In the fast-paced bakery industry, efficiency is a key to success. From managing the inventory of fresh ingredients to processing customer payments, a reliable bakery POS system can be the secret recipe for smooth operations.
But with the rise of online sales and digital marketing, the right POS system needs to do more than just handle in-store transactions.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll review the 5 best POS systems for bakeries and pastry shops, helping you find the perfect match for your bakery’s unique needs.
The Top 5 POS Systems For Bakeries In 2023
- TouchBistro – Best for bakeries looking for a fast and easy-to-use system
- Toast – Best for larger coffee shops that serve food and want takeout and online ordering features
- Square – Best subscription-free POS for small bakeries and pastry shops
- Lightspeed – Best for bakeries seeking powerful inventory, data insights, and retail features
- Shopify – Best for bakeries that sell their baked goods online
Why use a Bakery POS System?
A bakery Point of Sale (POS) system is a comprehensive tool designed to optimize bakery operations. More than a cash register, this powerful system enables real-time tracking of inventory and supplies, while offering detailed sales reports and analytics to gauge performance.
A modern cloud-based POS incorporates online sales and marketing features like e-commerce integration for syncing online and physical store inventory, digital menus that can be updated in real-time, and tools for integrating email marketing and social media.
In addition, a bakery POS system has tools for customer relationship and employee management, as well as managing multiple locations. It’s designed to increase efficiency, improve customer service, and ultimately boost the profitability of your bakery.
TouchBistro
Designed by restaurant industry veterans
Best for independent bakeries looking for a well designed, easy-to-use, and feature-rich POS with integrated loyalty features.
- Fast & easy-to-use quick register buttons
- Commission-free online ordering
- Excellent offline functionality
- Fewer integrations than competition
- Somewhat limited reporting features
Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, TouchBistro is a leading provider of cloud-based Point of Sale (POS) systems specifically designed for the food service industry. With a focus on addressing the unique needs and challenges of modern-day restaurants and bakeries, TouchBistro has become an essential tool for over 29,000 establishments worldwide.
What truly sets TouchBistro apart from many other POS systems is the seamless integration of these features, creating a cohesive and efficient solution for business owners.
I like the modularity of the TouchBistro pricing structure. You get a good deal at a low price and can choose from the selection of add-on options as your business grows.
Here is the pricing plan for TouchBistro and its add-ons:
Monthly subscription fee: Starts at $69/month for up to two setups
Add-on pricing (starting at):
- Online ordering: $50/month
- Reservations: $229/month
- Gift cards: $25/month
- Marketing: $99/month
- Loyalty: $99/month
TouchBistro Payments (US only)is powered by Chase and provides pricing through an innovative cost plus pricing model. The solution supports all major credit and debit cards, as well as swipe, dip, tap, and digital wallet payments from Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
TouchBistro Payments also offers an offline payments mode, allowing you to continue taking payments even when their internet is down.
Payment processing fees depend on if you use TouchBistro Payments (US only) or one of the available payment processing partners like Square. You’ll be able to use different payment processors depending on which one offers the lowest rate.
For example, Square charges the following: 2.6% +10¢ per transaction.
Please note that hardware and additional fees may apply to these prices. It’s recommended to contact TouchBistro directly for a custom quote.
TouchBistro is available in the US, Canada, the UK, Mexico, and over 100 other countries. (TouchBistro Payments is only available in the US).
TouchBistro supports iPads, iPad Pro, or the iPad Mini and runs best on devices from 2018 or later. These tablets are used to take orders and process payments table-side.
A TouchBistro setup can include an iPad stand, receipt printer, card reader, router, and modem.
TouchBistro also sells accessories, such as a Self-Service Kiosk, customer-facing display, KDS, and Digital Menu Boards. TouchBistro may also make use of third-party hardware such as cash drawers, card readers, and receipt printers.
Customizable Additional Hardware: Depending on the unique needs of your restaurant, you can mix and match different POS equipment such as cash drawers and receipt printers.
Hardware Setups for Different Venue Sizes: TouchBistro offers tailored hardware configurations based on the venue size and type of your restaurant. Whether you have a small or large venue, they have hardware solutions designed to fit your specific needs.
Integrated Hardware Support: TouchBistro also offers dedicated implementation specialists to provide round-the-clock support for your hardware.
TouchBistro suggests always purchasing the latest iPad models for the best experience and longevity of support. While they provide iPad stands, they also offer the flexibility for you to use your own. Their iPads are compatible with any iPad stands, allowing you to choose a stand style that aligns best with your restaurant’s look and feel.
