It does so while keeping track of customer preferences and maintaining control over your branding and customer data.
When estimating the budget for a new POS system, you must remember to include hidden costs and additional expenses, as there could be many.
To start, if you need your POS system to sync up smoothly with other tools you're using—like your accounting software or CRM—you should be aware that there might be additional costs for those integrations.
Then there are the add-ons. Things like loyalty programs or email marketing tools can bump the cost considerably. Even text messaging features could add more to your monthly bill than expected. And remember, if you're planning on having more than one register, you might face additional fees for each—these could range anywhere from about $10 to $40 per register each month.
Also, keep in mind the costs for ongoing support and training. You may occasionally need support from your vendor for upgrades or to fix issues, which can inflate the total cost of owning your POS system.
The challenges with restaurant manual errors can impact your daily operations and threaten the longevity of your business. Understanding these common restaurant problems and adopting a modern POS system can help address potential difficulties. A POS system prevents common mistakes like misentered orders and inventory mishaps and enhances business efficiency.
Ready to upgrade and improve your restaurant's efficiency? Check out OneHubPOS for a reliable, feature-rich POS solution that fits your business needs.
A coffee shop's success comes not from what you sell but how you sell it. The interiors and aesthetics of your cafe can be a game changer and make it the next preferred destination for everyone. Nowadays, people buy feelings, and to sell them, you will have to invest in designs that can turn their visits into an experience to remember.
Many founders use designs as a loud marketing tool to subtly convey their message. An ideal design can enhance customer experience, promote social media sharing, and ultimately bring more business.
Let us discuss the top ten coffee shop design ideas that will woo your customers and make your cafe a destination they are compelled to visit every time.
Invest in creative designs to transform your coffee shop into a customer magnet. From subtle themes and exteriors to lighting and amenities, you can make your space unforgettable.
When decoding the design for your cafe, you should first consider whether you want to go all out with colors and prints or prefer something sleek and simple.
Maximalist coffee shops are lively and full of character. Think about The Coffee Movement in San Francisco.
This small coffee shop has an inviting, warm, and approachable environment. Every corner tells a detailed story, making it visually captivating and a favorite for social media lovers.
On the other hand, Blue Bottle Coffee adopts calmness and sophistication. It uses simple shapes, neutral colors, and uncluttered spaces to emphasize simplicity and elegance.
Apart from creating a warm, welcoming feeling; the minimalism emphasizes the quality of coffee served alone and makes the atmosphere great for relaxation. Aesthetically, this store keeps everything straightforward and modern, catering to those customers who appreciate more relaxed, focused areas.
Whether you choose maximalist or minimalist patterns, each style offers a unique perspective, shaping how people perceive your coffee shops.
The next best thing you can do is to choose a theme. It could be either retro or modern, depending on the clientele you aim to have.
Whether you go for a retro or modern look, the theme should best suit your clientele, personality, and preferences.
For example, a retro theme can establish a sense of nostalgia that hits strong like home. You can consider incorporating vintage furniture with neutral yet classic color schemes and top it off with retro songs.
On the other hand, cafes like Anh Coffee Roastery in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, boast about their modern, contemporary, and sleek look. They’ve used monochromatic patterns to create an elegant look.
Choosing a theme that resonates with your target audience can create an inclusive atmosphere that enhances the overall customer experience.
Choosing the exterior design that matches your theme can help create an inviting and cohesive environment. Choosing the right style according to your theme can set the tone for your customers and lead to a more successful customer experience.
If you have decided to create a retro theme for your cafe, your exterior design may be related to a classic diner or include ancient furniture. Exterior colors that are bold, bright, and nostalgic (like reds, yellows, or turquoise) would give an astonishing look.
If you favor a modern theme, you will need to select modern, sleek, and clean lines for your exterior design. Use sleek materials such as glass, steel, wood, and metal in neutral tones. You can also feature the logo in a contemporary font, with subtle lighting to make it more visible.
Seattle’s Starbucks Reserve Roastery is one such example. They’re attracting customers with their subtle lighting in the logo and contemporary font. These minor changes in your exterior can set the stage and improve the overall visual appeal of your cafe.
Interior design can create a sense of sophistication and elegance that reflects your brand and catches your customers' eye. As you think about the interior of your coffee shop, think about elements that add a touch of elegance while creating an overall wonderful ambiance.
For example, Case Study Coffee in Portland is known for its sophisticated and inviting interior environments. At their Alberta Arts District location, a chandelier in the shape of a caffeine molecule hangs over the bar, serving as an elegant and unique focal point for the coffee shop. This particular attention to detail compliments the caffeine theme and adds a sense of sophistication to the space.
By incorporating these elements into your interior coffee shop design, you will create an visually appealing environment that will make an impression on your customers. This will not only draw your customers in, but it will create a memorable visit for them.
While you’ve set the theme and interiors of your coffee shop, you can upgrade them all by switching to classic furniture that matches your theme.
Furniture is a timeless asset that can elevate any room. Tatte Bakery in Washington D.C., has incorporated furniture and fixtures from all over the world to elevate its eclectic and cozy atmosphere.
Imagine Moroccan-style lamps, wooden tables, and vintage chairs that blend seamlessly with your theme. These combined features will create a space that builds lasting memories, making your place stand out from the rest.
Lighting is essential in establishing a mood and elevating the overall aesthetic of your coffee shop. It can transform the experience, creating an ambiance that screams comfort.
For example, consider the unique lighting approach used at Devoción Coffee in Brooklyn, New York. There, the coffee shop utilizes a mix of both natural and artificial lighting to create a cozy, welcoming environment for their guests. Large skylights flood the space with natural light in the daytime. Edison bulbs and industrial-style fixtures appeal to the coffee shop's trend-conscious customers and add a vintage appeal to the space.
Whether you choose chic chandeliers, rustic lanterns, or modern style fixtures, all of these elements ultimately contribute to the transformation of your coffee shop into a cozy corner that customers will want to spend time in and come back again.
Providing free WiFi is a simple but highly effective way to attract a crowd when everyone is glued to their devices. Offering such necessities for free shows that you care for your customers.
Moreover, when almost everyone is glued to their phones, looking for cozy places to chill, study, work, and have their favorite coffee becomes imperative.
People working in Starbucks are a prime example of this. Starbucks has become the designated destination for remote workers, students, and browsers by providing customers with an available, fast, and steady internet connection.
This benefit increases customers' time in the coffee store and boosts the overall customer experience. It helps foster customer loyalty and repeat visits and is a promotion tool.
Local artists are the source of primary entertainment in any given city. You can leverage this for your coffee shop by inviting artists from your community. This will boost your presence and encourage customers to visit and participate more.
Cafe Grumpy in New York City is using this technique to gather crowds from all across the city. They feature local artists' artwork and host live music to create a safe space where coffee meets art.
Nowadays, everyone is on a run. To serve these on-the-go customers, you can set up a self-ordering kiosk that will help them place their orders quickly and help your staff cater to many customers simultaneously.
These kiosks seamlessly streamline the ordering process to help your baristas focus on making the drinks rather than attending long queues of customers. To solve these problems, OneHubPOS offers an ideal solution with modern self-ordering kiosks.
The interface is user-friendly, making it a must-have for every coffee shop. The ordering process gets so efficient, plus you don’t have to go over the board with the implementation process, as this kiosk can easily be integrated into your existing POS system.
Investing in OneHubPOS improves efficiency and elevates the overall customer experience by making the process smooth, just like a cup of cappuccino.
If you want to create an ordinary wall that turns extraordinary, you should consider making an insta-worthy feature wall. This could include classy mirrors, funky backdrops, or hook-worthy messages. For example, the “But First, Coffee” wall of Alfred Coffee in Los Angeles has become the favorite wall for Instagrammers.
This simple but memorable mural is now a staple for Instagram photos for both residents and visitors. Through striking murals, bold art, or textures that have an exciting feel, you can create a feature wall that will always be associated with your café.
Designing a coffee shop involves careful planning. You should avoid the mistakes below to ensure that your space is functional and loved by customers.
You can successfully implement the design ideas that can woo your customers by avoiding these common mistakes. These tips can help your coffee shop to be a well-designed, welcoming, and efficient space that will encourage customers to return repeatedly.
Setting your coffee shop apart will take more than a good cup of coffee. It’s about creating a recognizable space that resonates with your customers and adds to the overall experience. You want to think about every detail of your design to ensure your customers always feel at home and remember you long after visiting.
Ready to make your coffee shop dreams come true? Consider OneHubPOS as your POS partner to streamline business operations. With transparent pricing and the best value in the market, OneHubPOS begins at just $1. Take the plunge and witness the growth with OneHubPOS.
Wanting to hit up a food truck in Los Angeles? We mean, why not? There, you get mouth-watering, often chef-driven dishes you won't find in typical restaurants. And that, too, without even breaking the bank!
In this post, we have gathered seven amazing spots for you to try if you're really into food trucks or want to give one a chance for the first time. Below, you'll find some of the most loved and highly-rated food trucks to try in Los Angeles.
