Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Cloud-based POS platform for restaurants with fast order processing, kitchen display systems, online ordering, and analytics optimized for quick-service fast food operations.
- 2#2: Revel Systems - iPad-centric POS designed for quick-service restaurants featuring rapid checkout, inventory management, and seamless kitchen integration for fast food environments.
- 3#3: Square for Restaurants - Affordable, intuitive POS system for small fast food businesses with instant payments, menu customization, and basic inventory tracking.
- 4#4: Lightspeed Restaurant - Comprehensive cloud POS for restaurants including fast food, offering multi-location support, loyalty programs, and delivery integrations.
- 5#5: Clover - Customizable POS hardware and software for fast food with quick-service apps, employee management, and third-party integrations.
- 6#6: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS tailored for restaurants with quick order entry, floor plans, and reporting suited for busy fast casual spots.
- 7#7: SpotOn - Restaurant POS with low-cost hardware, online ordering, and marketing tools ideal for fast food and quick-service chains.
- 8#8: Lavu - Mobile-first POS app for restaurants supporting fast transactions, kitchen displays, and self-ordering kiosks for fast food.
- 9#9: Brink POS - QSR-focused POS with drive-thru optimization, labor management, and real-time reporting for high-volume fast food locations.
- 10#10: Epos Now - Cloud POS for hospitality with speedy checkouts, inventory control, and app ecosystem suitable for fast food outlets.
Tools were ranked based on performance (e.g., speed, integration with kitchen displays and delivery systems), usability, feature relevance for fast food (including inventory tracking and labor management), and overall value, ensuring they meet the unique demands of quick-service environments.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores leading POS fast food software tools including Toast, Revel Systems, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed Restaurant, Clover and more, highlighting key features, usability, and critical capabilities. It helps readers identify the best fit for their operations by outlining how each tool streamlines ordering, inventory, and customer management, ensuring a clear view of their options.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Cloud-based POS platform for restaurants with fast order processing, kitchen display systems, online ordering, and analytics optimized for quick-service fast food operations. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 2 | Revel Systems iPad-centric POS designed for quick-service restaurants featuring rapid checkout, inventory management, and seamless kitchen integration for fast food environments. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | Square for Restaurants Affordable, intuitive POS system for small fast food businesses with instant payments, menu customization, and basic inventory tracking. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 4 | Lightspeed Restaurant Comprehensive cloud POS for restaurants including fast food, offering multi-location support, loyalty programs, and delivery integrations. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Clover Customizable POS hardware and software for fast food with quick-service apps, employee management, and third-party integrations. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | TouchBistro iPad-based POS tailored for restaurants with quick order entry, floor plans, and reporting suited for busy fast casual spots. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 7 | SpotOn Restaurant POS with low-cost hardware, online ordering, and marketing tools ideal for fast food and quick-service chains. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 8 | Lavu Mobile-first POS app for restaurants supporting fast transactions, kitchen displays, and self-ordering kiosks for fast food. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | Brink POS QSR-focused POS with drive-thru optimization, labor management, and real-time reporting for high-volume fast food locations. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Epos Now Cloud POS for hospitality with speedy checkouts, inventory control, and app ecosystem suitable for fast food outlets. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
Cloud-based POS platform for restaurants with fast order processing, kitchen display systems, online ordering, and analytics optimized for quick-service fast food operations.
iPad-centric POS designed for quick-service restaurants featuring rapid checkout, inventory management, and seamless kitchen integration for fast food environments.
Affordable, intuitive POS system for small fast food businesses with instant payments, menu customization, and basic inventory tracking.
Comprehensive cloud POS for restaurants including fast food, offering multi-location support, loyalty programs, and delivery integrations.
Customizable POS hardware and software for fast food with quick-service apps, employee management, and third-party integrations.
iPad-based POS tailored for restaurants with quick order entry, floor plans, and reporting suited for busy fast casual spots.
Restaurant POS with low-cost hardware, online ordering, and marketing tools ideal for fast food and quick-service chains.
Mobile-first POS app for restaurants supporting fast transactions, kitchen displays, and self-ordering kiosks for fast food.
