TouchBistro pioneered the iPad-based restaurant POS and continues to be a top choice for full-service restaurants, bars, and cafes. In 2025, TouchBistro offers a refined platform with powerful features at competitive prices.
What’s New in TouchBistro for 2025
- TouchBistro Profit Management – Real-time food cost and labor analytics
- Improved Offline Mode – Full functionality even without internet
- Enhanced Table Management – Visual floor plans with wait time predictions
- Integrated Reservations – Built-in reservation system (no third-party needed)
- Staff Scheduling – Labor management with shift swapping
TouchBistro Pricing (2025)
| Component | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Core POS | $69/mo |
| Online Ordering | +$50/mo |
| Reservations | +$229/mo |
| Marketing | +$99/mo |
| Gift Cards | +$25/mo |
| Loyalty | +$99/mo |
Best For
- Full-service restaurants
- Bars and nightclubs
- Cafes and coffee shops
- Food trucks
- Breweries and wineries
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Intuitive iPad interface
- Strong offline capabilities
- Excellent table management
- Canadian company with 24/7 support
- No payment processing lock-in
Cons
- Add-ons increase total cost
- Limited retail features
- Reporting could be more robust
- iPad hardware required
Our Verdict: 4.4/5
TouchBistro is an excellent iPad POS for full-service restaurants. Its table management and offline capabilities set it apart, though the add-on pricing model means costs can add up quickly.
Quick Facts: Restaurant POS
Expert Tips for Choosing a POS System
Optimize Your Menu Layout
Organize your POS menu to match how servers think, not how the kitchen is organized. Put high-margin items and combos in prominent positions. Use colors and images to speed up ordering during rush periods.
Use Kitchen Display Systems
Paper tickets get lost and create bottlenecks. A Kitchen Display System (KDS) routes orders automatically, tracks prep times, and reduces errors. Most modern restaurant POS systems offer KDS integration.
Enable Tableside Ordering
Handheld POS devices reduce service time by 20-30% and increase accuracy. Servers can upsell more effectively and split checks instantly. The hardware investment typically pays off within 6 months.
New to POS Systems?
Start with our quick guide for business owners
Get StartedFrequently Asked Questions
Essential restaurant POS features include: table management, menu modifiers, split checks, tip handling, kitchen display integration, online ordering, inventory tracking for food costs, employee scheduling, and reporting. For full-service restaurants, tableside ordering and reservation integration are also valuable.
A restaurant POS tracks ingredient usage through recipe costing features, alerts you to menu items with poor margins, identifies theft through void and discount reports, and tracks waste. Some systems integrate with inventory management to provide real-time food cost percentages.
Yes, most modern restaurant POS systems either have built-in online ordering or integrate with third-party platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Native online ordering typically has lower fees and better integration, while third-party apps provide broader reach.
A cash register simply records sales and stores money. A POS (Point of Sale) system is a comprehensive business management tool that processes payments, tracks inventory, manages employees, generates reports, and integrates with other business software. Modern POS systems provide data-driven insights that help you make better business decisions.