Where TouchBistro Stands Out For Bakeries
TouchBistro offers a comprehensive point of sale (POS) solution specifically designed for restaurant and bakery businesses. The platform efficiently streamlines operations, enhances customer engagement, boosts sales, and saves time and money while providing invaluable business insights. To highlight the merits of TouchBistro for bakeries, let’s delve into key areas of excellence.
Streamlined Operations and User-friendly Interface
- Rapid order-taking: TouchBistro’s “Fast Bar” register mode and tableside ordering system enable you to accelerate the ordering process and serve more customers in less time.
- User-friendly: Its intuitive interface reduces staff training time and enhances service efficiency.
Sales-boosting Features
- Commission-free online ordering: Reach a broader customer base while retaining 100% profits.
- Barcode scanner and loyalty program: Sell products with a POS-integrated barcode scanner and encourage repeat business via a rewarding loyalty program that applies to both in-venue and online orders.
Enhanced Customer Experience
- Customer relationship management: Remember guests’ favorite orders and pave the way for personalized service.
- Customer-facing display: Allow customers to confirm their orders in real-time, increasing satisfaction.
- Hybrid POS system: Ensure continuous functionality during internet outages.
Payment Processing and Management
- Swift payment processing: Process transactions at impressive speeds, optimizing service and customer convenience.
- Diverse payment options: Support swipe, dip, tap, and mobile payments, as well as streamlined bill splitting and table transfers.
Efficient Staff Management
- Staff permissions management: Prevent theft by administering permissions for employee access.
- Integration with 7Shifts: Streamline scheduling and labor management with 7Shifts integration.
Time and Money-Saving features
- Quick register buttons: Reduce order times by incorporating speedy register button functionality.
- Easy menu updates: Adapt menus to accommodate seasonal changes, holidays, or varying times of the day.
Business Insights and Reporting
- Comprehensive reporting: Gain access to over 50 detailed business data reports through TouchBistro’s robust reporting feature.
- Real-time insights: Monitor daily and weekly revenue, popular bakery items, and unusual staff activity to make informed decisions for improved business performance.
Where TouchBistro Falls Short
- Limited integrations: While TouchBistro has a number of integrations available, it may not have as many options as other POS systems. This could be a limiting factor for businesses that require more extensive integrations with other software and platforms.
- Online ordering: TouchBistro relies on integration with Deliverect to connect to other delivery services than DoorDash Drive.
Key Takeaways about TouchBistro for Bakeries
- Sales Boost: With commission-free online ordering and a loyalty rewards program, TouchBistro helps expand your customer base and encourages repeat business.
- Customer Experience: The platform offers a CRM to remember preferred orders and a display for order confirmation, heightening personalized service.
- Reliability: As a hybrid POS system, TouchBistro guarantees uninterrupted service, even without an internet connection.
- Efficiency: Quick register buttons and easy menu updates significantly save time and streamline your bakery operations.
- Reporting & Analytics: Access to over 50 business data reports provides valuable insights to inform strategic decisions for your bakery.
More information on TouchBistro:
My detailed TouchBistro Review provides an even more in-depth look into this POS system.
And finally, to try TouchBistro out, head over to touchbistro.com
Toast
The most innovative POS system on the market
Best for larger bakeries that serve food and want takeout and online ordering features.
- Rapid development of new features
- Toast Takeout system
- Rugged mobile hardware devices
- Android only
- Locked into Toast payment processing
Toast has emerged as a significant player in the restaurant technology industry, experiencing rapid growth and gaining attention through several notable acquisitions.
Named one of the most innovative companies of 2023 by Fast Company (Source), Toast offers a feature-rich platform that covers a wide range of functionalities. These include payment processing, inventory and menu management, marketing and customer loyalty programs, employee management, labor and food cost control, and business reporting, among others.
Aiming to become a comprehensive bakery operating system, Toast positions itself as a one-stop shop for bakery owners and operators.
Despite offering an extensive array of features, Toast maintains reasonable pricing, making it one of the top Point of Sale (POS) systems for bakeries available.
Here is the pricing plan for the Quick Start Bundle, Core, and Growth plan:
Quick Start Bundle: Starting at $0/month
A great match for food trucks or single-location cafes, this shop-and-go option includes initial hardware and our basic POS software. Features include cloud-based point of sale and hardware setup including one terminal (additional charges apply for subsequent devices).
