TouchBistro POS Review

TouchBistro is a popular cloud-based Point of Sale (POS) system used by over 16,000 restaurants worldwide. 

It aims to streamline business operations with industry-specific features, including table and menu management. But is it right for your restaurant?

TouchBistro POS: My Verdict

TouchBistro is a user-friendly POS system tailored specifically for the restaurant industry. Its features, such as menu management, payment processing, table-side ordering, and detailed reporting, make it a highly effective tool for hospitality businesses. 

TouchBistro’s integration with payment processors like Barclaycard and Square adds flexibility and ease of use. At the same time, 24/7 customer support is an attractive feature for businesses needing assistance at any time.

However, while TouchBistro offers many benefits, it may not be suitable for all types of businesses. Its exclusive use of iPads could be a limitation for those already using other devices, and some advanced features, such as loyalty programs and online ordering, are restricted to specific regions like the US and Canada. 

Despite these drawbacks, TouchBistro remains a leading choice for restaurants looking for a reliable, restaurant-specific POS system.

TouchBistro POS at a Glance

Criteria	Details
Who Should Use	Restaurants, cafes, bars, clubs, breweries and wineries.
Who Shouldn’t Use	Businesses outside the hospitality industry or those looking for a pay-as-you-use solution.
Products and Features	A cloud-based POS system using Apple iPads, it features menu management, payment processing, detailed reporting, staff scheduling, side ordering, and third-party integrations.
Pricing	POS software starts at $69 per month (approx £55), with bespoke hardware costs. Payment processing and delivery fees may apply.
Ease of Use	Designed to be intuitive and easy to set up. It includes step-by-step installation assistance and front-end and back-end training, making it accessible to both experienced and new users.
Account Access	Remote access with secure connections for handling sales data and reports. It allows you to manage and monitor your account via the TouchBistro Cloud.
Safety/ Security	Uses WPA2 Personal encryption for secure communication, stores data on Amazon Web Services cloud servers, and complies with PCI standards.
Customer Support	24/7 customer support via live chat, phone, and email. The support team is based in North America, and specialists can remotely access your system to resolve issues.
Reviews	Average Trustpilot rating of 3.5 out of 5, based on 302 reviews.
Onboarding Process	Comprehensive onboarding process, including a dedicated manager to guide you through installation, menu setup, and training.
Additional Information	Supports Barclaycard and Square payment processors.

Pros and Cons

Who are TouchBistro?

TouchBistro Products and Features

• POS System: An easy-to-use, reliable, and fast system that helps increase sales, speed up table turnover and promote profitable menu items while delivering exceptional customer service with mobile POS capabilities.

• Analytics and Reporting: Access over 50 real-time reports to track customer behaviour, staff performance, and sales trends. Cloud-based for remote access, with email summaries, exports, and CRM integration options.

• Credit Card Processing: Offers transparent pricing, offline payment capabilities, and seamless integration with the POS. Accepts contactless payments and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay.

• Staff Management: Allows staff to clock in and out quickly, with cloud-based tracking of labour costs, overtime hours, and performance data to inform scheduling and cost-saving decisions.

• Table Management: Customise floor plans in real-time, track table activity, and facilitate smooth table transfers without disrupting service. It also integrates with TouchBistro Reservations for VIP guest treatment.

• Menu Management: Add, edit, and organise menus effortlessly. It supports dietary modifications, menu scheduling, and non-food items like merchandise, with Back-of-House routing integration for efficiency.

• Tableside Ordering: Boost revenue with upselling prompts and faster service using handheld devices. Simplify bill splitting and item transfers for a smooth customer experience.

• Customer-facing Display: This provides real-time order confirmation to minimise errors, with customisable branding options. It also doubles as an advertising screen for promotions and loyalty programmes.

• Gift Cards: Offers digital and physical gift cards integrated with the POS for tracking and reporting. Customisable designs for special occasions and easy online purchasing via the Customer Web App.

• Reservation Software: Integrated with the POS to streamline bookings, reduce no-shows with automated reminders, and personalise guest experiences with custom notes.

• Hardware: An iPad-based system that supports a range of printers and cash drawers. Hardware details are available upon booking a demo.

• Regional Limitations: Advanced features like loyalty software and online ordering are unavailable in the UK and are limited to Canada (excluding Québec) and the US.

How Much Does TouchBistro Cost?

