Restaurant Ops

Mastering POS Setup for Cloud Kitchens in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Managing Operations

Justina John
January 27, 2025
1 mins

Table of Content

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 Have Unique Needs

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.

How Cloud Kitchens Differ from Traditional Kitchens

  • Multiple Brands, One Space: A single cloud kitchen runs multiple brands with different menus. For example, burgers, pasta, and smoothies are all prepared in the same kitchen.
  • Delivery-First Model: Orders pour in from apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash. This means speed is everything.

This model needs a POS system that can handle the complexities of delivery and multi-brand management, unlike a restaurant POS system.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up Your Cloud Kitchen POS

Let’s walk you through how to set up OneHubPOS for your cloud kitchen:

1. Login Using Credentials

Start by logging in to the OneHubPOS platform using your username and password. After logging in, you’ll be see a dashboard.

2. Add Your Kitchen

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.

3. Add Employee Details

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.

4. Set Up Menus and Products

Add your menu items and product details in the left-hand side section. Save everything to finalize your setup.

5. Go Live

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!

8 Key Features a POS System Must Have

Here are some important capabilities your POS system should have to handle and run cloud kitchens:

1. Support for Virtual Dining Concepts

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.

2. Third-Party Delivery Integration

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.

3. Real-Time Reporting

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.

4. Centralized Order Management

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.

5. Kitchen Display System (KDS)

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:

  • With real-time order tracking, orders move smoothly from the POS to the kitchen. The result: fewer delays.
  • You don't need to decipher messy handwriting. So, improved accuracy.
  • With clear visual cues, your team knows exactly what to prepare and when.

6. Multi-Brand POS Capabilities

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:

  • With a unified dashboard, you can manage all your brands, menus, and inventory in one place.
  • Quickly swap out breakfast menus for lunch options or create seasonal promotions.

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.

7. Self-Service Kiosks

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:

  • Customers place their own orders, skipping long lines.
  • Free up your team to focus on cooking instead of taking orders. This leads to lower staff dependency.

Moreover, kiosks operate round the clock, minimizing the need for additional staff during slow periods.

8. Inventory Management Tools

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.

Empowering Your Cloud Kitchen with the Right POS

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.

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AUTHOR
Justina John
Marketing Associate - OneHubPOS

Justina John, Marketing Associate with expertise in Digital Marketing, Content Creation, and Social Media Strategy. Skilled in enhancing brand visibility, driving customer engagement, and executing impactful marketing campaigns to support business growth.

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