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

Lawn Doctor

Happinest-Lawn-Doctor-Franchisee-Ralph-Valle-Profile-Jacksonville-FL-June-2025

From Near-Quit to 7 Figures: Success With Lawn Doctor in Jacksonville, Florida

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-jacksonville

Atomic Wings

Atomic Wings Debuts in Metro East With Fairview Heights Grand Opening

atomic-wings-debuts-in-metro-east-with-fairview-heights-grand-opening

Pet Wants

Pet Wants Shares Expert Tips on Cleaning Pet Gear Safely in the Dishwasher

pet-wants-shares-expert-tips-on-cleaning-pet-gear-safely-in-the-dishwasher

Griswold

Griswold in Andover, Minnesota, Connects Students and Seniors Through Pen Pal Program

griswold-in-andover-minnesota-connects-students-and-seniors-through-pen-pal-program

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam Inspection Service franchisee Max Moarefdoust

Corporate Employee Turned Owner Illustrates the Power of the HomeTeam Model

max-moarefdoust-hometeam-success

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

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

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

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS