When you make an investment in your bar or nightclub, you want to get the greatest possible ROI. So when you are researching Bar POS software, it’s important to look for features that will contribute most toward helping you reach your business goals. Here are four things you should consider when you are comparing Bar POS solutions for your business.
1. Inventory Insights End Overpouring
Do you suspect that your bartenders are pouring a little too freely? Your Bar POS software can help you keep tabs on your inventory and discover where there’s room to tighten up operations. Use your software’s built-in recipe and ingredient-tracking feature that reveals precisely how much of each type of liquor is sold with each cocktail or shot. It tracks inventory in real time so you can proactively reorder supplies before your stock becomes critically low. This kind of technology helps to keep everyone accountable.
2. Keep it Legit
Your bar will inevitably attract young adults hoping to mislead you and pass for 21. Traditionally, bouncers and bartenders have relied on their own savvy and a quick glance to determine if an ID is authentic or not. Automated age verification features in your Bar POS software give your staff a simple, foolproof tool to keep out the under-21 crowd and only serve legal adults.
By scanning IDs with a reader instead of visually inspecting them, your workers won’t be the bad guy for turning away underage hopefuls, and your bar won’t be at risk of jeopardizing its hard-earned liquor license.
3. Security and Shrinkage
Cash is prevalent at the vast majority of bars, and unfortunately it’s all too easy for a few dollars (or more!) to go missing here and there. At many bars, employees receive an ID number and login card, under which all drinks must be charged. Look for a Bar POS software that assigns a cash drawer to each staffer. This way, you vastly reduce the risk of theft as individual bartenders will have greater accountability for their specific drawers.
And because comped drinks will always have a role in rewarding loyal patrons, find a system that can track giveaways and freebies and ensure they are only given with your authorization and they’re not adversely impacting your profit margins.
4. Get Them on Their Way
You want your patrons to linger and have a good time, but when they’re ready to roll out, no one wants to wait around forever for the check to arrive. Bar POS software enables your customers to open a tab and order drinks over time — without having to pay for each when it is served — which encourages them to order and spend more. Then, when it’s time to settle the bill, your Bar POS will help you quickly accept payment on the tab. Saving time during the payment process can help with table turn, which can help boost profits.
These features not only help your staff provide quick, efficient service — which leads to happier, loyal customers — they also provide operational insights that can help you cut costs and increase profits.
Cheers to that.