Finding The Best Pizza POS
Finding the best pizza POS can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. There are so many factors to consider, and it can be difficult to find a system that fits your specific needs. With so many changes in technology in the last few years, it's important to stay informed in order to make the best decision for your business.
When it comes to finding the best pizza POS system for your pizzeria, it can be overwhelming to sort through all the options available. This guide will help you navigate the confusing landscape and understand what is essential to find a pizzeria POS that is right for you.
Pizza POS Technology Evolves
In the past, pizzeria POS systems were often large, complicated equipment that required expensive computer hardware and specialized technicians to install and program. However, today's best pizzeria POS systems are much more streamlined and user-friendly, making use of off-the-shelf components and cloud-based computing. This means that many of the best systems available today may be from companies you've never heard of before.
The Unique Needs of Pizzeria POS
While many general purpose POS systems may be suitable for other types of businesses, they fall short when it comes to meeting the specific needs of pizzerias. This is a critical consideration when finding the best pizza POS. The best advice is to ask fellow pizza parlor owners if they have experienced any frustrations or shortcomings in functionality from POS systems they have used – to save you from the same mistake.
Pizzeria-Specific POS Functionality
Some of the key features that are critical for pizzerias include:
- Caller ID/Phone system integration – Essential for pizzerias, as it allows you to match phone orders with customer information in your database, making it faster to start an order and improve customer service.
- Delivery driver dispatch – Also an important feature for pizzerias, allowing you to provide directions, manage drivers and get accurate delivery estimates. This feature is particularly important for pizzerias because it ensures that the food is delivered hot and on time, leading to better customer satisfaction.
- Customer delivery status text notifications – A must-have for pizzerias. They keep customers informed of their order status, including when their food is on the way. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces the number of delivery-related complaints and phone calls.
- Conversational ordering – Another important feature for pizzerias. This feature uses a natural language approach to inputting customers' requests and orders, which results in faster order entry and fewer mistakes. With this feature, customers can order in their own words without team members having to start over if the customer changes their mind.
- Half-and-half pizza modifiers & sub-modifiers – An absolute essential for pizzerias. These allow customers to customize their pizzas and improve customer satisfaction. Half-and-half pizza modifiers allow customers to divide their pizza into two different toppings, while sub-modifiers allow them to add or remove toppings, change cheese or crust types, etc. Do not get a POS system without pizza modifiers if you value your sanity.
Beyond the critical features the best pizzeria POS systems have, there are other must-have modern functions you’ll need to be in a competitive position.
New Pizzeria POS Standards for 2023
When looking for the best pizzeria POS system in 2023, it's important to understand that the technology of even a few years ago will not be sufficient. The industry has changed dramatically, and what was cutting edge pre-pandemic is now standard.
New standard features for pizzeria POS in 2023:
- Tap-to-pay credit terminals (ApplePay) - Many customers now prefer to use contactless payment methods such as ApplePay, rather than carrying cash or credit cards.
- QR menu ordering - With the ongoing concerns about sanitation, customers may prefer to view menus and place orders on their phone via QR codes rather than handling paper or plastic menus.
- Mobile handheld POS - Modern POS systems are lightweight, wireless, and easy to use. This allows your staff to take orders at the table and print them directly to the kitchen for faster service.
- Online ordering - Offering your own online ordering system allows you to bypass the high fees charged by third-party services and retain more of your profits.
- Gift cards - Gift cards have become increasingly popular, and customers expect them to be redeemable online as well as in-store.
While these are the new standard features, the following are new features that put a pizza POS in another class, and make it the best. These cutting edge features will soon become standard, but in the meantime, they will help you to compete more aggressively.
The best features for pizza POS in 2023 are:
- Loyalty perks programs - This feature helps in retaining more customers by offering rewards for each tier of loyalty points they achieve. It can be an interactive way to engage customers and make them want to return.
- Digital coupon codes - Pizzerias need the ability to create specific styles of coupons not all POS systems are capable of. These are huge incentives for repeat customers and can be tracked to measure their effectiveness.
- Marketing and contact tools - Staying in touch with customers is essential to maintaining business. SMS, email and push notifications are important tools to use for this and are now found in advanced pizza POS systems.
- Customer dashboard - An increasing number of online ordering systems included with a pizza POS offer a custom profile dashboard where your customers can track their loyalty points, rewards, and gift card balance.
- Digital gift cards and reloadable balances - They are easy to use, reload and can be used online as well as in-store. This convenience means they are more likely to be used – which means more repeat customers.
Additional Pizza POS Functionality Considerations
When finding the best pizzeria POS system, it's important to consider other features that are essential for your business, such as inventory management and general reporting functionality. Look for a system that can meet those needs.
It's also a good idea to research the reputation of the company that provides the POS system and consider the quality of their customer support. This ensures that you will get the help you need if you run into any problems.
Additional POS features for your pizzaria are:
- Order tracking - As pizzerias usually have a high volume of customers, it's important to have a system that can track and manage orders effectively. With an order tracking system, you'll be able to see order status, customer information, and delivery or pick-up times, all in one place.
- Inventory management - A good POS system should also help you track your inventory and ingredients, so you can easily see what you have on hand and what needs to be reordered. This will help you minimize food waste and save money.
- Marketing and contact tools - Staying in touch with customers is essential to maintaining business. SMS, eMail and push notifications are important tools to use for this and are now found in advanced pizza POS systems.
- Employee management - Your POS system should also allow you to manage your employees, including scheduling, payroll, and tips. This will save you time and help you keep track of employee hours.
- Analytics and reporting - A POS system with built-in analytics and reporting tools will help you to understand your sales, customer demographics, and inventory usage, so you can make better decisions for your business.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best pizzeria POS system will help you to streamline your operations, improve your customer service, and grow your business. It's a valuable investment that can save you time, money and effort in the long run.
