What does a restaurant POS system include?
A restaurant POS system includes point-of-sale software and the devices at each station. The number of devices depends on the floor plan and on the software chosen. The table shows a typical setup and the G4POS catalogue models that fit each station.
| Station | Hardware | Quantity to plan | In the G4POS catalogue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counter and checkout | All-in-one touchscreen terminal, receipt printer, cash drawer | 1 per checkout point | JG7000, JG8000, MG80 printer |
| Kitchen | Kitchen printer or kitchen display (KDS) | 1 per production area | MG80 printer |
| Tableside ordering | Tablets | Based on the number of servers | DG820, DG870GB |
| Waiting and service | Guest pagers, staff pagers, call buttons | Based on the number of tables or seats | LRS range |
| Loyalty | Loyalty cards and gift cards | Per batch, from 1,000 cards | Cards printed in the restaurant’s colours |
Why choose the software before the hardware?
The point-of-sale software determines which hardware is compatible: it sets the print interface, the drivers and sometimes the list of supported models. Its name and version are the first things to find out.
In Québec, a restaurant establishment subject to mandatory billing (for example, a bar, a restaurant or a business that provides catering services) must send its transaction data to Revenu Québec using a certified sales recording system (SRS) designed to communicate with the WEB-SRM. It must also give each customer a bill produced using that same SRS.
Revenu Québec’s certification applies to the SRS, that is, to the software. The required equipment is a certified SRS, an SRS-compatible printer if necessary, and an internet connection. Before buying an SRS, check that it appears in the list of authorized products published by Revenu Québec, and confirm with its developer that it meets your needs.
To find out whether your establishment is subject to mandatory billing or qualifies for an exemption, see Revenu Québec’s pages on who is subject to the measures and on exemptions in the restaurant sector.
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Which terminal should you choose for the counter?
At the counter, the usual choice is an all-in-one terminal, which packs the computer, the touchscreen and the power supply into a single unit. The G4POS catalogue includes two, the JG7000 and the JG8000. Both are Windows compatible and have a 15-inch touchscreen with 10 touch points.
The JG7000 adds a built-in 10.1-inch customer display that faces the customer and shows the details of the transaction. It has an Intel Celeron J6412 processor, 8 GB of memory and a 256 GB NVMe SSD. The JG8000 has an Intel Core i5-8265U processor, 8 GB of memory and 256 GB of NVMe storage. Both have 2 RS-232 serial ports, 6 USB ports and an RJ45 network port.
Which printers do you need at the counter and in the kitchen?
At the counter, a thermal printer is the usual choice for receipts: it is fast, quiet and uses only thermal paper. The MG80 in the G4POS catalogue prints on 80 mm paper at 260 mm/s and cuts the receipt automatically. It connects over serial, USB or Ethernet, accepts ESC/POS commands and has a cash drawer output.
In the kitchen, heat and steam turn thermal paper grey. A thermal printer mounted away from those sources works well. Close to the grills, an impact printer, which prints through a ribbon onto ordinary paper, remains the safe choice.
Do you need tablets and pagers?
A tablet is added when orders are taken at the table. The DG820 and DG870GB rugged tablets in the G4POS catalogue are Windows compatible and recharge on their included station. The DG870GB has an IP65 housing and withstands 1.22 m drops.
LRS pagers call back guests waiting for a table or an order, and alert staff. With LRS call buttons, guests can call staff from their table. For guests, plan one pager per party waiting at the same time at peak, plus a reserve for units on charge and for losses. G4POS sizes the system, and the reseller installs it.
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Where can you buy restaurant POS hardware in Québec?
G4POS is a point-of-sale hardware wholesaler based in Québec since 2016, and its stock is warehoused in Québec. G4POS sells mainly to point-of-sale resellers, integrators and consultants. They choose the software, install the hardware and keep the relationship with the restaurant owner.
The terminals, tablets, printers and readers in the G4POS catalogue are covered by their manufacturer’s one-year warranty.