What is a restaurant POS system?
POS stands for "point of sale". A restaurant POS system combines steps such as taking the order, building the bill, recording payment and reporting sales into a single piece of software.
A classic POS usually runs on a screen or terminal at the till. A server or cashier enters the order, the system calculates the bill, and the sale is recorded once payment is taken.
The difference between a POS and a QR menu
A QR menu is an interface where the guest scans the table code with their phone to view the menu and place an order. Its focus is the guest side.
A POS is the software on the business's till and sales side: the bill, payment and sales record are kept there. The two can complement each other — an order from the QR menu can become a sale on the POS side. But a QR menu on its own is not a POS.
Order and table management
Most POS systems track table status and each table's bill. An order is tied to a table, the bill updates as items are added, and the sale completes when the table is closed.
This flow makes it easier to see what each table asked for and where the bill stands from one screen during busy hours.
Local printing
Kitchen and till tickets are usually printed from a thermal printer. Local printing means the printer is connected to a device on the venue's network and the ticket comes out there.
In a restaurant POS context, a common choice is 80 mm thermal printers that support the ESC/POS command set.
Local database
A local database means data is kept not only on a remote server but also on a device at the venue. This matters so the system can keep working even when the internet drops.
A POS that uses a local database records orders and sales on the device first, then syncs those records with the centre when the connection returns.
Offline operation
Internet can drop from time to time in restaurants. A POS that can work offline can keep taking orders, printing tickets and recording sales even without a connection.
This capability is a fundamental difference from systems that run entirely in the cloud and can only be used while online.
Syncing when the internet returns
In a system that works offline, records created while the connection is down accumulate on the device. When the internet returns, these records are synced with the central database.
Safe syncing matters so the same order is not counted twice and the data stays consistent.
How does a restaurant choose the right system?
The right choice depends on the venue's needs. If a digital menu and ordering from the table is enough, a QR menu on its own can be a good start.
If the till, payment records and offline operation are critical, a full POS solution comes into play. When deciding, it helps to weigh topics like printer compatibility, offline behaviour and fit with existing hardware.