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Small startup operation POS question

A astronorickMember
I'm hoping for some advice from some of the sage's and guru's in here with restaurant space. Opening up a small 'joint' soon, which will be focused on a pick up and 'to-go', but will also have (max.) of about 30 seats. No table waiting service, just pick up at counter by number. Initially, will only be open to public Friday evenings and Saturday's. Anticipate to open for full week service within 6 months. The other side of the business will be more wholesale, providing pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sausage and Brisket for caterers and restaurants in the region, throughout the week and weekends. A question have is this - What reommendations do you all have for an Electronic cash register VS. a more developed POS system ? I really don't need much of a POS system, but likely more of a touch-screen electronic cash register with printer and drawer. No tables to keep track of, doubt I'll need to split many tickets, mostly pay and pickup. Any recommendations ? I like the POS systems and how they offer good interface to quickbooks, but in reality thats not a big deal yet. I would like a simple system, but one that I can do a little more than just balance th cash drawer. Any electronic touch screen 'cash registers' that have some rporting capability ? Thanks for any thoughts and comments, this CS forum is an amazing resource for me. Oh, regarding smoker, I'll know within a few weeks if I'm starting with an FEC-120 under the hood, or if the local HD will permit me to have an FEC-500 outside the back door under a roof. Health Department=not so fun to deal with.
Regards,
Rick
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M maxqMember
Welcome Rick.

I own a 78 seat restaurant...a combo of fine and casual dinner (only) menus. I looked at POS systems twice...about 12 and 5 years ago. Overall costs for touch screens, printers, cash drawer and Windows/Quickbooks interface was between $12K-18K + infrastructure (wiring) installation. In both cases, I walked away due to the cost.

The sales reps are quick to tell you that a POS will reduce theft and waste and will increase your bottom line by 8-12%. In a large (50 seat+) operation with a high turnover of employees, that may be true. My staff are seasoned vets and have been onboard an average ot 15+ years. We use a number of internal controls in the kitchen, dining room and bar to monitor cash, and input all our numbers into Quickbooks.

In your case, I really don't see the need for a POS for a "pay and pick-up" operation. Still, there may be features of a streamlined system that might justify the cost.

Do some resarch on your area and see what small food service operations are using for POS systems. Talk with the management about pros and cons. If you decide to go POS, support will be crucial...bad things always seem to happen in the middle of a Saturday night slam Smiler

Quickbooks is a MUST and it's quite a learning curve. You're free to PM me for my email addy if you'd like to chat further.

Best of luck.
Chris
A astronorickMember
Chris - thanks for the feedback. I'm definitely leaning towards a register instead of POS. I'll likely end up with one that has a touch screen, as I like the interface, and will want to print numbered receipts for customer to claim their food at the counter. Appreciate the comments regarding quickbooks - I've used it in the past, and accountant will be training us specific to our business. (She charges $25/hr. but is worth $125/hr.).

Regarding smoker, I just got word from the health department that the FEC-500 outside under a roof is a 'most likely not'. So I will be starting with an FEC-120 under the hood, and adding an SM260 soon after.

Being that I'm starting with the FEC-120, I'll quickly learn the art of using a holding cabinet and cambro's for the Shoulders and Briskets, while the ribs ad chicken are in the FEC-120. The SM260 will be added when I do more and more sausage.

THanks !
Rick
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by astronorick:
Chris - thanks for the feedback. I'm definitely leaning towards a register instead of POS. I'll likely end up with one that has a touch screen, as I like the interface, and will want to print numbered receipts for customer to claim their food at the counter. Appreciate the comments regarding quickbooks - I've used it in the past, and accountant will be training us specific to our business. (She charges $25/hr. but is worth $125/hr.).

Regarding smoker, I just got word from the health department that the FEC-500 outside under a roof is a 'most likely not'. So I will be starting with an FEC-120 under the hood, and adding an SM260 soon after.

Being that I'm starting with the FEC-120, I'll quickly learn the art of using a holding cabinet and cambro's for the Shoulders and Briskets, while the ribs ad chicken are in the FEC-120. The SM260 will be added when I do more and more sausage.

THanks !
Rick



Your Health Dept may consider the 500 if you knock a hole in the wall to accommodate indoor access to just the face (opening) of the unit with a good seal around the perimeter.
FM Former Member
I'm with Max.

I don't have the years of experience that Max does, so I trust him completely in Restaurant knowledge, he's Good !!!

Me I have less than a year, but I'm a quick study.

Now my take is slightly different, that if you aren't using a POS, then make SURE to track you sales, you waste, etc and do it in a spreadsheet.

You want to figure out your plate costs and see what your margins are if you're making any most or losing any money. You also want to track quantity.

We added a new sandwich two weeks ago and have already sold 300 of them (but we have a POS).
FM Former Member
There are a lot of POS systems out there right now. Most will offer you a free trial or extended demo online.

Many are going to a module/subscription format which can be really good if you don't need a bunch of modules to get the functionality you need.

I would check out some of the iPad based POS systems if you will have a simple menu. I use PayAnywhere by HSBC Bank as part of their CC processing system and it works well for my needs and can run a cash drawer and printer. Also very handy if you do mobile events with a 4g capable iPad.

Another one to look at is hulapos.com. They are doing a free version that is worth considering.

And lastly, look at http://www.shopkeep.com/ for a very neat ipPad based system.

I like the ipad systems if for no other reason that it has a high "cool" factor, and I want the system to function as much as a way to capture email addresses as I do for it functionality as a POS system. The coolness factor makes people want to give you their email info, and that allows me to market to them more effectively via newsletter and Facebook.

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