Running a grocerant means juggling two businesses under one roof: a full grocery operation and a quick-service restaurant. Standard point of sale (POS) systems are built for one or the other, leaving you to patch together workarounds that waste time and create headaches.
Instead, you need a grocerant POS solution that handles both sides of your business. The right solution can track deli inventory, fresh produce, restaurant modifiers, and more. But how can you find the right system for your grocerant?
In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential features your grocerant needs and compare the top providers to help you find the perfect fit.
Why Standard POS Systems Fall Short for Grocerant POS Software Needs
Generic POS software can work for generic retailers, but your grocerant isn’t generic. You’re running two businesses in one, and a one-size-fits-all system creates more problems than it solves.
Retail-focused systems can't handle restaurant modifiers or kitchen printing. Restaurant POS platforms struggle with weight-based pricing and grocery-specific inventory tracking.
When you’re operating a grocerant, you're managing two completely different types of inventory: shelf-stable groceries and perishable produce on one side, fresh ingredients and prepared menu items on the other. But the challenges don’t stop there.
Your checkout process needs to handle EBT payments for groceries while also processing credit card tips for your restaurant staff. Without a system built specifically for grocerants, you're stuck using workarounds, managing multiple platforms, or sacrificing features you actually need.
The solution is to invest in grocerant POS software designed to handle it all. Let’s take a closer look at the crucial features every grocerant needs from their POS solution.
Menu item modifications are one of the challenges that leave you stressed and struggling with manual processes if you try to use a generic retail POS in your grocerant. When a customer orders their sandwich with no mayo and extra pickles, your POS needs to handle it without a ton of duct tape workarounds.
Your system should make it simple to add modifiers, swap ingredients, and accommodate dietary restrictions on the fly. This flexibility keeps your kitchen running smoothly and ensures every customer gets exactly what they ordered.
Related Read: 7 QSR Menu Ideas To Try in Your Grocery Store
2. Integrated Kitchen Printing and Display Systems
The next QSR-specific feature your POS system should handle is kitchen printing and display systems. When your cashier rings up an item at the order counter, your system needs to alert the kitchen so they can begin preparing that order immediately.
Integrated kitchen printing connects your POS directly to kitchen printers or display screens, so orders flow from the counter of your grocery store restaurant to your prep team. No more handwritten tickets, miscommunication, or orders getting lost in translation. Your kitchen staff sees every detail, including modifications and special requests, exactly as the customer ordered it.
3. Dual Inventory Management
Managing inventory for a grocerant involves tracking hundreds of grocery items alongside restaurant ingredients that are used up throughout the day. Your POS software has to handle both.
Invest in a POS solution that tracks retail products on your shelves while monitoring the ingredients you’re using in your kitchen. You also want a solution with low-stock notifications or automated reorder alerts. These features help prevent you from running out of popular deli items before your busiest lunch rush of the week — without resorting to overordering on items that perish before they’re sold.
4. Flexible Payment Processing
Your grocerant handles a wider variety of payment types than most businesses, and your POS needs to keep up.
Here are common payment methods you need to be able to accept:
- Credit and debit cards
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- EBT for grocery purchases
- Gift cards
- Checks
- Cash
Your system should process these transactions quickly and securely, keeping checkout lines moving. Your POS also needs to handle restaurant-specific payments, including tipping functionality. Customers should be able to add tips for counter service, and your system needs to track those tips separately for payroll.
5. Scale Integration and Weight-Based Pricing
If you're selling deli meats, fresh seafood, produce by the pound, or bulk items, look for a solution with scale integration.
Your grocerant POS software should integrate with deli and produce scales, so you can calculate price based on weight. These integrations are crucial for smooth deli counter operations and consistent pricing across all your weight-based inventory.
Related Read: The Best Deli Scale With Printer: 3 Top Options
6. Unified Reporting and Analytics
Your grocerant operations are split between your QSR and your retail sales, but your data can’t be siloed in the same way.
