Best EPOS Systems for Takeaway Businesses

Takeaways are fast-paced environments, which require a hospitality EPOS system that can speed up the order process and connect you to the myriad of delivery apps out there, so you can keep orders coming. We tested several systems with this in mind, and Clover and Square came out on top as the best EPOS systems for takeaways.

Clover and Square have different strengths, however. Clover has top-of-the-range hardware (its terminals have a fingerprint login) and comes with advanced tools like inventory and ingredient tracking. However, it’s expensive, making Square the better option for small or new businesses, thanks to its free EPOS software, and free online ordering store that integrates with popular delivery apps.

As you can probably tell, no system is a one-size-fits-all. So, if you’re having trouble deciding which one is right for your takeaway business, you can use our quick quote tool. Just pop in a few details about your business, and the best suppliers for your needs will be in touch with prices and more information.

Best EPOS Systems for Takeaways: Overview

For a quick overview of each EPOS system of this page, take a look at the table below. For more in-depth assessments, keep scrolling.

1. Clover: Best EPOS System for Hardware

Clover has a range of high quality hardware that’s more than capable of withstanding the hot and bustling environment of a takeaway.

Why we like Clover

When it comes to hardware, Clover has two terminals, the Clover Mini, and the Clover Station Pro. While the Clover Mini is a great option (it’s a small screen with a built-in card machine), we prefer the Clover Station Pro for takeaway restaurants. It’s a kit that includes a large terminal, a customer-facing screen with built-in card reader, and a receipt printer.

We particularly like Clover’s customer display screens: they’re bright and very reactive to touch, making it easy for customers to use them. Another standout is Clover’s fingerprint login function, making it quicker for staff to access the interface and serve customers.

On the technical side, Clover is a specialised EPOS system for quick-service restaurants like takeaways. Since Clover offers a customised approach to EPOS, you can somewhat pick and choose what features you want. Options available to you include generating order numbers, categorizing and tracking stock, and online ordering, whether that’s from an online store or through integration with third-party delivery apps.

Clover also has a large app store that includes third-party integrations, such as loyalty programmes, as well as many of Clover’s own extensions and add-ons, such as employee shift management and advanced discount management.

Clover’s shortcomings

Even though Clover doesn’t disclose its pricing for the UK market, it does for other regions. Based on those prices, we can tell you that Clover isn’t a cheap option, especially when it comes to its hardware. That’s why we don’t recommend it to small takeaway shops, or ones trying to limit spending. If that’s you, Square or SumUp are cheaper options.

2. Square: Best for Growing Your Business

Square is the best EPOS system for scaling up your takeaway business. It has a free EPOS software plan, a great option for new or small businesses, who can upgrade to the reasonably priced £69 per month paid version when they’re ready.

Why we like Square

Square has one of the best free EPOS systems, offering great functionality. You’ll get access to a free online and QR code ordering website, and be able to manage in-person and online orders all from the same place. When testing, we really appreciated this, since we could see what order came from where without having to flit between tabs.

Square also integrates with popular delivery apps like Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, with all orders appearing on Square’s integrated KDS, which costs £15 per month, per device, on the free plan, and is included in Square’s £69 per month paid plan.

The £69 per month Plus plan gives you access to more advanced features, such as the ability to access the EPOS system via mobile, and reopen closed bills to make amendments.

You’ll also get access to in-depth reporting tools, allowing you to assess how your establishment is performing during different service hours, for example, and advanced employee management functions, such as sales reporting by team member.

Square also has paid add-on tools for marketing and loyalty programmes. The £25 per month, per location loyalty programme allows you to create limited time and recurring promotions, and set up points systems to encourage customers to buy food in-person, so you can avoid hefty third-party delivery fees.

And its hardware isn’t half-bad either – especially since it is so cost-effective. All you need to take payments is a smartphone and one of its card readers (starting from £19 +VAT). Alternatively, for anyone with an iPad, you can purchase its Stand (2nd gen) for just £99 + VAT. It integrates contactless and chip payment options to run through your iPad-based POS, has a swiveling design for easy customer-facing transactions, and even has the ability to operate during power outages.

Square’s shortcomings

While Square is a great value EPOS system, it is missing some very valuable features for larger establishments or chains, such as cost vs profit analysis and ingredient tracking. If you need more advanced reporting and analytics tools, we recommend Clover or Lightspeed Restaurant.

Both these systems also have lower card processing fees than Square, which is better for bigger operations that sell at high volumes.

3. Lightspeed Restaurant: Best for Fostering Customer Loyalty

Lightspeed Restaurant is the best EPOS system for takeaways looking to foster customer loyalty, thanks to its range of integrated marketing features.

Why we like Lightspeed Restaurant

Lightspeed Restaurant comes with a range of tools to grow your customer base, including email and SMS marketing, loyalty programs, and automated marketing. Plus, it has an optional Order Anywhere feature, which allows you to give your customers more ways to order, such as online, or via a QR code.

The system also has an “order modifier” function that lets you customise orders, so if a customer wants to remove the tomato or add bacon, it’s not a problem. You can also create combo menus for popular items to speed up the order process.

Lightspeed Restaurant also has a robust array of restaurant management features. You’re able to customise your menu and screen, which is especially useful for customer-facing screens and KDSs. Other top features include ingredient usage tracking, cost vs profit breakdowns for menu items, and automated resupply orders.

