Staff SchedulingIntroduction
Running a successful restaurant goes beyond serving great food. Efficient operations, accurate reporting, and seamless service are essential for keeping both customers and staff happy.
In this article, we will explore
- The top 7 EPoS features every UK restaurant should look for to streamline operations, reduce errors, and boost customer satisfaction.
- How to choose the right EPoS features for your restaurant size
- How to balance cost and benefits
1. Intuitive Order Management
A modern EPoS system should simplify order-taking and table management. Staff can work more efficiently, orders are accurate, and customers enjoy faster service.
- Mobile Handheld: Take orders table-side for faster service.
- KDS (Kitchen Display System): Send orders directly to the kitchen, reducing mistakes.
- Self-Ordering Kiosk & Kiosk Express: Allow customers to place their own orders with ease.
2. Integrated Payments
Streamlined payments reduce queues, minimise errors, and improve the guest experience. UK customers expect multiple payment options, so your EPoS should support:
- Chip & PIN, contactless, and mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Automatic tips and loyalty programme integration
- Fast, secure checkout
3. Real-Time Reporting and Analytics
An EPoS system that provides real-time insights allows restaurant managers to make informed decisions, optimising operations, reducing waste, and increasing profitability.
- Cloud system allows managers to Access sales, revenue, and inventory reports from anywhere.
- Analyse popular menu items, peak hours, and staff performance
- Optimise staff scheduling and labour costs
4. Stock and Inventory Management
Efficient stock management is critical for busy kitchens. It smooths kitchen operations and better cost control
- Track ingredient and product levels automatically.
- Get alerts when stock is low
- Reduce waste by monitoring usage patterns
5. Multi-Location and Mobile Compatibility
Whether you operate a single restaurant or a chain, your EPoS should scale with your business for greater flexibility, efficiency, and adaptability as your business grows.
- Manage multiple locations from one central dashboard with Cloud HQ
- Mobile Ordering System to let customers order from their devices for collection or delivery
- Reservation Management tool to keep bookings organised and avoid overbooking
- Enable table-side ordering with a mobile handheld
6. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
A strong CRM system is essential for restaurants that want to improve customer loyalty and deliver personalised experiences. It brings stronger customer relationships, higher repeat visits, and more effective marketing, all managed from a single system.
- Targeted Marketing Campaigns: Use guest data to create personalised offers based on visit history, spend levels, and menu preferences.
- Loyalty Tracking: Automatically record points, rewards, and visit history to encourage repeat business and increase customer lifetime value.
7. Staff Scheduling
Managing staff rotas manually can be time-consuming and prone to mistakes. EPoS systems with staff scheduling tools help managers plan shifts more accurately and keep teams informed. It provides better labour control, improved communication, and smoother day-to-day operations.
- Shift Planning Based on Real Data: Use sales trends, peak-time patterns, and footfall insights to build efficient rotas that match demand.
- Easy Shift Management: Staff can view schedules, request changes, and receive updates instantly, reducing miscommunication and improving team satisfaction.
Choose the Right EPoS Features for Your Restaurant Size
Not every restaurant needs all features at the same level. The type and size of your operation can influence which EPoS capabilities matter most:
- Small cafés or single-location restaurants: May prioritise intuitive order management, integrated payments, and mobile ordering to streamline everyday operations.
- Large restaurants or multi-site chains: Benefit from Cloud HQ, staff scheduling, and reservation management to manage multiple locations, peak times, and complex rotas efficiently.
Balancing Cost and Benefits
A common concern is the upfront cost of a modern EPoS system. While traditional tills may seem cheaper initially, a feature-rich EPoS like SPARK offers long-term advantages:
- Efficiency gains: Reduce order errors, speed up service, and free staff to focus on guests.
- Data-driven decisions: Real-time reporting, CRM insights, and stock control help optimise operations and increase profitability.
- Scalability: Features like Cloud HQ, Mobile Ordering, and Multi-location management allow your system to grow as your business expands.
Conclusion
Investing in an EPoS system is a long-term business strategy that pays off through smoother operations, happier staff, and improved guest experiences.
SPARK EPoS help you save time, reduce errors, and help your restaurant thrive in a competitive hospitality market.
If you’re ready to explore how SPARK EPoS can improve your restaurant’s operations, book a free demo today.
