In the competitive, fast-paced, and ever-evolving restaurant industry, having the right tools to manage operations efficiently is crucial for success. Everything can quickly spiral out of control without effective systems in place.
One of the most essential tools for any UK restaurant is a reliable Point of Sale (POS) system. In 2024, running a business without a POS system is next to impossible.
A modern POS system is no longer just a tool for processing payments; it has evolved into an all-encompassing platform that helps restaurant owners manage everything from orders and inventory to customer relationships and staff scheduling. The right POS system can streamline operations, improve customer service, and even boost profitability.
When it comes to UK restaurants, there are specific factors to consider. Unlike POS systems in other regions, UK restaurants require systems that are compliant with VAT and other local tax regulations.
As the restaurant landscape continues to shift towards digital solutions, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, investing in a high-quality POS system is more important than ever.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best POS systems available to UK restaurants, detailing their features, pros, cons, and ideal use cases.
Whether you're running a small café, a high-end dining establishment, or a multi-location restaurant chain, there’s a POS solution that fits your unique needs. Let’s dive into what to look for in a POS system and explore the top options available in the UK market.
Choosing the right POS system for a restaurant in the UK requires careful consideration of several important factors.
Redcat EPOS is a versatile point-of-sale system designed to meet the complex needs of restaurants, cafés, pubs, and other hospitality businesses.
With a strong presence in the global market, including the UK, Redcat provides restaurant owners with a comprehensive solution that covers not only payment processing but also essential functions such as inventory management, staff scheduling, and customer engagement.
The platform offers both cloud-based and on-premise options, allowing restaurant owners to choose the system that best suits their operational needs. Redcat is particularly well-regarded for its scalability, making it an excellent choice for restaurants looking to grow or manage multiple locations.
In addition to its core functionality, Redcat integrates with a wide range of third-party applications such as accounting software, delivery platforms, and CRM systems.
This seamless integration allows restaurant owners to manage all aspects of their business from one central hub, improving efficiency and reducing the need for multiple tools.
While the system’s feature-rich design is a great asset, its complexity and price point may make it more appropriate for medium to large restaurants, as smaller establishments might find it more than they need.
Redcat EPOS is ideal for medium to large restaurants, multi-location chains, and hospitality businesses that need a comprehensive, scalable solution.
TouchBistro is a POS system designed specifically for restaurants, offering a range of tools to streamline operations and improve customer service.
Built with a focus on mobility and efficiency, TouchBistro runs on iPads, making it an excellent option for restaurants that want to offer tableside ordering and quick payment processing.
The system is user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that reduces staff training time, allowing new employees to get up to speed quickly.
TouchBistro also offers robust features like menu management, table management, and customer relationship management (CRM), all designed to enhance the overall dining experience. Its offline capabilities ensure that operations continue smoothly even if the internet goes down, a critical feature for busy restaurants.
TouchBistro stands out for its built-in customer engagement tools, such as loyalty programs, which help restaurants drive repeat business. It integrates well with other software, such as accounting platforms and payment processors, providing restaurant owners with a seamless way to manage all aspects of their business.
While it’s a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized restaurants, larger establishments with more complex needs might find the system somewhat limited in terms of customisation and scalability. However, TouchBistro’s focus on ease of use and mobility makes it a strong choice for restaurants prioritising efficient service.
TouchBistro is best suited for small to medium-sized restaurants, cafés, and bars that want a user-friendly, mobile POS solution. It is particularly ideal for establishments that prioritise tableside ordering and quick, efficient service.
TouchBistro’s offline functionality and ease of use make it a great option for independent restaurants looking for a cost-effective system that doesn't compromise on essential features.
EPOS Now is a UK-based POS system designed to meet the diverse needs of hospitality businesses, including restaurants, bars, and cafés. It offers a versatile, cloud-based platform that can run on both dedicated EPOS hardware and iPads, providing flexibility in how businesses choose to set up their operations.
Known for its ease of use, EPOS Now simplifies the process of managing orders, payments, and inventory, making it an attractive option for small to medium-sized restaurants.
One of its standout features is its ability to integrate seamlessly with various third-party tools, including accounting software like Xero, payment gateways like Zettle and Worldpay, and online ordering platforms like Deliveroo and Just Eat. This makes it a highly adaptable system for businesses that rely on multiple services to operate smoothly.
EPOS Now also offers a strong suite of management tools, including real-time reporting, inventory control, and staff management.
With its VAT-compliant capabilities, it’s particularly suited to the UK market, ensuring that restaurants can stay compliant with local tax laws. In addition, EPOS Now provides built-in customer loyalty features, allowing restaurants to create bespoke loyalty programs and drive repeat business.