Lastly, Lightspeed Restaurant can be used to manage multiple locations, allowing you to create separate menus for each location, and filter reports by location.

Lightspeed Restaurant’s shortcomings

Lightspeed only operates on iOS, and the provider doesn’t sell physical terminals, just stands for tablets, which you have to purchase separately. This is also the case for its KDS system. If you don’t already own tablets, and want to skip the hassle of buying them, we recommend you go with Clover.

Lightspeed is also an expensive option, more geared to medium-sized or large establishments. So, if you’re a small, local business, we recommend Square or SumUp.

4. TouchBistro: Easiest EPOS System to Use

TouchBistro is the easiest EPOS system to operate, thanks to its straightforward frontend and backend interface, which accelerates order processing. We found it to be the most intuitive restaurant EPOS platform we tested.

Why we like TouchBistro

The fact that TouchBistro is so easy to use is likely to speed up service, an essential part of running a successful takeaway. But that’s not all TouchBistro has got going for it.

When it comes to preparing orders, TouchBistro has a separate software for KDSs, but it seamlessly integrates with the EPOS system. Your kitchen staff will be able to see tickets appear instantly on screen when an order is put through, and they’ll be able to clear completed orders in just two taps, thanks to the touch screen.

TouchBistro also has a great suite of reporting and management tools. You can view data on trending menu items and spending patterns, generate cost vs profit reports, and access reports on staff performance.

For an extra fee, you can get access to marketing and loyalty tools, which allow you to, for example, create a customer app and rewards system. However, marketing and loyalty tools cost an extra $99 USD (around £80) per month, respectively, which isn’t cheap.

Lastly, TouchBistro integrates with delivery aggregator apps Deliverect and OrderMark, which give you access to a host of third-party delivery apps and sync orders with your EPOS system.

TouchBistro’s shortcomings

Like Lightspeed, TouchBistro doesn’t sell physical terminals and only operates on iOS. If that’s not what you’re looking for, go for Clover. TouchBistro also doesn’t support QR code ordering, so if that’s a must for you, Square, Lightspeed or SumUp have got you covered.

We also don’t recommend TouchBistro to businesses on a tight budget, since a lot of its best features, like marketing and loyalty, come as expensive add-ons. For a more budget friendly option with great marketing tools, we recommend SumUp.

5. SumUp: Best for Self-service Takeaways

SumUp has a software and hardware package that includes a kiosk, and also supports online and QR code ordering, making it a great option for self-service takeaways.

Why we recommend SumUp

SumUp offers a software and hardware package specially designed for quick service restaurants such as takeaways. The package includes the POS Pro version of SumUp’s software (£59 per month), and a full set of hardware, including a kiosk, for £599.

With SumUp, you’ll be able to take orders at the counter, allow customers to self-serve with the kiosk, or let them order via QR code, or online with SumUp’s free online store builder. The platform also integrates with Deliveroo, allowing to reach a wider customer base.

The POS Pro version of SumUp’s EPOS software also comes with some great marketing tools. You can use it to create digital or physical gift cards or create loyalty programs. This can incentivise customers to order from your establishment more often.

With SumUp, you can also add allergen warnings to all menu items, which will appear in your backend, as well as on menus displayed on kiosks or online. This can make your eatery more accessible to people with dietary restrictions, and increase the likelihood that they’ll order from you. It’s a particularly important feature for takeaways, where interactions between customers and staff are limited or indirect.

SumUp’s shortcomings

Although SumUp’s kiosk quick-service plan is a great offer, it’s a little limited when it comes to the rest of its hardware selection, with limited choice of terminals and accessories. For top-range hardware, your best bet is Clover.

SumUp also just doesn’t have the features needed to run a large business, especially because it can’t be scaled up past the £59 per month quick-service plan. If you need a system that’ll grow with you, we recommend Square or Lightspeed.

Buying Guide: How to Choose an EPOS System

You won’t feel the benefits of an EPOS system if you don’t pick the right one, so here a few things to consider when making your choice:

✔ Cost

The cost of an EPOS system doesn’t have to be astronomical for it to be good. As well as fitting into your budget, an EPOS solution should save you money in the long run through increasing productivity. Morale of the story: don’t pay more for features you don’t need.

✔ Reliability and speed

Service doesn’t just stop randomly, and your EPOS system can’t afford to either. Choosing an EPOS system with offline functionality can help avoid delays if ever your internet goes down.

Likewise, speed is of the essence to ensure your patrons enjoy their stay. Look for an EPOS system with a quick load time, and a well-organised dashboard, so you don’t waste time shifting through the interface looking for key functions like bill splitting, discounts, or refunds.

✔ Functionality

On that same point, you also want to make sure you choose an EPOS system equipped with the right functions for the type of business you run. If you’re a small chippy that caters to locals, you might not need extensive inventory management tools.

Likewise, if you operate in a big town or city with plenty of competition, then picking a system with great marketing tools, and that integrates with a lot of delivery apps, is probably the best way to stay on top of the competition.

✔ Hardware

You should also look at the physical equipment that’s available to buy or rent from each EPOS system provider. If you want kiosks so customers can self-serve, then make sure your EPOS provider can supply you with them. If you accept cash as well as cards, look for an EPOS provider that has a till setup.

Some EPOS systems are compatible with third-party hardware, but it’s always best to check if your existing equipment or the equipment you plan on buying can easily integrate with your chosen EPOS system.

How We Test EPOS Systems for Takeaways