TouchBistro POS: Is It Great for Your Restaurant?
Hey there,
My name is Jeff, and I am a consultant for restaurants across the Sunshine State of Florida.
A reliable point-of-sale (POS) system can completely revamp a business, as someone who has worked in the hospitality sector for almost a decade can confirm.
In the past, we had to use cumbersome, antiquated point-of-sale (POS) systems that caused more problems than they solved. Because of outdated procedures, I’ve seen more than my fair share of restaurant owners struggle to make ends meet.
I’m so pleased to tell you about TouchBistro POS, a cutting-edge system developed expressly for the restaurant and bar industry.
In this blog post, I’ll share my personal views and experiences with TouchBistro POS and an in-depth analysis of its features, pricing, and more.
So, whether you’re a restaurant owner looking to upgrade your existing POS system or starting in the industry, this post is for you.
Let’s dive in and find out if TouchBistro POS is the right fit for your restaurant.
TouchBistro POS Features Overview
As a restaurant consultant, I’ve enjoyed working with various POS systems over the years, but TouchBistro POS stands out for its comprehensive and user-friendly features.
This platform is designed specifically for the restaurant industry, and it shows. I’ll show you what makes TouchBistro so competitive in the point-of-sale market.
Table Management and Floor Plan Customization
The ease with which tables could be managed and the restaurant’s layout could be altered was one of the first things that stood out to me regarding TouchBistro POS.
This feature allows you to easily create, modify, and rearrange your restaurant’s floor plan within the system. You can even add custom images for each table or section, making it a breeze for your staff to locate and serve customers.
Order and Menu Management
TouchBistro POS simplifies order and menu management with its easy-to-use interface. Adding or editing menu items, managing daily specials, and customizing modifiers for individual dishes has never been easier. The system also streamlines the order-taking process, allowing servers to quickly enter orders, make modifications, and send them straight to the kitchen. The best part?
Mobile Payments and Split Bills
In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key. TouchBistro POS offers mobile payment processing, meaning customers can pay directly from their phones. Plus, the system makes it easy to split bills among customers, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free dining experience.
Inventory Management
A great POS system should help you stay on top of your inventory, and TouchBistro POS delivers on this front. With real-time inventory tracking, low-stock alerts, and recipe cost analysis, you can control your inventory levels and make data-driven decisions to optimize your restaurant’s profitability.
Employee Management and Scheduling
Managing your staff’s work hours, schedules, and performance is crucial for any restaurant owner. TouchBistro POS offers built-in employee management tools that let you track hours, create schedules, and monitor sales performance. This helps you keep your team organized and encourages healthy competition among your staff, ultimately driving sales.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Loyalty Program
Building strong customer relationships is key to long-term success in the restaurant business. TouchBistro POS’s robust CRM system lets you collect customer information, track their preferences, and send targeted marketing campaigns. In addition, the built-in customer loyalty program benefits those who return as regulars.
Some of the characteristics that make TouchBistro POS so effective in restaurants are the ones listed above. In the next section, I’ll dive deeper into my experiences with the system and provide a comprehensive review. Stay tuned!
In-Depth TouchBistro POS Review
As a restaurant consultant, I’ve had the opportunity to work with several establishments using TouchBistro POS, and I must say, the system has consistently lived up to its reputation. In this section, I’ll tell you about my time with TouchBistro POS, pros and cons included, so that you may assess if it is the ideal choice for your restaurant on your own.
Strengths
User-Friendly Interface: One of the most impressive aspects of TouchBistro POS is its sleek, intuitive user interface. Many restaurant owners, even those with limited technical skills, quickly adapt to the system and easily navigate its features. This is crucial, as it reduces training time and ensures a smooth transition for your staff.
Reliable and Fast: In my experience, TouchBistro POS has proven to be a reliable system with minimal downtime. The cloud-based platform ensures your data is always backed up and accessible, even during an internet outage. Plus, the system’s speed allows your staff to process orders, reducing customer wait times quickly.
Responsive Customer Support: TouchBistro offers excellent customer support, essential when dealing with something as crucial as your restaurant’s POS system. Their support staff has impressed me with their responsiveness, expertise, and willingness to go above and above to handle any problems that may crop up.
Weaknesses
Limited Offline Functionality: Although TouchBistro POS does offer some offline functionality, certain features may be limited or unavailable when your internet connection is down. While this hasn’t been a deal-breaker for me, it’s worth considering if your restaurant is located in an area with unreliable internet service.