Best for: Authentic Mexican seafood, particularly the famous tacos dorado de camaron.
Mariscos Jalisco is the spot if your hunt is some authentic L.A street food. This food truck tops our list for a reason- taco lovers from different borders head to this place to enjoy their irresistible seafood without spending too much cash.
If you plan to visit this food truck, make sure not to miss their shrimp tacos, as they're something people rave about. They are crispy shrimp in a corn tortilla, topped with fresh salsa and creamy avocado. And guess what? You just need to pay less than three bucks!
Address: 3040 E Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90023
Get in touch: (323) 528-6701
Best for: Al pastor tacos served from a traditional trompo.
Leo's Taco Truck is pretty much a famous spot in East Hollywood. It's where people who love tacos meet up, especially late at night. You'll find it easily at the corner of Western and Sunset, with not just one but two trucks parked there, so everyone gets their taco fix.
The best part about them is their flexible timings- you can catch them early in the morning till late at night (2 am on weekdays and 3 am on weekends). A few things the spot is famous for are- killer spit-roasted al pastor tacos and juicy pork with a slice of pineapple, all snug in a warm corn tortilla.
Address: 1515 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Get in touch: +1 323-346-2001
Best for: Burger fans looking for some signature flavors.
You need to check out The Fix on Wheels for tasty burgers with a twist! Since 2017, they've been dishing out a menu inspired by their Silver Lake spot, but with some food truck exclusives like the Grilled Cheese Jose and spicy treats like the Angry Chicken.
Not to mention, there are killer Seoul Fries and special items like the Kalbi Asada sandwich. You'll often find it at the Levitt Pavilion during concert nights. Trust us when we say this place is where cravings go to be satisfied, any time from lunch through late at night.
Address: 2633 Lincoln Blvd Ste 704, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Get in touch: +1 323-325-5573
Best for: Authentic Latin American cuisine lovers.
Maravilla Latin Cuisine brings you a taste of authentic Latin life! They serve up a feast of flavors in each of their mouth-watering dishes from their hearty, traditional menu.
Something they're known for is their sudado de pollo, a comforting chicken stew, or the Cuban ropa vieja with its tender, shredded flank steak over garlicky black beans and rice. You must not miss out on their quesadillas and zesty lime tacos, either. They've even thought of vegans with a creamy avocado salad that's simply delicious.
Address: 11395 N Bradley Dr, Los Angeles, CA 91331
Get in touch: +1 310-760-6918
Best for: Adventurous eaters interested in Asian-Indonesian fusion.
Stop by StopBye Café for a taste of Indonesia's Spice Island right on your street corner. Chefs Tom and Justin mix traditional spices like galangal, turmeric, and lemongrass with local ingredients to create mouth-watering dishes that are as authentic as they are delicious.
Tom, with his knack for hospitality, ensures every customer feels right at home. Hungry for a taste of adventure? You must catch them around LA for a cozy and tasty experience or book them for your next event.
Address: W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
Get in touch: +1 424-456-5533
Best for: Fans of Japanese cuisine with a modern twist.
With a stellar 2021 rating of 4.84/5, it's no wonder Tokyo Style Food Truck is a favorite. From Japanese-style hot dogs and Philly Cheese Steaks to rice bowls paired with unique drinks like Lychee Lemonade and non-dairy boba tea, there's something for everyone.
Plus, they offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options! Looking to spice up an event? You must experience their hospitality, and you'll understand why everyone leaves happier than they arrived.
Address: 14101 Panay Way, Marina del Rey, CA, 90292
Get in touch: 310-591-6226
Best for: Anyone wanting a refreshing, light dessert option.
Happy Ice, a black-owned vegan ice cream shop, was started in 2017 by Lemeir Mitchell, who was originally from Philadelphia. Inspired by the food truck culture in Los Angeles, he wanted to bring a piece of his Philly roots to LA. Happy Ice quickly became famous for its colorful, vegan-friendly water ice—a unique blend that's as creamy as ice cream and as light as sorbet.
Lemeir's idea was to create a place where people could enjoy a cool treat and have fun together, just like he did back in Philly. Thanks to his dedication and a nearly $1 million investment from Ted Foxman, Happy Ice expanded rapidl
Address: 7324 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Get in touch: +1 855-934-2779
Los Angeles never disappoints when it comes to food trucks! Whatever your taste buds are after, LA has a truck for it. Hungry for something different and exciting? Make sure to visit one of these seven hidden gem food trucks. Each one offers incredibly unique and delicious options. So round up your crew, track down these trucks, and treat yourselves to some fantastic food.
.jpg)
As a restaurant owner, you might already know that a lot of planning and elbow grease goes into making your restaurant a hit. Keeping tabs on those key restaurant metrics simplifies your job and pinpoints what needs tweaking. You must remember that tweaking just one thing won't skyrocket your profits.
It's about closely monitoring all the restaurant analytics that count. These financial insights really help you manage your eatery wisely and squeeze every bit of profit out of it!
While there's a sea of data—from detailed cost breakdowns to customer behaviors—we've zeroed in on 20 key metrics that matter from the start.
Cost of goods sold totals the amount you spend making a dish. It includes all the cash that goes into the ingredients- such as meats, veggies, and spices. It shows you exactly how much you're spending on each dish on your menu.
Formula
{CoGS}={Beginning Inventory}+{Purchases}−{Ending Inventory}
Glossary
Labor cost percentage simply gives you a picture of the portion of your restaurant's revenue you use to compensate your staff. This adds up to the costs you use to pay for things like wages, taxes, and benefits for your staff.
Formula
{Labor Cost Percentage} = {Total Labor Costs}/{Total Sales}*100
Glossary
Prime cost is the sum of your COGS and labor costs. It combines the amount you spend on the ingredients and what you pay your team—your biggest expenses. Keeping track of your prime cost informs you about your spending—whether you need to cut down on your spending or it's going well.
Formula
{Prime Cost} = {Total Labor Costs} + {Cost of Goods Sold}
Break-even analysis is like a benchmark you need to hit with your sales. It helps you ensure you earn enough to cover your restaurant's expenses. These expenses range from everything from the spices in your kitchen to the labor wages.
Formula
{Break-Even Point (in units)} = {Fixed Costs}/{Selling Price per Unit} - {Variable Cost per Unit}
Glossary
Net profit margin, or just net margin, is like taking the pulse of your company's profitability. It tells you what chunk of your sales is actually turning into profit. Basically, it's how much money you're making from your total sales, shown as a percentage.
Formula
{Net Profit Margin} = {Net Profit}/{Total Revenue}*100
Glossary
Menu item profitability, as you might have already guessed, informs you about the items acting as your best sellers, bringing in the most profit, and dishes that are wasting your investments. It helps you understand how much each dish costs to make and how much it's loved by your customers.
Formula
{Menu Item Profitability} = {Selling Price} - {Cost of Ingredients}
Glossary
An inven͏tory tu͏r͏nove͏r rat͏io tells you the speed at which you're going through your ingredients relative to how much you're stocking up.
A higher ratio highlights that you're using i͏ngredients as fast as you're s͏t͏ocking it. That is great because it means less waste and fresher ingredients on the plate. A low ratio might signal overbuying or menu items not doing so hot.
Formula
{Inventory Turnover Ratio} = {Cost of Goods Sold}/{Average Inventory}]
Glossary
Formula for Average Inventory
{Beginning Inventory + Ending Inventory} / 2
The table turnover rate informs you how quickly you can sit, serve, and see off one set of diners before welcoming the next. This pace-setting metric is crucial because the faster you can "turn" tables without rushing your guests, the more diners you can serve in a day.
Formula
Table Turnover Rate = {Total number of tables served}/ {Total number of tables available}
Glossary
Total sales by server track how much each waiter sells during their shift. Measuring this metric brags rights and helps identify which servers are up-selling effectively and who might need a bit more training to boost their sales skills.
Example
Take, for example, Sarah brings in $1000 during her shift while Tom only brings $500. This suggests that Tom might need some training.
Customer acquisition cost is the money you have to invest in attracting a new customer through your marketing and making them visit your restaurant for the first time. It helps you see what you pay to draw in a new patron. A higher customer acquisition cost suggests your marketing efforts are working in your favor.
Formula
{Customer Acquisition Cost}= {Total Costs Spent on Acquiring New Customers}/ {Number of New Customers Acquired}
Glossary
Do you know what the customer retention rate is? It's an indication that highlights how many repeat customers your restaurants have. It measures the percentage of customers who return after every dining experience.
Example
Let's say last month, you had 100 first-time diners. This month, 30 of them came back. That gives you a customer retention rate of 30%.
The employee turnover rate in your restaurant measures how often staff members leave and are replaced. So, a low rate suggests a pleased, coordinated staff contributing to your restaurant's success. Whereas, a high turnover rate may affect service flow and incur training expenses for your restaurant.
Formula
{Employee Turnover Rate} = {No. of Employees Departures}/{The Average Number of Employees in That Year}
Glossary
Food cost percentage is the amount of sales spent on ingredients that go inside your menu-making. It helps you assess and find out the right price for your cuisines so that your dish is both profitable and affordable for customers.
Formula
{Food Cost Percentage}={Total Food Costs}/{ Total Food Sales}*100
Glossary
Gross profit margin shows how much you retain from sales after accounting for the cost of ingredients. It's a much-watch metric that educates on whether your menu prices are working in your favor or they need a tweak.
Formula
{Gross Profit Margin} = {Sales} - {Costs of Ingredients}/{Total Sales}*100
RevPASH is a handy metric that measures how much each seat is making for you by the hour. It figures out how well each seat of your restaurant is paying you off during peak times.
Formula
{RevPASH} = {Total Revenue}/{Available Seat Hours}
Glossary
Average customer headcount is simply the average number of customers who visit your restaurant each day. The more the visits, the higher would be your profit.
Formula
{Average Customer Headcount} = {Total Customers}/{Number of Days}
The overhead rate helps restaurant owners determine how much money they're spending to keep their restaurant earning a living. This rate includes all the costs you spend and get nothing in return, such as rent and utilities.
Formula
{Overhead Rate} = {Total Overhead Costs}/{ Total Sales}
Glossary
The contribution margin is the profit per dish after the cost of ingredients. Once you know how much each of your dishes is capable of earning for you, you can price your menu items rightly to make a good profit.
Formula
{Contribution Margin}={Selling Price} - {Cost of Ingredients}
Wondering how much money your restaurant is earning, in a nutshell? EBITDA is the best approach to find out your earnings before expenses. It helps you understand the basic profitability of your restaurant.
Formula
{Net Income} + {Interest} + {Taxes} + {Depreciation} + {Amortization} = {EBITDA}
Glossary
Strategic product placement in a restaurant is about putting your star dishes at the front and center of your menu or eye-catching table displays. This tactic catches your guests' attention and persuades them to order high-profit items.
Here's a Simple Approach
List your dishes by profitability and popularity. Prioritize these "star" items in prime menu real estate, like the top of the page or in a special box. Doing this will attract your customers' interest in the dishes that make the most of your profits and work well for your restaurant.
Each metric this blog covers tells you about your restaurant's financial health. These 20 metrics are your toolkit for smarter decision-making. You must take care of everything- from what dishes to push to managing staff efficiently to keep your restaurant thriving. OneHubPOS makes it easy for small restaurant business owners to manage their operations and track their finances. Interested in how you can streamline your restaurant's success? Try OneHubPOS at $1 today and see the difference it can make.
San Francisco - the very name pulls up the image of the Golden Gate Bridge kissed by fog. And, of course, the cable cars clinging to impossibly steep hills! Oh, and let’s not forget the sourdough bread. While sourdough is legendary, San Francisco’s culinary scene is as vibrant as the iconic neighborhoods!
You can easily call the city a big pot of flavors brewed by the best Michelin-star chefs in the city, serving up the next food trend! From steaming bowls of Dungeness Crab cioppino to delicate dim sum dumplings, San Francisco’s restaurants are no less than a culinary adventure!
This article will walk you through all the favorites and the top 10 best restaurants in San Francisco that you must visit at least once.
Chinese American
Directions: 28 Waverly Place, San Francisco
Contact: 415-857-9688
A contemporary Chinese-American restaurant in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, Mister Jiu’s is one of the top restaurants on this list! This place occupies a historic building with restaurants like Four Seas and Hang Far Low.
Their menu offers a unique twist to traditional Chinese cuisine, blending seasonal Californian ingredients. What’s best is that courtesy of James Beard Award-winning chef Brandon Jew, you can experience a new prix-fixe menu format! You also get an option to add on banquet-style plates like some of San Francisco’s best roast duck served with peanut butter hoisin, along with cider, beer, and cocktails.
Morroccon, New American
Direction: 5800 Geary Boulevard, San Francisco
Contact: 415-682-4196
Aziza is one of the best fine-dining restaurants in San Francisco. It is owned by Michelin star chef Mourad Lahlou and offers the most profound Moroccon comforts in the town. Their specialty is classic Moroccan dishes dressed in seasonal garb like the hand-rolled couscous with a wreath of green garlic, sunflower seeds, and squidgy hen-of-the-woods mushrooms.
They also offer comforting dishes like chicken confit basteeya and braised lamb shank. However, Chef Mourad Lahlou’s cooking never shies away from evolving.
Mexican
Directions: 2889 Mission Street, San Francisco;
Contact: 415-285-7117
Located at the center of the vibrant Mission District, this Mexican restaurant takes pride in using fresh ingredients for all its dishes. The best part? Their open kitchen allows you to witness the food preparation first-hand!
So, if and when you visit La Taqueria, don’t forget to try Famed Carne Asada Super Burrito! It’s their signature dish, a pure Mexican delight packed with fresh and flavorful carne asada (grilled steak) and all the fixings. What makes this place stand out is its dedicated menu for Kids. Name anything Mexican; they’ve got it, which explains impressive reviews and the consistently praised food.
Itali
Directions: 490 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco
Contact: 415-775-8508
Want to be a part of a rustic Italian cuisine celebration? Then Cotogna is the place for you. Located in the historic Jackson Square neighborhood, this place has the most comfortably stylish atmosphere. Their menu features seasonal dishes, with the offerings changing daily. The most appreciated thing about Cotogna is its creative and unique cocktails and wines, which you can pair with your food.
Contemporary French
Directions: 3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact: 415-440-0460
A James Beard Award winner (2018), Dominique Crenn’s restaurant was awarded a coveted third Michelin star. This restaurant doesn't offer your typical a la carte menu. They allow multi-course tasting menus created carefully by Chef Crenn herself. What’s striking is that, besides the rooted French techniques, the menu often showcases the chef’s love for the sea. Therefore, seafood combined with traditional French food sure calls for a top-tier rating and love from the locals!
Arabic, Palestinian-Jordanian
Directions: 138 Church Street, San Francisco
Contact: 415-703-0270
Love eating out with friends and family in a pleasant outdoor setting? If yes, Beit Rima (Rima’s House) is your best restaurant. The lively and fresh setting with a flower-lined patio always gives it away. Besides, if you’re a sucker for cozy and warm atmospheres, their indoor setting with a mezze platter and a chilled beer in your hand will definitely woo you.
Pacific
Directions: 871 Sutter St, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
Contact: aloha@lycsf.com
LihoLiho is back in the game with a refined feel at the Lower Nob Hill Location after a 3-year temporary residence at Mission District. The revamped space radiates a freewheeling vibe, and the menu is better than ever! The locals are very appreciative of the ‘heritage-driven’ cooking style of chef Ravi Kapur. It brings out the rich blend of Hawaiian-Chinese and Indian flavors and culture.
Korean
Directions: 22 Hawthorne Street, San Francisco
Contact: 415-685-4860
Benu is known for being the most ultra-expensive fine dining place on this list in San Francisco. Launched in 2010, this restaurant has bagged 3 Michelin stars, making it a sight of attraction on the Golden Coast. As for the food, Chef Coree Lee always does an excellent job at serving you with the finest fusion of Asian and Californian tastes.
Filipino
Directions: 2700 Jones Street, San Francisco
Contact: 415-486-0788
Enjoy delicious Filipino cuisine while sunbathing at this aesthetically beautiful restaurant on the ground floor of a Fisherman’s Wharf hotel. The collection of sunflowers and woven baskets from the Southeast Asian archipelago will keep you hooked to the place. Besides their signature Filipino dishes, you may also enjoy the weekend brunch options where you can savor the mouth-watering pastry by both Ang and James Beard Award-nominated pastry chef Vince Bugtong.
Korean
Directions: 2170 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Contact: 415-868-4479
This upscale Korean restaurant is a go-to for the locals when it comes to Korean BBQ! The variety of authentic charcoal-grilled Korean food at San Ho Won makes it one of the best Korean bites in San Francisco. Now, it may not be a communal cooking experience, but that only means that you relax and enjoy food, leaving the grill to the restaurant cooks.
Now that you know the top 10 restaurants in San Francisco, we’re sure you’ll agree that the city's culinary scene is quite versatile and mouth-watering. From fine Asian food to appetizing cuisine from the Middle East, the city’s got it all. Visit your favorite restaurant from the list, or maybe just explore them all!
.jpg)
It doesn’t matter if you’re a local from LA or simply visiting; finding the best and trendy restaurants can be exhausting.
Considering the hassle, we bring you the best trendy restaurants in Los Angeles. We're talking about venues that get to you more than just a dining experience but a true adventure.
Dishes that are so flavourful, innovative, and creative, not-to-mention Instagram-worthy cuisines that will bring out the foodie photographer from inside you.
The first one on the list is an authentic Japanese restaurant 'Morihiro' started by Chef Morihiro Onodera. The restaurant aims to deliver the best of Los Angeles and Japanese ingredients, fish, and hand-milled rice through their multi-course Omasake. If you're fortunate, you might also experience Chef Mori's live cooking at the counter.
Price per person: $100+
Timings: Wednesday - Sunday (6 pm - 9 pm), Monday., Tuesday closed.
This French-inspired rooftop bistro is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Perch serves spectacular and unobstructed views of LA. It offers live music shows on Fridays and Saturdays and serves French small plates and handcrafted cocktails.
Price per person: $31 to $50
Timings: 4 pm - 2 am, Happy hours: 4pm - 6pm
Craving for some Middle Eastern cuisines? Bavel is the venue you need to check out! The establishment uses slow cooking techniques and dressing ingredients to bring out the flavor of aromatic spices, pickles, and herbs. They offer Chef's hand-picked cured Middle Eastern meats, cold and hot small plates with various flatbreads and spreads.
Price per person: $50–100
Timings: Monday - Sunday (5pm - 11pm)
Next, Birdie G is all about regional American food and passed-on family recipes paired with supper club. This should be your pick if you want fine food and a fun place to hang out.
Price per person: $50–100
Timings: Sunday - Thursday (5pm - 9pm), Friday - Saturday (5pm - 9.30pm)
Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard's Cabra attracts many to the Hoxton Hotel's rooftop. Cabra serves a menu inspired by Peruvian and Californian flavors. Highlights include empanadas, hot chorizo and queso dip, bass ceviche, and crispy pork shank with Sungold tomato salad. Don't miss their excellent pisco sour.
Price per person: $31 to $50
Timings: Dinner - Sunday - Thursday (5pm - 10pm), Friday - Saturday (5pm - 11pm)
Brunch - Saturday - Sunday (10:30am - 3pm)
If seafood is your go-to choice, we have found the perfect restaurant in Los Angeles. Found Oyster is highly Inspired by a blue-collar oyster bar in New England. If you plan to visit, check out their – lobster rolls, champagne, Coors, chowder, or oysters. They don’t take reservations, but you can enjoy wine while waiting!
Price per person: Smaller plates $5-$16, larger plates $25-$28
Timings: Monday - Friday (4pm -10 pm), Saturday - Sunday (12pm - 10pm)
You loved Found Oyster, but Mexican seafood’s more of your thing? Then Holbox is a place you need to check out! This place features cuisines from Mexico’s coastal regions. They use local ingredients (southern California and Baja California ingredients) to bring out vibrant flavors and serve with appealing presentations.
Holbox is also featured in the Los Angeles Times 2023 “Restaurant of the Year.”
Price per person: $20 - $30
Timings: Tuesday - Saturday (11.30 am - 9 pm)
With a variety of curries, soups, rice, noodles, and other Thai cuisines offered by the restaurant, Holy Basil’s ‘Pad See Ew Noodle’ is one of the most like dishes offered by the restaurant, followed by ‘Gra Pow ‘Pad kee Mao Noddle.’
Price per person: $10 - $20
Timings: Monday - Friday (11 am - 3 pm, 5 pm - 8.30 pm)
Saturday - Sunday (12 - 3.30 pm, 5 pm - 8.30 pm)
An authentic Ipo-style Malaysian restaurant that uses traditional family recipes passed down through multiple generations and imported ingredients from Malaysia to serve authentic Malaysian cuisines right here in LA. If you want to experience the authentic flavor of Malaysia, this restaurant should be on your “must-visit” list.
Price per person: $10 - $20
Timings: Thursday - Tuesday (9 am - 8:45 pm), Wednesday closed
Lasita is a lively Filipino rotisserie & natural wine bar that delivers —fun, food, and wine! In addition to their famous Chicken Inasal and Lechon, you can enjoy a whole bunch of cuisine there! We suggest you reserve your table in advance, as they usually allow limited walk-ins!
Price per person: $302 - $50
Timings: Monday - Saturday (5.30 pm - 10 pm), Sunday closed
How can this list be complete without Los Angeles's famous barbecue place? Moo's Craft Barbecue is a family-owned restaurant specializing in BBQ meats & hearty burgers, along with craft beers on tap.
Price per person: $20 - $30
Timings: Thursday - Sunday (12 - 7 pm), Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday closed.
Next, we have a French bistro owned by an award-winning chef, Dave Beran. Their authentic french dishes, such as ‘foie de poulet’ ‘caviar’ and ‘pâté en croûte’ are must-try. Feel free to enjoy Pasjoli's fine dining experience after 5:15 any evening. And hey, don't forget to reserve your table in advance!
Price per person: $100+
Timings: Sunday - Thursday (5.15 pm - 9.30 pm), Friday - Saturday (5.15 pm - 10.30 pm)
So, there you go, fellow foodie! These are the best trendy restaurants in Los Angeles, venues that must be experienced if you are visiting LA or a local who hasn't been to any of these places yet. Grab your napkins and let us know how your experience was!
Chicago, one of the most popular cities in the United States, is well known for its friendly weather and vibrant cuisine. For food lovers, there is an amazing fact about this city: Though you are traveling in America, you can still enjoy authentic Italian cuisine.
If you are visiting or have plans to visit Chicago, don’t miss out on checking out the Italian restaurants. Imagine forkfuls of creamy, rich pasta with red wine. To end the meal beautifully, order a freshly made tiramisu. Sounds mouthwatering? A true Italian food lover can’t deny it.
You will find everything in this state, from cozy bistro to elegant spots. For your convenience, we have listed the best Italian restaurants in Chicago. In addition to detailed restaurant information, we will share tips, pricing ideas, and a proper Google map to save your time.
Buon appetito!
Daisies is located at Logan Square and is famous for its farm-to-table approach. If you are searching for a romantic dinner or a hangout with your loved ones, this spot is divine. The restaurant atmosphere has a modern interior with a rustic touch to provide you with a delightful experience.
Whether you want an Onion Dip or a Cubano, everything is available gluten-free. The fresh ingredients and local seafood help the restaurant retain customers.
Another person who deserves to be mentioned is Thomas Leonard, the Head of Culinary at Daisies. He is a total Italian who loves to cook appetizing Italian food and instructs all the staff properly.
Visitor's Tip
Never miss their seasonal vegetables and seafood items. They are famous for freshly made pasta with luscious secret sauce. Moreover, Daisies has a fine collection of Wine (from 2008 to 2023) with lots of variation. You should try it at least once.
Pricing
The overall price range is $7-$90. Within this price range, you will get lunch, dinner, drinks, desserts, and wine. The freshness and high quality of the food won’t disappoint your expected Italian culinary experience.
Address: 2375 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Google Map: Daisies Map
Website: https://www.daisieschicago.com/
Are you aware of American Happy Hour? Italian people love to have APERITIVO HOUR. During this time, they like chit-chat and relaxing with friends and family. Monteverde has Aperitivo Hour for you with multiple cocktails that are low in alcohol content. If you want to avoid gluten from your plate, you can check their Gluten-Free meals and ask for any further moderation.
The dessert section contains a tempting MV Pantry Gift containing Chef Sarah's favorite ingredients in each box. Such as,
Visitor's Tip
If you plan to visit Monteverde, don’t forget to reserve a table as it’s extremely popular. Their Cacio Whey Pepe is a famous dish; don’t leave without trying it. They also serve freshly made Tiramisu; you shouldn’t miss this divine dish.
Pricing
The pricing range is $4-$1000. If you taste their Lunch, Dinner, Dessert, or Wine you will understand why the price is justified.
Address: 1020 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60607
Google Map: Monteverde Map
Website: https://monteverdechicago.com/
You can find this restaurant at Lincoln Park, with the warmth of traditional Italian kitchens. Sapori Trattoria's fresh pasta is the talk of the town now, and people love its authentic flavors. Their classic dishes are served in generous portions, and you will enjoy them in a very homely atmosphere.
Moreover, Sapori Trattoria offers Catering services for any kind of Italian or customized food you want for your home party. Plus, you can purchase Gift Cards for your loved ones and surprise them. The most innovative part of this restaurant is that they have a Wine club where you can join as a member. We can’t explore more information as it’s private.
Visitor's Tip
Though you can order online from Sapori Trattoria, you should visit their place. In the evening there could be a rush so try to arrive earlier. Their Calamari Fritti is an amazing appetizer, and if you try Parmigiana Trenta, you will fall in love with it.
Pricing
The price range is typically $7-$65. Their pricing is quite reasonable for a high-quality and satisfying Italian meal.
Address: 2550 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Google Map: Sapori Trattoria Map
Website: https://www.saporitrattoria.net/
Volare was established in 1997 in Chicago and managed by a family. This restaurant gives the vibe of an old-world Italian establishment, and you can explore traditional Italian cuisine here.
From classic comfort dishes to a new era of Italian cooking, you can have them all in Valore. Their interior reflects the authentic Italian world, and you should plan for a date if you are in Chicago. Moreover, family get-togethers or any surprise party can be held here with their succulent dishes.
