Whether you just opened a new franchise or are looking to upgrade your existing POS system, having reliable and efficient technology in place is essential for running your business.
Point-of-sale (POS) systems have become increasingly advanced over the years, offering more streamlined, secure, and user-friendly solutions than ever before.Â
For franchises that may need support with more than one branch, the right POS system can help keep everything running smoothly.
Plus, with the advancements in mobile and cloud technology, there are now even more options for connecting multiple locations.Â
In this article, we’ll look at 10 of the best franchise POS systems available today.
We’ll discuss their features, how they might be beneficial to your business, and pricing. Read on to find your next POS system and get your franchise up to speed!Â
What Is a Franchise POS System?
A franchise point-of-sale (POS) system is a computerized system used by retail establishments to manage their operations at the point of sale, such as when customers make purchases.
The system typically consists of hardware components like a computer, monitor, cash drawer, barcode scanner, and receipt printer.Â
The software works with the hardware to track customer transactions, process payments, issue receipts, manage inventory, and more.
In today’s digital world, most POS systems are cloud-based, allowing data to be shared across multiple locations in one secure platform.
This allows a single operator to manage sales, inventory, customer relations, and other business functions remotely from any location with an internet connection.Â
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Types of Franchise POS Systems
Like most business software solutions, franchise POS systems come in various shapes and sizes.
Some are tailored specifically to franchises, while others are more general-purpose and can be used in any business.
Below are some of the most common types of POS systems used in franchises today.
Mobile POS Systems
Mobile POS systems for smartphones and tablets mainly handle payments, while some may include limited capability for customer data collection and inventory tracking.
In certain cases, the hardware and app are free, but you must pay the POS provider a portion of each transaction.
If you process a small number of transactions and need to be able to move from location to location, this type of POS may be the best choice for you.
However, if the volume of transactions increases over time, operators may find themselves paying more in fees than they would with a traditional POS system.Â
Dedicated POS Systems
Dedicated POS systems are designed to be used in a single location and usually include more robust features such as inventory control, customer databases, reporting, and analytics.
This type of system is best suited for larger franchises that need to manage multiple locations at once.
These systems are more expensive than mobile POS systems but can be cost-effective in the long run if you plan to be in business for a long time.Â
Countertop Terminal POS Systems
Countertop terminal POS systems provide similar features to dedicated POS systems but are more streamlined and cost-effective.
They are typically used in small to mid-size franchises where the operator doesn’t need a fully-fledged system with all the bells and whistles.Â
Your neighborhood cafe or restaurant probably has a terminal-based POS system installed, as do many retail stores.
These systems typically don’t need a lot of maintenance and are relatively easy to use.
Cash drawers, POS terminals, receipt and docket printers, and barcode scanners are usually part of the package.Â
10 Best Franchise POS Systems
Now that you know a bit about the different types of franchise POS systems, let’s look at 10 of the best solutions currently on the market.
1. Toast
Toast is an easy-to-use POS system created specifically for bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and pizzerias to increase sales and interact with consumers in innovative ways.
Toast provides a full package by meeting both your hardware and software requirements.Â
The hardware package includes a handheld device that connects to the whole POS system. Orders can be accepted at the table or while clients are waiting in line using the mobile gadget.
Toast claims that its unique programming can increase sales. You can effortlessly provide gift cards and loyalty promotions with it. Additionally, customers can place orders online thanks to simple integrations.
The POS system offers round-the-clock support service and even emails owners daily summaries and analytics on how their business did the day before.
Toast also has a hardwired offline system that enables order-taking without an internet connection.
This can be lifesaving for franchises in remote locations with unreliable internet access.
Features:
- Accepts online orders
- Provides full package
- Easy POS core setup
- Wide integration with key systems
- Built-in CRM to keep customers
Pricing:
- $79/terminal/month
2. TouchBistro
TouchBistro is an all-in-one iPad POS system created by restaurant professionals for use in more than a hundred nations.
Along with its primary POS software functions, it focuses on the specific needs of restaurant owners, including floor plans, table management, menu management, and staff management.
The system gives users a list of suggested devices rather than an exclusive hardware package, giving them more flexibility and freedom to reduce costs. Customers can order, pay, and even rate their experience using an iPad.
With TouchBistro, you can easily monitor your track table turnover, view inventory levels, and create customer accounts.
If a particular food item runs out, you can use the software to send recipe changes to your cooks and servers.
TouchBistro can also help with staff management by assigning roles, tracking performance, maintaining employee profiles, and scheduling shifts.
Franchisees can run over 50 different reports in TouchBistro to get insights about customer preferences and staff performance. Plus, the 24/7 support ensures you won’t be left in the dark.
Features:
- Suggested hardware list
- Table management
- Menu & staff management
- 24/7 tech support
- Comprehensive reporting tools
Pricing:
- $69/month
3. Sapaad
With a multilingual menu and billing system, Sapaad is a highly scalable platform designed to manage franchised restaurants.
