Restaurant owners and food truck owners are integrating more and more technological solutions into their daily lives to save them time. Since its appearance, the cash register has evolved a lot. For example, they are now available on smartphone or tablet. Such solutions offer restaurant owners a certain flexibility and simplified management of cash payments. However, it is sometimes difficult to know which application to choose. There are a lot of them and they are not all of the same level or offer exactly the same functionalities.
We have written a short guide to enlighten you on the issue. This article aims to demystify the process of selecting a cash register. We are going to review the essential features, the most useful ones for restaurant owners, and the rates. Whether you run a small brewery, a café, a high-end restaurant or a food truck and are considering using a smartphone cash register, you will find your answers here.
What are the essential features?
Before looking at the main features of a smartphone cash register, determine which ones are essential for you. Do you need to create discounts easily? One management of instructions effective? Items at variable prices? Or are you looking for a cash register that can print cash receipts via Bluetooth? The essential characteristic of a good smartphone cash register is its fluidity. Indeed, order management must be fluid and intuitive to ensure a seamless customer experience.
The ability to customize your menu based on seasonal changes or special offers is also crucial for restaurant owners. To push the customer experience even further, some applications offer creating QR Code menus. This is the case of Tunder. This is a perfect feature to make life easier for your customers: they will no longer have to wait for the menu to order. For the restaurant owner it is also an advantage for foreign customers: no need to print your menu in several languages.
Last point, you are also entitled to expect your cash register to be able to export sales in order to have real-time visibility on your turnover. Export sales by category, by payment method, export taxes or even discounts. So many features available on Tunder. This will help you identify the most popular items and guide your strategy.
What is the price for a cash register in 2024?
In 2024, the rates for a cash register vary widely. Basic solutions, ideal for small businesses, are often more affordable, while more sophisticated systems may have advanced features that require a larger investment.
It is important to carefully consider what the package you want to opt for includes so as not to have any unpleasant surprises after a few weeks. At Tunder, for example, you can cancel at any time. The first package is free with no time limit. A second level, the Pro, is offered at 19.90 euros/month. The slightly more expensive Teams plan allows multiple devices to be connected together. A very practical feature.
Count 39.99 euros/month for two devices, 59.99 euros/month for three devices, 79.99 euros/month for four devices, etc. Don't forget to take into account the potential evolution of your restaurant when choosing your smartphone cash register. Tunder's pricing is generally lower than competing software.
Features designed for restaurant owners
At Tunder, we fully understand the specific challenges restaurant owners face. That's why most of the features have been designed to meet the needs of this sector. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the best features for restaurant professionals:
- Catalog management : you must be able to create unlimited items for your checkout, assign a fixed or variable price, a category, a tax. You should also be able to easily find your items by grouping them by categories and creating discounts.
- Cash out : your application must be fast: two clicks should be enough to cash in a customer and move on to the next sale. The amounts due must also be pre-filled. The application you are going to choose must offer a test mode: it allows you to train or train new cashiers/servers without leaving traces on the sales and the real turnover of your store. All test sales history remains visible when the mode is activated.
- QR code menu : to choose the right software in the restaurant world, this feature must be taken into account. The ability to offer instant access to your menu thanks to the QR Code. It's simple, your customers no longer need to wait for a server to bring a physical menu. This small gain in time helps to avoid possible frustration. Customers just need to scan the QR Code with their smartphone to quickly and easily consult the list of your dishes.
- E-cash register tickets : it is practical and almost essential in 2024. With such a feature, you can send a digital receipt in PDF in one click via the app of your choice: WhatsApp, Messenger, e-mail, MMS. Very practical when you don't have a printer.
- Management of instructions : your cash register must be able to manage items at negative prices for the management of lockers in particular. It should allow for quick registration of objects, simplified payments and hassle-free recovery of goods (cups, reusable dishes, etc.)
- Cash box in accordance with current regulations : it is not necessary to have an NF 525 certification to use a cash register. The publisher can declare that the software meets the conditions of inalterability, security, conservation and archiving of data, mentioned in the Official bulletin of public finances. Tunder releases a are just issuing this certificate to be presented during a tax audit.
Choosing the best smartphone cash register for your restaurant depends on your specific needs and budget. With this article you already have a good idea of the functionalities to take into account in the world of catering.