Suppose you don’t want to get out of your pajamas and crave an Italian feast- try their online order instantly.
Visitor's Tip
During peak hours, tables are hard to get, so reserve earlier. Their dessert section is minimal, but you will find uncountable options for wine. Their Ravioli di Ricotta and Lasagna al Forno are highly recommended.
Pricing
Valore’s price range is from $5-$900. The regular dinner items are priced similarly to other Italian restaurants. You have to pay more if you want to taste their limited-edition Wines.
Address: 201 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (Grand Ave. & St. Clair)
Google Map: Volare Map
Website: https://www.volarerestaurant.com/
For a special celebration or romantic date, Ciccio Mio’s dining experience will blow your guests' minds. The whole interior setup reflects royalty, and every decoration is elegant. After entering the restaurant, you will automatically pronounce Mamma Mia!
You have heard about Online Ordering; in Ciccio Mio, you can Pre-Order Online. They have some traditional and classic Italian dishes cooked for dedicated customers.
This restaurant is particularly famous for Northern Italian cuisine; the menu features tempting hearty meat, vegetables, creamy pastas, classic desserts, cocktails, and wines.
Visitor's Tip
Try their menu of the day, specially created by the chef. It offers the best meals of the restaurant. They have a limited seating area, so you had better reserve before arriving there. Ciccio Mio has some unique dessert items; you can also try them.
Pricing
The price range is around $7-$2000. For $500, you can get an appetizer, dinner, cocktails, and wine. They serve 1998 wine, which costs around $2888.
Address: 226 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Google Map: Ciccio Mio Map
Website: https://cicciomio.com/
This Italian restaurant is named after the famous American Sportscaster Harry Caray. It was established in River North in 1987. His family is continuing the legacy by opening seven restaurants and catering services. They also have the Chicago Sports Museum.
Smoky barbecue, juicy burgers, sizzling steak, and many more are available, all influenced by Italian unique tastes. The huge interior makes holding a big party or cozy family event easy.
Hold your breath if you see any big politicians, Hollywood actors, or actresses because everyone loves to visit this place for the tremendous food taste. Their Celebrity Gallery says it all.
Visitor's Tip
Every visitor loves their Chicago classic with an Italian twist. Prime Steaks & Chops is one of their must-try items. They use the finest Midwestern USDA Prime beef for better tenderness and flavor. They also offer kids' menus under $10.95.
Pricing
The price starts from $2 to $350. They offer affordable dessert wines starting from $20. The dining experience and the food quality will force you to visit again and again.
Address: 33 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Google Map: Harry Caray's Map
Website: https://www.harrycarays.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrycarays/
La Gondola serves the best homemade Italian food and Chicago-style pizza. Established in 1991, it has won awards for its classic Italian food.
They use fresh ingredients, and the pizza dough is always hand-tossed. That’s why their pizza is famous in Chicago. Among Italian cuisine, La Gondola includes homemade creamy pastas and fresh seafood.
This Italian restaurant is also owned by a family who want to indulge you with food from Venice to Chicago. It’s highly recommended for big family events.
Visitor's Top
La Gondola serves fresh and flavorful seafood pasta, its house specialty. This restaurant is famous among locals, so it's wise to reserve a table before arriving.
Pricing
Food is reasonably priced between $7 and $150. For plating fresh, good-quality, and generous portions of food at an affordable price, people love to hang out there often. Moreover, their wine prices are suitable for your pocket.
Address: 2914 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Google Map: La Gondola Map
Website: https://www.lagondolachicago.com/
Sometimes, sitting inside for dinner can be boring. Tortello has a beautiful outdoor and indoor dining area. Like the restaurant's unique and romantic interior, it has a story behind it.
Dario Monni was born and raised in Italy. He started learning handmade pasta from his Nonna (grandmother) and the show continues with Tortello. This restaurant is run by Dario and Jill (his future wife, a pure Chicagoan) with a love for Italian cuisine. Every ingredient is fresh and dedicated to creating authentic food every day.
Their menu is simple yet delectable, highlighting handmade cheese and pasta. From making food for the table to bottled food products, you just named it. Tortello has its own grocery shop where you can find all the items you need to cook Italian cuisine at home. You will find it after scrolling down their menu.
Visitor's Top
Their fresh Fennel, Celery & Orange Salad can be a great appetizer for your table. Start your dinner with Signature Tortelli di Burrata, then finish with their classic Salame al Cioccolato. You will recommend others; we can bet!
Pricing
You can start ordering from $7 to $250. Given their freshness and authenticity, this price is quite surprisingly reasonable.
Address: 1746 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Google Map: Tortello Map
Website: https://www.tortellopasta.com/
This is another gem in Chicago with an elegant, vibrant, and royal aura that offers the best Italian food experience. Siena Tavern has an oval-shaped bar at the center that gives a 360-degree view. In the heart of River North, Chicago, you will experience the food love from Italy.
Here, you can host a wedding, corporate event, or big family get-together for 200 people. Most people visit for the scenic night view.
This classic yet modern restaurant offers many dining options. You can even bring your pets there, as they offer a special pet menu called Puppy Ciao. So, you don’t need to leave them behind at home now.
Visitor's Tip
The Gnocchi and Baked Lasagna are highly recommended for dinner. For dessert, you must try the Chocolate Gianduja Bar. Don’t miss out on their bar section at the end of your meal. Finally, an early reservation can save your day.
Pricing
Expect to pay between $6 and $800. The most expensive section is actually their Wine section. They have a vast collection to please you. The prices are actually worth every penny. You will agree after having a visit.
Address: 51 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Google Map: Siena Tavern Map
Website: https://www.sienatavern.com/
La Scarola is also a family-owned restaurant where you will feel a warm and welcoming atmosphere. You can call it a casual restaurant where Traditional Italian decor and classic food items make it heaven for people who want to have a visit to Italian cuisine.
Their appetizers, soup, and pasta are popular because they use fresh ingredients. From seafood to authentic spaghetti meatballs, you can have it all.
This is a crowded place where people are always there for drinks or food. The list of beverage items is not long, but the demand for these drinks is unbelievable. Explore the photo gallery to roam around the place before reserving your table.
Visitor's Tip
The restaurant's setup is perfect for a friend's hangout. But we won't recommend it if you want to go on a serious date. Please note that they don’t have any wine on the list.
Pricing
La Scarola is a locally popular Italian restaurant, and this is only possible because of handy prices, which start from $3, and any food item never exceeds $45.
Address: 721 West Grand Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60610
Google Map: La Scarola Map
Website: https://lascarola.com/
Chicago is an amazing city because it’s beside the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Getting fresh seafood and other ingredients is super easy in this location, which is why all the best Italian restaurants are in this area.
We know Italian food is not just about pizza, pasta, or tiramisu; this is an experience that you will remember. After thinking thoughtfully as a food lover, we have listed the best Italian restaurants in Chicago.
Book a table today and enjoy the food with your loved ones. If you have visited any of the listed restaurants, don't hesitate to share your experience.
Buona Giornata!
.webp)
New York City's dining scene never sleeps. It has an endless range of flavors that cater to every palate. In this city, you can find everything from fancy restaurants to cozy spots that locals love, and that too with endless mouth-watering cuisines.
With so many restaurant options, picking where to eat can be overwhelming. That's why we've compiled a list of the top 10 restaurants in NYC. These places are known for their unique dishes and great dining experiences. So, let's take a look at them!
Le Bernardin, located in Midtown Manhattan, is a favorite among seafood lovers. It is known for its standout seafood preparation approach, which has secured its consistent Michelin stars. Their highlight dish- the poached halibut with Manila clams, perfectly brings out the natural flavors of the sea with its delicate flavors.
Visitor's Tip
Thinking about dropping by? It's a fantastic spot for a fancy dinner before hitting a show. Make sure to book your table early because it's pretty popular.
Pricing
There's a three-course prix fixe for $190 per person, with dessert included. You can also try their Chef's Tasting menu, which starts at $290 per person.
Katz's Delicatessen holds a special place in the city since 1888. Beyond just the city's oldest Jewish deli, Katz's is where you can enjoy a fantastic selection of sandwiches and soups. Their pastrami, corned beef, and Reuben are legendary, and you can't miss the classic matzoh ball soup.
Visitor's Tip
If you want to skip legendary lines, swing by during off-peak hours. Consider visiting before noon or in the early afternoon to avoid the crowds.
Pricing
Their appetizers start at just $4.45, and sandwiches, stacked high with seasoned meats, begin at $14.95.
Step back in time with a visit to Gage & Tollner for an old-world charm. After their first opening in 1879, they did a grand opening in 2021 again with a blast and are among the go-to restaurants for their locals now. Here, every dish is a nod to both tradition and innovation. This place is known for its exquisite dry-aged duck with a seasonal selection of sides.
Special Services
Looking for something sweet for a special day or just because? You must check out the Gage & Tollner pre-order pastry menu- it will surely add some sweetness to your celebration.
Pricing
Their appetizers are priced between $14 and $28, and entrees range from $24 to $36.
