| The brain, or primary computer, that controls the point | | | | be processing a payment at one terminal while another |
| of sale system for a restaurant is generally designed | | | | is inputting an order at the drive through window. |
| to track sales, labor costs, and payrolls. Its records are | | | | A particular feature of a fast food restaurant POS |
| used by accountants for bookkeeping and tax | | | | system is that a guest's order may be recalled or |
| purposes. The information stored in these systems | | | | deleted through the use of "bump bars", which are |
| can be accessed remotely by store's corporate | | | | essentially small components that have different |
| headquarters and other authorized parties, such as | | | | buttons for different purposes. Additionally, most POS |
| system technicians. The wireless unit has become | | | | systems for this type of business have wireless |
| increasingly popular in restaurants particularly. The | | | | headset features that allow an order to be |
| handheld POS is used by a waiter to input an order, | | | | communicated from a speaker to an employee who |
| and the order is then sent to the kitchen in real time. | | | | manually inputs the order. POS systems can be |
| They are most common in restaurants that conduct | | | | customized to fit a variety of different needs for a |
| large volumes of business. | | | | vendor. Large business clients can dictate their specific |
| However, most restaurants still used computer | | | | needs to a retailer, who then implements them. |
| terminals on which to run their systems. These | | | | For example, a hotel's needs will differ from those of a |
| terminals are used by waiters to input orders, print | | | | fast food restaurant. The type of system used in a |
| guest checks, and to send orders to a kitchen or a | | | | hotel must be able to allow the transfer of meal |
| bar. They are also used to process credit cards and | | | | charges from a dining room to a guest's room. |
| other forms of payment. POS systems are not only | | | | Additionally, it may be necessary for them to be |
| used in restaurants, but also in the fast food industry. | | | | integrated with the property management's software. |
| The terminals for a fast food business are usually | | | | Before ordering a POS system from a vendor, a |
| located at the cash register and the drive through | | | | business should ascertain the vendor's reputation for |
| window. This allows the them to be used for multiple | | | | technical abilities and customer satisfaction. |
| purposes at once. For example, one employee may | | | | |