Calgary's vibrant food scene demands reliable, feature-rich POS systems. From downtown fine dining to neighborhood cafés, the right technology makes all the difference.
## Why Calgary Restaurants Need Specialized POS
### Unique Challenges
- **High-volume service:** Quick table turnover essential
- **Complex menus:** Modifiers, courses, special requests
- **Multiple revenue streams:** Dine-in, takeout, delivery
- **Staff management:** Scheduling, tips, performance tracking
- **Inventory control:** Food costs and waste reduction
## Top Restaurant POS Systems for Calgary
### 1. Toast POS
**Best For:** Full-service restaurants
**Key Features:**
- Cloud-based reliability
- Tableside ordering on tablets
- Kitchen display systems
- Online ordering integration
- Menu management
- Detailed reporting
**Pricing:** Custom quotes (typically $69-$165/month per terminal)
**Calgary Success:** Popular in Mission and Kensington restaurants
### 2. Lightspeed Restaurant
**Best For:** Fine dining and multi-location
**Key Features:**
- Advanced table management
- Course firing controls
- Extensive reporting
- Inventory by recipe
- Employee management
- Customer relationship tools
**Pricing:** From $69/month
**Calgary Success:** Used by Stephen Avenue establishments
### 3. Square for Restaurants
**Best For:** Quick service and cafés
**Key Features:**
- Easy setup and use
- Free software option
- Contactless payments
- Kitchen printing
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
**Pricing:** Free software + 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction
**Calgary Success:** Popular in Inglewood cafés and food trucks
### 4. Clover
**Best For:** Versatile casual dining
**Key Features:**
- Flexible hardware options
- Table management
- Split payments
- Custom floor plans
- Third-party integrations
- Employee time tracking
**Pricing:** From $14.95/month + hardware
**Calgary Success:** Used by 17th Avenue restaurants
### 5. Upserve (Lightspeed)
**Best For:** Data-driven restaurants
**Key Features:**
- Menu intelligence
- Server performance tracking
- Guest profiles
- Reservation integration
- Automated marketing
- Inventory management
**Pricing:** From $59/month per terminal
## Essential Features for Calgary Restaurants
### Table Management
- **Visual floor plans:** See table status at a glance
- **Reservation integration:** Sync with OpenTable, Resy
- **Wait list management:** Track and notify guests
- **Table transfers:** Move orders between tables
- **Section assignments:** Optimize server stations
### Menu Management
- **Unlimited modifiers:** Accommodate dietary restrictions
- **86 items:** Quickly mark items out of stock
- **Combo meals:** Preset meal combinations
- **Happy hour pricing:** Time-based pricing rules
- **Seasonal menus:** Easy menu updates
### Kitchen Communication
- **Kitchen display systems:** Replace paper tickets
- **Course firing:** Control when items are prepared
- **Prep stations:** Route items to specific stations
- **Expo screens:** Quality control station
### Payment Processing
- **Split bills:** By seat, item, or amount
- **Tip management:** Fair tip distribution
- **Contactless payments:** Tap and mobile wallet
- **Gift cards:** Sell and redeem
- **Tab management:** Hold tabs for return customers
### Online Ordering
- **Direct ordering:** Own your customer relationships
- **Delivery integration:** Uber Eats, Skip, DoorDash
- **Curbside pickup:** Growing trend in Calgary
- **Catering orders:** Large order management
- **Loyalty programs:** Reward repeat customers
## Hardware Requirements
### Core Components
- **Terminals:** $500 - $1,500 each
- **Kitchen printers:** $300 - $600 each
- **Handheld devices:** $300 - $800 each
- **Cash drawer:** $100 - $200
- **Card readers:** $50 - $150
### Optional Enhancements
- **Kitchen display systems:** $1,000 - $3,000
- **Customer displays:** $200 - $400
- **Self-service kiosks:** $2,000 - $5,000
- **Pagers:** $500 - $1,000 for system
## Cost Analysis for Calgary Restaurants
### Initial Investment
- **Small café (1 terminal):** $500 - $1,500
- **Casual restaurant (2-3 terminals):** $2,000 - $5,000
- **Full-service (4+ terminals + KDS):** $5,000 - $15,000
### Monthly Expenses
- **Software:** $50 - $300 per terminal
- **Processing fees:** 2.0% - 2.9% + transaction fee
- **Support:** Usually included
- **Internet:** $100 - $200
- **Maintenance:** $50 - $200
### ROI Considerations
- **Faster table turns:** 10-15% increase possible
- **Reduced errors:** Save 2-5% on comped meals
- **Better inventory control:** Reduce waste by 5-10%
- **Improved labor management:** Optimize scheduling
- **Increased average check:** Upselling features
## Integration Ecosystem
### Accounting
- QuickBooks
- Xero
- Sage
- Wave
### Reservations
- OpenTable
- Resy
- Yelp Reservations
- TableAgent
### Delivery
- Uber Eats
- Skip the Dishes
- DoorDash
- In-house delivery tracking
### Loyalty & Marketing
- Email marketing platforms
- SMS messaging
- Social media integration
- Customer feedback tools
