In the fast-paced world of hospitality, having a reliable and feature-rich EPOS system is essential. From restaurants and pubs to cafés and takeaways, UK hospitality businesses rely on EPOS systems to streamline service, improve customer satisfaction, and manage operations more efficiently!
With the sector still evolving post-COVID, and customer expectations at an all-time high, the right EPOS system can give your business a competitive edge – whether it’s taking orders at the table, splitting bills with ease, or printing directly to the kitchen, your tech needs to keep up with your team.
Join us as we break down the best EPOS systems for hospitality businesses in the UK, based on key features like table service, kitchen printing, tipping support, and more.
Why Hospitality Businesses Need a Specialised EPOS System
While retail and service-based EPOS systems share some similarities, hospitality businesses require a tailored solution with features such as:
- Table management and floor plans
- Tipping and gratuity handling
- Order splitting and bill printing
- Kitchen display systems or kitchen printers
- Staff performance tracking
- Real-time inventory for ingredients and menu items
Best EPOS Systems for Restaurants, Cafés, Pubs, and Takeaways
Provider | Best For | Key Features | Starting Price |
| Full-service restaurants | Table service, stock control, kitchen display, CRM | From £39/month |
| Cafés and bistros | Custom menus, tableside ordering, tipping, inventory | From £45/month |
| Budget-friendly pubs | Free tier available, tipping, table layout, card payments | Free + transaction fees |
| Takeaways and pubs | Delivery integration, tipping, loyalty programmes | From £55/month |
| Small cafés and kiosks | Mobile ordering, card reader, receipt printing | Free + hardware |
| Large multi-site venues | Table management, stock control, bespoke setup | Custom pricing |
| Pop-ups and small venues | Simple POS, tipping, mobile payments | Free + hardware |
Features to Look for in a Hospitality EPOS System
Table Service and Floor Plan Management
Allows staff to take orders at the table and assign them to specific tables using a customisable floor layout.
Kitchen Printing or Kitchen Display Integration
Orders are sent directly to the kitchen as soon as they’re taken, minimising errors and speeding up service.a
Tipping and Gratuity Handling
Let customers add tips (including card-based tips), and allow you to distribute gratuities fairly.
Mobile Ordering and Payment
Staff can take orders and process payments anywhere in the venue, reducing queues and improving customer experience.
Delivery and Takeaway Integration
Some EPOS systems integrate with Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat.
Stock and Ingredient Management
Automatically deducts stock levels as items are sold and alerts you when running low.
Reporting and Analytics
Provides insights into best-selling items, peak times, and staff performance.
How to Choose the Right Hospitality EPOS System
1. Consider your venue size and type. A bustling full-service restaurant will have different needs than a small café or mobile food van. Look for a system that matches your service flow.
2. Think about staff training time. An intuitive, easy-to-use interface reduces training time. It ensures your team can hit the ground running, especially with high turnover in the hospitality sector.
3. Look for scalability. Planning to open another branch? Choose a provider that supports multi-site management.
4. Check customer support hours. Late-night pubs and weekend venues need support outside traditional business hours.
5. Hardware compatibility Check whether your provider includes hardware or if you’ll need to purchase tills, tablets, printers, and card readers separately.
Our Final Thoughts
We’ve seen that hospitality EPOS systems have evolved from simple tills to complete business management tools, and the best systems do more than just process payments; they support your staff, streamline operations, and enhance the customer experience.
If you run a bustling London gastropub or a seaside café in Cornwall, investing in the right EPOS system will save time, reduce errors, and ultimately boost your bottom line!
Need Help Choosing the Right EPOS System? Use our free EPOS comparison tool to compare providers based on features, pricing, and business type. Find the perfect fit for your restaurant, café, pub, or takeaway.
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