Pricing for Add-On Features: While the base version of TouchBistro POS has much to offer, certain extra features cost money. Depending on your restaurant’s needs, this can increase your overall costs. However, I’ve found that most establishments find the base features more than sufficient for their operations.
TouchBistro POS is an excellent option for restaurants seeking a modern, feature-rich POS system.
Its user-friendly interface, reliability, and responsive customer support make it a top choice for many establishments.
TouchBistro POS has a few small downsides, but the advantages exceed them, making it a worthy investment for any restaurant owner.
In the next section, we’ll examine the pricing plans and options available for TouchBistro POS.
TouchBistro Pricing and Plans
When deciding on a point-of-sale (POS) system for your eatery, it’s important to consider the upfront and long-term expenses.
In my experience, TouchBistro POS offers a competitive pricing structure that caters to various restaurant sizes and needs.
I’ll explain how much TouchBistro POS costs and what features it offers so you can decide whether it’s within your price range.
TouchBistro offers four main pricing plans, each billed annually:
| Plan | Price | Suitable for | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Plan | $69 per month | Single register/license | Small restaurants, cafes, or food trucks |
| Dual Plan | $129 per month | Two registers/licenses | Small to medium-sized restaurants |
| Team Plan | $249 per month | Up to five registers/licenses | Medium to large-sized restaurants |
| Unlimited Plan | Custom pricing | Unlimited registers/licenses | Large restaurant chains or franchises |
Please note that the Unlimited Plan requires contacting TouchBistro for a custom quote.
It’s important to note that these pricing plans include software licenses only. Hardware costs, such as iPads, cash drawers, and receipt printers, are separate and vary depending on your restaurant’s needs.
TouchBistro also offers additional features and services at an extra cost, such as:
- TouchBistro Payments (payment processing)
- TouchBistro Loyalty (customer loyalty program)
- TouchBistro Online Ordering (online ordering integration)
- TouchBistro Reservations (reservation management)
While these add-on features can increase your overall costs, they can also provide significant value to your restaurant by streamlining operations and enhancing the overall customer experience.
TouchBistro POS offers a range of pricing plans and options to suit the needs of various restaurant sizes and budgets.
Considering your establishment’s unique requirements and weighing the costs against the benefits, you can determine if TouchBistro POS is a suitable investment for your business.
In the following section, we will cover TouchBistro’s customer service quality and the resources they offer to assist you in maximizing your POS system’s potential.
TouchBistro Customer Support and Resources
As someone who consults restaurants, I know how important it is to have dependable customer support when working with your POS system. From my experience, TouchBistro provides excellent customer support, ensuring you receive the assistance you require when you need it the most. In this section, I will assess the quality of TouchBistro’s customer support and the resources they provide to assist you in maximizing your investment.
Customer Support Channels
TouchBistro offers a variety of customer support channels, including:
24/7 Phone Support: You may contact TouchBistro’s helpful customer service staff whenever you like, night or day, seven days a week. This is particularly helpful for restaurant owners who operate during non-standard hours.
Email Support: TouchBistro’s support service may be reached via phone, but they also respond to emails if that’s more convenient for you.
Live Chat: For quick, real-time support, TouchBistro offers a live chat option on their website, allowing you to get immediate help with any issues or concerns.
Helpful Resources:
TouchBistro’s helpful POS resources, which also include fast, friendly customer service, are extensive and include such areas as:
Knowledge Base: TouchBistro’s comprehensive knowledge base offers a wide range of articles and guides, covering everything from basic system setup to advanced troubleshooting. New and seasoned users will find this a valuable resource for expanding their knowledge of the system.
Video Tutorials: If you’re a visual learner, TouchBistro offers a library of video tutorials that walk you through various aspects of the POS system, from setting up your menu to managing inventory.
Webinars: TouchBistro hosts regular webinars on various topics related to the restaurant industry and POS systems. Webinars like this are fantastic for learning about improvements and best practices.
Community Forum: TouchBistro’s community forum is a valuable resource where you can connect with other restaurant owners and managers, share experiences, and ask questions. This can be particularly helpful when looking for practical advice from fellow TouchBistro users.
Overall, I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the quality of Access to TouchBistro’s customer support and resources is crucial for a smooth and efficient POS experience in your restaurant. Their responsive support and helpful resources can genuinely make a difference.
The following section explores TouchBistro’s inventory management capabilities and how they can benefit your establishment.
TouchBistro Inventory Management Capabilities
As a restaurant consultant, I cannot stress enough the importance of efficient inventory management. Properly managing your inventory can significantly impact your restaurant’s bottom line, helping you reduce waste and optimize profits.