### Inventory
- Recipe costing
- Vendor management
- Purchase orders
- Waste tracking
## Calgary-Specific Considerations
### Local Support
Working with Calgary-based providers ensures:
- **Same-day service:** Critical during busy periods
- **On-site training:** In-person staff education
- **Local expertise:** Understanding Calgary market
- **Community connections:** Networking opportunities
### Weather Resilience
Calgary weather demands:
- **Backup power:** Protect against outages
- **Cloud-based systems:** Data safe in cloud
- **Offline mode:** Continue during internet issues
- **Local data storage:** Backup on-site
### Seasonal Variations
Calgary restaurants face:
- **Stampede surge:** Handle increased volume
- **Slow winter months:** Manage costs effectively
- **Festival events:** Mobile POS for outdoor service
- **Patio season:** Extend service areas
## Industry-Specific Recommendations
### Fine Dining
**Priority Features:**
- Course control
- Wine management
- Custom reporting
- Staff scheduling
**Recommended:** Toast, Lightspeed, or Upserve
### Casual Dining
**Priority Features:**
- Quick service
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Simple interface
**Recommended:** Clover, Square, or Toast
### Quick Service
**Priority Features:**
- Speed of service
- Mobile ordering
- Kitchen routing
- Limited table management
**Recommended:** Square, Toast, or Clover
### Bars & Pubs
**Priority Features:**
- Tab management
- Age verification
- Drink modifiers
- Inventory tracking
**Recommended:** Toast, Lightspeed, or Upserve
### Cafés & Bakeries
**Priority Features:**
- Quick payments
- Loyalty rewards
- Online ordering
- Simple menu
**Recommended:** Square, Clover, or Toast
## Implementation Best Practices
### Pre-Launch (2-4 weeks before)
1. **Menu setup:** Enter all items, modifiers, prices
2. **Staff training:** Hands-on practice sessions
3. **Hardware installation:** Professional setup
4. **Network optimization:** Ensure reliable internet
5. **Test transactions:** Process fake orders
### Launch Day
- **Extra support staff:** Have vendor on-site
- **Simplified menu:** Consider limited options
- **Patient customers:** May be slower initially
- **Team huddles:** Regular check-ins
- **Backup plan:** Keep old system as backup
### Post-Launch (First month)
- **Daily reviews:** Check for issues immediately
- **Ongoing training:** Address knowledge gaps
- **Optimize settings:** Adjust based on usage
- **Gather feedback:** From staff and customers
- **Monitor metrics:** Compare to old system
## Common Pitfalls to Avoid
### 1. Insufficient Training
Ensure all staff:
- Complete formal training
- Practice extensively
- Have quick reference guides
- Know who to call for help
### 2. Poor Internet
Invest in:
- Commercial-grade internet
- Backup connection
- Proper router placement
- Network management
### 3. Inadequate Hardware
Don't skimp on:
- Terminal quality
- Printer reliability
- Network equipment
- Backup devices
### 4. Ignoring Reporting
Utilize data for:
- Menu optimization
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory management
- Marketing decisions
## Questions to Ask Vendors
### About the System
1. What happens during internet outages?
2. How do you handle peak hours (e.g., Stampede)?
3. What integrations are included?
4. How often are updates released?
5. What's the learning curve for staff?
### About Support
1. What are support hours?
2. Is phone support available?
3. What's average response time?
4. Do you offer on-site help in Calgary?
5. Is training included?
### About Costs
1. What's total cost of ownership?
2. Are there long-term contracts?
3. What's included in monthly fee?
4. Are there setup fees?
5. What about hidden costs?
## Getting Started
### Step 1: Assess Your Needs
- Restaurant type and size
- Current pain points
- Must-have features
- Budget constraints
- Growth plans
### Step 2: Research Options
- Read reviews from similar restaurants
- Watch demo videos
- Compare feature lists
- Check Calgary references
### Step 3: Request Demos
- Schedule in-person demos
- Bring your manager
- Test real scenarios
- Ask tough questions
### Step 4: Check References
- Call similar Calgary restaurants
- Ask about hidden issues
- Inquire about support quality
- Discuss implementation
### Step 5: Make Decision
- Compare total costs
- Evaluate support quality
- Consider ease of use
- Factor in growth potential
## Conclusion
Choosing the right restaurant POS system is one of the most important technology decisions you'll make. The right system improves efficiency, reduces errors, provides valuable insights, and enhances the customer experience.
Calgary's restaurant industry is competitive, and having the best technology gives you an edge. Take time to evaluate options, involve your team in the decision, and choose a provider committed to your success.
**Ready to upgrade your Calgary restaurant POS?** Contact Soar POS for a free consultation and personalized recommendations at (365) 645-9039.