Core Plan: Subscription starting at $69/month
Ideal for any restaurant looking to streamline operations and provide faster service, with flexible options to meet your specific needs. This package includes powerful cloud-based point of sale with reporting and analytics, simple, flat rate payment processing with real-time fraud monitoring, mobile dining solutions, including digital menus and mobile payments, and 24/7/365 customer care, with installation support.
Growth Plan: Subscription starting at $165/month
A software bundle including online ordering and delivery software for restaurants looking to add more revenue streams. This plan includes everything in Core, plus Toast Online Ordering, Toast Delivery Services, and Toast TakeOut App.
Please note that additional features and software are available for each plan, and you can pair each plan with a hardware setup of your choosing.
Credit card processing fees: You cannot opt to use a third-party payment processor as Toast will handle all credit and debit card transactions for you.
Toast believes that customers should receive more than just transaction reports from their card processor. To achieve this goal, they combine their card processing service with technology that engages with customers.
The information gathered from customers can then be used by restaurants to understand them better and create more targeted marketing campaigns.
As for the fees, Toast customizes the rates for processing card transactions based on the specific needs of your restaurant.
Toast is available in the US, Canada, UK, and Ireland.
Toast Flex is a handheld device constructed for you to swiftly take orders and process payments. Its design is spill-resistant, allowing you to conveniently manage contactless payment types like swipe, dip, or tap.
Designed for smaller establishments such as coffee shops and restaurants with minimal counter space, Toast Go is an all-in-one portable device. You can take orders, process payments, and print receipts without swapping gadgets.
Toast Kiosk offers your customers a self-ordering experience. They can pick their dishes using a large, interactive touchscreen display. Particularly beneficial for quick-service restaurants, this device plays a helpful role in reducing wait times and enhancing the customer experience.
The Toast Terminal is a comprehensive countertop setup, covering a touchscreen display, card reader, cash drawer, and receipt printer, all ready to go.
Toast Display, a customer-facing setup, supports you in managing restaurant orders. It gives you the ability to monitor orders in real-time and handle your inventory.
Bear in mind, that hardware costs differ based on the configuration you opt for, and some devices come included in certain plans. Should you require a tailored quote, you should reach out directly to the Toast team.
Where Toast Stands Out for Bakeries
Toast offers a comprehensive suite of features and benefits that make it an ideal choice for bakeries. Designed with user-friendliness in mind, Toast has intuitive screens for quick order entry and modifications, making it easy to use and grow with your business.
Enhanced Guest Experience: Toast focuses on providing an exceptional experience for your guests. The quick order mode ensures prompt service for baked goods and beverages. Moreover, with Toast Mobile Order & Pay, guests can skip the line, order, and pay seamlessly, which typically results in a 10% increase in revenue for bakeries using it.
Intuitive Kitchen Display System (KDS) and Inventory Management: Toast helps keep your bakery running smoothly with its easy-to-use KDS and inventory management features. You’ll also have access to a whole ecosystem of 100+ partners to make closing out at the night’s end less painful.
Efficient Operations: Toast has an intuitive interface that simplifies splitting checks and tabs, even in high-volume environments. Its ability to handle complex transactions quickly and accurately ensures better service for customers.
Robust and Quick Hardware: Toast’s hardware is designed to withstand challenging bakery environments, remaining reliable despite spills and droplets. Its durability and speed enable efficient customer service.
Effective Loyalty Programs: You can implement Toast’s loyalty program to retain customers and encourage repeat business. Within weeks, the program can yield a significant number of sign-ups. By rewarding repeat visits with discounts or free items, customer retention and repeat business are enhanced.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Toast’s reporting and analytics features empower you to make data-driven decisions. Sales data can be used to identify best-selling items, allowing menu adjustments accordingly. Real-time data helps manage orders and sales more effectively, while customer data from the loyalty program enables personalized marketing efforts and improved customer relationships.
Scalability and Reliability: Whether you’re operating your first location or growing a chain, Toast offers scalable solutions that meet your budget. It provides bakery-grade hardware that’s built to withstand everyday spills, hardwired connections, and an offline mode to keep service up and running.
Mobile Payment and Ordering Technologies: Toast’s mobile payment and ordering technologies offer several advantages for your bakery. Customers can place orders directly from their mobile devices, reducing long lines and wait times during busy periods.
Contactless Payment: Including Apple Pay and Google Pay adds convenience and safety. The mobile POS system allows staff to take orders and process payments directly from a tablet anywhere in the bakery, improving service speed and efficiency.
Marketing and Loyalty Tools: Toast’s marketing and loyalty tools can significantly benefit your bakery. Its built-in loyalty program encourages repeat business and helps build a loyal customer base.
