Takeaway EPOS System

Built for counter orders and phone orders

A takeaway till system has to cope with two very different order types landing at the same time: a queue at the counter, and the phone ringing off the hook. Epos Free lets staff take an order at the till while a phone order is being keyed in on another device, since it works on any device with a browser, whether that is a tablet by the fryer or a laptop in the back office.

Because there is no hardware lock in, you are not tied to a single proprietary terminal. Any device with a browser can run the till, which is useful when you want a second screen at busy times or a backup device if one goes down.

Customer names on tickets, not just numbers

Shouting out order numbers works fine in some settings, but many takeaways prefer to call out a customer name, especially for phone orders where the customer is not standing at the counter. Epos Free supports an optional customer name on each order, so staff can call out "Chicken and chips for Dave" instead of a number nobody remembers.

The customer name field is optional, so quick counter orders do not need to slow down to collect it, while phone orders can use it as standard.

Takeaway as the default, table numbers when you need them

Most takeaway orders are eat in or takeaway, and takeaway is the default service type in Epos Free, matching how most takeaways actually operate. If a customer does want to eat in, staff can switch the order type and add an optional table number, so the same till software copes with both without extra apps or separate systems.

Extras and meal upgrades without slowing down the queue

Extra cheese, no onions, upgrade to a meal, add a drink: these small additions matter for both the customer experience and your average order value. Epos Free supports optional extras and modifiers on products, so staff can add them in a couple of taps rather than trying to remember to write them on a paper ticket.

Because extras are built into the order at the point of sale, they also show up properly in your reporting, so you can see which add-ons and upgrades are actually selling.

Coping with a busy Friday night

Friday and Saturday nights are when a takeaway EPOS system earns its keep. Orders need to be rung in fast, extras need to be added without fuss, and the till should not freeze up or lag when three staff members are using it at once from different devices.

Epos Free runs in the browser rather than on locked down proprietary hardware, so if a device is struggling or a screen goes down mid rush, you can open the till on another device with a browser and carry on taking orders.

Voids and correcting mistakes

Mistakes happen during a rush, whether that is a wrong item rung in or a customer changing their mind. Epos Free supports voiding orders, so staff can correct an order without leaving a mess in your daily figures or having to explain a phantom sale at the end of the night.

Revenue reporting for a takeaway

Knowing how your takeaway performed on a given night, or across a week, matters for staffing and stock decisions. Epos Free includes reporting on daily revenue, average order value, and your most popular products, so you can see at a glance whether Friday's fish and chips outsold the kebabs, and whether your average order value is creeping up or down.

The system also tracks new versus returning customer trends, which is useful for a takeaway trying to understand how much repeat business it is building versus one off passing trade.

One menu, published for staff

Once your menu is set up in Epos Free, you can publish it to a shareable staff URL. That means new staff, or staff covering a shift at short notice, can look up the menu, extras, and prices from their own phone or a browser without you having to print anything out.

Payment methods for a takeaway counter

Epos Free supports Cash, Card, Contactless, and Gift card payment methods, covering the ways most takeaway customers actually want to pay, whether that is a contactless tap at the counter or cash for a regular who always pays that way.

Takeaway EPOS system comparison

A simple takeaway till checklist

Before opening, check that every popular item is visible, every price is current, and every extra has a clear name. A takeaway EPOS system works best when the first screen reflects the decisions customers make most often. If staff have to search for a meal upgrade or a common drink, the queue grows and the chance of an incorrect order rises.

Run one sample counter order and one sample phone order before a busy shift. Add a customer name to the phone order, test an extra, choose a payment method, and confirm the completed order appears in the history. If the business offers a small eat in area, also test switching from the default takeaway option to eat in and entering a table number.

At the end of the shift, use the reporting view to review daily revenue, average order value and popular products. Compare the result with what the team expected, then note any menu item that caused confusion. Small changes to names, categories and extras can make the next service smoother without replacing the whole system or buying new hardware.

• Keep the most frequently ordered items at the top of the relevant category
• Use customer names for phone orders when several orders are waiting
• Test extras and meal upgrades before the busiest service begins
• Review voided orders so training issues can be corrected rather than repeated
• Share the published staff menu URL with new or temporary team members

Frequently asked questions

Keep reading

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• What is an EPOS system
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• Pub and bar EPOS system
• EPOS system cost