In this article, I’ll review how TouchBistro POS manages inventory management, specifically regarding restaurants, and how doing so may improve your business.
Real-Time Inventory Tracking
TouchBistro POS monitors your inventory levels in real-time, ensuring you have a clear stock view. This helpful feature prevents you from running out of necessary ingredients or overstocking items, which is essential for the efficient operation of your restaurant. By regularly monitoring your inventory, you can make informed decisions about when to reorder supplies and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Low-Stock Alerts
One of the standout features of TouchBistro’s inventory management system is the low-stock alerts. These alerts notify you when an item is running low, allowing you to take timely action and avoid disappointing your customers due to out-of-stock items. This feature not only helps maintain customer satisfaction but also helps you manage your inventory more effectively.
Recipe Cost Analysis
TouchBistro POS goes above and beyond by offering recipe cost analysis, which helps you determine the cost of each dish based on the ingredients used. This feature lets you price your menu items accurately and maintain healthy profit margins. By understanding the actual cost of each dish, you can make data-driven decisions on menu pricing and promotions.
Vendor Management
Managing your vendor relationships is essential to running a successful restaurant, and TouchBistro POS makes this task easy. You can store and manage all your vendor information, from contact details to pricing and delivery schedules, in a convenient location. This feature is designed to streamline your ordering process and provide you with quick access to all the necessary information.
Inventory Reporting
TouchBistro POS offers comprehensive inventory reporting, which provides valuable insights into your restaurant’s stock levels, usage patterns, and waste.
By analyzing these reports, you can recognize patterns and determine which aspects of your inventory need enhancement. This will result in better inventory management and a boost in profits.
TouchBistro POS excels in its inventory management capabilities, providing a range of features that help you optimize your restaurant’s operations and profitability.
By offering real-time tracking, low-stock alerts, recipe cost analysis, and more, TouchBistro POS makes it easier than ever to manage your inventory effectively. The next section explores the benefits of using TouchBistro’s iPad POS system and how it can enhance your restaurant’s overall efficiency.
Benefits of TouchBistro’s iPad POS System
In today’s fast-paced restaurant industry, having a mobile and flexible POS system is essential for success. TouchBistro’s iPad POS system is a perfect example of how modern technology can revolutionize your restaurant’s operations.
In this section, I’ll discuss the key benefits of using TouchBistro’s iPad POS system and how it can enhance your restaurant’s efficiency, customer experience, and overall performance.
Mobility and Flexibility
An iPad POS system offers great mobility benefits, particularly for servers that can take orders directly at the table. This reduces the possibility of errors and expedites the delivery of dishes to customers.
In addition, the mobility of the iPad POS system allows for easy reconfiguration of your restaurant’s floor plan or the addition of new seating areas without the need for costly hardware installations.
User-Friendly Interface
As mentioned earlier, TouchBistro’s iPad POS system boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface. This reduces the learning curve for your staff and makes it easier for them to navigate the system and quickly process orders. The touchscreen capabilities of the iPad also make it simple for servers to add custom modifiers or make changes to orders on the fly.
Improved Customer Experience
TouchBistro’s iPad POS system can significantly enhance your customers’ dining experience. By allowing servers to take orders directly at the table and process payments on the spot, you can reduce wait times and ensure a seamless dining experience. Plus, the system’s built-in mobile payment processing capabilities facilitate mobile payments, a convenient option for consumers.
Enhanced Data Accessibility
TouchBistro’s iPad POS system allows you to access real-time data and insights no matter where you are. You can manage personnel schedules and monitor your restaurant’s inventory and performance using your iPad with an internet connection. With this accessibility, you can make wise judgments and oversee how your business is running even when you’re not there.
Easy Integration with Third-Party Apps
TouchBistro’s iPad POS system is designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of third-party apps and services, such as accounting software, reservation systems, and online ordering platforms.
With this feature, you can simplify the operations of your restaurant and oversee every aspect of your business using a single, centralized platform.
TouchBistro’s iPad POS system offers numerous benefits that can greatly enhance your restaurant’s efficiency, customer experience, and overall performance.
By providing mobility, a user-friendly interface, improved data accessibility, and seamless integration with third-party apps, TouchBistro’s iPad POS system is an excellent investment for any restaurant owner looking to modernize their operations.
In the next section, we’ll compare TouchBistro POS with some competitors to help you make an informed decision.
