Looking for an Upserve POS Review? Check This Out

Are you a restaurant manager or owner? If so, you'll be all too familiar with the importance of finding and using the perfect point of sale solution. The right software can make both yours and the work of your team a million times simpler. So, in this article, we're going to cover one such program, Upserve POS.

Throughout this review, we'll cover Upserve's main features, its pros, cons, and everything else in between. So, if that sounds good to you, let's dive straight into the meat and potatoes of this article!

Who's Upserve POS?

Managing, running, and working in the restaurant, hospitality, or any kind of foodservice industry for that matter, can be a grueling task — and the creators of Upserve POS (formerly known as Breadcrumb) get that.

So, they've made it their mission to design and provide a point of sale solution with restaurant workers and managers in mind.

This is genuinely a software created by people in the foodservice industry for people in the foodservice industry. Period.

Upserve POS' designers are all former restaurant managers, bartenders, and servers, so it's safe to say, the team knows this industry inside out and back to front.

So, what does this POS have to offer?

Upserve POS is an easy-to-use and low-cost option that tackles the everyday headaches people in the hospitality industry face. Namely, by providing users with plenty of restaurant-specific features.

For instance:

• Ordering tools
• Table management
• Restaurant management
• Customer management

But, more on these features in a sec.

Recently, Upserve POS partnered with GrubHub, which means Upserve users now have an integration that enables you to offer diners online ordering and delivery. Handy, right?

You'll also be pleased to hear; this POS solution is compatible with both iOS and Android systems, so you can access this software even while you're on the run. In fact, it's exclusively mobile, which means you don't need a computer or any other machinery to make the most out of this system. You can access Upserve's back office and reporting features remotely from any device. As such, you can run your restaurant business from anywhere!

A Cloud-Based Software

Upserve POS is a cloud-based system. So, you just need an internet connection to access it.

But, never fear, Upserve POS also comes with an offline mode, so if your internet goes down, you can still use it. It encrypts and stores your diner's credit card data onto your iPad (or whatever other mobile devices you're using). This is where the info will stay until you manage to get back online to process the transaction.

How Easy is Upserve POS to Use?

Upserve POS is one of the simplest and easiest POS's on the market, namely due to its uncomplicated design.

The user interface is best described as clutter-free, so there's hardly anything to distract a busy server. This is partially what makes the system so intuitive and easy to navigate.

When you combine this with its intelligent use of touchscreen functionality, servers can swipe and modify menu items and tickets within seconds. Servers can also quickly change the table layout. This comes in especially handy if you've had to move tables around to accommodate a larger group.

Most users report being able to train new employees on how to use this POS solution within less than a day. In fact, Upserve also boasts a convenient ‘Training Mode,' which you can use even without the internet.

In terms of customization, Upserve excels. You can create as many menu items as you need. Then once you've done that, you can organize them into groups (if you want) — for instance, starters, drinks, desserts, etc. These ‘groups' appear as a list of tabs on the right-hand side of the screen. You can even create a specific bookmark for your most popular items. Needless to say, this helps make the ordering process simpler and quicker.

With just a few taps, you can also edit checks. It's super straightforward to add, delete, and modify items on your bills. And, providing you've got the right permissions, you can even change the pricing of items on the menu. This comes in useful for delivering VIP customers discounts on the fly!

It's not just customer checks you can manage with a couple of taps; you can also:

• Indicate the seating position for specific orders
• Specify the number of menu items you need
• Make notes (this feature's ideal for making the kitchen aware of a diner's allergy).

Upserve POS's Key Features

Let's take a look at Upserve‘s more renown features in a little more detail. As we've already said, Upserve supports your staff from the moment diner's sit down right the way through to when they leave.

With that in mind, here's a list of their hallmarks:

Remote Printing

You can send and print customized orders and receipts to remote printers. With just a couple of clicks, this empowers servers to send tableside requests to either the kitchen or the bar. Alternatively, you can send customer bills over to your receipt printer.

Top Tip: You can opt to configure terminals to communicate only with specific printers (or all of them). The choice is yours.

Upserve Live

Debatably, this is Upserve‘s most convenient feature. Via Upserve Live, you can access their reporting functions through an app on your smartphone. You can also keep an eye on your sales and other real-time data via the app.

Its interface is very user-friendly, which makes this app all the more accessible for monitoring your business from the convenience of your phone. This comes in especially handy if you're an entrepreneur, manager, or restaurant owner who's always on the move!

Upserve HQ

Upserve HQ is best described as a virtual ‘back office.' This is where you can generate reports, modify your account settings, create menu items, and set up employee logins.

It's also where you can set access permissions for each and every one of your employees and find other management tools.

Ordering

You can use Upserve POS in one of two modes:

1. Quickserve

2. Server

Quickserve is best for processing orders in a hurry, say if you're manning a drive-thru, or if you're bartending. Pretty much any time you need to execute an order quickly, this is the mode to use.