Crown Shy is a great pick if you're looking for something nicer in NYC, whether for a special night out or just because your evening turned a little fancier than planned. It opened in 2019, and it's the first place James Kent, who used to be the chef at the famous Eleven Madison Park, decided to open on his own.
Visitor's Tip
This place is a favorite for locals and tourists, so reserving early could be the best option. You won't have to wait for a seat at the moment.
Pricing
You can enjoy a great range of dishes priced between $14 and $36, with premium options like their specialty chimichurri and sunchokes available for $71.
Tatiana was opened in 2022 and has everything people say and more. It's the latest venture of Chef Kwame Onwuachi, known for his roots in the Bronx. The atmosphere is magical, with natural and cloud-like light fixtures that set a grand yet inviting tone. The menu, rich with Afro-Caribbean influences, delivers impressive dishes.
Special Services
At Tatiana, every plate comes out like a piece of art. Their flair of design makes the experience of color, texture, and taste turn dining into a memorable experience.
Pricing
Pricing at Tatiana is available on request.
At Gramercy Tavern, you get the best of both worlds. You can drop by the tavern section for an easy meal with no reservations. It's great for a chill hangout or a low-key dinner. If you're in the mood for something more fancy, the main dining room serves seasonal delights in a cozy ambiance.
Visitor's Tip
The best part about this restaurant is that you don't always need to plan to enjoy Gramercy Tavern. You can visit the tavern section for an easy-going casual dining experience anytime.
Pricing
Gramercy Tavern's menu starts from $30 to $80- with options for every taste bud.
Dhamaka opened on the Lower East Side culinary scene in February 2021. This restaurant stood out by covering the lesser-known territories of Indian cuisine. Unlike most Indian eateries in the city, Dhamaka serves up a menu with rural Indian dishes that pack a punch with bold, authentic flavors.
Special Services
Dhamaka's menu highlights India's culinary diversity. It features bold and authentic flavors from the country's most remote regions.
Pricing
Dhamaka offers accessible luxury with its menu priced between $9 and $33. Their pricing strategy makes them a destination where you can explore rare Indian dishes without the haute cuisine price tag.
In 2019, Kochi brought its fresh perspective on Korean cuisine to Hell's Kitchen and was awarded a Michelin star for its efforts. The restaurant's special skewer-tasting menu tastes Korea's royal feasts. If you drool over Korean food, Kochi is your place to get deep into Korean culture with some of its finest dishes.
Special Services
To enhance the dining experience further, Kochi offers an optional sool pairing. This traditional Korean alcohol complements the intricate flavors of each dish.
Pricing
Their nine-course menu starts at just $75 with an innovative cuisine that pays homage to Korea's royal culinary traditions.
Rezdôra stands out in New York's Flatiron District with its best-in-class approach to Italian dishes. Chef Stefano Secchi honed his skills at Italy's famous Osteria Francescana, and now he's bringing those authentic Emilia-Romagna flavors to NYC. Their tasting menu has some rare Italian dishes that are tough to find anywhere else in town.
Special Services
Rezdôra offers a unique sool pairing option with its meals. These are chosen to match the flavors of the pasta dishes and add an extra layer of enjoyment to the meal.
Pricing
For $90, you can savor a nine-course meal packed with flavors from Northern Italy.
Sushi Nakazawa breaks the mold in a city with pricey sushi places. It delivers the same top-notch quality and serene setting as the most expensive places but at a better price. While you might expect to pay over $300 at other top sushi bars, you can enjoy an unforgettable 20-course meal.
Special Services
The counter seat is a lifetime experience that puts you in the middle of sushi-making.
Pricing
It's just $150 in the dining room, and you can add matched sake for $90.
Whether living in New York City or just swinging by, you need not miss out on these top dining spots. With their standout flavors and breathtaking ambiance, they'll serve meals and experiences you won't forget. And who knows when you might introduce yourself to a dish you'll crave forever or a place you'll keep returning to.
%20(1).jpg)
69% of people love to return to a place where they get rewards. Customer loyalty programs are essential for keeping clients and making more money in a business.
Loyalty programs stand out not only as perks but also as key strategies that help restaurants grow. They inspire people to return and convert them into loyal customers for a long time.
We’ll explore some fruitful and dynamic customer loyalty program ideas that promise to enhance customer engagement even more.
Customer loyalty programs offer different benefits for your business to grow. We've highlighted the key ones here with real-life examples.
You must show appreciation for your customers; they will only enroll in loyalty programs to promote recurring purchases. Let’s say you have a coffee shop. In that case, your coffee shop can offer a free coffee for every ten coffees a customer purchases.
This incentive makes customers want to return and sets up a regular time to go in.
The average order value can significantly increase with brilliant cross and up-selling in loyalty schemes. Imagine a juice bar offering the next purchase in exchange for loyalty points. Tempting, right?
People will likely buy more things to earn more discount points, resulting in higher total spending.
Loyalty programs increase sales and help you gather extensive information about your customers, such as their preferences and purchasing patterns.
Focus on these three things to better satisfy the needs of your customer:
1. Consider what your customers most frequently purchase
2. Focus more on your inventory
3. Promote the items strategically
You can better satisfy their needs by considering what your consumers most frequently purchase, focusing more on your inventory, and promoting those items.
A retailer may start recommending a particular brand of boots to customers who frequently purchase sporting goods. Customers are more willing to buy these two items together if they complement one another effectively.
Notifying customers about your reward program will surely make them happy and keep them returning for a long time.
For example, you run a cosmetics shop. You can invite your premium customers to try out new products for free or to special events. They want to know more about the brand because they feel like they're getting an incentive for being a loyal customer.
Standing out in a crowd is not easy, but a well-planned rewards program can help you do so. Offer exclusive rewards to the buyers that attract new customers.
For example, an electronics shop can offer tech support to buyers who have previously purchased from them. This tiny deal can differentiate the electronics shop from its competitors and endear itself to new people.
Referral bonuses, punch cards, tiered rewards, point systems, and multiple loyalty programs are available, but no fixed form exists. Let’s talk about them one by one.
In a reward-based loyalty program, customers get points based on their spending. Every purchase helps them earn points, which they can exchange for exciting prizes. Customers keep returning because getting more points gives them something nice, like a discount on their next purchase, a free coffee, or early access to new sales.
Imagine what would happen if you suddenly get free food or goods after making a new purchase. Surprising, right?
Think about the old-school café punch card: drink nine coffees, and the tenth is free. It's an easy yet money-saving way to make a customer regular in your shop and interested in your brand.
Subscription award programs can transform occasional shoppers into devoted fans. People who pay a monthly or yearly fee get many benefits that make them feel like part of a particular club. This ongoing involvement makes them more loyal and connects them with your brand.
Promotional loyalty programs are like sprinters in the world of loyalty—they get customers interested quickly by giving them prizes that expire quickly. Seriously, these programs can help rejuvenate your dead business and are suitable for boosting the launch of a new product.
Birthdays are always special and offer a personal touch to the customer. So, extra gifts on birthdays can keep your customers pleased. Moreover, this customer loyalty program idea encourages them to bring friends and family to boost overall sales.
Nowadays, the best way to hype the interest of food lovers is by providing online reward programs. You can reward customers who purchase your meal through the website or app and interact with your social media platform.
We have found some fantastic customer loyalty program ideas. If it's feasible for your restaurant business, you can explore and utilize any of them.
This method offers products tailored specifically to each customer. It has game features to make the program exciting and fun. If you pamper your consumers differently, they will love to grab your attention and play your particular games or tasks.
Race to Rewards Exchange is an unforgettable example of this type of program by Chipotle. Here, people play a virtual race where they get help if they buy something. Ultimately, they earn points through gaming and trade this for goods or foods.
You should utilize loyalty programs in both digital and physical channels. It can enhance the customer experience. If customers can visit your physical shop and order online with a reward, they will have more interactions.
The Costa Coffee app offers buyers reward points for purchasing foods and drinks in-store and online. Customers earn points whether they pick up a pastry in-store or buy a coffee through the app. Later on, they can redeem discounts or free drinks with those points. This reward program makes the consumers unique and engaging for returning to the shop again.
This customer loyalty program idea is super engaging for consumers and can earn you a lot of money. There are different levels based on how much the customer is spending or brand interaction. Buyers get better benefits as they move up the tiers. It encourages them to buy more and level up the tiers for more enhancement.
Customers move up to higher levels in Chick-fil-A as they spend more. This tiered method encourages consumers to come repeatedly and pay more.
Engaging customers in social media is a well-known and classical method of spreading loyalty programs. People get rewarded for shares, likes, or promoting the product on their social accounts. You can also run social media contests and the winners can transform into brand ambassadors.
For instance, name a prize or giveaway like cash or free products for a product photo contest. When someone wins the game, the hyped people of the contest and the winner's friend will notify you about your product. This is a promotional activity and an engagement creation with your existing customers.
Here, we will discuss three mid-level restaurants winning big with innovative loyalty programs.