Instead, you need a system with comprehensive reporting that gives you the full picture. Invest in grocerant POS software that lets you see grocery sales, restaurant performance, and labor costs all in one place.
Related Read: Grow Your Business by Watching These 3 Grocery Store Metrics
When you can see exactly where your profits come from and where you're leaving money on the table, you can optimize both operations to work better together.
Best Grocerant POS Software Providers: Quick-Reference Comparison
Now, let’s check out our list of the top grocerant POS providers.
Markt POS
Markt POS is an all-in-one POS solution built specifically for independent grocery stores, markets, and grocerants.
Key features:
- Low-stock notifications
- Advanced, rugged hardware
- 24/7 customer support
- QSR-specific tools like modifiers, tipping, and kitchen receipt printers
- Scale integration
Pricing: Custom quotes are based on your specific needs; use our Build and Price tool for instant estimates.
Markt POS has industry-specific features designed by grocers who understand your challenges — it has everything you need to handle both sides of your business.
Square for Restaurants
Square for Restaurants is part of the popular Square ecosystem. This solution offers user-friendly POS tools for businesses just getting started with grocerant operations.
Key features:
- Multichannel order management
- Flexible payment processing
- Kitchen display system
- Real-time data analytics
Pricing: Paid plans start at $60/month per location.
Square is affordable, which makes it a strong option for a store testing the waters with grocerant operations. The solution is not specialized for grocery-specific operations, though, so you may find you’re missing key features like weight-based pricing and other industry-specific tools.
Lightspeed Restaurant
Lightspeed Restaurant is an enterprise-level retail and restaurant platform designed for stores planning to expand or business owners already running an enterprise operation. It’s especially valuable for store owners managing multiple locations.
Key features:
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Vendor management and purchase order creation
- Multilocation support
Pricing: Standard package starts at $119/month.
Lightspeed is best for growing grocerants planning to expand to multiple locations and businesses looking to move into the grocery e-commerce space. It’s one of the pricier options on this list, and it’s not specifically designed for grocery operations, so it may be missing key features you need for that side of your business.
Clover offers POS solutions for multiple industries, including retail, service-based businesses like salons, and restaurants.
Key features:
- Online ordering
- Inventory management and stock tracking
- Customizable dashboard
Pricing: Standard package starts at $1,799 upfront, plus $49.95/month.
Clover’s solution works well for established grocerants who don’t mind a higher upfront cost. The solution is not specialized to grocery and customer support reviews are mixed, but it offers flexibility that might be attractive to some business owners.
Toast makes restaurant-focused POS systems with advanced features like table service, online ordering, and more.
Key features:
- Kitchen display systems
- Tableside ordering
- Commission-free online ordering
Pricing: There’s a Starter Kit plan available; the most popular Point of Sale plan is $69/month (and requires a two-year contract).
Toast’s restaurant-specific features make it a strong option for grocerants who focus most of their energy on the QSR side of the business. Note, however, that Clover requires a two-year contract and charges early termination fees, making it less flexible than many other solutions on this list.
Shift4 is an iPad-based POS solution designed for retail and restaurant businesses. The solution is highly customizable, making it attractive to businesses with hyper-specific needs.
Key features:
- Multilocation management
- Table management for sit-down restaurant service
- Customizable API for specialized workflows
- Advanced reporting and analytics
Pricing: Plans start at $99/month with a three-year contract required; there’s also a $674 implementation fee.
Shift4 is a strong fit for larger grocerants with multiple locations that need robust reporting and customization. However, it’s more expensive than many of the options on this list, and the long-term contracts limit your flexibility to make a change if needed.
Get Started With the Best Grocerant POS Software
Running a successful grocerant requires smooth processes, a lot of planning and dedication, and, of course, the best tools.
Generic POS solutions force you to choose between prioritizing your grocery operations or your restaurant offerings, but the right grocerant POS software handles both sides of your business — without forcing you to compromise.
Ready to streamline your grocerant operations? Use Markt POS' Build and Price tool to get an instant quote for your custom solution, or schedule a personalized demo to see how our grocerant-specific features can help you run your business.
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