Finding the right POS software can help your business run smoother while saving on labor costs, shrinkage and money.
Today’s technology isn’t just focused on one market segment. POS software is available for every niche, no matter the size. Casual dining, fast food chains, and fine dining restaurants all fit within the scope of point of sale software.
POS software allows restaurant chains to easily control every location with a variety of functions and features:
• POS software allows an owner to pull data, monitor performance, and manage the POS system from one central location.
• Online reservations can be made to any restaurant in the chain.
• Online ordering gives customers the ability to place their takeout orders from the location of their choice.
• Mobile POS software allows servers to quickly process credit cards or share up-to-date information on specials and promotions with the customers. This mobile technology can be used across multiple locations.
• Data mine to compare sales with other chain restaurants and identify performance trends.
• Customers can earn and redeem loyalty points by intertwining purchases at one or more restaurants, ensuring return business throughout the chain.
• A/B testing can be used to try out and monitor specials, promotions, and menu items by state, region, or even the chain as a whole.
Many restaurants are working to streamline their e-commerce capabilities, and POS software plays a part in that. Customers are more comfortable than ever with touchscreens, and speed/mobility is more important than ever before. It’s good to stay informed on trends and software. Here are some additional tips for using POS software:
Be consistent
If you own a chain of restaurants, brand identity is vital to your success. A POS system can help you establish an identity across the entire chain. This can come in handy with inventory and menu items. POS software means you can have the right ingredients on hand to ensure that meals and recipes are prepared consistently. In addition to preparing consistent menu items, this software can also help track your inventory as a whole. Running out of items or ingredients is never a good thing, but a POS system should help you keep that from happening.
Get to know your customer
It’s difficult and more expensive to obtain new customers than it is to keep you current clientele. As competition increases, understand your customer trends and what brings them back for return visits. Customer loyalty programs allow customers earn points at one restaurant location and redeem them at any other location in your chain. It’s also good to share marketing and promotional messages on video boards throughout different restaurant locations for consistent messaging.
Information at your fingertips
POS software gives restaurant owners flexible and detailed business reporting. Sales, inventory, and labor can be tracked across all locations. Data can be filtered in order to examine one store, or every store in a city, state, or region.
As an owner, you should be able to control every aspect of your business. Being consistent and maintaining an identity are two things that restaurant owners should focus on. POS software should be able to scale as your business expands and new needs arise. Properly utilized POS software can develop your restaurant chain and improve your bottom line.