Urban Grill's loyalty program is tier-based, where customers earn points for spending every penny. With the exchange of points, they can acquire free or discounted items, and their tiers can be improved from Bronze to Silver to Gold. Customers always get involved in this loyalty program for advanced rewards and benefits.
Pasta Pantry's reward program is unique due to its user-friendly interface and exceptional performance. They have a simple digital punch card that lets you get the next meal for free after buying ten. This program is simple to use, and sometimes you can get double points or surprise prizes like complimentary appetizers or desserts sent to your email.
Starbucks has prizes for consumers who buy drinks, food, or other items. With every purchase, you can earn Stars and redeem rewards. For example, with 25 stars, you can customize your drink with non-dairy milk, your favorite syrup, or an extra espresso shot. You can take home a drink tumbler, signature cup, or coffee merch for up to $20 with 400 stars.
Here are some tips for implementing the loyalty program that best suits your restaurant type and helps you retain more customers.
What is your restaurant type and customer base? These two things determine which loyalty program is perfect for you. The motto is to select a loyalty rewarding system that matches the dining experience and feels appealing to your clients.
Example
A point-based loyalty program is feasible for a drink or juice bar where students visit frequently but spend a moderate amount, and the students will be repeat customers. On the other hand, a tiered system may fit better in a high-end restaurant where multiple customers visit for different food sports. Higher-spending customers will win more exclusive rewards and upgrade the tier accordingly.
After deciding on the type of loyalty program, you have to focus on the promotion strategy. Your targeted consumers must be notified and aware of what they are missing. This will motivate more people to participate in the reward gaming.
Example
In your store, you can share vibrant posters and colorful banners outside to catch the customers' attention. If you have an app, you can decorate it with the offerings. This promotion can change the game if you have a good lead of email addresses or phone numbers to send them personalized messages.
You have selected the right loyalty program and done its marketing. Now, it’s the time to track the effectiveness of your loyalty program. Monitoring specific metrics allows you to understand whether the loyalty program or the marketing strategy works as expected.
Example
Track the average order value and the number of purchases after running the loyalty program. Plus, customer feedback can be monitored to understand their reactions to your business strategy. For example, you can ask every online or offline customer who bought food from you over the past three months. Surveys can help you understand where success lies.
Explore the above customer loyalty program ideas and apply them to your business. If one doesn’t work out, try another, but don’t stop. Adjust your program based on customer feedback and data insights to keep the program attractive and engaging. Leverage sophisticated tools like OneHubPOS to create, implement, and update loyalty programs on the go.
Book a call with us and start using OneHubPOS at $1 today!
.jpg)
The food truck industry has shown remarkable growth, with an average annual increase of 9.9% from 2018 to 2023. Unlike other restaurant models with high overhead costs associated with rent, utilities, and renovations, food trucks have a lower financial barrier to entering the market. With lower overhead costs and the flexibility to chase customers, it's no surprise this industry is touching heights!
But that’s not it. The overall cost of starting a food truck is far less than that of a QSR or a typical restaurant. Starting a food truck business in the US costs around 0.05 million to 0.06 million USD. Comparatively, the average revenue stream from a food truck business may be around USD 0.29 million. Lower startup costs and strong revenue potential make food trucks attractive to aspiring entrepreneurs.
If you’re one of those aspiring people, this article is for you! This guide on how to start a food truck in 2024 will walk you through everything from developing your concept to branding to creating a business plan and the legal requirements!
The initial step is to settle on a concept for your food truck business. Now, there are three critical things that you should do to make your idea succeed.
Think of a signature dish or cuisine. Are you passionate about baking, coffee, or a unique cooking style? Acknowledging and counting on your interests and expertise will help you choose the right niche. Now, someone somewhere must have a similar idea or concept to you. So, once you figure out your niche, you need to think about how you can add a touch of uniqueness to it. Also, you could think of opening a franchise.
Market research is a must when you plan to start a food truck in 2024. Analyze the location, the people, the environment, and the competitors, and explore the locality in which you want to open your food truck. Figure out what restaurants, diners, or food trucks already exist there.
Get an idea of the people's dietary habits, popular cuisines or recipes, and how many people you’d be able to serve at a time. What are the peak timings and the rush days? This will help you decide where to open your food truck business and how to position it well.
By the time you get to this step, you’ll have a fair idea of what kind of names other food trucks or small businesses in the industry have. Now, all you need to do is think outside the box and decide on a name that’s distinct but fits well in the market.
After the name comes the logo and the tagline, ensure the logo is unique, easy, and memorable. At the same time, the tagline should be self-explanatory and support your brand’s story, its values, and what it’s all about.
Your business plan should include everything from business strategies to goals and financial projections. Here’s a list to help you create one for your food truck business.
Jot down your food truck concept, the story, the mission statement, the vision, and the most critical focus points.
Decide upon the legal structure for your food truck business. Do you want it to be an LLC or a sole proprietorship? Also, decide on the ownership, partnership (if any), management, and company location.
When you research, ensure you analyze the market you want to target and who your competitors are in that particular market. You must also research market trends like local or traditional cuisines, popular cuisines, seasonal ingredients or recipes, social media, and offline marketing trends.
Noting that you already have a niche, a concept, and company structure in place, deciding your food truck's menu and pricing strategy will be breezy! But, before you lock the prices, make sure you study the competitor prices and the budget of your target audience.
To run a successful food truck business, you must be present online. Therefore, decide on the marketing channels, promotion ideas, and loyalty program strategies.
Hire staff if required, plan your daily operations, and select and build relationships with the vendors.
Lay down all your initial costs, from investing in the truck to operating and utility expenses to the estimated revenue and profit.
Decide where you would arrange the funds from. It could be personal investment, loan, making a partner, seeking funding, or looking for potential investors.
With business comes risk! Stay prepared by identifying the potential risks and plan risk mitigation.
Identifying all the crucial costs of starting a food truck business is critical for budgeting and landing adequate funding. By taking note of each expense, you can make better, more informed decisions regarding personal investment, loans, or finding the right investors.
Whether you want it to be an LLC, a partnership, or a sole proprietorship? Discussing this with a legal attorney before settling on the structure is best. Once decided, ensure you get it registered with the appropriate government agencies.
Almost all businesses need a license, and food trucks are no different. Therefore, it is best to search for the required permits based on your locality, city, state, and country to get the licensing right.
It may cost you approximately $28,276 on permits and ongoing legal compliance during the first year of operation. Here’s a list of some standard licenses or permits you may need to start your food truck business in 2024:
Remember to check with your local government agencies, health care departments, municipalities, and business licensing departments for up-to-date information about licenses.
Acquiring a food truck may seem tricky at first, but if you go step by step you’ll nail it in time!
Arranging a food truck is the most important and expensive part of the process. So, instead of diving straight into leasing just any car, it’s best to outline your requirements, truck size, budget, and equipment.
Based on that, explore classified ads in newspapers and magazines and check online food truck websites for rent and purchase. You can buy a second-hand truck with a budget crunch and then revamp it.
Once you find the right pick for your business, verify your ownership by gathering all the necessary documents, such as registration papers. Once verified, consider customizing or upgrading its exteriors and interiors as your brand or concept demands.
.webp)
Now that you have a truck, list the essential equipment you may need to run your food truck! You must arrange everything from all the cooking appliances to refrigeration and storage management.
Don’t forget to set up the POS (Point-Of-Sale) system for order-taking, payment processing, inventory management and employee scheduling. The latest technology can help you start faster and be more efficient in setting up the entire system for your food truck business.
You can’t manage everything by yourself. You may need helping hands. That is where the staff comes in. Analyze what tasks you need to hire staff for and start with the hiring process. Lay out all the job roles and their responsibilities to post on relevant online job listing platforms.
When you finalize the suitable candidates for various roles, ensure they’re aware and aligned with all the food safety and hygiene parameters. Moreover, check for customer service skills in them. If you have the resources, you may also provide them with short-term training programs.
Oh, and don’t forget to have a structure for competitive wages and occasional rewards for your staff. Depending on your budget and business model, you can also provide them with free meals during their shifts or reimbursements.
Ensure the suppliers you choose are the ones you can rely on, negotiate with, and build a long-term relationship with. This will always help you in the long run.
Once you have shortlisted your suppliers and fixed your ingredients and utilities, record what supplies you stock and when. Always keep an eye on the inventory and restock on time! Restaurant inventory management software like OneHubPOS automates stock alerts and eases the inventory management process.
Today, taking your business to new heights will be tricky if you don't have an online presence. Set up a Google business account, a professional website, and social media pages for your food truck brand. Keep updating your social media with relevant information about your food truck, the locations you’ll be at, what you’re bringing to the table, offers, follow trends, and stay active! Post teasers of your food truck, behind the scenes of the making of your food truck, and reveal soon content. The more you engage with people on social media, the more people will become curious about visiting your truck.
