Our Take
3.5
NerdWallet rating
The bottom line:
TouchBistro is designed for full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, cafes, bars, nightclubs and even food trucks. The point-of-sale (POS) system provides the software and hardware restaurants need to accept payments and track sales. If you’re not prepared to sign a long-term contract, however, TouchBistro may not be the right fit for you.
TouchBistro
Payment processing fees
N/A Quote-based.
Monthly fee
$69.00 and up.
Learn more
on TouchBistro's website
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 24/7 phone, chat and email support.
- Includes restaurant-specific features, like table and menu management.
- Optional profit management system provides tools for improving margins.
- As a hybrid POS system, TouchBistro can operate without the cloud. Offline capabilities include accepting payments, taking orders, editing menus and managing staff.
Cons
- Payment processing rates are quote-based, making them difficult to compare to the competition.
- Contracts are automatically renewed and can't be terminated early.
- No free plan options and charges setup fee.
- Ability to accept online orders costs extra.
Full Review
TouchBistro is a point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically to help restaurants manage tables, menus, inventory and staff. Features such as online ordering, gift cards and customer loyalty programs are also available at an additional cost.
Well known in the restaurant industry since its launch in 2010, this restaurant management system is used in more than 29,000 establishments and processes over $13 billion in payments annually. However, unlike some competitors, TouchBistro doesn’t offer a free trial period or month-to-month subscriptions.
TouchBistro is best for businesses that:
- Want a provider that can grow with them. TouchBistro’s system can scale as your business grows with a variety of optional add-on features and third-party software integrations.
- Are prepared to make a longer-term contract commitment. TouchBistro contracts automatically renew, and early termination may be difficult or costly.
- Bank with Chase. If you use TouchBistro for payment processing and you have a Chase account, you can receive your funds by the next business day. Otherwise, it can take between one to four business days to see your funds deposited.
Deciding factors
Payment processing model | Interchange-plus pricing. |
Payment processing fees | Quote-based if you use TouchBistro Payments; can also choose from third-party payment processors. |
Monthly fee |
|
Hardware cost | Not disclosed. An iPad is necessary to run TouchBistro software. IPads, cash drawers, routers, printers, mini servers, keyboards and other accessories are available by quote only. You may also have the option to use your existing equipment. |
Contract length | The contract length is specified in the quote and is automatically renewed unless 30 days' prior notice of cancellation is given. In most cases, you can’t terminate the contract early. |
Customer support | Customer service and technical support are available 24/7 by phone, chat and email. Additional resources include a support center with articles and videos, live workshops and a VIP community. |
Where TouchBistro stands out
Core features
TouchBistro offers solid core features to help you manage tables, menus, inventory and staff:
- Table management. TouchBistro’s floor plan and table management software lets you lay out your restaurant floor plan, assign staff to sections and view availability in your dining room with ease. It also offers easy table transfers if diners want to change tables.
- Tableside ordering. For tableside ordering, the system allows servers to browse the menu, punch in items and modifiers, and send the entire ticket to the kitchen when the order is complete. It includes a feature to prompt servers to mention other items and allows them to split or join bills at a customer's request. You can also enter “card not present” transactions and set gratuity to automatically calculate at checkout.
- Menu management. You can build and adjust your menu directly through the POS system. Menus can be customized with detailed descriptions of items that can help servers answer questions and create special orders. You can also schedule specials or seasonal changes by cloning your existing menu.
- Staff management. The software features a clock-in/clock-out function that allows you to track employee hours. You can assign staff members their own accounts and adjust their permissions based on their roles. Employee payroll details are stored to help you calculate wages, and reports with data on overtime hours and labor costs are available.
- Inventory management. The inventory management software lets you create a record of the quantity and cost of ingredients used in your recipes so you can determine menu item profit margins and make the call on whether an item stays or goes. Stock level reports help you determine when to order. When inventory is running low on a specific dish, servers are notified so they can withdraw it from the menu.
- Reports and analytics. The software comes with over 50 reports that provide valuable insight into your restaurant’s performance. For example, you can learn about customer behavior and identify spending patterns. These reports are useful when making decisions about your menu, promotions and the service you provide. Detailed reports are also available on staff performance.
Scalability through add-ons
You can start small and then select add-ons that let you scale as your business grows:
- Reservations. This booking system can be used by restaurants of any size. TouchBistro charges an additional flat monthly fee for this feature; there aren’t any other booking-related fees. You control the availability of online reservations by blocking out dates. Guests receive email confirmations of their reservations and have the opportunity to go back and make changes through the system. It may be possible to transfer reservations from an old system with the assistance of a TouchBistro team member.
- Online ordering. This online system allows customers to place orders on your website, through social media and through TouchBistro Dine, a reservation platform. Customers can order in advance and pay online, plus you’ll receive notification through the POS system. This feature is available in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec.
- Gift cards. This feature offers physical and digital gift cards for your restaurant that can be bought at your location, on your website or through a personalized customer web app. It takes three to five days to receive generic, physical cards and close to two weeks for custom cards.
- Loyalty. This customer relationship management feature offers multiple reward options for customers. You can design personalized promotions to be sent to customers by email. You can also set criteria for customers to automatically receive rewards based on the amount they spend or specific items they purchase. Your loyal diners can redeem and monitor their loyalty points in TouchBistro’s Customer Web App.
