Making Your POS System Work Harder: 6 Tips for Better Service
POS systems are everywhere — but using one well is not a given. We’ve seen venues with all the bells and whistles still struggling to keep up during busy service. The problem? Most POS setups are designed for transactions — not people.
A smart POS system should help your team move faster, make fewer mistakes, and stay focused on guests — not screen taps.
Here are six ways to make your POS system actually work for your venue, not against it.
1. Design Your Layout for Speed — Not Just Aesthetics
Menus should be fast to tap, not just nice to look at.
Tips:
Put top-selling items on the first screen
Use categories based on service zones (e.g., Bar, Kitchen, Functions)
Group modifiers logically (e.g., spirit upgrades next to mixers)
Keep page navigation to a minimum — less tapping, more serving
Ask your team which buttons they use most. Design around that.
2. Use Naming That Makes Sense in the Moment
“Cocktail 1” or “Bar Mix Set A” might make sense on paper — but not at 1AM with a line of people waiting.
Use clear, friendly names:
“Espresso Martini” instead of “CO-ESP-MART-001”
“Add Shot” instead of “Modifier A”
“No Ice” as a tap-able option, not a note
The clearer it is, the faster orders fly through — and the fewer mistakes your bar or kitchen sees.
3. Enable Quick Void and Refund Access (With Controls)
Mistakes happen. But delays while staff wait for a manager to void something only slow things down.
Do this:
Give trusted staff access to quick void functions
Set PIN or role permissions for security
Require a short reason or note for each void
Track patterns to catch training gaps or misuse
It’s not about blame — it’s about fixing the moment and keeping guests happy.
4. Pre-Program Promotions and Combos
Trying to add up discounts or remember special deals on the fly slows everyone down.
Instead:
Build timed offers (e.g., Happy Hour 5–7pm) into the system
Bundle popular combos (e.g., Beer + Burger)
Use auto-applied pricing for venue-wide offers
Label clearly so staff don’t miss it
Your POS should do the maths — not your bartenders.
5. Teach Staff to Use the Notes… Wisely
Notes can be a lifesaver when something doesn’t fit the system — but only if they’re used properly.
Good note habits:
Be specific: “Guest allergic to nuts” not “allergy”
Use standard phrasing for common requests
Avoid jokes or sarcasm — these go straight to the kitchen
Don’t rely on notes for every order — they should be the exception
Train staff on how notes are read, where they print, and when they’re necessary.
6. Run Weekly POS Check-Ins with Your Team
This doesn’t need to be formal. Ask:
What’s slowing you down on the POS?
What buttons are in the wrong place?
What mistakes keep happening?
What items are missing or hard to find?
Then make small adjustments each week. It keeps your POS aligned with how your venue actually runs — not just how it was set up on day one.
Bonus: Link POS to Back-of-House
If your POS supports it, link:
Inventory systems to reduce manual stocktakes
Lighting scenes to trigger during events
Ordering screens (KDS) to reduce printer clogs
Customer data or loyalty systems for smarter upsells
The more your systems talk to each other, the more hands-free and scalable your service becomes.
The Bottom Line
A well-set-up POS system makes service feel smooth, fast, and in control — not like a digital obstacle course.
Don’t just look at what your system can do — ask how it’s actually helping your team on a busy night.
Need help reworking your POS layout, syncing it with your AV or lighting, or rolling out smart combos across venues? That’s exactly what we do.