For the first time user, "Why POS?" explains the basics of POS operations, benefits of owning, and things to look for in your next POS purchase.
Every item ordered starts with your wait staff. Once the item is entered, any modifiers to that item, such as toppings or wellness can be attached to that item. The completed item is sent through a cable to a printer or printers located throughout the restaurant such as the kitchen, bar, appetizer, or prep area. Once there, the food is prepared just the way it was ordered. Aloha POS software insures that all items on an order are printed before they are prepared, giving you control over the order and distribution process. Adding manager control over voids then assures the restaurant owner that food or beverage will not be prepared unless it is on a guest check.
Menu items can be added to the check, and checks can be transferred between bartenders and servers, at any time. Different menus for different time periods can be automatically activated by the time of day, and day of the week. POS software makes splitting checks between customers easy and efficient. Even single menu items such as a bottle of wine or a pizza can be split between customers with little effort.
When the server has completed the ordering for the table, a guest check is printed and presented to the customer. You can customize your guest check to include messages advertising specials or upcoming events. Discounts, promotions, and/or comps are then able to be taken as needed. A good POS system will also insure that questionable discounts require manager's approval before they can be taken. Once the customer pays for the meal, the server, or cashier will process the payment at the terminal. Credit cards, cash and checks can be processed separately and reports can be generated by payment type.
Every restaurant has many things that need to be accomplished during any particular day of business. With a POS system, your staff will have the time and information they need to insure that restaurant operations remain smooth and streamlined. A proper POS system can help to correct many common errors that take place in a restaurant, saving you time and money. Consider the following:
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Wrong addition on guest checks
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Incorrect items being ordered
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Confusion in the kitchen
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Possible theft of money, food or liquor
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Employee time keeping and payroll errors
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Ordering food or liquor without putting it on a guest check
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Not knowing your sales breakdown by individual item
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Pricing errors, change errors
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High credit card processing charges
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Walking to kitchen and bar to place orders
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Items lost from not being put on check
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Shrinkage/Theft
These are just some of the problems the proper point-of-sale system can alleviate. If some of these problems relate to your restaurant, then read on.
Investing in a professionally installed and maintained POS system will save time and help increase your bottom line. Using a POS system to control a restaurant's current revenue base will allow it to capitalize on current revenue and make room for increased sales and customers.
POS greatly improves:
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Speed of service
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Accuracy of orders
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Security of cash handling
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Control over discounts and promotions
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Ease of training new employees
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Theft reduction
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Control over servers
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Increased sales
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Sales reporting/custom reports
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Tracking server sales and performance
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Tracking menu item performance
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Tracking food and beverage usage
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Cash back on credit card purchases
Find out how POS systems can help you control all of these concerns, automatically!
Contact us to obtain a full copy of the "POS Buyers Guide."
