Point of Sale Software Use in a Restaurant
Have you ever wondered why a restaurant would fork out thousands of dollars for a restaurant POS system? A POS, or Point of Sale software program, can save restaurant owners and managers a lot of time and money, simplifying payroll, training and cash-handling procedures. Whether the restaurant is large or small, a POS system can make a big difference in the bottom line.
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Using the POS System for Tracking Staff
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Many POS systems have payroll features enabled so that staff may use the system to clock in and out. At payroll time, the information can be exported for use in Quickbooks or in spreadsheet form and can be used to calculate payroll. Some systems have a programmable overtime warning as well as a scheduling input tool that prevents employees from clicking in early. In this way, it can save a company a lot of money. When employees consistently clock in early for their shift, it causes them to work more hours than the restaurant has budgeted.
Floor Management with a POS
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For sit-down dining, a POS system often features a visual re-creation of the restaurant's floor map. This can help ensure that tables which are pushed together to accommodate a large group are put back the same way each time. With this feature, a color-coding or other visual system allows any user to see the status of each table at any time. It helps ensure that the right food gets out to the right table and that the hostess can see which tables are available just by looking at the screen. Additionally, some systems allow a server to specify which chair a meal is destined for, to avoid the "food auction" whereby servers stand at the side of the table asking "who had the brisket?"
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Menu Features of the POS System
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Another feature that POS systems utilize is the living menu. Barcode scanning of each ingredient in the kitchen as well as menu item recipes can create an auto-depleting system, so that when there are only two salmon dinners left, the system will alert the staff, allowing them to direct guests to other meals. Additionally, the menu features also automatically charge guests for extras and allow servers the ability to enter these extras at the order entry screen so that she's not shouting to the cooks, "put the sauce on the side of that one." In cases where management wants to charge extra for substitutions, extra plates or additional toppings, a POS system can be programmed to automatically add these things to the ticket.
Managing Breaks
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Some POS systems allow management the ability to monitor staff cigarette breaks and lunch breaks, even factoring in a staff meal as part of a deductible business expense. Ten-minute cigarette breaks can add up, especially when a restaurant isn't busy (and consequently isn't selling anything). Keep a back bar POS system by the staff entry/exit and have them clock in and out for their smoke breaks.
Staff Training with a POS
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Systems like Micros POS allow for customizable staff training modules that employees can complete at work or on their own time. Things like menu training and quizzes ensure that wait staff understand the restaurant's menu and other offerings as well as cooking procedures and ingredients, to better serve the guests. Wine training is also popular. Servers who sell more wine generally get larger tips, as guests customarily tip a percentage of their bill, and a server who is well versed in wine and food pairings can help guests choose wines better. Finally, clean-up checklists can be implemented, so that no server or kitchen crew member leaves his station in disarray. This improves morale and makes the restaurant cleaner.
Cash Handling with a POS
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When every order is entered into a POS system and every ticket is processed through an integrated cash-handling program, balancing the cash drawer is simply a matter of matching up the number on the bottom line with the cash in the drawer. There's no nightly calculation involving adding up the checks, the credit card sales and the comps or looking for lost tickets. A restaurant POS system ensures that there are fewer opportunities for fraud or theft. A cashier or hostess may be responsible for the drawer, or each server can be responsible for her own sales. Whichever method works best for your operation, systems like Aldelo for Restaurants are flexible enough to accommodate whichever cash-handling process works best for you.
Printing Reports
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One fantastic thing about a POS system is reporting options. You can print daily, weekly, monthly or even hourly reports to help you guide your business. Track labor versus sales to ensure that your labor expense is staying within the budgeted percentage. Track sales versus inventory, so that you know if steaks are missing. Track which servers are selling more desserts and which are consistently arriving late. What percentage of your guests order wine with dinner? What's the profit margin on the small pizza versus the large pizza? How long did the average guest wait for her food last Friday? What on earth is table 7 eating? What time does the lunch rush usually end? Having access to statistical information about your staff and guests can help you make more money by allowing you to make marketing, scheduling and menu decisions based upon facts.
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