1851

Updating point-of-sale systems is just the latest development in continued change prompted by COVID-19. Safer and more efficient payment methods have gained serious momentum in the past year-plus, but when compared to a big-picture change, how essential is a small adaptation?On Monday, QSR Magazine ran a story titled <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/sponsored/traditional-pos-dead?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=is-cutting-edge-pos-necessary-for-restaurant-franchises-to-stay-competitive-2716964" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">“The Traditional POS is Dead.”</a> The report addresses how consumer ordering habits have changed in recent years and why they are unlikely to change back post-pandemic.&nbsp;The article quotes <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislybeer/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=is-cutting-edge-pos-necessary-for-restaurant-franchises-to-stay-competitive-2716964" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Lybeer</a>, chief strategy officer at Revel Systems: “90 percent of transactions pre-COVID were rung up at a traditional POS, but now almost 70 percent of them are rung up elsewhere,” he said.The article suggests that point-of-sale technology needs to take a restaurant through constant change — but if the landscape is to change only further, at what point is the investment worth it?COVID-19 prompted major adjustments to the restaurant industry, including enhanced <a href="https://thecounter.org/covid-19-saved-fast-food-drive-thru-mcdonalds-starbucks-taco-bell/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=is-cutting-edge-pos-necessary-for-restaurant-franchises-to-stay-competitive-2716964" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">drive-thru</a> services, <a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/technology/mobile-ordering-takes-thanks-covid?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=is-cutting-edge-pos-necessary-for-restaurant-franchises-to-stay-competitive-2716964" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">mobile</a> and <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/ordering/can-kiosks-find-new-life-during-coronavirus?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=is-cutting-edge-pos-necessary-for-restaurant-franchises-to-stay-competitive-2716964" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">kiosk</a> ordering and <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/ch/en/pages/consumer-industrial-products/articles/cash-is-no-longer-king-in-times-of-covid19.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=is-cutting-edge-pos-necessary-for-restaurant-franchises-to-stay-competitive-2716964" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">cashless</a> payment alternatives. These changes have prompted updates to traditional point-of-sale service, and if a restaurant brand hasn’t offered some form of these provisions, they could be left behind in favor of more adaptive brands.It took adjustments like those for many restaurants to even survive the last year-plus, but the restaurant industry is now more prepared than ever to embrace change, if only out of sheer necessity.&nbsp;In-house point-of-sale systems, like traditional card readers, <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/11/29/one-touch-payments-remain-infuriatingly-absent-in-america/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=is-cutting-edge-pos-necessary-for-restaurant-franchises-to-stay-competitive-2716964" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">one-touch payment systems</a> or even manual cashiers, are not exactly revolutionizing a payment experience like other point-of-sale systems. If a consumer will have to walk up to a counter to order anyway, the experience and the time commitment requirement will be largely unchanged.The truly revolutionizing systems, however, are overhauling traditional means of ordering altogether. Mobile ordering can allow consumers to jump lines, and enhanced delivery services can allow consumers to order from their couch. This is likely where brands can update point-of-sale service to remain competitive, as they essentially make the physical ‘point’ in ‘point-of-sale’ irrelevant.And COVID-19 remains a pressing concern for many consumers, which is why even an in-house point-of-sale update can play a critical role. Last year, <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/11/29/one-touch-payments-remain-infuriatingly-absent-in-america/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=is-cutting-edge-pos-necessary-for-restaurant-franchises-to-stay-competitive-2716964#" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nicole Gelinas</a> of The New York Post wrote a piece on how one-touch payment options had remained “infuriatingly absent” in the U.S. despite pandemic touch-points being discussed heavily. If consumers remain mindful of these touch points and take continued precaution, this is where an updated in-house ordering service can draw in additional consumers.There are many layers to the kinds of point-of-sale service that will be implemented, however. Cost effectiveness will often remain the driving factor in how quickly these systems are put into place.

Is Cutting-Edge POS Necessary for Restaurant Franchises to Stay Competitive?

1851 Franchise

Many brands began prioritizing contactless payment during the COVID-19 crisis, and that trend is unlikely to fade.

is-cutting-edge-pos-necessary-for-restaurant-franchises-to-stay-competitive

Dillas Quesadillas

Design with photo of Michael Mabry and Dillas Primo Quesadillas logo

Franchise Times: New Franchise Exec Says Dillas Is Bringing ‘Excitement’ Back to QSR Category

michael-mabry-franchise-growth

Lawn Squad

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad 

Greener, Faster, Smarter: Why Entrepreneurs Are Choosing Lawn Squad as a Treatment-Only Lawn Care Franchise

lawn-squad-franchise-opportunity

Jollibee

How Jollibee’s Veteran Leadership Team Is Rewriting the Playbook for U.S. Expansion

franchise-leadership-growth

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of guest checking in at Woodhouse Spas reception desk

franchise-questions-answered

Mellow Mushroom

How Mellow Mushroom’s Model Made it the Perfect Addition to Brad Harper’s Restaurant Portfolio

How Mellow Mushroom’s Flexible Model Made it the Perfect Addition to Brad Harper’s Growing Restaurant Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-brad-harper-restaurant-growth

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

How AI Is Transforming Restaurant Operations and Franchises

ai-impact-restaurants-franchises-human-centric-technology

Round Table Pizza Franchisees Take FAT Brands to Court Over Marketing Fund Mismanagement

round-table-pizza-franchisees-take-fat-brands-to-court-over-marketing-fund-mismanagement

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

Callaway Sells Majority Stake in Topgolf to Private Equity for $770 Million

callaway-sells-majority-stake-in-topgolf-to-private-equity-for-770-million

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

Is Cutting-Edge POS Necessary for Restaurant Franchises to Stay Competitive?

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS