Choose Restaurant POS, Insurance and Services by Total Cost
Compare written offers, test actual workflows and assign recurring operating services before opening.
Ryan Speier
Your POS and services should support how you operate. Compare complete written offers and a tested workflow, not the lowest visible subscription price.
Calculate payment and software costs together
On $50,000 processed sales and 2,500 transactions, an offer of 2.6% +$0.10/transaction +$100/month costs $1,650. An offer of 2.3% +$0.20 +$150/month costs $1,800. The lower percentage is $150 more expensive per month in this fictional comparison.
Add hardware, setup, extra terminals, integrations, online ordering, support, network needs, other fees and exit costs. Use the comparison tool. Effective fees depend on the actual agreement and transaction mix; do not treat “starting at” pricing as your final cost.
Test a complete order before signing off
Run a normal order, modifier, allergy escalation, split payment, void, refund and pickup/delivery handoff. Check the kitchen ticket, receipt, tax configuration, reporting and access controls. Confirm outage procedures and what happens if internet or a terminal fails.
Request data-export access and understand cancellation, automatic renewal and hardware ownership. Do not rely on a sales promise that is absent from the agreement.
Ask an insurance professional for a complete quote
Describe cooking, alcohol, delivery, employees, premises, equipment and required lease obligations accurately. Ask the broker to identify relevant coverage, exclusions, deductibles, limits, endorsements and payment timing. Consider property, liability, workers’ compensation and other coverage appropriate to the operation; no generic list proves adequacy.
Compare the same limits and exclusions. A lower premium with a material missing exposure is not the same product. Get evidence that required coverage is actually bound before treating a quote as protection.
Assign the less glamorous services
List waste/recycling, grease handling where applicable, pest control, internet, utilities, laundry, equipment maintenance, bookkeeping and payroll administration. Record provider, scope, frequency, emergency contact, cost and renewal/termination terms.
Use the service and insurance comparison worksheets, then enter setup costs and recurring payments once in the opening plan. Review the first bills against the signed terms. A working restaurant depends on these arrangements being both available and affordable.