Presentation Transcript

1. Computers in Restaurants Restaurants use a Point-of-Sale (POS) system to speed-up restaurant transactions and functions. Most restaurants have a terminal and a printer in the dining room operated by servers, and terminal in the bar for bartenders. The kitchen staff use a monitor in the backroom to review incoming orders.
2. Computers in Restaurants Terminals usually have a touch screen, card reader for credit cards and debit cards, and a printer to print orders and receipts.
3. Computers in Restaurants There are four essentials parts to a POS system: Printer The printer gives the guest info such as food and beverage orders, and guest checks. Management reports are also produced and can be retrieved using a password. Cash Drawer Stores money close the terminal. The terminal is useful for making change and acts as an electronic cash register in the restaurant. Handheld Order Terminal This is a small wireless system that is used to take guest orders, as well as receiving payments through its magnetic card reader. These terminals can be used by servers to check on the status of an order as well. Magnetic Card Reader The card reader is attached to the terminal and reads cards. Servers can log into the terminal by swipping their card, as well as charging guests for their bills.
4. Ordering using a POS Servers must first log in with a user name and password before using the terminal. This is for security reasons to keep guests from using the terminals. When the server receives an order, he or she will enter the order through the touch screen. Each entry asks for quantity, description, and preparation instructions, (ex. Extra hot sauce, no pickles, etc.)
5. Ordering using a POS When the order is entered, kitchen staff receive this information through a monitor or printer in the Back of House. Information is communicated within the restaurant operation quickly and efficiently. In addition, some restaurants use a Drink Runner who brings drinks from the bar, and an Expeditor who assembles and brings food orders to the dining tables for the server. This reduces kitchen traffic and improves operations. Depending on the size of your kitchen, some POS systems are programmed to send orders to specific areas of the kitchen. Hot food is sent to the hot food section of the kitchen, and cold foods are sent to the cold food section.
6. Ordering using a POS When the meal is finished, the server brings the check. The server will use the POS system to split bills, split items, and split payments if necessary. Some guests may want to pay with cash, credit card, gift card, or a combination of all the above. Some guests may want to use a personal check, in which case the check is handled like money. Most restaurants do not accept personal checks anymore. The standard procedure for a guest who pays with a credit card is for the server to receive the card, swipe it through the card reader to authorize the card, and then return the card and present a guest check and pen for the guest to sign the check.
7. Ordering using a POS Closing at the end of the shift At the end of a shift, a server will cash out of the POS terminal completely, balance their receipts and cash,, and check the total calculated by the computer. Reports like sales, payments, voids, profit, inventory, and table turns are generated to management.
8. Advantages of POS systems Advantages POS systems can: 1. Save steps in placing orders 2. Speed up service to the guest 3. Increase server productivity 4. Ensure accurate food and beverage preparation 5. Ensure accurate food and beverage preparation 6. Prevent confusion 7. Prevent pricing errors 8. Produce itemized guest checks 9. Generate management reports Disadvantages POS systems can: Save steps in placing orders Speed up service to the guest Increase server productivity Ensure accurate food and beverage preperation Ensure accurate food and beverage preparation Prevent confusion Prevent pricing errors Produce itemized guest checks Generate management reports
9. Restaurant Reservations and Table Management The system assists the host by receiving an overview of current occupied seating, approximate time when a table will be open, and which tables are reserved and which ones need cleaning. Restaurant reservations and table management software has the ability to track reservations and control seating to optimize server performance. It can centralize the dining reservations process, eliminate over-bookings, and maximize table use. Reservations can be entered and modified easily with these systems, and they can allow management to store guest records such as telephone number, mailing address, and email address. Guests can even make reservations online through the restaurant website when a POS system is being used.
10. Restaurant Reservations and Table Management What are some of the advantages of using POS systems in restaurant reservations? They can: 1. Help the host seat large groups of guests evenly throughout the restaurant 2. Eliminate overbooking 3. Help the host give guests an accurate waiting time 4. Prove the host with personal information on the guest, such as their birthday, anniversary, table and food preferences 5. Increase table turns
11. Guest Paging A guest paging device is a wireless, remote guest call system that allows the host to tell guests when their table is ready. When guests are told that their table will be ready in 20 minutes, they are given a guest pager. When their table is ready, the host will send a wireless signal to the pager, and the pager will shake, beep and flash lights at the guest. Advantages of a guest pager include: 1. Reduce guest response times to being called. 2. Ensure groups are seated promptly 3. Prevents crowds from forming at the host stand.