TouchBistro POS Review 2020

TouchBistro POS: Core Features

Tableside Order Management

TouchBistro makes tableside ordering simple for a server to place an order and send it directly to the kitchen while still standing in front of the table they're serving. Servers can select the quantity and type of menu item, sorting by both seats and courses in order to get everything right. Automatic prompts can remind servers what potential upsells could be suggested with each item. Then, when the meal's over, servers can separate or join seats with a simple swipe or tap in order to split the bill with minimal effort.

Menu Management

Managers can create, edit and upload customized menus to TouchBistro’s app, adding and subtracting menu items as needed. Low inventory alerts can help managers know which items to remove before a customer orders something that isn't available. In addition, data reports help managers know which menus and items sell the best, allowing them to create even better menus in the future.

CRM Features

TouchBistro’s customer relationship management (CRM) features allow servers to reward repeat visitors. Once an account is set up for a regular customer, favorite items can be suggested to servers whose memories might not supply “the usual” quite as quickly as TouchBistro's software can. These customers' favorite orders can also help guide managers as they build new menus or consider special promotions.

Floor Plan & Table Management

TouchBistro also offers table management options, a staple feature of restaurant POS services. A customizable floor plan allows you to layout your entire operation, down to the table size. Servers can then move parties around as needed. The result? Portable maps that update in real time, putting everyone on the same page and speeding up service.

Staff Management

With TouchBistro POS, staff can clock in and out, and managers can easily track their hours. Accounts for individual employees allow managers to keep staff-specific details in mind, and in-app messaging allows staff members to contact each other throughout a shift.

Seamless staff management pays off. TouchBistro has helped restaurateurs save up to 4% on labor.

Mobile Sales

TouchBistro supports a host of mobile payment processors. Including Square, iZettle, Chase Paymentech, Moneris, Worldpay, and PayPal. Servers will be able to take cash, card and debit.

Inventory Management

TouchBistro has fantastic inventory management. It allows restaurateurs to track items sold and the ingredients which make up each dish. Alerts let managers and staff know when an item needs to be restocked. In addition, profit margins for each item can be tracked, letting managers know which items offer the worst return on investment.

Reporting & Analytics

TouchBistro can deliver daily reports to senior staff members. Managers can use the data collected from every other feature in order to determine future plans: Which tables are most popular, which menu items should be promoted, and which servers work the fastest at which times. Since inventory and sales are tracked to the last detail, theft can be noted and deterred.

Hardware Needs

TouchBistro runs on all iPads after the first four generations. You’ll need a wireless router, which allows the TouchBistro POS to run on a secured local network. If you're a small operation, one iPad and a router should be all the hardware you need.

If you're using multiple iPads, you'll need a central hub to serve as the “brain” of your POS software. If you use five or fewer iPads, an Apple Mac Mini Computer is best. If you use six or more iPads, try a iMac Computer, and if you have fifteen or more, TouchBistro recommends a Mac Pro.

Hardware Highlight: TouchBistro Kiosk

TouchBistro's hardware product line isn't as extensive as that of many other POS vendors. However, one hardware item stands out: A kiosk that lets customers tap product buttons to compose and pay for their unique order. If you manage a quick service or a fast casual restaurant, a self-serve kiosk might be the hardware investment you need to fill orders faster and save money in the process. Watch this video for a demonstration.

TouchBistro POS Pricing Plans

TouchBistro has a unique pricing system. Instead of pricing its services on a per user per month basis, TouchBistro’s plans offer a cap on the number of monthly users.

TouchBistro’s Solo plan costs $69 per month for one license, the Dual plan costs $129 per month for two licenses, the Team plan costs $249 per month and gives you five licences, and finally, the Unlimited plan costs $399 per month for unlimited users.

As a result, it might be cheaper for some businesses to opt for the Unlimited plan as they will pay less over time. TouchBistro’s prices are competitive with the rest of the POS industry, regardless of which plan you use. However, the size of your business will determine just how good a deal you’ll get.

TouchBistro also has a range of add-ons which bring extra features to your POS system. Its Reservations add-on, for example, costs $229 per month while the Online Ordering add-on costs $50 per month. This can make TouchBistro slightly more expensive than some restaurant-only services.

Prices are correct as of 09/08/2020

The Verdict

TouchBistro's many features cover all the basics of restaurant operations as well as a few bells and whistles, and they're highly configurable to boot. Both pricing and support meet or exceed industry standards. TouchBistro is a solid choice for most restaurant businesses, and a particularly great option for a restaurant with iPad-powered tableside service.

Before you start rushing off to sign-up for TouchBistro, though, it's worth taking a look at the competition. There are loads of great restaurant POS systems out there and the easiest way to compare the different providers is by filling in our quick and easy form. You'll get tailor-made quotes for your business in minutes, with no obligations.