The Best Pos System For Deli: An A-To-Z Guideline This [2024]

A POS system will touch every corner of your deli business, from managing your inventory to keeping stock numbers, processing transactions, and managing your store staff more effectively. Therefore, choosing the best POS system for deli is the top priority.

However, the work may cost you a lot of time and effort and may lead to an ineffective choice. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. In this POS system for deli review, we’ll provide you with every detail you need to know when choosing a suitable POS for your deli and a list of the top POS systems for you to refer to.

1. The best POS system for deli: A quick look

 

A POS system for delis is a combination of software and hardware specifically made to help run a deli store more effectively. The system can replace traditional cash registers, help to process transactions, manage inventory, and many more aspects to ensure your store runs smoothly, adapts to digital changes, and finally drives ultimate profit. 

The key features of the best POS system for deli include:

• POS inventory management: track stock levels of deli items like meats, cheeses. breads, etc. to ensure customers’ satisfaction and save money for the store.
• Quick-service features: enable efficient order taking, modification of orders, and sending orders to the kitchen for quick preparation.
• Customer relationship management: keep track of customer information and their purchase history for more personalized offers and insightful promotions.

Now, let’s take a look at this overview before diving into a detailed review:

• Shopify POS: Best for running a deli that presents both online and offline
• Square POS: Best for delivering exceptional service
• Clover POS: Best for integrating payment processing
• Toast POS: Best for managing a deli system or delis from multiple locations
• Lightspeed POS: Best for providing solutions for inventory management

2. The best POS system for deli: Our top picks

	Shopify POS	Square POS	Clover POS	Toast POS	Lightspeed POS
Features	– Support different payment methods – Support sales in multiple channels	– Free foundation plan and no upfront payments – Simplified order-taking and processing	– Easy to navigate and use – Keep track of stock levels and expiration dates	– Integrate with an online ordering platform – A loyalty program that keeps in touch with customers	– Insightful reports and analytics  – The user-friendly interface
Rating	4.6/5	4.6/5	3.8/5	4.2/5	3.9/5
Price	Not disclosed	Starting at $0/month	Not disclosed	Starting at $0/month	Not disclosed
Read more	Visit site	Visit site	Visit site	Visit site	Visit site

2.1. Shopify POS: Best for running a deli that presents both online and offline

 

Overall, the Shopify POS system is the best POS system for deli looking to expand their presence across multiple channels, both online and offline.

2.1.1. Pricing

Shopify POS currently has four plans to choose from, all of which are paid monthly, with the exception of the Plus, which is only available for a 1-3 year term.

• Basic: $39/month (for sole proprietors)
• Shopify: $105/month (for small teams)
• Advanced: $399/month
• Plus: $2,300/month (for more complicated businesses)

2.1.2. Features

 

Shopify POS is the best POS for deli because it has a lot of key features that your business can benefit from, some of which include:

• Real-time inventory management that helps track stock levels at your deli, like stock levels of meats, cheese, bread, and so on
• Weight-based pricing that helps the deli calculate accurate prices for products by their weight, like meats or cheese
• Kitchen display system that will send orders directly to your deli kitchen to streamline food preparation and reduce wait times
• Create deli’s customer profiles and store their information to personalize service and make a more insightful marketing plan

2.1.3. Hardware

The Shopify POS system comes with many interesting hardware options that you can choose from, and you can customize your POS system. Hardware includes barcode scanners, receipt printers, cash drawers, and shop tablet stands.

 

2.1.4. Payment methods

The system also accepts a variety of payment methods, making it convenient for your customers to pay with cash or credit cards. They can pay using credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and others), debit cards, and contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

2.1.5. Pros and cons

Pros

• User-friendly interface, requires minimum technical knowledge, easy for staff to use
• Seamlessly integration with Shopify’s ecommerce platform
• Generate reliable reports and analytics at your deli based on sales performance, inventory levels, and customer behavior
• Mobile POS that processes payments and manages orders on the go, allowing customers to order at your deli from anywhere, at anytime

Cons

• Monthly subscription fees can add up to the overall cost
• Limited customization option compared to other POS systems for delis

2.2. Square POS: Best for delivering exceptional service

Suitable for	✅ Small retail companies seeking an easy-to-use interface, reasonable prices, and a straightforward setup ✅ Table service companies are searching for features like staff scheduling, inventory control, and online ordering ✅ Mobile-friendly or modern stores ✅ Service-oriented companies that require staff scheduling, inventory control, and online ordering
Not suitable for	❌ High-volume delis that need complicated menu items and a lot of transactions ❌ Companies with very specific requirements ❌ Big-box stores with intricate supply chain and inventory management requirements

 

Though you should still search for a system with extensive features, Square is generally the best POS system for deli, particularly when it comes to controlling your company budget.