QSR-focused POS with drive-thru optimization, labor management, and real-time reporting for high-volume fast food locations.
Cloud POS for hospitality with speedy checkouts, inventory control, and app ecosystem suitable for fast food outlets.
Toast
enterpriseCloud-based POS platform for restaurants with fast order processing, kitchen display systems, online ordering, and analytics optimized for quick-service fast food operations.
Toast's integrated Online Ordering and Delivery Hub, which unifies in-house and third-party orders into a single dashboard for effortless management.
Toast is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, offering end-to-end management from order taking to payments and inventory. It excels in high-volume environments with features like kitchen display systems, drive-thru support, online ordering, and delivery integrations from apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash. The platform provides real-time analytics, employee management, and loyalty programs to boost efficiency and customer retention.
Pros
- Scalable for high-volume fast food with lightning-fast order processing
- Seamless integrations for online ordering and third-party delivery
- Robust reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Premium pricing with additional hardware costs
- Dependent on stable internet connectivity
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
Best For
Fast food chains and quick-service restaurants seeking an all-in-one, scalable POS with strong online and delivery capabilities.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $69/month per location for Starter plan, scaling to $165+ for advanced tiers, plus hardware (~$1,000+ upfront) and 2.99% + $0.15 payment processing.
Revel Systems
enterpriseiPad-centric POS designed for quick-service restaurants featuring rapid checkout, inventory management, and seamless kitchen integration for fast food environments.
Advanced Kitchen Display System (KDS) that prioritizes and routes orders in real-time for high-speed fulfillment
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS system tailored for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, enabling rapid order processing, menu customization, and inventory management. It integrates with popular delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, supports kitchen display systems for efficient order routing, and provides real-time analytics for multi-location businesses. Ideal for high-volume environments, it handles modifiers, combos, and loyalty programs seamlessly.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with delivery and payment processors for streamlined fast food operations
- Real-time cloud syncing and multi-location management with robust reporting
- Customizable menus with modifiers and combos optimized for quick service
Cons
- Higher pricing model compared to basic POS alternatives
- Heavy reliance on iPad hardware limits flexibility
- Occasional sync delays reported during peak hours
Best For
Fast food chains and quick-service restaurants needing scalable, feature-rich POS with strong analytics and delivery integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per terminal (Core plan), up to $199+ for Advanced/Enterprise; hardware and add-ons extra.
Square for Restaurants
specializedAffordable, intuitive POS system for small fast food businesses with instant payments, menu customization, and basic inventory tracking.
Integrated Kitchen Display System (KDS) that syncs orders in real-time for rapid fulfillment in high-speed environments
Square for Restaurants is a cloud-based POS system tailored for quick-service restaurants like fast food outlets, providing seamless order management, payment processing, inventory tracking, and kitchen display systems (KDS). It supports high-volume transactions, drive-thru operations, and integrations with delivery apps such as DoorDash and Uber Eats. The platform enables real-time reporting and team management, making it suitable for streamlining fast-paced food service environments.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and minimal training required
- No monthly software fees for core POS, only transaction-based pricing
- Robust integrations for online ordering, delivery, and inventory management
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢) can accumulate for very high-volume fast food operations
- Limited advanced customization and reporting depth for enterprise-scale chains
- Customer support primarily email/chat, with slower response times for complex issues
Best For
Small to medium fast food restaurants and quick-service outlets prioritizing ease of use and affordability over enterprise-level customization.
Pricing
Free core POS software with 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction; Square for Restaurants Plus at $60/month per location; hardware sold separately.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseComprehensive cloud POS for restaurants including fast food, offering multi-location support, loyalty programs, and delivery integrations.
