81. Choosing the Right POS System at the Right Time for Your Coffee Shop

SUMMARY:

In this episode, Drew and Ben dive into the essential topic of selecting the right Point of Sale (POS) system for your coffee shop. Whether you're launching a new drive-thru or scaling up with multiple locations, Drew and Ben break down the pros and cons of popular POS systems, with a focus on Square and Toast, to help you make an informed choice.

 

Drew shares real-world insights on how Square’s reporting tracks sales trends and supports digital loyalty programs, making it a solid starting point. But as shops grow, the conversation shifts to when it’s time to upgrade. Enter Toast—a robust option for multi-location shops needing advanced features like employee management, offline mode, and seamless integrations with delivery platforms like DoorDash and GrubHub.

 

From avoiding the chaos of complex systems to ensuring your POS supports fast order processing and inventory tracking, this episode is packed with practical advice. Key considerations include ease of setup, reliable reporting, digital loyalty integration, and remote management capabilities to keep your shop running smoothly, even when you’re sipping coffee on a beach somewhere.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Start Simple with Square: Ideal for new shops with its free software, competitive 2.6% + $0.15 transaction fees, and intuitive design that reduces barista panic.
• Upgrade to Toast for Scale: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}