It offers features that enable planned discounts and item modifiers to increase sales. It also offers a split billing feature, like most POS systems.Â
Whether it’s personalized invoice templates or cloud-based storage for saving customer accounts, Sapaad offers a range of features to help franchisees manage their business better.
The system supports multiple payment gateways and currency types as well as workflows that enable you to track your inventory levels and view sales reports.Â
With Sapaad, you can seamlessly take orders over multiple channels, be it in-store, online, or even from online food ordering platforms.
The platform can also provide real-time customer feedback and order history updates, giving franchise owners a better understanding of their business.
Features:
- Includes call center order system
- Delivery management
- Scheduled discounts
- Split billing
- Multiple payment gateways
Pricing:
- $59/month
4. Cybersys
Cybersys is a Kuwait-based POS system that was initially created for a neighborhood perfume store.
As it met the store’s needs, they decided to make it available to other small businesses. Today, the software is used by franchises of all sizes and in several countries.
Its multinational approach to sales is at the forefront of the advantages it offers. It accepts different currencies through all payment methods and is available in 12 languages.
The system also delivers a distinct type of analytics that target the areas you need to improve, from sales to customer experience, through 40+ in-depth reports.
Thanks to the system’s import and export functionality, users can easily transfer the client database, together with products, suppliers, and gift cards, to another branch. It also has a basic accounting module for tracking the financial performance of your franchise and integration with popular online platforms, including Instagram and Facebook.
Features:
- Available in 12 languages
- Customizable invoice/receipts
- 40+ reports
- Import & export functionality
- Integration with online platforms
Pricing:
- Custom
5. Vend
Vend is one of the most reliable POS systems used by franchises in over 140 countries.
It’s a fast, secure, and flexible solution designed to help franchisees manage their inventory, customers, and sales.
It was also the first POS system that used HTML5 caching, so it constantly works even when the internet connection is limited.
Vend is perfect for fashion boutiques, home goods shops, sporting goods shops, restaurants, salons, and similar businesses.
It allows franchisees to manage loyalty programs, track inventory in multiple locations, and create reports with the help of a user-friendly dashboard.Â
Due to Vend’s integration of management tools and POS core functions, you can easily oversee your businesses in multiple locations.
It is also browser-based rather than running exclusively on locally-installed software or a mobile app, making it accessible on any hardware that runs Google Chrome.
This simple POS has a much lower cost of entry than most other POS solutions, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious franchisees.
Features:
- Integrated and in-house loyalty programs
- Multi-location customer management
- Multi-price book functionality
- Real-time inventory and sales view
- eCommerce at no additional cost
Pricing:
- Lean: $119/month
- Standard: $169/month
- Advanced: $249/month
6. Square
Square is a POS system that combines hardware, software, and a payment platform into a single unit.
Over 2 million businesses worldwide use Square for payments and point-of-sale solutions, including franchises.
Square is based on a cloud system that seamlessly connects with mobile devices and allows franchisees to easily access data from any device.
Its user-friendly dashboard enables you to track sales activity in real-time, store customer information, run reports, and more.Â
The two screens on the POS device’s display give it a distinctive look. Your customer will see a dashboard view showing the products you offer and their prices, while your staff can access more information on the back screen.
Customers can easily pay for their purchases with multiple payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
The NFC-enabled card reader also allows you to accept contactless payments.
Features:
- Sales tracking in real-time
- Compatible with NFC technology
- Flexible payment options
- User-friendly dashboard
- Multiple displays for customer and staff view
Pricing:
- $0 + 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction
7. Lavu
If you’re looking for an iPad-optimized POS system for your franchise, Lavu is one of the best options.
Lavu currently serves over 65 countries with more than 200 features that can be customized to fit your business needs.
Lavu is user-friendly and secure, making it the perfect POS system for restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
It offers great features such as menu customization based on time of day/week/month, advanced security features for mobile payments, integrated loyalty programs, and more.Â
When you first sign up for Lavu, you’ll be able to pick from various POS hardware and accessories, from terminals and cash drawers to networking devices and kitchen display systems.
You can either use Lavu Pay, which is Lavu’s built-in payment processor or integrate with dozens of supported third-party payment gateways such as Worldpay and PayPal.
Lavu Pay accepts contactless NFC payments as well as mobile wallet payments like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
Features:
- Menu customization based on time of day/week/month
- Integrated loyalty programs
- Advanced security features for mobile payments
- Third-party payment gateway integration
- Multi-printer order routing
Pricing:
- Starter: $59/month
- Growth: $129/month
- Optimize: $279/month
8. Clover
Many franchises rely on the Clover POS system thanks to its optimization for different business types.
Whether you run a hair salon or a bakery, Clover is designed to help manage and streamline operations.
However, what sets Clover apart is its wide variety of POS hardware. Aside from the standard countertop terminal, you can also choose from a variety of mobile terminals, and POS stands to suit your needs.