Where Toast Can Improve
- Locked into Toast Payment Processing: Users are required to use Toast’s in-house credit card processing solution, restricting their ability to shop around for potentially better or more affordable alternatives.
- Add-ons Can Get Expensive: While Toast POS offers a range of valuable add-ons to help restaurants enhance their operations, these extra features often come with additional costs. These expenses might be prohibitive, especially for small or start-up establishments looking to maintain a low-budget operation.
- Not Very Transparent Pricing: Another downside of Toast POS is the lack of transparent pricing information on the website, including the various hardware bundles and add-on features. This can make it difficult for potential clients to compare Toast POS with other providers.
- Only Available in a Few English-speaking Countries: Toast is only available in a select few English-speaking countries, limiting access for restaurants operating outside these markets. This geographical restriction may make Toast POS less desirable for global or multi-national brands looking for a comprehensive solution across all their locations
Key Takeaways for Bakery Owners
- Comprehensive Feature Set: Toast offers tools that can transform various business operation areas, from enhancing your customers’ experience to streamlining payment and ordering processes.
- Scalability and Reliability: Whether you own a small bakery or a chain of bakeries, Toast offers scalable solutions. This adaptability, coupled with robust hardware and the ability to operate offline, guarantees continuous service, even in high-demand situations.
- Data-Driven Decisions: With Toast, you have access to reporting and analytics tools that can provide insight into best-selling items. This can be beneficial in planning your menu and making other vital business decisions.
- Improved Operations: Efficiency and error reduction are critical for any business. With features like digital tickets and invoicing, Toast helps to minimize errors and increase operational efficiency.
- Emphasis on Customer Experience: Toast helps elevate your customers’ experience by providing options for quick order processing, loyalty programs, and seamless transactions. These features translate into enhanced customer satisfaction and increased sales.
More information on Toast:
My detailed Toast Review provides an even more in-depth look into this POS system.
And finally, to try Toast out, head over to pos.toasttab.com
Square
The fast and easy-to-use system
Best for new or smaller bakeries that want to start on a free plan and want to sell products online.
- Subscription free plan
- No long term contracts
- Integrates with the Square ecosystem
- Lacks some advanced features
- No on-site support
Square is the perfect solution if you need a free plan, smooth bakery transactions, and easy-to-operate retail features.
They’ve also included the website builder Square Online so your bakery can have an online presence.
Free plan: There’s no monthly fee, but there is a transaction fee for each in-person sale. 2.6% + 10¢ for swiped or tapped card transactions. 3.5% + 15¢ when the card number is keyed in. Online payment: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction.
Plus: Includes more advanced features designed specifically for restaurants. $60/month for one device per location. +$40/month per added countertop POS device. (+ processing fees).
Premium subscribers get everything in the Plus subscription and custom pricing for add-ons like Square Payroll, Square Marketing, and Square Loyalty.
Example pricing of some add-ons:
Square Payroll +$35/mo then $5/mo per employee
Square Loyalty From $45/mo per location
Square Marketing From $15/mo per location
(Hardware is not included in the subscription. See hardware costs in the section below).
Contract length
A key advantage of Square’s payment processing is the absence of long-term subscriptions, providing flexibility in the usage of its services. You can opt for month-to-month payments and easily cancel your subscription anytime without penalties.
As a result, you can experiment with different business strategies while staying agile and adaptable to changing market conditions.
The Square app is available worldwide. Card payment acceptance is available in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, France and Spain (Source).
The Square Terminal can read all types of cards. You can use it for everything from taking payments to accessing your Square POS system to printing receipts to using all the features of Square’s app. The price for the terminal is $299.
Square Reader for Contactless and Chip: Restaurants can now process payments more easily with the new Square Reader, which has improved Bluetooth connectivity, enhanced security, and longer battery life.
Square Stand Restaurant Station with cash drawer, receipt printer, and kitchen printer.
Restaurant Mobile POS Kit for Square for Restaurants. Includes a Square Reader for contactless and chip (2nd generation), a phone case, and a Samsung Galaxy A32.
The Square Register is a countertop setup and a fully integrated point-of-sale system. No extra tablets or apps are required. Includes a touchscreen card terminal facing the customer and a built-in card reader. Costs $799.
Where Square Stands Out for Bakeries
Square’s Point of Sale (POS) system is a standout choice for bakeries or pastry shops, given its distinctive range of features tailor-made for this fast-paced industry.