TouchBistro operates on a quote-based pricing model, allowing restaurants to tailor their package to suit specific business needs. 

While the exact costs depend on the features and services selected, the base price for the POS software starts at $69 per month (approximately £50). Additional charges may apply for payment processing and delivery services, though detailed pricing for these components is only available upon enquiry. 

This pricing structure makes it a competitively priced solution for small to medium-sized restaurants seeking advanced, specialist features at an affordable entry-level cost. However, it may make it harder to predict total costs without requesting a personalised quote.

TouchBistro Ease of Use

TouchBistro’s user-friendly system is designed for use with Apple iPads. 

It supports a range of payment processors like Barclaycard and Square, allowing for seamless transactions via various card types, contactless payments, and digital wallets such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay. 

Funds processed through Chase are deposited by the next business day, while other financial institutions may take 1-4 business days.

Whilst hardware isn’t included in the monthly subscription cost, bespoke packages are available. Compatible brands include printer models by Star Micronics and Epson and various cash drawers from brands like MMF, Star Micronics, and APG. 

One of TouchBistro’s standout features is its ability to function offline. While it offers the convenience of cloud connectivity, it also has a hardwired local connection that acts as a backup during Internet outages for uninterrupted operations.

The highly customisable system enables users to organise menus, add modifiers, schedule menu changes, and more directly in the POS or via TouchBistro Cloud with an Internet connection.

The Reservations and Customer Facing Display features can also be managed through mobile apps available on the Apple App Store, whilst the PeachWorks mobile app for inventory and staff management is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.  

You can streamline your operations by integrating TouchBistro with leading software for accounting (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks), analytics (e.g., MarginEdge), inventory management (e.g., MarketMan), and staff scheduling (e.g., 7shifts).

TouchBistro Customer Support

TouchBistro offers extensive customer support to ensure businesses can easily set up and operate their POS system. 

Customer support services include:

• A dedicated onboarding manager for step-by-step installation guidance. 
• Access to remote installation specialists to help you get started quickly.
• TouchBistro specialists can remotely log into your POS system from anywhere worldwide to diagnose and resolve technical problems quickly and efficiently.
• 24/7 customer support is available by live chat, email, or phone at +44 0808 196 5846.
• A range of troubleshooting guides on the online Customer Hub. 

TouchBistro Reviews

TouchBistro Safety & Security

• Wi-Fi Security: TouchBistro connects to your router using the WPA2 Personal security protocol, which provides strong 256-bit encryption for Wi-Fi connections.

• Secure Data Storage: Sales data is stored locally on your iPad or Mac server and transmitted to Cloud Reporting servers using a secure HTTPS connection with a 128-bit key.

• Cloud Security: TouchBistro uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to store sales data, meeting or exceeding data security standards in most countries.

• PCI Compliance: TouchBistro is an “out of scope” device, meaning it does not store or transmit sensitive credit card information such as card numbers, PINs, or CVV codes. Only the cardholder’s name and the last four digits are stored, which is permissible.

• Payment Security: All credit card data is entered into PCI-compliant payment devices and gateways, not through TouchBistro. Transactions use your router’s WPA2 encryption for secure transmission.

• Access Controls: Venue owners can limit staff access to TouchBistro features and monitor staff activity to ensure security.

• No Digital Signature Storage: Digital signatures are not stored on any device, maintaining compliance and reducing risk.

How to Get Started with TouchBistro

Alternatives to TouchBistro POS

	TouchBistro	Epos Now	Lightspeed	SumUp	Barclaycard
Monthly Cost	From $69 (approx £50)	Bespoke	From £109	From £0 to £49 + VAT	From £15 + VAT
Hardware Cost	Bespoke	Bundles from £149 + VAT, then £54 per month	Bespoke	From £39 + VAT	Included in monthly cost
Restaurant-Specific Features	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Cloud-Based	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
3rd Party Integrations	Xero, QuickBooks, Restaurant 365, Freepour, Wisk, BevCheck, and more	Sage, Xero, Workforce.com, Deliveroo, Mailchimp, Shopify, and more	BevSpot, OpenTable, Uber Eats, Marsello, QuickBooks, and more	Xero, QuickBooks, Uber Eats, Deliveroo, KitchenCut, TipJar, and more	Integrates with most major e-commerce platforms and software providers
Learn More	Visit TouchBistro	Visit Epos Now	Visit Lightspeed	Visit SumUp	Visit Barclaycard

FAQs