2.2.1. Pricing

With monthly costs starting at $0 per location, Square currently provides three options. The plans are:

• Free: $0 per location/month
• Plus: $69 per location/month
• Premium: $165 per location/month

2.2.2. Features

 

Square POS offers many powerful features to assist you in running your deli store, the features include:

• Low stock alert feature that will automatically send notifications and alert to you when inventory levels are low to prevent your deli running out of important ingredients
• Ensure that the payment process at your store is secure all the time
• Track your employees in terms of labor hours and costs to help you make better scheduling and better use of your budget
• Kitchen display system that will optimize your kitchen flow by sending orders to the right stations, syncing menu and inventory in real time, and ensuring that customers orders are never out of stock

2.2.3. Hardware

Square provides a variety of hardware options, including store stands, card readers, registers, and terminals. You can check out their website to see which is best for your golf course.

 

2.2.4. Payment methods

Square, like other POS systems, accepts a variety of payment methods, including card payments (both credit, debit, and contactless), as well as cash, gift cards, invoices, app pay, check-out, and so on.

2.2.5. Pros and cons

Pros

• No monthly fees, cost efficiency for delis of all sizes
• Low transaction fees to maximize your deli store’s profit
• Comprehensive inventory management features for deli, like kitchen display system and low stock alerts
• User-friendly interface; no need for a training session for your deli staff before using the system
• Powerful CRM features help build customer profiles, track purchase history, and implement loyalty programs to foster customer loyalty

Cons

• Hardware cost at the deli can add up to the initial cost
• Customer support may not be as extensive as other systems, especially when it comes to complicated issues

2.3. Clover POS: Best for integrating payment processing

Suitable for	✅ Businesses require features such as inventory management, employee management, and order tracking ✅ Quick-service and table service that require features such as order management, inventory tracking, and employee management ✅ Service-based businesses require appointment scheduling, payment processing, and gift card management.
Not suitable for	❌ Large businesses or complex enterprises frequently require more customized POS systems ❌ Deli businesses with specific requirements, such as complex menu

 

Clover is the best POS system for deli that seeks a range of customization options.

2.3.1. Pricing

Clover’s pricing is divided into three levels, each with its own set of features, hardware, and cost. However, you will need to contact sales to determine the exact amount that you must pay.

• Starter: $0+ $14.95/mo; Accept payments and manage your business through a web browser.
• Standard: $125/mo for 36 months or $649+ $84.95/mo; Accept payments anywhere with a portable, handheld POS system.
• Advanced: $160/mo for 36 months or $1,699+ $84.95/mo; Accept payments at your counter.

2.3.2. Features

 

Clover provides some specific key features that you may be interested in learning more about and how they can help your current business. The features include:

• Process payments and manage your business using mobile devices, making it easier for customers to pay for services at your deli.
• The seamless integration of online and in-store activity, for example, allows you to manage orders through both online and offline channels
• The self-serving kiosk where customers can place their orders during peak times to avoid long line waiting
• An integrated kitchen display system that syncs between the menu and stock levels in real-time to avoid errors in order preparations

2.3.3. Hardware

Clover offers 4 options of hardware for you to choose; they are handheld POS, station solo, receipt printer, and card drawer.

Are you looking for an affordable, powerful POS system for your small start-up? Look no further; check out this list of the best POS systems for small businesses here.

 

2.3.4. Payment method

The system accepts credit card payments, debit card payments, cash or check payments, and keyed-in payments. Other types of payments, however, will require you to change the system’s processing level.

2.3.5. Pros and cons

Pros

• Dedicated customer service.
• Flexible; can adapt to most delis of all sizes.
• Cloud-based data provides access to your data at any time, from any location.
• An intuitive interface that is simple for deli staffs to learn and use, reducing training time and increasing efficiency.
• Comprehensive deli back office features, including inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management (CRM), and reporting and analytics.

Cons

• Customization options are limited in comparison to other POS systems.
• Hardware for the deli can have a significant initial cost.
• Software and payment processing fees are charged monthly, which can accumulate over time.

2.4. Toast POS: Best for managing a deli system or delis from multiple locations

Suitable for	✅ Quick service and casual dining restaurants like fast food chains, burger joints, sports bars. ✅ Delis serves prepared food and groceries. ✅ Businesses operate out of mobile, like food trucks and mobile vendors.
Not suitable for	❌ Very small stores or businesses that need a simpler, more basic POS system to reduce cost. ❌ Deli that only operates online.