Speed and Efficiency
Square’s POS system shines in its speed and efficiency. Designed specifically for rapid order entries and proficient in-house operations, it is perfect for the fast-paced bakery environment. Features like real-time menu updates across various devices and the ability to repeat an order effortlessly add to this efficiency.
Conversational Modifiers
Square’s unique conversational modifiers feature does away with traditional order entry methods. You can input orders in a more intuitive and faster conversational manner, streamlining your operations further.
Square Kitchen Display System (KDS)
With the Square KDS, your bakery can manage all orders neatly from one screen. This reduces costs and enhances the efficiency of busy periods with digital tickets, ensuring all orders are accurately prepared.
Online Ordering
Square supports online ordering without any extra monthly fees or commissions. Syncing online orders with your point of sale system, it also allows for a seamless integration with Instagram and Facebook ads, boosting your online presence.
Marketing and Loyalty Programs
Square’s tools let you create, send, and track email and social media campaigns, enhancing your marketing efforts. Also, its loyalty program incentivizes repeat business and can be easily set up at checkout.
Payments
Square accepts a variety of payment methods promptly and securely, whether online or from any location within your bakery. With benefits like next-day transfers and no chargeback fees, along with end-to-end encryption for PCI compliant payments, it has your back on financial transactions.
Insights and Reporting
Understand your bakery better with Square’s comprehensive data and custom reports. Access real-time sales directly from your POS, run reports by employee performance, daypart, returns, etc., and get alerts when inventory drops below a certain threshold.
Where Square Can Improve
Limited Advanced Features: Square may lack some advanced features offered by other POS systems, such as in-depth inventory management and comprehensive reporting tools
Complex Reporting: The reporting features are causing concerns because they lack sufficient detail and are complex, making it difficult to search for specific information. Additionally, the process of reconciling sales to receivables is lengthy.
Lack of On-Site Support: Square for Restaurants does not provide on-site support, which may not be suitable for businesses that rely on in-person assistance.
Key Takeaways of Square POS for Bakeries
- Speed and Efficiency: With Square’s speedy POS system, you can handle orders quickly and streamline your bakery’s operations, saving time and potentially improving customer service.
- Conversational Modifiers: This feature allows for quicker order entry in a more user-friendly and intuitive manner, which could potentially reduce mistakes and boost efficiency.
- Square Kitchen Display System (KDS): This system manages orders from one screen, helping your bakery handle rush hours efficiently and reduce costs with its digital tickets.
- Multiple Hardware Options: Square provides a range of hardware options, ensuring there’s a suitable choice for all bakery sizes. Plus, the Square Terminal enables convenient table-side service.
- Marketing and Loyalty Programs: Square provides tools for email and social media marketing, letting you reach more customers. Additionally, the loyalty program helps incentivize repeat business and build customer loyalty.
- Secure and Varied Payment Options: Square can handle numerous payment methods securely and offers advantages such as next-day transfers and no chargeback fees.
More information on Square:
My detailed Square for Restaurants Review provides an even more in-depth look into this restaurant POS system.
And finally, to try Square out, head over to squareup.com
Lightspeed
Cleverly crafted POS with exceptional design
Best for bakeries seeking powerful inventory, data insights, and retail features.
- Ease of use & interface design
- Reporting & analytics
- E-commerce capabilities
- Limited offline functionality
- Not the cheapest option
Lightspeed Restaurant is a powerful, cloud-based POS system designed specifically for the food service industry. Whether you own a small pastry shop or a multi-location bakery, Lightspeed has a comprehensive suite of features that can be tailored to your unique needs.
Lightspeed Restaurant Essentials: $90/month (annual plan $69/month)
Features include: Menu manager, Mobile access, Takeout and delivery orders, Integrated payment processing, Reporting and analytics, Inventory, 24/7 support, Dedicated account management, Table Mode. 1 register.
Lightspeed Restaurant Plus: $246/month (annual plan $189/month)
All Essentials features, Loyalty program, Gift cards
Lightspeed Restaurant Pro: $516/month (annual plan $399/month)
All Plus features and Advanced insights, Advanced inventory. 1 register.
Additional registers +$34/mo
Add-on pricing starting at $12/month
Premium add-ons starting at $39/month
Transaction fees: 2.6% plus 10 cents per card-present transaction with Lightspeed Payments. Third-party payment processors are also available.
*Pricing at the time of publishing this guide. For the most current pricing, contact Lightspeed.
Lightspeed Restaurant POS is currently available in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, and Australia.
There are several hardware options available for restaurants. These include an iPad hardware kit that includes a receipt printer, cash drawer, and kitchen printer but does not include an iPad or payment terminal.