Clover is also compatible with various payment processors, such as Square, PayPal Here, and Stripe.
As an all-in-one POS solution, Clover allows users to manage their business from anywhere.
For example, the Clover Go app is ideal for creating orders, accepting payments, and texting receipts to customers.
When the business day comes to an end, Clover makes it easy to generate reports quickly and accurately.
Business owners can also browse the Clover App Market for additional apps that can enhance the experience.
Examples include loyalty programs, curbside pickup, and employee scheduling solutions.
Features:
- Variety of POS hardware
- Compatible with multiple payment processors
- Remote management tools for business owners
- Inventory tracking & reporting
- Online ordering integration
Pricing:
- Starts at $14.95/month
9. Lightspeed
Lightspeed is one of the leading POS solutions for franchise operations.
It’s designed to help franchisees streamline their operations and provide a great customer experience.
With Lightspeed, you can manage multiple locations, process payments quickly and securely, and even customize loyalty programs to reward customers.
As a cloud-based POS system, Lightspeed runs on an iPad. It includes a robust set of features ideal for small business owners, including inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), and mobile ordering. Lightspeed also integrates with over 250 apps, so the customization options are endless.
Lightspeed recently introduced Lightspeed eCom, which is a great way to launch and manage an e-commerce presence.
This feature allows you to set up an online store, manage fulfillment, and process payments securely.
The company also offers one-on-one onboarding and 24/7 customer support, while a dedicated account manager is available to provide insights and help franchises optimize their operations.
Features:
- Multi-location management
- Real-time reporting & analytics
- Loyalty program customization
- Inventory management & tracking
- Mobile ordering & payment processing
Pricing:
- Lean: $69/month
- Standard: $119/month
- Advanced: $199/month
10. Revel Systems
If your franchise is an established restaurant that needs a cutting-edge POS system, Revel Systems is the perfect choice.
This cloud-based solution offers restaurant owners complete control over their operations while providing an enjoyable experience for customers.
Revel was one of the first POS systems to use the stable hardware base of iPads, and technology is still used to power restaurants across the country.
With its intuitive interface, Revel businesses run smoother, process payments quickly and securely, track inventory accurately, and more.
However, it’s Revel’s customer loyalty programs that stand out. The system lets you set up a custom program for how your clients can earn loyalty points or rewards.
This program can then be easily integrated with your POS system, so customers don’t have to worry about manually tracking their points.
Plus, Revel’s advanced reporting and analytics features give you real-time information about your business performance.
This way, you can make informed decisions on how to improve operations and increase revenue.
Features:
- Numerous back-office tools
- Intuitive interface optimized for restaurants
- Mobile POS & order management tools
- Customer loyalty programs
- Advanced reporting & analytics
Pricing:
- POS Software Costs: $99/month
- Implementation: $674.00
Comparison Of Top 10 Franchise POS Systems
| Name | Year Founded | Free Trial | Pricing | Capterra Rating | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toast | 2011 | Demo available | $79/terminal/month | 4.2 | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| TouchBistro | 2010 | Not available | $69/month | 4.0 | Toronto, Canada |
| Sapaad | 2013 | Available | $59/month | 4.3 | Singapore |
| Cybersys | 2017 | Available | Custom | N/A | Kuwait |
| Vend | 2010 | Available | $119/month | 4.2 | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Square | 2009 | Demo available | $0 + 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction | 4.7 | San Francisco, California, USA |
| Lavu | 2010 | Demo available | $59/month | 4.1 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA |
| Clover | 2010 | Demo available | $14.95/month | 3.9 | Sunnyvale, California, USA |
| Lightspeed | 2005 | Available | $69/month | 4.2 | Montreal, Canada |
Wrapping Up
A point-of-sale (POS) system is crucial for any business, but especially for franchises. With the right POS system, you can streamline operations and provide a better customer experience.
The 10 best franchise POS systems on this list are all excellent solutions that offer special features tailored to franchisors and franchisees. Be sure to do your research and find the right POS system for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do I Need a POS System for My Franchise?
A POS system is essential for your franchise because it can streamline operations, provide a better customer experience, and help you make more informed decisions about your business performance.
What Are The Main Features of a Franchise POS System?
The main features of a franchise POS system include multi-location management, real-time reporting & analytics, loyalty program customization, inventory management & tracking, mobile ordering & payment processing.
What Are The Benefits of Having a Franchise POS System?
A franchise POS system can help you manage multiple locations more efficiently, provide customers with an enhanced ordering experience, and offer insights into the performance of each location.
Additionally, having a dedicated point-of-sale system designed specifically for franchises can help maximize profits and reduce costs.
Amit Gupta is the founder of DrFranchises – a digital marketing agency that helps brands rank better on Google Maps through local SEO strategies. Amit has over 11 years of experience in digital marketing, SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing. He’s also the owner of multiple franchises and has helped countless brands achieve success online. When he’s not working, Amit can be found playing with his dog.