Whereas, the server setting provides staff with a table view as well as a menu listed in tabbed category pages.

It's also worth noting: Each of these modes includes a search function, making it easy to find specific items.

Staff Management

Upserve offers plenty of tools to help manage your staff. It's easy to see who your best servers are and what they're upselling. You can then use this info to boost your overall sales rates — pretty neat, right?

Table Management

As we've already said, you can modify the number and organization of your tables by tapping, dragging, and dropping them where you want them on your virtual floor plan.

You can also take this a step further and divide your tables into different zones and assign each of your servers a specific zone for them to work in.

You also get a break down of all the critical information you need for your upcoming dinner service. From the convenience of one page, you'll see who’s dining with you, whether you need to prepare for any VIPs, and which dishes are likely to be a favorite. This makes streamlining your reservations and managing your tables a breeze!

Last but not least, Upserve's color-coding allows you and your servers to keep an eye on which seats are occupied and what course your diner's on. How handy is that?

Course and Menu Management

As we've already mentioned, you can create as many menu items as you want. Then once you've done that, you can organize them however you please.

You can even create and save descriptions for each menu item. That way, if a guest asks your server a specific question about a dish, they'll have all the info they need to provide an informative answer. This comes in especially handy if the diner has an allergy and needs to know the specifics about the ingredients and preparation methods used to create a dish.

Lastly, Upserve‘s POS also automatically cancels a menu item as soon as it runs out. That way, your team knows when an item isn't available. This works wonders for helping your staff set diner expectations from the get-go.

Reporting

You can generate reports on all kinds of data points, including:

• Sales: This also includes things like — tax, revenue, and guest and check counts.
• Payments: You can monitor cash, credit cards, and whatever other payment methods you accept. These reports allow you to dig into details for each check and refund you process.
• Product mix: By this we mean, figures concerning category and item-levels, so you can see what's selling and, more importantly, what isn’t.
• Labor: This covers data on labor costs, scheduling, employee productivity, etc.
• Check details: Upserve analyzes over 25 data points for every check. This includes things like server, menu items, payments, check notes — just to name a few!
• Voids and comps: Upserve allows you to track voids and comps by server, reason, and authorizer.
• Pay in and payout

It's from your dashboard where you'll find handy report summaries. These tend to outline your most powerful analytics so that you can handle key data points with just a glance.

If you've opted for Upserve's Restaurant Management Platform (which is integrated with Upserve HQ, and comes with Upserve POS as standard), you'll get access to even more sophisticated analytics.

Online Ordering

If you offer (or plan on providing) customers an online ordering facility, never fear. Upserve POS gives you, your team, and your diners an interface that's very easy to use.

Customers can scroll through all your menu options and place orders to pick up with just a few clicks. You'll be relieved to hear; you don't need any other hardware to make use of their online ordering function.

Instead, online orders are directly inputted into Upserve's POS system and sent straight to the kitchen. So there's no extra work for your restaurant staff (other than your chefs who might have to handle an influx of online orders!)

Kitchen Display System

Upserve’s kitchen display system makes communication between the back and front of house so much more straightforward and effective.

In addition to that, it also organizes customer orders in the kitchen. That way, each dish can be worked on methodically. This drastically reduces the chances of human error and speeds up the time it takes to serve your guest — win-win!

Employee Management

Upserve makes it a breeze for managers to track employee hours. This POS solution comes with an in-built time clock. Gone are the days where the number of hours worked by your staff was a gray area.

You can also keep staff informed of any updates or notices with the in-app bulletin board and monitor both cash and credit tips.

Payment Options

To your customer's relief, you can use Upserve's POS to merge, transfer, or split checks. This comes in especially handy when catering for bigger parties (and they all want to pay separately!). Rest assured, you can process as many credit card payments as you need on a single bill. You can also void, comp, or discount individual menu items or the whole bill.

Lastly, you also have the option of setting automatic gratuities (again, this may come in handy for hosting larger tables), and you can offer customers the option of either a printed or emailed receipt. The choice is theirs!

Cash Management

When its time for you to balance your till Upserve makes it easy to run checkout reports. You can also program the solution so that at specified times, the system will automatically reconcile batches of payments with your card machine.

Integrations and Add-Ons

If you want to extend the overall functionality of Upserve's POS, you can do so by downloading a variety of integrations and add-ons from the Upserve Marketplace.

For your convenience we've listed some of their more popular apps:

• Shogo
• KitchenSync
• RSI
• Plate IQ
• Avero
• Venga
• CTUIT
• Restaurant 365
• PeachWorks
• Compeat
• Gusto
• Dolce
• Homebase
• 7shifts
• Better Chains
• GrubHub
• Chowly
• Open Dining Network
• Zuppler
• Menufy
• OpenTable
• Tock
• Resy
• NextMe
• The Customer Connection
• Swipe It
• Opticard

Just to name a few!

What About Hardware & Software?

