Plenty of things can trip up a restaurant, and the POS system is high on that list. When it works, no one thinks twice. But when it doesn’t, when it’s the wrong system or badly set up, it creates problems that touch every part of the business: delays, errors, lost revenue, and unhappy customers.
This is where resellers make a real difference. You’re not just recommending software. You’re helping restaurants avoid costly missteps, stay focused on service, and run smarter from the ground up.
Let’s look at five of the most common POS mistakes restaurants run into, and how resellers can step in before things go sideways.
1. Choosing the Wrong POS System for the Concept
One size doesn’t fit all. Yet many restaurant owners still pick a system based on brand recognition or price tag, not suitability.
A POS that’s perfect for a fast-casual taco joint might be a nightmare for a fine-dining spot juggling table assignments, coursing, and wine pairing notes. And don’t get us started on ghost kitchens trying to survive with a retail-oriented POS.
How resellers can help:
Act as consultants, not just vendors. Sit down with restaurant owners and help them define their needs from delivery integration to loyalty programs to back-office reporting. And don’t be afraid to challenge assumptions. The goal isn’t to pick the most popular system; it’s to pick the right one.
Heads-up: Create industry-specific checklists that outline must-have features for different restaurant models: QSR, fine dining, pop-ups, food trucks, virtual brands, etc.
2. Investing in Hardware Before Choosing the Right Software
Here’s a familiar horror story: a restaurant buys refurbished POS hardware off eBay to “save money,” only to find it’s incompatible with modern cloud-based systems. Now they’re stuck, or worse – forced to switch again after spending thousands.
How resellers can help:
Educate clients early. Hardware decisions should follow software choices, not precede them. Many modern systems run on iPads or Android tablets, which don’t require expensive proprietary gear. Explain why cheap isn’t always smart, and how a better setup upfront saves money down the line.
Heads-up: Provide bundled options tailored to venue type and size, including scalable solutions that grow with the restaurant.
3. Ignoring Integration Needs (Until It’s a Fire Drill)
We’ve said it before: a POS system without integrations is just a glorified calculator. If the POS doesn’t talk to accounting tools like QuickBooks or delivery platforms like DoorDash, someone ends up spending hours retyping data and making costly errors.
At KitchenHub, we’ve seen how deep integrations with marketplaces like DoorDash save restaurants from data chaos and missed orders.
How resellers can help:
Ask the integration questions upfront. Does the restaurant use third-party delivery? How do they handle payroll? What accounting tools do they use? What’s their CRM or loyalty solution?
Heads-up: Use our DoorDash integration guide to evaluate whether a client’s POS is ready for marketplace syncing. If it’s not, steer them to a better-fit system or let KitchenHub handle the complex integrations for you.
4. Skipping Staff Training and Support
No matter how smart the POS is, it’s only as good as the people using it. Many restaurateurs skip training to save money, then watch as staff fumble through orders, misring items, and butcher shift reports. Not good.
How resellers can help:
Build training into your package at launch and ongoing. Offer cheat sheets, webinars, and even short how-to videos. Better yet, sell the value of support. Because when the printer goes down on a Friday night, a YouTube tutorial won’t cut it.
Heads-up: Position your support team as part of the value you bring. If the POS vendor’s hotline has a 3-hour wait, be the human who actually picks up the phone.
5. Focusing on Price Instead of ROI
Yes, cost matters. But chasing the cheapest POS system is like buying the cheapest chef’s knife, you’ll pay for it in inefficiency, breakdowns, and bandaids.
Many restaurant owners don’t account for hidden costs: setup fees, limited features, poor support, lack of updates, or even payment processing markups. What looked like a deal ends up being a money pit.
How resellers can help:
Shift the conversation from price to ROI. Ask: What’s the cost of a single missed order? A customer walking out after a long wait? A month of inaccurate sales data?
Heads-up: Bundle value-added services like delivery integration, multi-location reporting, or menu syncing as part of your pitch. You’re not selling a POS, you’re selling peace of mind.
Smart POS Bundles for Resellers to Offer
To prevent these mistakes and provide clear value, resellers can create solution bundles tailored to restaurant use cases:
For Virtual Brands and Ghost Kitchens:
- POS System
- Kitchen Display System (KDS)
- Menu Syncing Tool (KitchenHub)
- 3rd-Party Delivery Integration
For Growth-Stage Multi-Unit Operators:
- POS + Reporting Dashboard
- Accounting Software Integration
- Inventory Management Add-on
- Cloud-based Back Office Access
For First-Time Restaurateurs:
- POS + iPad + Cash Drawer Bundle
- Staff Training Sessions
- 24/7 Tech Support Hotline
- Setup Wizard for Menu and Payments
These bundles help shift the reseller relationship from transactional to strategic while unlocking recurring revenue potential.
Red Flags That Tell You It's Time for a POS Upgrade
Here are the tell-tale signs that a restaurant’s current setup is holding them back:
- “We just type in the DoorDash orders manually.”
- The GM uses Excel to calculate daily sales.
- Staff only know how to run one basic report.
- Menu items disappear or show up wrong during delivery rushes.
- They can’t tell which platform is driving the most revenue.
If you hear any of these during a consultation, it’s a flashing neon sign that your client needs a better solution and fast.
The restaurant industry is brutal enough. A bad POS system shouldn’t be the reason a great concept fails.
As a reseller, you have the power to change that narrative. By spotting mistakes before they happen and guiding restaurants to smarter solutions, you’re not just making sales, you’re saving businesses.
And if you need a partner who can handle the messy back-end stuff like delivery integration, multi-platform menu syncing, and 24/7 monitoring, KitchenHub is here to help.
