When comparing PAR Brink vs Olo, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to restaurant point-of-sale technology. PAR Brink, rated 4.1/5, offers Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. Meanwhile, Olo, rated 4.3/5, provides Multi-location chains wanting unified digital ordering. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: PAR Brink vs Olo
| Feature | PAR Brink | Olo |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Software |
| Starting Price | $90/month | Enterprise pricing (contact) |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Mid-Market | Mid-Market to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators | Multi-location chains wanting unified digital ordering |
PAR Brink Overview
PAR Brink POS is a cloud-first enterprise POS for restaurants serious about scaling. Features API-first approach with 250+ integration partners, 150+ reports, pay-at-table, and PCI/P2PE security certifications.
PAR Brink is offered by PAR Technology (founded 1968) based in New Hartford, New York, USA. The system focuses on Fast Casual, Quick Service, Restaurant Chains.
Key Features:
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Kitchen display systems
- Mobile payments
- Real-time reporting
- Multi-unit administration
Olo Overview
Olo is a leading restaurant ordering and delivery platform powering digital transformation for 700+ brands including Shake Shack, Wingstop, and Denny’s. Provides ordering, dispatch, rails integrations, and guest engagement tools.
Olo is offered by Olo Inc. (founded 2005) based in New York, NY. The system focuses on Quick Service, Fast Casual, Enterprise Chains.
Key Features:
- Digital Ordering
- Delivery Dispatch
- Rails Integration
- Guest Data Platform
- Payment Processing
- Catering
Feature Comparison
PAR Brink Features:
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Kitchen display systems
- Mobile payments
- Real-time reporting
Olo Features:
- Digital Ordering
- Delivery Dispatch
- Rails Integration
- Guest Data Platform
- Payment Processing
When comparing features, PAR Brink stands out with API-first with 250+ integrations, while Olo differentiates itself with Powers 700+ restaurant brands. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | PAR Brink | Olo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $90/month | Enterprise pricing (contact) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Premium | Premium |
| Free Trial | Not available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
PAR Brink
Pros:
- 250+ integration partners
- API-first design
- Enterprise scalability
- 24/7/365 support
- PCI and P2PE certified
Cons:
- Tiered support issues
- Slow feature development
- May be overkill for small operators
Olo
Pros:
- Powers major restaurant brands
- Comprehensive digital platform
- Strong delivery integrations
- Public company stability
Cons:
- Enterprise-focused pricing
- Complex implementation
- Not for small operations
Who Should Choose PAR Brink?
PAR Brink is ideal for Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. The system is particularly well-suited for Fast Casual, Quick Service, Restaurant Chains.
However, PAR Brink may not be the best fit for Single-location restaurants, very small operations.
Who Should Choose Olo?
Olo is ideal for Multi-location chains wanting unified digital ordering. The system is particularly well-suited for Quick Service, Fast Casual, Enterprise Chains.
However, Olo may not be the best fit for Single-location independent restaurants.
Our Recommendation
Both PAR Brink and Olo are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose PAR Brink if you’re Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. Choose Olo if you’re Multi-location chains wanting unified digital ordering. Olo has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.1). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.