Running a restaurant is no longer just about great food and friendly service. Behind every smooth order, fast checkout, and accurate report is a system quietly doing the heavy lifting. A point of sale system has become the backbone of modern restaurants, helping owners manage orders, payments, inventory, and customer data in one place. Choosing the right POS can shape how your restaurant operates today and how it grows tomorrow.
In our previous post, we covered the essential features a restaurant POS system should offer. Now comes the real question. Which system actually fits your restaurant needs and supports growth without creating new problems later. Let us walk through some of the most popular POS systems used by restaurants today and what makes each one stand out.
Popular POS Systems Used by Restaurants
Many modern POS platforms focus on ease of use and mobility. Lavu is a good example, built specifically for iPad users who want a clean interface and flexible reporting. It works well for both small restaurants and larger chains that need scalable tools.
Another iPad-based solution, TouchBistro, is popular with quick service restaurants. It offers special modes for food trucks, cafes, bars, and even stadium vendors. The ability to take payments at the table improves speed and customer experience.
For restaurants with tight budgets, GotMerchant provides a free system with a monthly per-terminal fee. It supports both restaurant and retail operations, making it useful for businesses that sell food along with branded merchandise.
Larger operations often look toward NetSuite, which combines POS features with marketing and promotions. Its mobile access allows owners to view reports and inventory from anywhere, making it ideal for multi-location management.
Windows-based systems like MyAxisPoint focus on seating and guest management. Restaurants with dining areas, bars, or multiple sections can track guest flow more effectively.
Cloud-first solutions such as Vivonet are known for their 24-hour support. This is especially helpful for restaurants that operate late at night. Its adoption by major global chains proves its reliability at scale.
Well-established systems like Aloha by Radiant Systems and Micros by Oracle continue to dominate larger restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses. Their modular design allows customization for different service models, including hospitality and hotel food service.
Finally, platforms like POSitouch and Digital Dining serve high-volume environments such as stadiums, cafeterias, and country clubs. Their strong employee management and reporting features help keep operations organized even during peak hours.
Beyond POS: Why Online Ordering Matters
While choosing the right POS is important, modern restaurants must think beyond in-house operations. Customers now expect the option to order online with ease. This shift is reshaping the industry, as explained in our guide on online ordering and the future of the restaurant industry.
Many restaurants are also expanding into delivery and mobile ordering. Launching your own platform instead of relying only on third-party apps can protect margins and build customer loyalty. This strategy is explored in detail in launching a food delivery app as a smart expansion strategy.
Platforms like iScripts NetMenus are designed to work alongside your existing POS system. They help restaurants accept online orders directly through their own website or branded app while keeping operations simple. The enterprise-ready capabilities of this solution are highlighted in the NetMenus Enterprise product release.
As more restaurants adopt multi-location and multi-brand models, online ordering platforms continue to change how food businesses grow. Learn more about this shift in how online multi restaurant ordering platforms are transforming the restaurant industry.
Final Thoughts
A POS system should do more than process payments. It should support your daily workflow, adapt as your business grows, and connect smoothly with online ordering tools. Taking the time to evaluate your needs today can save you from costly changes later.
Restaurants that combine a reliable POS with a direct online ordering system gain more control, better customer data, and stronger long-term growth. Solutions like iScripts NetMenus are designed with this balance in mind, helping restaurants extend their reach without adding operational complexity.
If you are planning your next stage of growth, exploring how your POS and online ordering systems work together could be the smartest move you make this year.