TouchBistro POS vs. Competitors
As a restaurant consultant, I often ask how TouchBistro POS compares to other popular restaurant POS systems. In this section, I’ll compare TouchBistro POS with some of its main competitors, focusing on their features, pricing, and overall suitability for different types of restaurants.
TouchBistro POS vs. Square for Restaurants
Features: Both TouchBistro POS and Square for Restaurants offer a robust set of features, including tableside ordering, inventory management, and employee management. TouchBistro tends to offer more advanced inventory management capabilities. At the same time, Square for Restaurants has a more straightforward interface that may be better suited for smaller restaurants or those with limited POS experience.
Pricing: TouchBistro POS offers tiered pricing plans based on the licenses needed, starting at $69 monthly.
Square for Restaurants has a more flexible pricing model, with a free basic plan and a Plus plan at $60 per month per location.
It’s worth noting that Square’s payment processing fees may be higher than those of TouchBistro, so it’s essential to consider the overall costs before making a decision.
Suitability: TouchBistro POS is ideal for various restaurant sizes and types, thanks to its advanced features and scalability. Square for Restaurants is best suited for smaller establishments or those looking for a more straightforward POS solution with built-in payment processing.
TouchBistro POS vs. Toast POS
Features: TouchBistro and Toast POS offer comprehensive features tailored to the restaurant industry, including tableside ordering, inventory management, and customer relationship management.
However, TouchBistro POS has a more user-friendly interface and better offline functionality, while Toast POS offers more advanced employee management and reporting capabilities.
Pricing: The starting price for a single license of TouchBistro POS is $69 per month, whereas Toast POS pricing is customized based on the particular requirements of your restaurant.
It’s essential to compare the total costs, including hardware and payment processing fees, before deciding.
Suitability: TouchBistro POS is an excellent option for restaurants of all sizes, thanks to its user-friendly interface and scalability.
Toast POS is better suited for larger establishments or those looking for more advanced reporting and employee management features.
TouchBistro POS vs. Lightspeed Restaurant
Features: Both TouchBistro POS and Lightspeed Restaurant offer a range of features tailored to the restaurant industry, such as tableside ordering, inventory management, and employee management. Lightspeed Restaurant provides more advanced reporting and analytics capabilities, while TouchBistro POS has a more user-friendly interface and better customer support.
Pricing: TouchBistro POS pricing starts at $69 per month for a single license, while Lightspeed Restaurant pricing starts at $59 per month. As with other competitors, it’s crucial to consider the total costs, including hardware and payment processing fees, when comparing the two systems.
Suitability: With its user-friendly interface and robust features, TouchBistro POS is an excellent choice for restaurants of all sizes and types. Lightspeed Restaurant is better suited for larger establishments or those looking for more advanced reporting and analytics capabilities.
While TouchBistro POS faces intense competition from other restaurant POS systems, it stands out for its user-friendly interface, advanced inventory management features, and excellent customer support.
Assessing your needs and preferences is essential to choosing the right POS system for your restaurant. The following sections provide helpful advice on effectively incorporating TouchBistro POS into your establishment.
Tips for Implementing TouchBistro POS in Your Restaurant
As a restaurant consultant, I’ve helped many businesses successfully implement TouchBistro POS. In this section, I’ll share practical tips to ensure a smooth transition when integrating TouchBistro POS into your restaurant’s operations.
Allocate Time for Staff Training
When implementing a new POS system, you must ensure that your staff receives proper training and feels confident.
This is a vital aspect of the implementation process. Allocate time for comprehensive staff training and cover essential features and processes, such as taking orders, processing payments, and managing inventory.
TouchBistro POS offers a user-friendly interface and extensive resources, including video tutorials and webinars, which can be helpful during training.
Test the System Before Going Live
Before fully integrating TouchBistro POS into your restaurant’s daily operations, testing the system thoroughly is crucial.
This includes checking hardware compatibility, setting up menu items, and ensuring all features function correctly. Conducting a thorough test helps identify potential issues and allows you to address them before they impact your customers.
Have a Backup Plan
Although TouchBistro is a dependable and robust POS system, it’s wise to have a contingency plan in case of unforeseen technical problems.
This could include a manual order-taking system or an alternative payment processing method.
A backup plan for your restaurant is crucial to ensure smooth operations, even in unforeseen circumstances.
Leverage TouchBistro’s Customer Support and Resources
If you need help getting started with TouchBistro, don’t worry. Their top-notch customer support, and they have ample resources to help you.