There is also a Lightspeed iPad Stand by Vault, which is a restaurant-grade stand designed to mount an iPad securely.
In addition, there are several payment terminals available, including the Verifone e285, Verifone P400, and Verifone 400m, which all support tap, swipe, and dip payments and the e285 also supports tip entry and signature capture.
For a full list of supported hardware options, Lightspeed provides more information.
Where Lightspeed Stands Out for Bakeries
With Lightspeed, your bakery can benefit from several standout features tailored to enhance smooth operations, efficiency, and customer service.
Customizable Layouts and Menus: You have the freedom to create personalized floor plans that perfectly reflect your bakery’s layout and seating arrangements. Furthermore, Lightspeed allows you to tailor different menus to suit specific devices, shifts, or events.
Automated Inventory Management: You can efficiently manage your inventory with Lightspeed’s automated system, ensuring you never run out of your customers’ favorite treats. This feature helps you accurately track your stock and control ingredients seamlessly.
High-Quality Hardware: Lightspeed offers premium hardware explicitly developed for eateries and bakeries. This includes technology that assures smooth operations even offline and printers that withstand the humidity of a busy bakery environment.
Advanced Reporting: With Lightspeed’s robust reporting features, you’ll have a clear perspective on daily sales, crucial for inventory control and effective order management. This is particularly beneficial for bakeries with a wide array of pastries.
Efficiency and Management: To simplify your bakery management, Lightspeed offers built-in reports and Advanced Insights for understanding your best-selling items, a simple floor plan customization feature for increased efficiency, and the ability to set employee permissions for individual locations or collectively manage them.
Delivery Integration: With Lightspeed Delivery, enhance your customer reach by syncing with major food delivery apps. Orders from UberEats, Skip The Dishes, or DoorDash are directly sent to the POS, consolidating all online orders on one single screen. You can even incorporate promo codes to entice diners.
Payment Experience: Lightspeed guarantees a streamlined unified payment experience, facilitating transactions with credit card, debit card, and mobile payments. Customers can swiftly pay at the table from the payment terminal, with no hidden costs or installation fees.
Where Lightspeed Falls Short
While Lightspeed Restaurant is a highly regarded system, there are some areas for improvement and potential drawbacks to consider.
- Price: Lightspeed is more expensive than some other POS systems on the market. While the system offers a range of features and benefits, the cost may be a barrier for some bakery owners, especially those who are just starting out.
- Limited Customization: While Lightspeed’s interface is user-friendly, it may not offer as much customization as some would like. For example, some users have reported that it’s difficult to customize the layout of the order screen, which can impact efficiency during peak hours.
Key Takeaways of Lightspeed for Bakeries:
- Customizable Layouts and Menus: Lightspeed provides the flexibility to tailor floors and menus to perfectly represent your bakery’s unique needs and offerings.
- Automated Inventory Management: With this feature, the system can efficiently manage your bakery’s inventory, ensuring that you always have your customers’ favorite treats in stock.
- Delivery App Integration: By integrating major food delivery platforms like UberEats, you can extend your bakery’s reach to more customers and manage all orders in one place.
- High-Quality Hardware and TrueSync Technology: Lightspeed offers durable, bakery-specific hardware. Also, the TrueSync feature allows for smooth operations even in the event of Wi-Fi disruptions.
- Enhanced Customer Experience and Sales: Lightspeed focuses on offering a variety of service and payment options, loyalty programs, and the convenience of online ordering. All of these contribute to enhancing the overall customer experience.
More information on Lightspeed:
My detailed Lightspeed Review provides an even more in-depth look into this POS system.
And finally, to try Lightspeed for free, head over to lightspeedhq.com
Shopify
Best POS for startup bakeries that want a user-friendly, easy-to-install system with online ordering and e-commerce capabilities.
- Powerful website builder
- Many retail features
- Online ordering
- POS somewhat limited
- Lacks some BOH features
Shopify POS is available in most countries where Shopify is available, including Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and many other countries.
Shopify is the preferred choice for bakery owners looking to expand online or diversify their revenue streams.
Providing a comprehensive e-commerce system suitable for businesses of various sizes, Shopify also offers something specifically for bakeries; a POS system that effectively manages orders and inventory, oversees employees, and expedites payment processing – making it a promising choice whether your bakery is small or newly established.
Additionally, if your goods are being prepared from a bakery kitchen, Shopify’s point-of-sale system simplifies order intake, inventory tracking and employee management.
