Several industry studies in the HoReCa sector have shown that a high-performance POS terminal reduces payment errors, speeds up the checkout process, and provides customers with a more pleasant experience at the end of their meal.
As a result, a POS is no longer just a device for swiping cards—it has become a reliable tool that helps modernize payment methods and make the checkout process faster, safer, and more professional.
Want to learn how to choose a POS system that truly makes a difference in your restaurant? If so, keep reading.
What Is a POS System and How Does It Help?
A POS (Point of Sale) system is a device that allows you to accept card payments directly in your restaurant. In practice, it is the terminal you hand to customers when they want to pay by card or mobile phone, with all transactions being transferred directly to your business account.
A POS system is increasingly important because more and more customers prefer cashless payments. Card payments are also faster and more secure, eliminating the risk of counterfeit cash or incorrect change. Most banks offer POS terminals that accept all major card types (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), as well as contactless payments via mobile phones or smartwatches.
Beyond customer convenience, a POS system also benefits you as a business owner: it provides better control over revenue, clear financial reports, and reduces the risk of cash-related losses.
Essential Factors to Consider
Choosing a POS system for restaurant payments should not be done randomly. Although many terminals may seem similar at first glance, there are several important factors to consider—from available features and costs to how easy the system is for staff to use.
Let’s look at each of them.
Features
Ideally, a POS system should support all payment methods: physical cards, contactless payments, mobile phones, and smartwatches. It is also important to check whether the POS can issue fiscal receipts directly or easily connect to your cash register or restaurant management system.
Some banks offer terminals with additional features, such as sending receipts by email or integrating with accounting software. For this reason, it’s a good idea to request and compare offers from multiple providers before making a decision.
Costs
Typically, there are several types of costs to consider: a monthly rental fee for the device, a commission charged per transaction, and potential installation or maintenance fees.
Compare available offers carefully, as cost differences can be significant. For example, a transaction fee of 0.9% versus 1.5% may seem small at first, but over time—especially with high sales volumes—it can have a noticeable impact on your profit margins.
Ease of Use
A good POS system must be easy to use for both employees and customers. If processing a payment takes too long or the terminal interface is complicated, service slows down and customers may become impatient.
Ideally, you should choose a POS terminal with an intuitive touchscreen, clear menus, and easily accessible functions.
Types of POS Terminals Available in Romania
In Romania, whether you operate a table-service restaurant or a quick-service establishment, you can choose from several types of POS terminals, each with its own advantages.
Traditional bank POS terminals
Provided directly by major banks, often as part of HoReCa-specific packages:
- Banca Transilvania – mobile POS terminals with SIM cards, ideal for terraces and delivery.
- ING Bank – smart POS terminals capable of sending receipts via email or SMS.
- Raiffeisen Bank – terminals compatible with all card types and holiday vouchers.
- BRD and BCR – classic POS terminals focused on reliability and fast technical support.
Independent “all-in-one” POS solutions
Not tied to a specific bank and available for online purchase:
- SumUp – very popular among small businesses thanks to fixed costs and quick setup.
- myPOS – ideal for businesses that require maximum mobility (deliveries, food trucks), with fast fund transfers.
POS systems integrated with restaurant management software
For restaurants using full management software (orders, inventory, reporting):
Many solutions (e.g. Alegro, GeniusPOS, Zanzibar) offer direct POS integration, allowing payments to be automatically recorded in the system.
Recommendations by Restaurant Type
Not all restaurants have the same needs, so the ideal POS system will vary depending on the business model.
Quick-Service Restaurants
For fast food, food courts, or street food concepts, speed is critical.
Recommended features:
- Mobile POS with 4G or Wi-Fi connectivity, easy to move between multiple points of sale.
- Mandatory support for contactless payments, as most customers prefer paying by phone or smartwatch.
- Ideally, a POS integrated directly with the cash register or a fast-ordering system.
- Low transaction fees, especially if you process a high volume of small-value payments.
Table-Service Restaurants
Here, customer experience matters more than pure speed.
What to look for:
- Portable POS terminals with large touchscreen displays.
- Bill-splitting functionality, especially useful for groups.
- Ability to send receipts by email or SMS to reduce paper usage.
- Fast technical support from the bank, as a failure during peak hours can lead to dissatisfied customers.
Hotel Restaurants
In this case, the POS system must communicate with the hotel’s PMS (Property Management System).
Key requirements:
- Integration with the PMS to charge bills directly to guest rooms.
- Support for multiple payment methods—cards, vouchers, and corporate accounts.
- Detailed reports clearly separating restaurant, bar, and room service sales.
- Bilingual interface and receipts, especially important when serving international guests.
Ultimately, choosing the right POS system depends on the size of your restaurant, the number of daily transactions, and the additional features you need.