Don’t hesitate to contact them if you encounter any questions or issues while setting up. Additionally, they offer a knowledge base, video tutorials, and a community forum that can be very helpful.
Continuously Monitor and Optimize
Once you’ve implemented TouchBistro POS in your restaurant, monitoring its performance and making any necessary adjustments continuously is essential. This includes regularly analyzing sales data, inventory levels, and employee performance.
Monitoring your POS system’s performance regularly is essential to enhance your restaurant’s efficiency. This will help you identify any shortcomings and make necessary improvements.
Implementing TouchBistro POS in your restaurant doesn’t have to be a daunting task.
By dedicating time to staff training, thoroughly testing the system, having a backup plan, leveraging customer support, and continuously monitoring performance, you can make the most of your new POS system; this is important to ensure a smooth transition.
After this piece, we’ll get into the meat of the discussion. What’s in store for TouchBistro in the near and far future, such as upgrades and new features?
The Future of TouchBistro: Updates and New Features
As a restaurant consultant who stays updated with the latest trends, I pay attention to the future of the products I suggest. TouchBistro is one such product that constantly adds new features and updates to enhance its POS system and stay ahead in the industry.
In this section, I will share what we can anticipate from TouchBistro in the future and how it could potentially benefit your restaurant.
Improved Integration with Third-Party Services
TouchBistro integrates well with a wide range of third-party apps and services, but we can expect even more seamless integration. By continually expanding its ecosystem of compatible apps and services, TouchBistro aims to make it even easier for restaurants to streamline their operations and administer all business aspects from a centralized platform.
Enhanced Reporting and Analytics
Data-driven decision-making is crucial for any successful restaurant, and TouchBistro is committed to providing even more advanced reporting and analytics capabilities in the future. We can expect improvements in how the system collects, processes, and presents data, enabling restaurant owners to gain deeper insights into their business and make more informed decisions.
AI-Powered Features
The restaurant industry is adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technology at a rapid pace, and TouchBistro is keeping up with this trend. The POS system will likely incorporate AI-powered features like predictive analytics, personalized marketing, and automated inventory management shortly. These advancements will enable restaurant owners to streamline their operations and improve the dining experience for their customers.
Enhanced Customer Engagement Tools
Ensuring customer engagement is crucial for a restaurant’s success, and TouchBistro is committed to enhancing its customer engagement tools. Anticipate upcoming features allowing eateries to improve their customer connections, including personalized promotions, targeted marketing campaigns, and customizable loyalty programs based on individual preferences.
Expanded Payment Processing Options
TouchBistro’s mission is to innovate and improve as payment processing technology evolves consistently. Additional mobile payment systems and other payment ways will be supported in the future, allowing consumers greater flexibility when paying for their meals.
Final Thoughts: Is TouchBistro POS the Right Choice for Your Restaurant?
As a restaurant consultant, I’ve worked with countless restaurant owners to help them find the best POS system for their unique needs. Throughout this blog post, I’ve shared my insights on TouchBistro POS, its features, benefits, and how it compares to its competitors. Now, it’s time for the final verdict: Is TouchBistro POS the right choice for your restaurant?
Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific requirements, budget, and preferences. However, if you’re looking for a reliable POS system that caters to different types of restaurants, TouchBistro is an excellent choice. It works well for small cafes as well as high-end fine-dining establishments.
Its user-friendly interface, robust feature set, and scalability make it a versatile solution that can adapt to your restaurant’s changing needs.
In particular, TouchBistro POS stands out for its advanced inventory management capabilities, intuitive tableside ordering, and seamless integration with third-party apps and services.
Additionally, the company’s commitment to ongoing updates and new features ensures that your investment in their POS system will continue to pay off.
Before deciding, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate all available options and consider factors such as pricing, hardware compatibility, and payment processing fees.
However, based on my experience as a restaurant consultant and the countless success stories, I believe TouchBistro POS is a top contender in the restaurant POS market and should be on every restaurant owner’s shortlist.
I trust this blog post has given you useful information about TouchBistro POS and how it can benefit your restaurant. If you’re considering upgrading your current POS system or opening a new establishment, I encourage you to explore TouchBistro POS further and see if it fits your business. Good luck, and here’s to your restaurant’s success.
Jeff Smith is a Restaurant Consultant with over 20 years of hospitality experience, ranging from server to owner and general manager. He focuses on Restaurant POS technology as well as restaurant marketing. Check out our world-famous restaurant resources page for a comprehensive offering of hand-picked resources and tools to help your business. You can also check out some of our other restaurant business articles.