Have a plan for paid media once you have an excellent online presence with a good number of followers. Also, explore online and offline advertising options. Partner with local businesses to spread awareness and increase your customer base. You may also host small events from time to time, engage people, and also take up opportunities for catering and delivery!
Just one trick in your pocket won’t necessarily work the best for your food truck business. You have an excellent opportunity to hit and try different ways to gather people around and increase your sales. For example, host an evening for family and friends, happy Wednesdays with special offers, or partner with local artists for live music, a dance show, or simply screen an iconic movie!
Trying different things will help you understand what’s working the best for you! What events or offers make you the most sales? What activities are people most interested in? Answering these will help you adjust and improve the existing plan and operations.
It’s time to hit the streets! From word of mouth to social media to local collaboration, spread the word of your opening. Generate buzz and organize a grand opening event! You can also keep special offers, promotions, or even free samples for some of your signature dishes. Don’t forget to invite potential local partners, sponsors, and investors.
If you see the potential to scale the business, you may plan to expand your menu or even buy more food trucks to expand in different locations!
Your food truck business is on the run! Now, you need to focus on additional responsibilities like food waste management. You could keep your portions limited but adequate size so the food isn't wasted. Also, everyone around you is embracing sustainability. You could start, too, by providing sustainable or reusable cutlery! Keep your surroundings hygienic. Have a bin attached somewhere to the side of your food truck for easy disposal.
Another essential thing to note is the parking permits. Check with your local county clerk or lawyer about where you want to sell the food. Some locations could be off-limits to food trucks, but you can get confirmation and plan accordingly.
Having the article, you may have a clear idea of how to start your food truck in 2024. It can be exhilarating, but the rest of the process will be smooth if you get the initial steps right.
Combine your culinary expertise with a quirky business strategy, and rest assured, your food truck business will boom! As for the operations, OneHubPOS can always come to your rescue. You get everything from a restaurant POS, self-ordering kiosks, a display system, or order and pay system. So, if and when you start your food truck business, you can improve your profit margins with OneHubPOS, an all-in-one Android POS solution. Book a call with us and learn how you can get started at $1.
.webp)
The restaurant industry is revolutionizing with the growth of delivery-only kitchens. 52% of USA restaurant consumers state they would love to order from a ghost kitchen. In the crowd of dine-in restaurants, people now like delivery-only restaurants.
This is the perfect time to start your own ghost or virtual kitchen. This blog will discuss ghost kitchen vs. cloud kitchen in detail. Eventually, this will assist you in making a wise decision about which model to start with to compete in the restaurant business and earn a smart amount of money.
Let’s get into the nuances of both ghost kitchens and cloud kitchens.
Ghost Kitchens are delivery-only restaurants without a storefront or dining area. So, how are they contacting a vast number of consumers?
You might have once ordered food from Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash or any other platforms. Ghost kitchens prepare meals at their place and deliver via third-party apps. With third-party food-ordering apps, you are just moving around from restaurants to consumers and get a commission for the delivery service. Also, they get commissions from the kitchens and restaurants.
A cloud kitchen, aka virtual kitchen, is a unified food production system. Diverse restaurant brands operate their businesses under one cloud kitchen roof.
This is a money-saving solution where restaurants don’t need kitchen equipment, resources, and space. This restaurant model will raise the business quickly without paying for physical dining spaces and decorations.
Cloud Kitchen has focused on food quality and delivery speed, which is why it's evolving daily. Most importantly, food consumers love it.
At a glance, both kitchens look similar yet have multiple differences to distinguish them easily.
Most of the restaurants operate by ghost kitchen work independently. A group of kitchens work under a third-party app, which is excellent for dedicated order fulfillment.
On the other hand, cloud kitchens work like a platform that houses multiple restaurant brands in a single shared space. These brands will work together and share standard kitchen tools such as equipment, furniture, and other necessary utensils. For this type of arrangement, cloud kitchens can offer cousins and similar delicacies to their customers.
In a ghost kitchen, there are no storefronts or physical dining areas; the focus is entirely on kitchens. This is why ghost kitchens are cheap, non-location-based, and reduce pressure by concentrating solely on delivery.
Cloud kitchens don’t have physical setups like dining or storefronts, but the platform can support multiple brands simultaneously. With their collective use of space and resources, cloud kitchen restaurants can significantly reduce costs and create coordination among various restaurants.
Ghost kitchens often lack visibility because of the absence of a physical store and customer interaction through different locations. Most of these kitchens will depend on large delivery and distribution networks.
However, cloud kitchens will gain visibility because their brands work under one roof and share resources among their kitchens. Even though there is no physical presence, the joint branding effort can influence and improve overall visibility.
The best part of ghost kitchens is that they are low-cost, so you can easily start a business. That’s why they are ideal for startups and small businesses willing to enter the restaurant business.
Cloud kitchens might be expensive because of their large facilities and extensive operations. However, they might still promote cost efficiency by distributing expenses across multiple restaurants.
For less attention and visibility, ghost kitchens are pretty flexible towards their work. Their business strategies are based on consumer trends and feedback. You can experiment with multiple cuisines without incurring financial risk. Changing your menu according to your consumer's preferences is super easy.
Cloud kitchens can extend their business by providing ever-growing scalability, without additional physical premises. Moreover, this restaurant model can spread with shared resources, allowing it to focus on food quality and a swift delivery system.
Here's a closer look at the differences:
There are thousands of Ghost Kitchen and Cloud Kitchen services available. Let’s look at some real-life examples of them.
Founded in 2017, Kitchen United has quickly emerged as a leader in the Ghost Kitchen industry. It provides multi-tenant kitchen spaces where multiple independent restaurant brands can operate simultaneously. Its location is perfect for serving a local population, delivering food effectively, and handling complex logistics under one platform.
Virtuant is also a great Ghost Kitchen brand that offers solutions for individual restaurants that want to expand their reach by using delivery and takeout services without the traditional overheads. By hosting multiple independent kitchens in a single facility equipped with shared resources and advanced technology, Virturant optimizes operations and reduces wait times.
In the heart of Times Square, Backstage Food Hall provides access to up to 1.2 million customers. It has a walkable area and nearby shopping areas, which attract tourists worldwide. This is a high-demand ghost kitchen for both online delivery and walk-in traffic. Moreover, they provide modern chefs with specialized kitchen resources that ensure a smooth and efficient setup process.
The legendary Youtuber Jimmy Donaldson Aka Mr Beast opened Mr Beast Burgers, a sub-company of Mr Beast Brand. After its initial launch in December 2020, MrBeast Burgers has gained many recognitions. Mr Beast Burgers is a virtual restaurant brand that uses other kitchen spaces in the United States and other international spaces.
Nascar Refuel is another Cloud Kitchen platform that offers fans an amazing experience. It hosts many independent kitchens dedicated to creating meals with flavors at an exhilarating pace associated with NASCAR events. The company solely operates through delivery services and offers a diverse menu inspired by the various tracks and cultures represented in the NASCAR community.
CloudKitchens are renowned for food quality, scalability, and delivery speed. It is specially designed to start food production with minimal staff and lower capital investment. It’s not a matter whether you are initiating the restaurant business from scratch, they will minimize the setup process and run the kitchen quickly. The most crucial part is you can access many customers without spending time on growth.
From a customer perspective, cloud kitchen platforms should offer better service than ghost kitchens. However, there are many points to consider.
As a startup, you should consider your investment options before selecting between Cloud Kitchen and Ghost Kitchen. You will also need to know what type of food you will offer your customers and what is popular in particular regions.
If you want to host multiple brands from one platform, selecting Cloud Kitchen platform can help you because it has the potential to work on shared resources. However, if you want to work from one brand with multiple kitchen brands, consider Ghost Kitchen because of its cost efficiency.
You are starting an online food business that requires a solid platform and people who will work for your restaurant. This is why it’s crucial to consider the investment, because the food business may take away your savings. So, think about the financial aspect carefully.
Ghost Kitchen Platform requires less upfront investment because its kitchen requirements are not insanely high and only require minimal setup. However, the amount will continuously depend on various factors like kitchens, staff, delivery, and platform costs.
It’s important that your business reaches the people who are willing to buy through your platform. Also, you might not become famous locally, but might get many users in a completely different way, no one knows!
For this instance, you can consider selecting a ghost kitchen. This allows you to diversify your locations, optimizing delivery logistics and market demand without the constraints of a physical dining space.
Meanwhile, cloud kitchens allow you to expand your reach by hosting multiple dining brands from a single platform. This ultimately leads to shared marketing efforts and promotion, making everyone a win-win situation!
Let’s review everything one more time, Ghost Kitchen requires less investment, and infrastructure, and is financially less risky. With Cloud Kitchen, you can infinitely scale, have wider reach, and have chances of increasing your platform value massively.
Both kitchens have their uniqueness, and both have values in different areas. Your financial statement and willingness to stick to a business till goal achievement can assist in choosing the perfect restaurant business model for you.
In the process, you'll need a POS system to help you kickstart your food business, OneHubPOS is available for $1. Book a demo to learn more!