- Kitchen display system. Another type of software available to run on your iPad is a kitchen display system, which provides a consolidated view of orders along with a loud chime announcing a new order. Servers have the option to prioritize tickets with color-coding.
- Customer-facing display. This allows customers to review items ordered, prices and modifications as they place their order. The display can also be customized with the branding of your restaurant and be used for advertising.
Integrations
In addition to payment processing, TouchBistro integrates with other partners that offer software for accounting, inventory management, online ordering, analytics, staff scheduling and payroll. This includes QuickBooks, Xero, MarginEdge, Sage, Shogo, Avero, WISK.ai, Optimum Control, Freepour, Craftable, MarketMan, Bevchek, Deliverect, Push Operations and 7shifts.
Customer service
TouchBistro customer support is free and available through phone, chat and email to answer customer inquiries 24/7, including holidays. When you sign up for TouchBistro, an onboarding manager will guide you through the process, including installation, menu setup and other training. Another plus is the remote access, which allows a staff member to take control of your POS system to diagnose issues.
Where TouchBistro falls short
Payment processing
When you use TouchBistro to process your card transactions and you bank with Chase, your funds are deposited by the next business day. However, if you use a different bank, it can take one to four business days to see the money in your account. Also, TouchBistro Payments is available only to U.S. customers.
Contract commitment
A contract is required to use TouchBistro, and it’s one you won’t be able to get out of early. The contract term is provided in your quote. In addition, without 30 days' prior written notice of your desire to cancel, you’ll be automatically locked into another term. You can’t test the system with a free trial period, and there isn’t a pay-as-you-go option to minimize upfront costs.
Alternatives to TouchBistro
Toast
Why we like it: Toast offers its own purpose-built hardware for its POS system rather than using iPads. If you prefer dedicated options for the POS system, payment terminals, self-order kiosks and kitchen displays that you know have been built with food service in mind, the company's hardware is a strong offering. It also offers an offline mode that could be helpful if you’re concerned about connectivity with a cloud-based system. Toast has a free starter package and three higher packages as well as custom plans. Read our full Toast POS review.
- $0 for Starter Kit plan.
- $69 Point of Sale plan.
- Custom plans available.
- 3.09-3.69% plus 15 cents per transaction, if you choose a pay-as-you-go plan.
- 2.49% plus 15 cents for card-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
- 3.50% plus 15 cents for card-not-present transactions, if you pay for hardware upfront.
- $799.20 for Handheld Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
- $1,024.20 for Countertop Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
- $1,339.20 for Guest Self-Service Starter Kit (but $0 if you agree to a higher processing fee).
Square for Restaurants
Why we like it: Square for Restaurants has table and menu management capabilities and multilocation setups. There are no fees for early termination, and it's easy to cancel or switch. Square’s fees are transparent and available online, making it easier to know what to expect. Read our full review of Square for Restaurants.
- $0 for Square POS, Restaurant, Retail and Appointments Free plans.
- $29 for Square Appointments Plus plan.
- $69 for Square Appointments Premium and Square Restaurants Plus plans.
- $89 for Square Retail Plus plan.
- $165 for Square Restaurant Premium plan.
- Custom pricing for Square Retail plan.
- 2.6% plus 10 cents for in-person transactions.
- 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions.
- 3.5% plus 15 cents for manually keyed transactions.
- $0 for Square magstripe-only card reader ($10 for each additional reader) or if using Tap to Pay for iPhone (iPhone not included).
- $59 for Square Reader contactless and chip card reader.
- $149 for Square Stand iPad POS or Square Stand Mount (iPad not included; monthly financing available).
- $299 for Square Terminal mobile card reader with built-in printer (monthly financing available).
- $799 for Square Register two-screen system (monthly financing available).
Compare POS providers
To compare POS options, check out NerdWallet’s list of point-of-sale systems that are best for small-business owners. Our recommendations are based on the provider’s pricing and transparency, software and hardware options, system functionality, customer support, software integrations and contract requirements.
Learn more
on TouchBistro's website
Methodology
NerdWallet’s point-of-sale systems provider ratings reward companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including cost, system capabilities, contract requirements, customer service and integrations and add-ons. Learn more about how we rate point-of-sale (POS) systems providers.
These ratings are a guide, but services, hardware and pricing can vary widely from business to business and provider to provider. We encourage you to shop around and compare several providers.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
TouchBistro’s food service POS system has a lot to offer in the way of core functionality as well as add-on features. The company offers free 24/7 customer support, which is integral in the restaurant industry. The monthly fee for use of the base POS software is reasonable, though several competitors in the space, including Square and Toast, offer a free version of their core restaurant POS software. If you’re looking for a system and provider that can grow with your business, especially because you’ll need to sign a longer-term contract, TouchBistro may be a great fit.
TouchBistro sells point-of-sale systems designed specifically for food industry businesses such as restaurants, bars, cafes and food trucks.
TouchBistro does not offer a free version of its POS software. There is a monthly fee for use of the core POS software, with additional monthly fees charged for use of any add-on features such as reservations and online ordering.