While Shopify has numerous attractive features, it may have certain limitations. For instance, the absence of an offline mode and customization options can be challenging, and in some scenarios, you might need to invest in additional integrations.
Essential tools like variance reporting might be missing, so if that’s crucial for your bakery, Shopify might not be your ideal option.
However, don’t overlook this solution entirely; its strengths such as straightforward online store setup, versatile integrations, and cost-effectiveness may counterbalance these limitations. Therefore, it warrants thorough consideration before determining the best-fit solution for your bakery.
Where Shopify Stands Out for Bakeries
As a bakery owner, Shopify can offer you a wide range of standout features that can make it an exceptional choice for your pastry shop:
Ease of Use: Shopify is equipped with user-friendly interfaces that simplify setting up your online store, managing products and processing orders. This aids in streamlining your bakery operations and delivering efficient service to your customers.
Sales and Customer Experience: Shopify offers you commission-free online ordering, boosting your bakery’s sales without forfeiting profits to third-party sites. It also includes a loyalty program, enabling your establishment to reward regular customers and encourage continual patronage.
Efficiency and Management: Shopify gives you a unified dashboard that allows for potent management of your inventory and customer orders. It offers over 70 customizable and responsive themes, enabling you to create an online storefront that mirrors your unique brand.
Marketing and SEO: With Shopify, you can leverage smart marketing tools to capture your customers’ attention with targeted campaigns on social media platforms and Google. It also includes built-in SEO tools and an integrated blogging feature to enhance your bakery store’s online presence.
Scalability: Shopify offers scalable pricing plans meeting your budget irrespective of your operation size, whether you are running your first location or expanding a chain. This makes Shopify a flexible solution that can grow with your business.
Apps and Sales Channels: Through Shopify, you can enhance your store’s functionality with over 6000 apps available in the Shopify App Store. It also allows you to sell in multiple avenues – online, in-person, or wherever your customers are, using the Shopify POS app.
In summary, Shopify, with its focus on ease of use, customer experience enhancement, efficiency improvement, smart marketing and SEO tools, exceptional support, scalability, innovation, and versatility in selling avenues, firmly positions itself as a promising POS choice for your bakery or pastry shop.
Shopify Pricing Overview
Shopify offers three pricing plans: Basic Shopify, Shopify, and Advanced Shopify.
- The Basic Shopify plan starts at $29 per month, offering two staff accounts, unlimited products, round-the-clock support, and fraud analysis.
- The Shopify plan, priced at $79 per month, permits five staff accounts and provides unlimited products, 24/7 support, and an advanced report builder.
- The Advanced Shopify plan comes at $299 per month and accommodates 15 staff accounts, unlimited products, perpetual support, and Advanced Shopify Plus.
Shopify Pros & Cons for Bakeries
Pros:
- User-Friendly: Shopif is effortlessly usable, even for those with limited technical abilities.
- Multiple Integrations, Including Payment Gateways: Shopify provides various integrations, including payment gateways, making it simple to process customer payments.
- Modern User Interface (UI): Shopify boasts a contemporary UI that is easy to navigate.
- Flexible Pricing: Shopify presents flexible pricing plans, allowing you to choose one that aligns with your budget.
Cons:
- Absence of Offline Mode: Shopify doesn’t feature an offline mode, thus an internet connection is necessary for its usage.
- No Built-In Loyalty Program: Shopify doesn’t possess an in-house loyalty program, necessitating the use of a third-party loyalty program or creating your own.
- Restricted Customization: Although Shopify provides numerous features, it lacks in customization options compared to other POS systems.
Best POS for startup bakeries that want a user-friendly, easy-to-install system with online ordering and e-commerce capabilities.
- Powerful website builder
- Many retail features
- Online ordering
- POS somewhat limited
- Lacks some BOH features
TouchBistro vs. Toast vs. Square vs. Lightspeed
TouchBistro:
TouchBistro’s POS system is perfect for bakeries. It is equipped with a digital loyalty program, a POS-integrated barcode scanner, and pop-up reminders for both cross-selling and upselling. Additionally, it boasts time and money-saving features such as predictively quick register buttons and integrated payment processing. It provides over 50 reports to offer valuable insights into your bakery’s sales and operations.
Thanks to its focus on enhancing sales coupled with a rich feature set, TouchBistro is ideally suited for high-traffic bakeries. The predictive quick register buttons and the integrated payment processing can speed up transactions during rush hours, making it perfect for bakeries situated in bustling areas like city centers or transport hubs.
Designed by restaurant industry veterans
Best for independent bakeries looking for a well designed, easy-to-use, and feature-rich POS with integrated loyalty features.
