School Cafeteria POS – Benefits and Top Systems

A point of sale system, popularly known as POS, is a place where customers make payments for products and services at the store, whether offline or online. The system was primarily created to replace the old and out-of-date cash register but has since been continually upgraded to offer a lot more features and benefits to retailers and businesses from all industries. Today, there are POS systems designed for school cafeterias, too, offering several advantages.
Benefits of school cafeteria POS
Following are some advantages of having a POS system in a school cafeteria:
Speedy service
Students usually have a short break in which they must buy and finish their meal. A POS system can help ensure that they spend minimal time waiting at the cash register. This system has custom screen layouts and can process payments quickly, along with other features, it can keep queues in the cafeteria moving, giving students more time to enjoy their lunch break.
Enhanced inventory management
A school cafeteria serves hundreds, or even thousands of students each day, which necessitates having an accurate and updated inventory of all the items. A POS system can help manage the whole process. The system typically has an inventory management tool that shows the cafeteria staff the list of available food, beverages, and other items and the things they’re running low on and need to restock.
Eliminates manual errors
When humans are made to handle a process, mistakes are almost inevitable. But with a modern electronic system like POS, many processes are automated, significantly lowering the risk of manual errors. And since this system reduces or eliminates cash from the picture, cafeteria staff no longer need to worry about handling cash or be anxious about physically moving money from the point of purchase to administrative offices.
Convenient for students and parents
With a POS system in place, students don’t need to keep track of their cash or worry about losing their money. At the same time, parents no longer have to scramble for coins and bills daily, as they can add money to their kids’ accounts anytime and anywhere. Some school cafeteria POS systems also allow parents to choose specific food options according to their child’s health and nutrition requirements.
Many useful features
POS systems are loaded with a bunch of useful features for the cafeteria and students. One of the most helpful features is automatically generated reports, which include the inventory status, popular items, and other important elements that the cafeteria administrators require. Some school cafeteria POS systems also allow students to pre-order meals and have contactless payment options.
Best POS systems for school cafeteria
These are the top systems schools must consider:
Clover
Known for full-service restaurant POS, Clover is a great option for school cafeterias, too. Their all-in-one, highly customizable system can be used to accept payment, organize inventory, and manage the staff. The system and software sync with the cloud, allowing cafeteria managers to track sales, refunds, deposits, and reports from any location. With Clover, students can make contactless payments through mobile wallets or pay via credit or debit card.
Vanco
Vanco’s School Lunch POS software is an ideal cafeteria management system for all types of schools, including K-12, private, and charter schools. It’s fast and easy to use and allows parents to select meals for their kids in advance and add funds to their online lunch accounts. The system speeds up payment with biometric scanning or ID cards. Vanco can also keep students receiving free or reduced-price lunches anonymous.
QuickBooks
QuickBooks is a robust POS system that can be utilized by all kinds of businesses, including school cafeterias. It gives students more payment choices, including contactless payment options, like Clover, and payment via gift cards. The hardware POS has a sleeker design, takes minimum space, and is available in multiple colors, giving the cash register a refreshing appearance. The system automatically updates inventory after every sale, so the cafeteria staff need not constantly worry about decreased stock.
SchoolVision
SchoolVision has been providing campus solutions for more than 20 years. Its POS system is designed to simplify transactions in various parts of the school, including the cafeteria, book stores, clinic floors, and student-run service shops. The system accepts payments through multiple modes, such as credit and debit cards, student ID, gift cards, loyalty cards, and even mobile wallets. SchoolVision’s POS system can also manage inventory, generate automatic reports, and integrate with a school’s current student systems.
Touch Dynamic
As an expert in providing POS solutions to several industries, Touch Dynamic understands their need in school cafeterias quite well. The company offers hardware POS solutions for the cafeteria, comprising rugged, customizable options like tablet devices and kiosks. The hardware is made to quickly handle large volumes of diners and accept various payment methods (including contactless payment), increasing staff efficiency and decreasing the waiting period.
EZ School Lunch Software
EZ School Apps has over 25 years of experience in creating software for the education industry. The company’s School Lunch Software is an easy-to-use, 100% cloud-based POS solution for schools and parents. The system allows parents to pre-order online using EZ’s calendar-based system, complete school lunch payments, and review transaction history. Among other things, the software offers comprehensive free and reduced lunch management, reporting, and tracking.
Square POS
This is yet another excellent POS system for a school cafeteria. Square’s software completes easy tasks, like real-time menu updates and repeat orders, in just a few taps. Thanks to its intuitive order entry and ability to modify menus from any location, the software helps staff get orders out quickly and correctly. The system accepts payments from various sources, offers real-time reports, and can even track meal prep times.