Quick service POS system

In the hospitality industry, QSR stands for Quick Service Restaurant. QSR or quick serve restaurants are typically fast food style restaurants that prioritize speed, convenience and affordability for their customers. As part of this, these establishments offer quick counter, drive thru ordering or both for their limited menus.

POS stands for point of sale. In a restaurant, a POS system refers to the software and hardware used to manage transactions, inventory and customer data. A POS works by processing payments and updating inventory in real time. To use a POS system, staff need to log in, scan products, accept payments and ensure the system updates inventory levels and sales data automatically. With a POS, you get streamlined sales processes, accurate inventory tracking and improved customer management.

The difference between a POS system and POS software is that the system includes both the physical components (like registers and scanners) and the software, while POS software is the program that runs on the hardware. Requirements for a POS include hardware (such as tablets, scanners and printers), software and a reliable internet connection.

Selecting the best POS system for your fast food restaurant depends on the specific needs of your business, such as kitchen display integrations, customized orders and multilocation management. Ideally, you want to select a restaurant POS system that has robust features that lend themselves to achieving speed, accuracy and a high level of service.

Look for a POS provider that has strong back-end features, such as advanced analytics and inventory tracking, while also supporting customer-facing elements like loyalty programs. A fast food restaurant point of sale should be designed to support high-volume, fast-paced operations.

We recommend using a POS system for your restaurant. Traditional registers don't support the capabilities required for fast food restaurants to grow and keep up in a competitive landscape. With a POS and payments system as well as restaurant integrations, you can get a full view of your business, reduce waste, maximize customer loyalty and view key areas of growth.

A restaurant is classified as a quick service restaurant based on a variety of characteristics, all of which prioritize one or all of: speed, affordability or convenience. Let's examine these elements:

Limited service model

With minimal to no table service, customers usually order and pay at a counter. Takeaway and drive-thru options are common in this model.

Simplified menu

In most QSR establishments the menu is limited. With a small menu of simple foods, items can be easily prepared. Ingredients are also streamlined to reduce modification options and preparation time.

Speed of service

Quick serve restaurants, as the name would imply, prioritize speed. Orders, whether dine-in, takeaway or delivery, are fulfilled in a timely fashion.

Affordable pricing

People expect competitive pricing in a quick serve space. The focus, outside of convenience, is value for budget-conscious customers.

Standardized operations

Part of ensuring speed of serve is highly standardized operations from location to location. From centralized supply chains to pre-prepared ingredients and staff training, all elements are employed for consistency.

Self-serve options

To expedite service, quick serve restaurants often have self-serve areas for customers. This also reduces labor costs.


High-volume & scalability

Many QSRs are found in high traffic areas such as malls or urban centres. The aim is to serve large numbers to support scaling across locations.

In a quick serve restaurant, a Point of Sale (POS) system is a digital system used to record and manage sales transactions, orders and payment processing. The POS system plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth service to customers. The key functions of a POS system in a quick serve restaurant are: order management and communication, payments, menu modifications, inventory tracking and reporting.

For example, in the instance of inventory and ingredient tracking, a POS can be used to manage precisely the use of high-quality, seasonal items to avoid waste and revenue loss. There are endless benefits of a powerful POS system. A well-chosen point of sale is a partner for fast food through to cafes, streamlining service, reducing errors and empowering staff to provide attentive and personalized service.

The cost of quick service restaurant (QSR) point of sale (POS) systems varies based on factors such as software features, hardware requirements, and payment processing fees.
Lightspeed Hospitality starts at 189 USD a month, which includes: customizable POS, menu manager, floor plans, Advanced Insights, takeout and delivery, single-view reconciliation, CRM and loyalty, online ordering, contactless ordering, order and pay at table, Lightspeed app, multi-location management and advanced inventory management.