Advanced Kitchen Display System (KDS) with customizable workflows for rapid order fulfillment in fast-paced fast food kitchens
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, streamlining order taking, payments, inventory management, and kitchen operations. It supports high-volume transactions with features like kitchen display systems (KDS), self-service kiosks, and seamless integrations with delivery platforms such as Uber Eats and DoorDash. The platform provides real-time reporting and multi-location management, making it suitable for scaling fast food businesses.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with delivery and payment providers
- Powerful real-time analytics and reporting
- Scalable for multi-location fast food operations
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to basic POS systems
- Relies heavily on stable internet connectivity
- Initial setup and customization can be time-intensive
Best For
Fast food chains and quick-service restaurants needing robust order management, delivery integrations, and advanced reporting in high-volume environments.
Pricing
Starts at $109/month for Essential plan (billed annually), up to $289/month for Premium, plus hardware and per-terminal fees.
Clover
enterpriseCustomizable POS hardware and software for fast food with quick-service apps, employee management, and third-party integrations.
The App Marketplace with over 200 apps for fast food tools like kitchen displays, order-ahead, and delivery integrations.
Clover is a cloud-based POS system from Fiserv tailored for small to medium businesses, including fast food outlets, offering hardware like the Clover Mini, Flex, and Station for quick-service transactions. It supports inventory tracking, employee management, online ordering, and kitchen display systems via apps. The platform excels in integrated payment processing and customization through its vast App Marketplace, making it adaptable for high-volume, fast-paced environments.
Pros
- Versatile hardware options ideal for counter, drive-thru, and mobile ordering
- Extensive App Marketplace for fast food-specific integrations like KDS and loyalty programs
- Seamless payment processing with competitive rates and EMV/chip support
Cons
- Hardware and add-on apps can drive up total costs significantly
- Reporting and analytics not as robust as restaurant-specialized POS systems
- Occasional software glitches reported in high-volume settings
Best For
Small to medium fast food restaurants needing flexible, customizable hardware and easy payment integration without heavy IT involvement.
Pricing
Hardware from $49 (Go) to $1,699 (Station); monthly software plans $14.95-$114.85; processing fees ~2.3%-2.6% + $0.10 per transaction.
TouchBistro
specializediPad-based POS tailored for restaurants with quick order entry, floor plans, and reporting suited for busy fast casual spots.
Advanced kitchen display system (KDS) that routes orders efficiently to expedite fast food prep and reduce errors
TouchBistro is an iPad-based, cloud-connected POS system tailored for restaurants, including fast casual and quick-service operations, handling everything from order entry and payments to inventory tracking and staff scheduling. It excels in high-volume environments with features like kitchen display systems (KDS), table management, and real-time reporting to streamline fast-paced service. While versatile for various dining formats, it shines in counter-service setups rather than pure drive-thru fast food chains.
Pros
- Intuitive iPad interface speeds up order taking in busy fast food settings
- Robust offline mode ensures uninterrupted service during connectivity issues
- Comprehensive integrations with delivery apps and loyalty programs
Cons
- Locked to iPad hardware, limiting flexibility for diverse setups
- Pricing scales quickly for multi-terminal fast food operations
- Lacks native drive-thru optimization compared to QSR specialists
Best For
Independent fast casual restaurants needing an all-in-one POS for counter service and basic inventory management without heavy customization.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (billed annually), plus payment processing at ~2.5-3.5% + $0.15-$0.30 per transaction and one-time hardware costs.
SpotOn
enterpriseRestaurant POS with low-cost hardware, online ordering, and marketing tools ideal for fast food and quick-service chains.
Built-in payment processing with industry-low rates and PCI compliance built directly into the POS hardware
SpotOn is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, providing tools for order management, payment processing, inventory tracking, and customer loyalty programs. It supports drive-thru workflows, kitchen display systems (KDS), handheld ordering devices, and seamless integrations with delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats. The platform offers 24/7 support and offline functionality to ensure reliability in high-volume environments.
Pros
- Integrated payment processing with competitive rates and no hidden fees
- Robust QSR-specific tools like drive-thru timers and handheld POS devices
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for inventory and sales optimization
Cons
- Custom pricing can be opaque without a quote
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response times during peak hours
- Hardware bundles add to upfront costs for smaller locations
Best For
Mid-sized fast food chains or quick-service restaurants seeking an all-in-one POS with strong payment integration and drive-thru capabilities.