- Fast & easy-to-use quick register buttons
- Commission-free online ordering
- Excellent offline functionality
- Fewer integrations than competition
- Somewhat limited reporting features
Toast:
Built specifically for the food industry, Toast’s POS system offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface that minimizes staff training time, an essential feature for dynamic bakery environments.
Toast includes integrated tools for swift order entry and digital tickets to minimize potential human errors. It offers diverse payment options, including kiosks, online, and QR code ordering. Its daily reporting capabilities can help bakery owners optimize their menus, and a built-in loyalty program stimulates repeat business.
With an array of features and customizable options, Toast is ideal for mid-sized to large bakeries or chains dealing with high daily transaction volumes.
The capability to monitor daily sales and customize menus is particularly beneficial for bakeries frequently refreshing their offerings or having seasonal specials. The loyalty program feature of Toast would be exceedingly useful for establishments with a steady customer base.
The most innovative POS system on the market
Best for larger bakeries that serve food and want takeout and online ordering features.
- Rapid development of new features
- Toast Takeout system
- Rugged mobile hardware devices
- Android only
- Locked into Toast payment processing
Square:
Square’s POS system offers a straightforward setup process and is designed to expedite checkouts, an essential factor in addressing the typical morning and afternoon influx in bakeries. It enables establishments to accept all payment types, thus improving customer convenience. It contains a customizable tipping feature and integrates both online and in-person orders. The software is free to use, with businesses only paying when they process a payment.
The simplicity makes Square an excellent choice for small bakeries, pop-ups, or mobile bakeries that necessitate a straightforward, budget-friendly solution. Its consolidated system for tracking online and in-person orders would be beneficial for bakeries providing both sit-in and takeaway services. Plus, the absence of a monthly fee can serve as an advantage for startups or small businesses on a strict budget.
The fast and easy-to-use system
Best for new or smaller bakeries that want to start on a free plan and want to sell products online.
- Subscription free plan
- No long term contracts
- Integrates with the Square ecosystem
- Lacks some advanced features
- No on-site support
Lightspeed:
Lightspeed’s POS system centers around a customer-focused approach and offers flexibility, featuring ordering directly from an iPad POS among other things. It encompasses various contactless payment options and in-built loyalty programs. Additionally, it delivers online ordering and integrates with leading food delivery apps.
Lightspeed fits like a glove for bakeries oriented towards improving their customer service and personalizing their offerings. Its flexibility, in sync with its online ordering and delivery integrations, would match both sit-down bakeries and those with substantial takeaway or delivery operations. Larger bakeries or chains would also benefit from Lightspeed’s multi-location management feature.
Cleverly crafted POS with exceptional design
Best for bakeries seeking powerful inventory, data insights, and retail features.
- Ease of use & interface design
- Reporting & analytics
- E-commerce capabilities
- Limited offline functionality
- Not the cheapest option
Shopify:
Shopify emerges as an ideal choice for bakeries wishing to boost their online presence. Its user-friendly interface, commission-free online ordering, and inbuilt loyalty program simplify operations and reinforce sales. Equipped with smart marketing tools, SEO features, round-the-clock support, and automatic upgrades, Shopify is designed to scale with your bakery.
Appropriate for bakeries of any size, Shopify’s scalability caters to both small startups and larger chains. Its comprehensive app library and multi-channel selling capabilities make it perfect for bakeries aiming to broaden their reach. Regardless of whether you’re a specialty bakery, a traditional one, or a bakery-café, Shopify’s customizable themes can aid in building an online store that genuinely reflects your brand.
Best POS for startup bakeries that want a user-friendly, easy-to-install system with online ordering and e-commerce capabilities.
- Powerful website builder
- Many retail features
- Online ordering
- POS somewhat limited
- Lacks some BOH features
Review Conclusion
In conclusion, all five of these cloud-based POS systems can be great options for bakeries looking to optimize operations.
Explore these systems further by visiting their websites and scheduling demos or free trials. Get hands-on experience with the platforms that interest you.
Remember that the right POS system can significantly benefit your bakery’s success. It can improve efficiency, enhance customer service, unlock revenue opportunities, and provide data insights to inform smarter decisions.
Start looking at TouchBistro’s fast workflows or Toast’s robust online ordering and delivery features. Dive into Lightspeed’s analytics capabilities or Square’s specialized marketing management tools.
The right POS solution can help you manage detailed recipes and complex inventories while providing top-notch customer service. Bring your bakery’s operations to the next level by finding the system best suited to your unique needs.
