Running a hospitality business in New Zealand—whether it’s a café in Auckland, a food truck in Wellington, or a fine dining restaurant in Queenstown—means delivering speed, accuracy, and great service, all at once.
That’s why choosing the right POS (Point of Sale) system is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. But with so many options on the market, what features should you be looking for?
Here are the top 5 must-have POS features every hospitality business in NZ should consider:
1️⃣ Fast & Easy Order Taking
In hospitality, speed is everything. Your POS system should allow your staff to take orders quickly, reduce wait times, and send them straight to the kitchen or bar.
Look for:
- Customisable menus with modifiers (e.g. extra cheese, no onion)
- Touchscreen interface
- Table and tab management
- Split bill options
📌 Why it matters: Faster orders mean better service and happier customers.
2️⃣ Integrated EFTPOS Payments
Seamless EFTPOS integration allows for faster checkouts, fewer errors, and a better customer experience. No more entering amounts manually or rechecking totals.
Look for:
- Integration with major NZ banks and payment providers
- Support for contactless, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Mobile EFTPOS terminals for tableside payments
📌 Why it matters: Speed up the checkout process and reduce human error.
3️⃣ Real-Time Reporting & Analytics
You can’t improve what you can’t measure. A smart POS system should give you access to real-time reports on sales, staff performance, and popular menu items.
Look for:
- Sales reports by hour, day, or item
- Staff shift tracking and performance reports
- Insights on best-selling dishes or drinks
📌 Why it matters: Make smarter business decisions with data you can trust.
4️⃣ Inventory Management
Keeping track of stock is a nightmare if you’re doing it manually. A modern POS system can help you manage inventory in real-time, alert you when items are low, and even automate supplier orders.
Look for:
- Ingredient-level tracking
- Low-stock alerts
- Integration with suppliers
📌 Why it matters: Reduce waste, avoid stockouts, and control food costs.
5️⃣ Customer Loyalty & Promotions
Building repeat customers is key in hospitality. A POS system that supports loyalty programs, gift cards, and targeted promotions can help you grow your customer base.
Look for:
- Digital loyalty program integration
- Custom discounts and promotions
- Customer data collection
📌 Why it matters: Increase repeat visits and drive more revenue.
With cloud-based POS systems, you can manage your business from anywhere. Update your menu from home, check reports on your phone, or monitor staff while away.
🛠️ Why Simply POS?
At Simply POS, we specialise in providing POS systems that are designed specifically for NZ hospitality businesses. Whether you’re running a café, bar, food truck, or restaurant, our all-in-one systems are built for speed, simplicity, and scalability.
🎯 Ready to streamline your operations and grow your hospitality business?
Get in touch with our team for a free demo and expert advice.