As we've just said, Upserve POS is available on both Apple and Android devices, but you can access back-office reporting via any device that's connected to the internet.

It's also worth knowing; you can connect Upserve POS with a variety of hardware:

• Meraki networking gear
• Epson printer solutions
• Upserve’s stand and Kitchen Display System
• The Upserve EMV reader (this connects via Bluetooth and works alongside your current payment terminal).
• Upserve Tableside: This is a tableside ordering device and includes a five-inch screen and belt clip. It's a portable, Android-powered device that fits comfortably in your hand. It empowers servers to take orders and settle payments from the convenience of the table where your diners are seated.

How Much Does Upserve POS Cost?

There are three paid-for pricing plans. These cater to a variety of budgets, types, and sizes of restaurants. Let's take a look at these packages in more detail…

The Core Software Platform

This costs $59 per month per location, and you'll get:

• A single POS terminal license (it's an additional $60 for each extra terminal license you need)
• HQ insights
• Upserve Live mobile app
• Upserve Workforce (their employee management tools)
• Upserve Marketing
• Upserve Payments (2.49% plus a $0.15 processing fee)
• Top-quality 24/7 customer support from US-based staff, all of which have restaurant experience. You can contact them via phone, email, and live chat.

The Pro Software Platform

Here the price shoots up to $199 per month per location. Like the Core software platform, this package entitles you to a single POS terminal license, but additional ones only cost $50 each.

You also get everything in the Core plan, as well as:

• Automated inventory management
• An online ordering solution
• A customized loyalty program
• Menu optimization options
• Performance insights on your servers

The Pro Plus Software Platform

Last but not least, there's the Pro Plus Software Platform. This is Upserve's most expensive and extensive POS bundle, priced at $359 per month per location. Again, this entitles you to a single POS terminal license, and each additional licenses are only $40.

This includes everything in the previous two plans, plus:

• Custom reporting
• Data API
• A dedicated account manager

Credit Card Processing

Upserve uses its own in-house credit card processing system, which offers a flat rate across all paid-for tiers: 2.49% and $0.15 per transaction.

The Pros

• Explicitly designed for restaurant managers and employees
• Excellent customer service
• It's easy to use both in terms of training new hires and as a general POS
• You get access to online ordering features
• Upserve boasts a customizable interface
• Robust reporting, analytics, and insights.

Let's take a look at Upserve's customer service in a little more detail:

Upserve provides tons of online training videos, an informative knowledge base, and an active community forum. If that doesn't cut the biscuit, you can also receive technical support via the phone, through the in-app chat function, or through email. If you choose to go down that road, you'll be happy to hear; customers describe Upserve's customer support as: ‘fast, knowledgeable, patient, and honest.'

Best of all, with the higher payment plans, Upserve assigns Customer Success Managers to every account. This works wonders for helping you make the most out of your POS solution.

They also have a blog that's brimming with information and Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles, all of which are updated relatively often. So, rest assured, you should find the help you need!

The Drawbacks of Using Upserve POS

There seem to be two main drawbacks to using Upserve POS. On the whole, you get slightly less bang for your buck when you compare it to its competitors. The other chief complaint is that Upserve POS has suffered from occasional outage issues. Unfortunately, when this happens, the whole system goes down (this also tends to occur during busy business hours) — not cool.

Some users also complain about having to download various mandatory updates. Again, these were pushed on them during peak business hours, which caused downtime, and as you can imagine, this would have been incredibly frustrating.

Who Should Use Upserve POS?

It doesn't matter whether you're running a quick-service or a full-service restaurant, you'll use Upserve POS to the fullest. This solution also comes in handy for managing the following kinds of businesses:

• Cafes
• Drive-thrus
• Wineries
• Breweries
• Bars
• Takeaways
• Nightclubs

No matter the size of your menu Upserve POS can accommodate your needs. If you're operating from more than one location, even better, because Upserve POS permits you to compare data from several restaurant locations.

Ready to Start Using Upserve POS?

All in all, Upserve POS provides tons of perks and a relatively reliable service. Its interface is highly customizable, so you can personalize it to meet the exact needs of your business and servers. It's simple to create a menu, arrange floor plans, take orders, and keep staff up to date with your latest notices.

Not only that, Upserve HQ and Upserve Live make it incredibly easy for managers to keep an eye on sales, modify account settings, and view reports…all from the convenience of their smartphone.

But like any other POS solution, Upserve isn't without its drawbacks. For instance, although the list of native integrations they offer is impressive, it isn't as vast as some of their competitors. Plus, if you're a larger restaurant, you'll probably have to fork out for a more sophisticated inventory management integration.

Our best advice is to give their free demo a whirl before committing your hard-earned cash to the solution. This is the best way to see whether the software is a good fit for your needs.

Have you ever use Upserve POS before? If so, we'd love to hear about how you got on. Did they meet or exceed expectations? We hope so! Either way, tell us all about it in the comments box below. Speak soon!

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