The Relationship Between POS Systems and Restaurant Check

If your POS system is outdated or not appropriate for restaurant needs, your check may be the same. Keep reading for some ways an updated POS system can improve restaurant checks.

Lauren Christiansen10/14/2021

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What is a Restaurant Check?

If you've ever been to a restaurant, you know that at the end of your meal, you'll get a bill. This bill is the check for your meal. In the US, when you pay your bill, you usually give the server your credit card. The server then swipes the card and gives you a receipt to sign. But what is a restaurant check? A restaurant check is a printed receipt that a server gives to a customer when the customer pays for their meal.


What is a Restaurant Check?

Check please!" Paying the check is a normal part of dining out, but what exactly does the process entail? A restaurant check is a receipt you receive at the end of your meal. The receipt tells you how much you've paid for your meal, who you've paid, and what you've ordered. It also includes any sales tax relevant to that state and the order status (takeout or dine-in).

Restaurant checks are not just a way for employees to get customers to pay the bill. The receipts attached to them allow customers to get their money back after a bad meal, or take it home for recordkeeping purposes. Customers can also remember how much they left in tips, and the check itself tells employees how much tip to add to a credit card purchase.

Sometimes restaurant checks and receipts include information for customers to provide feedback. The restaurant may offer a free food item or enter the customer in for a drawing if they follow through. Many restaurants also offer their menu online, which means you can order your food before you get to the restaurant.

Restaurant checks can either be digital or paper-based, depending on how the customer ordered. Online orders will provide digital receipts and dine-in customers will receive paper-based receipts. However, some POS software allows dine-in customers to pay with digital currency, such as Apple Pay.

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The Relationship Between a Restaurant Check and POS System

In the good old days, the restaurant check process was fairly simple. Customers ate their food and received a check printed out from a traditional cash register system. Or, they could use a credit card reader machine to swipe their card after paying upfront on a cash register. While many diners still use this same process, more restaurants are investing in an optimized POS software solution instead.

So, how does this look from the customer end? Depending on the type of software, it may not be that much different. You may not have even noticed that you were paying with a POS solution when you last dined out. That's because waitstaff may have used handheld POS systems to create the check, and then given you a paper-based receipt.

The customer interacts most with POS software in cafes and establishments where they have to pay upfront. If paying with a credit card or digital currency, customers will make sure to give the card to the employee or swipe it themselves. After completing the swiping, the employee swivels the terminal to the customer so he/she can include an optional tip and sign using a digital pen or a finger. The employee swivels it back around and carries out the rest of the transaction. Most POS terminals ask customers if they want a paper-based receipt or a receipt sent to their email.

The customer also inadvertently interacts with a POS when they order online. The POS has been integrated into the system automatically, so it isn't very noticeable on the customer's end. It may automatically upload the customer's payment information, depending on how they last paid. The customer completes the transaction and includes a tip if desired.

While the customer may not notice much of a difference from the old days, it's a much more streamlined process. There are more ways to pay, more ways to receive a check, and safer options to input credit card information. For example, it's very hard for employees to forge tip information because the customer inputs it himself.

A POS solution will subtly improve customer satisfaction and enhance the overall experience. Because POS software also handles other areas of operations, owners will have a much more efficient process. Read ahead for the other top benefits of POS solutions and restaurant checks.

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1. Broader Range of Payment Options

Have you ever been to a restaurant that only accepts cash? They may have an ATM next door for you to use, which charges an extra $3. As we all know, this isn't the best experience. Customers expect to be able to pay with credit cards. With cash shortages and everything going digital, there's no reason for a restaurant to only accept cash.

POS software is a great investment for this very reason. While you will need to pay processing fees, the solution can save money in inventory costs and increase profits. So, it won't matter so much that you have to pay a small processing fee for smaller transactions. Customers will be happier that they have more payment options, including digital currency. It will also increase the number of online sales. It's a win-win for everyone.

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2. Automate Accounting Reports

Restaurant owners know that accounting processes are time-consuming and prone to error. Those who refuse to invest in Point Sale systems are at risk for non-compliance and fines. Most restaurant POS solutions integrate with QuickBooks or other platforms to automate accounting functions.

All customer data is collected and maintained in the cloud. When it's time to pay taxes or handle accounting tasks, everything is easily available. Safeguards prevent any unauthorized access, and only certain employees can use the system for accounting. This will also prevent any waste which increases the bottom line.

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3. Real-Time Order Changes and Monitoring

Old-fashioned Pos Equipment usually uses ticket printing to give kitchen staff order information. This is a very time-consuming and inefficient way to communicate with cooks. It also doesn't provide an opportunity to update orders, alter requests, or monitor the status of an order. It may also negatively impact customer checks, as it's harder to cancel out an incorrect check and make a new one.

Modern POS solutions enable employees to make changes right from their handheld devices or on the Pos Solution. This makes work life much easier for employees, and customers are happier due to fewer errors. It also helps the restaurant save money in inventory costs because there are fewer re-dos and refunds.

4. Increases Efficiency

Every restaurant owner knows that increasing efficiency is the key to a successful restaurant. If you can get more customers seated in a shorter time frame, you get higher profits. If employees have the tools to perform their jobs more effectively, they can serve more customers. If customers have multiple ways to pay for a meal item, there will be higher profits.

As most owners know, technology now plays a huge role in increasing efficiency. POS systems include various features, advantages, and integrations. Owners can collect customer data and analyze it to make better business decisions. They also receive regular updates on the status of orders and other restaurant processes. They can streamline Inventory Management and minimize waste. This provides the tools and information to quickly problem-solve and eliminate bottlenecks.

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5. Integrate Online Orders

Offering a way for customers to order online is a must in this day and age. While a lot of customers still call in to place delivery orders, more younger patrons prefer ordering through an app, third-party service, or online platform. If you integrate your POS system with an online ordering app, you can dramatically increase your sales. Customers receive digital receipts and you can customize the platform to ensure online ordering is tailored towards each customer.

POS software will make sure to handle loyalty programs effectively and can suggest items to customers so they receive more points. This dramatically increases customer spend, makes customers happier, and increases profits. It is also a more effective, long-term solution for restaurants that are trying to stay profitable during COVID-19.

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