While it’s a cost-effective solution, the pricing model can become more expensive with the addition of optional features and hardware, which may be something to consider for businesses on a tight budget.
EPOS Now is best suited for small to medium-sized UK restaurants, bars, and cafés that need a flexible, VAT-compliant POS system with strong integration capabilities.
Toast POS is a feature-rich, cloud-based point-of-sale system designed specifically for the restaurant industry, with a focus on improving efficiency and enhancing the customer experience. It’s built on Android-based hardware, making it a reliable and durable solution for restaurants that handle high volumes of transactions.
Toast POS offers a wide range of features, including tableside ordering, payment processing, and kitchen display systems (KDS), allowing restaurant staff to manage orders more quickly and accurately.
With its powerful back-office tools, Toast enables restaurant owners to handle everything from menu management and inventory tracking to employee scheduling and payroll. Toast's integrated approach helps streamline restaurant operations by connecting the front of house, back of house, and management in one seamless system.
One of Toast’s standout features is its mobile ordering and delivery integration, making it an ideal choice for restaurants offering takeaway and delivery services. Additionally, the system supports customer loyalty programs and digital gift cards, helping restaurants build strong customer relationships and drive repeat business.
Toast also offers extensive reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing restaurant owners to monitor sales trends, manage costs, and optimise staffing levels.
While Toast POS boasts advanced features, it may have higher pricing compared to other systems, especially for smaller restaurants. However, the investment can pay off for businesses looking to improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Toast POS is best suited for medium to large restaurants, particularly those that manage high volumes of transactions and offer delivery or takeaway services. Its tableside ordering and payment processing features make it ideal for full-service restaurants looking to improve the speed and accuracy of their service.
Square POS is a popular and versatile point-of-sale system designed for small to medium-sized restaurants, cafés, food trucks, and other hospitality businesses.
Known for its simplicity and affordability, Square POS offers an intuitive, cloud-based platform that is easy to set up and use, making it ideal for businesses that want to get started quickly without the need for extensive training or complicated installation.
Square POS allows restaurants to process payments, track sales, manage inventory, and create detailed reports, all from a single system. Its hardware options, including card readers and contactless payment devices, are particularly attractive for smaller establishments looking to process payments on the go or in a variety of service settings.
Square POS is also well-regarded for its transparent pricing model, which has no monthly fees for basic features and a straightforward transaction fee structure. This makes it one of the most cost-effective options for small businesses with tighter budgets.
Additionally, Square offers various add-ons, such as customer loyalty programs, employee management tools, and marketing integrations, allowing restaurant owners to scale the system as their business grows.
While it may lack some of the advanced features needed by larger restaurants or chains, Square POS is a solid choice for smaller operations that need an affordable, user-friendly solution with essential features.
Square POS is best suited for small to medium-sized restaurants, cafés, food trucks, and quick-service businesses that need a simple, affordable, and flexible POS solution.
Clover POS is a versatile and scalable point-of-sale system designed for restaurants, cafés, and quick-service businesses.
Known for its flexibility, Clover offers both cloud-based and hardware solutions, including countertop terminals, mobile POS devices, and self-service kiosks, making it suitable for a wide range of restaurant types. The system allows restaurant owners to manage payments, track inventory, create custom menus, and generate detailed reports, all from a single platform.
One of Clover’s key strengths is its customisability, offering a wide range of apps through the Clover App Market that enable businesses to tailor the system to their specific needs, from employee scheduling and payroll management to loyalty programs and customer feedback tools.
Clover POS integrates seamlessly with third-party platforms, such as accounting and CRM tools, and supports various payment methods, including contactless payments and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Its ease of use, combined with strong customer support, makes it a popular choice for small to medium-sized restaurants.
However, while Clover’s modular pricing allows businesses to start with basic features and add more as needed, the costs can add up, especially for restaurants that require multiple hardware components and additional apps.
Despite this, Clover’s flexibility and range of features make it a strong contender for restaurants looking to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience.
Clover POS is best suited for small to medium-sized restaurants, quick-service businesses, and cafés that require a flexible, customisable POS system.
Selecting the best POS system for your UK restaurant can significantly enhance your operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and boost revenue.
The right POS solution should align with your specific needs, offering robust features like seamless payment processing, inventory management, and insightful reporting tools.
With options tailored to various types of restaurants, from small cafés to large chains, investing in a high-quality POS system is an essential step toward running a successful, future-proof restaurant in the UK.
At Redcat, we offer a powerful and feature-rich ePOS system perfectly designed for restaurants in the UK. Reach out or book your demo today.