 

Toast POS is the best POS system for delis due to its ability to manage a variety of complex processes. The platform’s advanced reservation features allow owners to block reservations, restrict flow, and monitor cost and profit management data.

2.4.1. Pricing

 

Toast offers two premium plans starting at $69 and one free plan with restricted access to all features. Depending on your subscription plan, the transaction costs start at 2.99% + $0.15.

2.4.2. Features

 

Toast has many comprehensive features to help run your deli business smoothly, making it one of the best POS systems for deli.

• Promptly and precisely complete large orders on both website and mobile app at your deli thanks to the integrated online ordering
• Use marketing and loyalty programs to build stronger customer relationships and increase repeat business.
• Robust components to endure the challenging deli environment
• Among the many comprehensive back office functions for delis like inventory control, order management, and personnel management.

2.4.3. Hardware

Basically, the Toast POS system offers many powerful hardware that can leverage your POS system performance, including:

• A Chipper 2X BT card reader or Tap & Chip card reader: 49$
• Retail Kit: $219
• Barcode scanners: $229 to $329
• Label printers: $299 to $499
• Receipt printers: $299 to $369
• Cash drawers: $139 to $159

2.4.4. Payment methods

Toast supports many different payment methods that will make it easy to purchase at your deli store and enhance your customer satisfaction through the purchase process. It supports cash, cards (debit and credit), gift cards, house accounts, and so on.

2.5.5. Pros and cons

Pros

• Robust features necessary for delis like inventory management, secure payment process, staff management
• High level of customization
• Scalability that can adapt to your deli  growth and expansion in the future

Cons

• The sum of hardware and software can be expensive for some delis
• The payment process fee is slightly higher than other POS systems

2.5. Lightspeed POS: Best for providing solutions for inventory management

Suitable for	✅ Quick-service and table-service restaurants that need features like order management, kitchen display systems, and online ordering. ✅ Deli businesses need specialized features like inventory management and employee management. ✅ Deli stores looking for a long-term POS system with scalability that can adapt to their growth and expansion in the future.
Not suitable for	❌ Very small deli businesses or start-ups that require a more basic and more affordable POS system. ❌ Businesses in certain industries require a more tailored POS solution.

 

Lightspeed Retail, the best POS system for deli, offers excellent tools for deli businesses, including order management and promotional features like SMS marketing and promotional engines.

2.5.1. Pricing

To obtain a customized solution for your store and to find out the pricing, you will need to speak with their expert as the system does not, sadly, display its pricing on the website.

2.5.2. Features

 

The Lightspeed POS system offers many key features to alleviate your management at your deli store and help run it more effectively. Check out the key features now:

• Support multiple payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments, making it easier to purchase at your deli
• Generate insightful reports to track sales performance, identify top-selling items, and analyze trends going on at your deli
• Effectively track employees’ performance in terms of employee hours and labor costs to improve scheduling and budgeting
• Seamlessly integrate with other third-party tools, such as accounting software and delivery services, which are necessary for running deli smoothly

2.5.3. Hardware

To enhance store management and keep you up to date with new technologies, Lightspeed offers hardware in addition to software. The hardware includes Apple devices such as iPads, Mac Minis, and iPad stands, as well as printers such as receipt and label printers, a scanner, a drawer, and other accessories.

 

2.5.4. Payment methods

The system accepts a variety of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, gift cards, digital wallets like PayPal and Samsung Wallet, and contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

2.5.5. Pros and cons

Pros

• The in-store and online orders are combined seamlessly.
• Mobile capabilities include an iPad app for sales and inventory checks while on the go.
• Dedicated customer support team.
• The powerful features include report capabilities, customer profiling, and strong inventory management.
• With its straightforward navigation and intuitive design, the interface is easy to use.

Cons

• Some delis may not be able to cover the high monthly subscription fees.
• There may be system outages and synchronization issues.

3. How to Choose the Right POS System for Your Deli

Choosing the best POS systems for delis is essential since they will help you run your store smoothly and more effectively. If you still cannot pick a suitable system, check out our suggestions in this list.

• Essential features: ensure your POS system offers these vital features for deli, such as inventory management, scalability, quick-service restaurants, and payment processing.
• Additional features: these features are not essential but nice-to-have to give your deli a more competitive point; they’re integration capabilities, customer support, ease of use, etc.
• Last but not least, it is crucial to take into account your business budget to choose the most suitable POS system that does not offer the necessary features but is affordable for your deli.

4. Wrap up:

We hope that our blog today has provided every piece of information that you’re looking for on the topic of the best POS system for deli.

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