Pricing
Software starts at around $99/month per location plus processing fees (2.6% + $0.10 per transaction); hardware from $1,000+ with custom quotes available.
Lavu
specializedMobile-first POS app for restaurants supporting fast transactions, kitchen displays, and self-ordering kiosks for fast food.
Advanced Kitchen Display System (KDS) that routes orders efficiently with timers and customization support for high-volume fast food kitchens
Lavu is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, including fast food and quick-service operations, offering order management, payment processing, inventory tracking, and reporting tools. It supports high-volume transactions with features like kitchen display systems (KDS), table-side ordering on iPads, and integrations for online ordering and delivery. Designed for mobility, it enables offline functionality and real-time data syncing for fast-paced environments.
Pros
- Affordable per-terminal pricing with no long-term contracts
- Intuitive iPad-based interface ideal for mobile fast food setups
- Robust inventory management and combo meal customization for quick service
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics compared to top competitors
- Occasional reports of glitches during peak hours
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Small to mid-sized fast casual restaurants and food trucks seeking a cost-effective, tablet-friendly POS with strong mobility.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal for core features, with Pro plans at $139/month; additional costs for hardware, processing fees, and premium add-ons.
Brink POS
enterpriseQSR-focused POS with drive-thru optimization, labor management, and real-time reporting for high-volume fast food locations.
Unified Online Ordering platform that syncs directly with the POS and KDS for frictionless digital and in-store order fulfillment.
Brink POS is a cloud-based point-of-sale system tailored for quick-service restaurants (QSR) and fast food chains, enabling rapid order processing, kitchen display systems, and real-time inventory management. It supports online ordering, loyalty programs, and seamless integrations with third-party delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash. The platform provides robust reporting and multi-location management, making it suitable for high-volume operations seeking scalability.
Pros
- Lightning-fast transaction speeds optimized for high-volume fast food environments
- Extensive integrations with delivery apps and payment processors
- Advanced analytics and customizable reporting for operational insights
Cons
- Higher pricing that may strain small single-location businesses
- Steeper learning curve for initial setup and customization
- Occasional reports of customer support delays during peak times
Best For
Multi-location fast food chains and QSRs requiring robust integrations and high-speed order management.
Pricing
Core POS starts at around $165/month per location (billed annually), plus hardware costs, add-ons like online ordering ($50+/month), and transaction fees.
Epos Now
specializedCloud POS for hospitality with speedy checkouts, inventory control, and app ecosystem suitable for fast food outlets.
Vast App Store marketplace with 100+ integrations for seamless customization
Epos Now is a cloud-based POS system tailored for retail and hospitality, including fast food operations, providing tools for rapid order taking, inventory management, and real-time sales reporting. It supports quick-service workflows with touchscreen interfaces, kitchen display systems (KDS), and modifiers for custom orders like combos. The platform integrates with delivery apps, payment processors, and loyalty programs to enhance efficiency in high-volume environments.
Pros
- Comprehensive integrations with delivery services and payment gateways
- Scalable for multi-location fast food chains
- Strong inventory and reporting tools for busy outlets
Cons
- Pricing escalates with add-ons and multiple terminals
- Setup and customization can have a learning curve
- Relies heavily on stable internet connectivity
Best For
Mid-sized fast food chains needing customizable, cloud-synced POS with robust integrations for growth.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month per terminal (Essential plan); higher tiers up to $109/month; hardware and add-ons extra.
Conclusion
Evaluating 10 top POS tools for fast food operations reveals Toast as the clear leader, boasting cloud-based efficiency, rapid order processing, and integrated kitchen systems that optimize quick-service workflows. While Toast stands out, Revel Systems offers a robust iPad-centric solution with seamless kitchen integration and inventory management, ideal for mobile-first QSR environments, and Square for Restaurants delivers affordability and simplicity, making it a top choice for small fast food businesses. Together, these options cater to diverse needs, ensuring any operation—small or high-volume—can find a reliable partner.
Elevate your fast food operations by starting with Toast, the top-rated POS that combines speed, integration, and scalability to keep your business running smoothly day-to-day.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison